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The
Wireless Society of Southern Maine began as a group of friends with a
common interest in ham radio, who met weekly at the Wassamki Springs
Campground in Scarborough. In early summer of 2010, these friends
decided to create a more formal organization, recognizing a need in the
community for a club that was welcoming, helpful, and receptive to new
ideas. WSSM brings together both new and experienced
operators alike to
share in the enjoyment of amateur radio, and also brings together their
skills to encourage improvement in all the various phases of the hobby,
including public service potential, operating ability, courtesy, and
technical proficiency.
Membership is open to
all persons
interested in radio communications. There is NO requirement to be
licensed, however only licensed operators and full time residents of
the area can be Full or "voting members." At our monthly meetings, we
like to encourage participation in round table discussions covering a
wide range of ham radio topics. We cordially invite you to visit us and
to become a member.
During the
fall and winter, meetings are
held on the second Thursday of each month from 7PM-9PM, at the Gorham
Recreation Department, located at the Municipal Center, on Ballpark
Road in Gorham. Please
click here for directions.
In
the
summer months, we meet weekly (each Thursday) from 7PM-9PM, at the
Banquet Hall at Wassamki Springs Campground, in Scarborough.
We
monitor 147.540 MHz simplex, and the 147.045 repeater (+ / 103.5)
for "talk-in."
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JOTA AT THE
MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM
BATH, ME - On
October 20th, the WSSM team set up a JOTA station during the Boy Scouts
Camporee weekend at the Maine Maritime Museum. Operating on battery
power, we used a dipole antenna for 40 meters and a BuddiPole rotatable
dipole for 15 and 20 meters. The transceiver used was a Yaesu FT-857D.
The operating location was inside the museum, overlooking the Kennebec
River and the historic Percy and Small Shipyard.
It
was a lot of fun introducing amateur radio to all the scouts during
Jamboree On The Air, but also in taking the time to talk to scouts from
other JOTA events around the world. We even had some of our boys
talking with scouts in other places, but they were most excited about
making contacts with DX stations who were taking part in the DARC
German Districts contest. One of the scouts had a QSO with a ham in
Luxembourg, and after he set down the mic, asked, “Where’s Luxembourg?”
So, besides being an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of
amateur radio, it also prompted some curiosity in geography.
 
The
WS1SM team also demonstrated the techniques involved in radio direction
finding. Hiding a small transmitter that bursts a low-power amplified
morse code signal, the scouts who participated were able to track it
down using triangulation techniques, and a specialized device known as
a Vector Finder. Many of the scouts and visitors who took part said
that this was the most fun they had all day. Though fun, they also
learned about the importance of radio direction finding in aiding
search and rescue operations.
This
was our second year participating in Jamboree On The Air, and
we’re already looking forward to next year!
WSSM TEAM ACTIVATES WOOD ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
BIDDEFORD
POOL, ME - WSSM members Thom Watson W1WMG, Sam Webber N1WIG, Dave Wood
KB1FGF, Rory McEwen KB1PLY, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ, activated Wood
Island Lighthouse #US0141 for the International Lighthouse and
Lightship Weekend, on Sunday, August 19th. The island also qualified as
IOTA #NA137 and this was first time Wood Island was activated as US
Islands ME103. The team made 97 QSO's and contacted several other
lighthouses throughout the country and around the world. The station
operated on 100% battery power and consisted of a Yaesu FT857D, an Icom
IC7000, a 40 meter dipole, and a BuddiPole rotatable dipole. To see
photos from the event, including an interactive panorama, please visit
our image
gallery.
2012
FIELD DAY AT WASSAMKI SPRINGS
SCARBOROUGH,
ME - The Wireless Society of Southern Maine took part in
their
2nd ARRL Field Day on the weekend of June 23-24th, at Wassamki Springs
Campground in Scarborough. Operating battery power, the WS1SM team
equaled last years QSO record, despite having to shut down for nearly
two hours Saturday night because of lightning storms. Most of the
contacts were made on the 80, 40, and 20 meter bands using a variety of
portable antennas. To see photos from the event, please visit our image gallery.
 
CLUB LOG
WS1SM is the official club station
of the Wireless Society of Southern Maine. The call sign is activated
during contests, special events, and expeditions. Use this handy tool
to see if you're in our log.
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Wireless Society of Southern Maine, P.O. Box 174,
Scarborough, ME 04074
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