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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, they decided to form 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 to share in the
enjoyment of amateur radio and bring together their skills to encourage
improvement in all the various phases and interests 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, we meet 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 more information.
In
the summer months, we meet weekly (each Thursday), from 7PM-9PM, at
the Banquet Hall at the Wassamki Springs Campground, in Scarborough.
We monitor 147.540 MHz from
6:45-7:00 PM for "talk-in."
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JOTA AT
CAMP BOMAZEEN
NORTH BELGRADE, ME - On
October 15th, the WSSM team set up a JOTA station during the Boy Scouts
Camporee weekend at Camp Bomazeen. Amateur radio was part of the
activities that the scouts could take part in, and many had an
opportunity to get on the air and communicate with other hams and
scouts around the world. Several groups stopped by our station
throughout the day, and many said they enjoyed their first ham radio
experience. Some of the scouts were trying for their radio merit
badges, and others expressed interest in getting a ham radio license of
their own. Thanks to Assistant Scoutmaster, Brandon Wilkins, of Troop
648 in Brunswick, for inviting us.
Overnight
accommodations at Camp Bomazeen |
Tim,
KB1HNZ, talks about antennas with a group of scouts |
FIELD DAY AT WASSAMKI SPRINGS
SCARBOROUGH, ME - We
took part in our first Field Day on the weekend of June 26-27, at the
Wassamki Springs Campground, in Scarborough. Choosing not to begin
setting up until 2:00 PM on Saturday, the club station, WS1SM, operated
for 27 consecutive hours. On hand were many club members, as well as
hams and visitors from all over. The main station was an Icom
706MKIIG, using battery power, and several dipole antennas. We also set
up a Yaesu FT-817 to operate VHF / UHF, using 5 watts and a BuddiPole
(rotatable dipole).
Frank
Allen, WA1PLD, works 15 meters |
Charlie
Shepard, W1CPS, with Arrow satellite antenna |
More Field Day photos can be
found on the Gallery
page.
HAM RADIO DAY PROCLAMATION
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SCARBOROUGH, ME - Members
of the Wireless Society of Southern Maine pose with the official
proclamation which was signed by the Maine State Legislature,
recognizing April 18th, 2011 as World Amateur Radio Day. Tony
Bessey, representing the Maine Section of the American Radio Relay
League, was kind enough to bring the document to our monthly meeting on
June 9th.
From
left to right: Jason Andrews (KB1UXB), Frank Allen (WA1PLD), Thom
Watson (W1WMG), Charlie Shepard (W1CPS), Tim Watson (KB1HNZ), Frank
Krizan (KR1ZAN), and Tony Bessey (N1AJB).
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GORHAM FOUNDER'S FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENT
GORHAM, ME - The
Wireless Society of Southern Maine took part in the Gorham Founder's
Festival during the Memorial Day weekend, from May 27-30. Members set
up a table display and were on hand to answer questions about amateur
radio. They also operated the club station, WS1SM as a special event to
help celebrate the 275th anniversary of the founding of Gorham, Maine.
Thom, W1WMG, talks to some
folks about ham radio at the Gorham Founder's Festival
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Tim, KB1HNZ, works a pileup on
20 meters Saturday afternoon. |
The
event was a success for the club, as they signed up new members, talked
to many perspective hams, and demonstrated to town officials and the
public, the capabilities of amateur radio. Members operating the
special event station made over 200 contacts, using several different
modes including SSB, CW, and digital.
More pictures
of the event can be found on the Gallery page.
Wireless
Society of Southern
Maine 25 Graham Road, Westbrook, ME 04092
Contact Us
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