3rd Annual
by Tim Watson, KB1HNZ

Project Update: CW With Your HT Oscillator Kits

GORHAM, ME - At February's club meeting, we continued our latest project, which is a simple device that can be used with any handheld or mobile transciever to send modulated CW. It's basically an audio oscillator and keying circuit which acts as an interface between a CW key and a radio. As members have begun to finish their projects, we've had a chance to see some of them completed. Click on the link below to see pictures of the construction process, and for more information on how you can build one yourself.

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SOTA Expedition to Mt. Agamenticus
York, ME
by Tim Watson, KB1HNZ
The WS1SM team is ready to kick off the season with an expedition to Mt. Agamenticus, in York, ME, to activate the mountain for Summits on the Air (SOTA). The event will take place on Sunday, April 28th, and will include operations on both VHF and HF. Frequencies will be announced on the SOTA Watch website as well as via Twitter.


Member Profile
Charles Sheppard, W1CPS
by Tim Watson, KB1HNZ
For this issue, we're introducing a new regular feature, which will profile different WSSM members, interview style, by asking questions about their involvement in the hobby and some other things you might not know about them. For the first feature, we've chosen Charles Sheppard, W1CPS.

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From the Editor's Desk

A Call to Action In recent years, across the country, there have been a number of laws proposed that could have been detrimental to Amateur Radio, if not addressed. A lot of times this happens out of shear ignorance on the behalf of lawmakers. The ARRL and its lobbying force are good at keeping a watchful eye on what is taking place in Washington - for example, opposing such bills as H.R. 607, which aims at “addressing certain spectrum management issues including the creation and maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network.” But it’s on the state and local levels, that clubs like ours need to take a more active role in monitoring what's being presented. The most recent bill to come up is one proposed by State Representative Beaudoin, of Biddeford, which aims to criminalize the use of mobile phones while operating a motor vehicle. At first glance, it may seem like a good idea to keep phones out of the hands of drivers, but how does this effect Amateur Radio? Looking at the bill, (LD68), it does appear to specifically imply the use of “mobile phones,” but as club member, Frank Krizan, KR1ZAN, points out, “the wording of the Bill is subject to interpretation by an officer of the law, who would be in his/her right to issue a citation to a Ham, requiring the Ham to justify to a judge that he/she was not using a cellphone, but, rather an amateur radio communications system.” The bill goes on to specifically exempt operators of emergency vehicles, physicians, holders of commercial driver’s licenses, and select municipal employees from any penalty - which begs the question as to why commercial drivers especially, who have the potential of being the most lethal since they operate vehicles containing passengers, hazardous materials, and not to mention, considerable weight, would be exempt.  I think all of us would feel more comfortable with LD68 if it contained language which specifically made an exception for the use of radios by licensed Amateur Radio operators. Amateur Radio plays a vital role as a support communications service during emergencies, volunteer activities, and for personal communications. We need to protect this freedom so that we can continue to apply our communications skills where needed. Please take a moment to contact your local Representatives and State Senators to make them aware of this concern. To find contact information for elected officials, by state district, please click here. 73, Tim Watson KB1HNZ Page 2 >>