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May 19, 2026
Editor: Josh Johnston, KE5MHV
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2026 Ham Radio Symposium: Focused Communications |
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The annual Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association (EAWA) Ham Radio Symposium, held on Saturday, April 18, offered attendees five presentations, several information tables, a raffle, light refreshments, and wonderful conversation. The event started at noon, with greetings from EAWA President John Peckenham, KQ1P, and Symposium Coordinator Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE. Below is a quick review of the presentations, as well as photos of special interest groups represented at the symposium.
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Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, welcomed everyone to the symposium. | | | |
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I was the first presenter, and I shared how to get the most out of a free app called HamAlert, which sends notifications when certain call signs or locations are active.
I demonstrated how to set conditions using several examples, including setting alerts for when a friend is activating a Parks on the Air® (POTA) park on a particular band, a needed state for a particular band and mode for ARRL’s Worked All States award, when specifically needed POTA parks are activated, and when needed DXCC entities are active.
One item I emphasized was the use of the spotters’ locations, choosing spotters that make it more likely for a ham to hear the other station.
A second item was the value of connecting Club Log to HamAlert.
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Marion Mason, W1GRL, shared ways to maximize the conditions of HamAlert. | | | |
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The second presenter, Gerry Hull, W1VE, demonstrated how easy it is to use a remote radio connection to make a contact. He shared stories to illustrate the value of remote radio and busted the myth that it’s an expensive operation. The information he presented can be found at remote.radio. Gerry also shared an app he created to show operators where propagation is in their favor, called the RBN S-Meter. This app can be found at rbsm.rm.gl.
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Gerry Hull, W1VE, made a contact from the podium and shared his latest app. | | | |
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The third presentation, given by David Baizley and Dakota Dumont, KB1YYC, was an introduction to MaineMesh, an off-grid mesh network. They shared reasons why this off-grid communication system is useful and why they chose Meshtastic over MeshCore for their needs. They shared tips on choosing mobile and base station hardware and filters, as well as ways to configure the settings. You can learn more at mainemesh.org. The pair highly recommended using Discord to find more information.
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Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, introduced David Baizley and Dakota Dumont, KB1YYC | | | |
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Greg Zdenek, KC1RID, was the fourth presenter, sharing tips on 3D printing ham radio-related items. He summarized some of the evolution of 3D printers, comparing previous high-cost/early development printers to the current wide range of price points and capabilities available today.
The presentation began with an introduction for anyone unfamiliar with 3D printing, moved on to equipment and CAD software considerations, and then explored ham radio-related projects. Greg brought many examples of the items he discussed in his slide presentation.
His primary message was that with current capabilities and resources, anyone can master the basics of 3D printing for ham radio-related items.
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Greg Zdenek, KC1RID, shared slides and 3D-printed ham radio items. | | | |
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The fifth and final presentation was given by Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, highlighting the various uses for Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). The primary focus was to show that APRS can be used for messaging as well as tracking. He reviewed how to send messages and bulletins, check your inbox, and use QRX and APRSLink.
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Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, shared how APRS can be used for more than tracking. | | | |
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Between sessions, attendees had an opportunity to browse several information tables, as well as talk with presenters and enjoy some snacks. Members of three special interest groups set up information tables and stayed close to answer any questions.
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Members of the Downeast Maine Chapter of the North American QRP CW Club, from left to right: Stan Mason, W1BOY; John Peckenham, KQ1P; Joan Hildreth, W1DLC; Phil Duggan, N1EP; Dick Small, W1KRP, and Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE. | | | |
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Pictured on the left is Joan Hildreth, W1DLC (left); Barbara MacPike, KC1SSY (middle), and Marion Mason, W1GRL (right). Members of the Women Radio Operators of Maine and Young Ladies Radio League shared information about their groups and other female-based radio organizations (shown in the top right photo). The lower right photo shows Joan, Barbara, and Marion joined by Judy Taylor, KI4VCQ, and Bernie Williams, KI4VCR. | | | |
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The 2026 annual symposium ended with a raffle drawing and many declarations of success! A special thanks goes out to Jeff for taking the lead on this event, the presenters, and the many helpers who made this special afternoon possible. All who attended left with knowledge and inspiration to try some new things. It’s clear why the annual symposium is a highlight of the EAWA’s yearly schedule.
—Thanks to Marion Mason, W1GRL
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QST's "Club Station" Column Submissions |
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Clubs are the backbone of the amateur radio community. Whether you’re part of a special or general interest club, its members are the community that you serve. In the same way that every ham is different, each club is also different — not every club will offer the same programs and projects to their member community.
QST’s “Club Station” is a space for clubs to share their practical ideas about what’s helped lead them to their success. If your club has developed a creative way to get around common challenges, we want to hear from you!
If you’re interested in writing for “Club Station,” please follow the author guidelines that are tailored to this column. Additionally, you’ll find a Club Profile Form at the end of the author guidelines, which must be filled out and included with your submission. If this form is missing, your submission will not be considered complete.
www.arrl.org/qst-club-station-guidelines-and-profile-form
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ARRL Affiliated Club Reminder |
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ARRL Affiliated Clubs should update their club information annually. These simple instructions will walk you through the process: www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Club%20Update%20Online_20150806.pdf. This only takes a few minutes, and it keeps your club up to date and in active status.
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Submitting Info for this Newsletter |
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ARRL Club News is for radio clubs to show how they are working in the community and the hobby to advance amateur radio.
If your club completes a project, supports an event, does an EmComm activation, or activates a park, we want to hear about it.
You can submit your newsletter article to us at
clubs@arrl.org. We like to get them as text or Word files instead of PDFs.
If you have pictures, please submit them with caption information, as well as the name and call sign of the photographer.
We want to highlight the good work being done by the clubs and show others in the community.
Think of this as a chance to show off your club and your programs.
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On The Air Live Offers Learning Opportunities for ARRL Members |
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Join ARRL’s Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, as he takes amateur radio to the final frontier! In this session of On the Air Live, we will explore how to make contacts through amateur radio satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) using portable equipment.
We’ll review essential gear — including handheld radios and directional antennas — and discuss the techniques needed for successful space-based communication. Plus, Wayne will show you how to use computer and smartphone apps to accurately track satellite passes in your specific area.
Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned operator, tune in to learn how to work "the birds" right from your own backyard!
The session will air on ARRL’s Learning Center website, learn.arrl.org, on May 26, at 8:00 PM Eastern. Pre-registration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center website,
learn.arrl.org/webinars/125287.
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Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features. More info
| Listen on Blubrry
| Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
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To ensure that all ARRL Affiliated Clubs are receiving information to support Year of the Club, ARRL Club News is now being sent to all club email addresses of record, club presidents, and club newsletter editors, as submitted in affiliated club listings.
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Get your club together like the Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society in Argyle, Texas, did, and take a photo to send to QST. Each 2026 issue of QST will include club group photos. Get all the details at www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club.
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That’s a wrap: Dayton Hamvention |
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Dayton Hamvention was a great success this year. ARRL staff and volunteers in the Year of the Club booth spoke with hams about what their club does to promote amateur radio and received close to 400 responses. We’ll be sharing some of these ideas in future issues.
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ARRL team members in the Field Services booth were celebrating America 250 and Year of the Club just before the doors opened at Dayton Hamvention. | | | |
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South Texas Amateur Radio Club (STARC), N5CRP, is an ARRL Special Service Club serving the Corpus Christi area of south Texas. STARC, with 90 members, recently celebrated 50 years as a club. Pictured are STARC members who gathered for Winter Field Day 2026 and a VE test session, where two teens passed their Technician exams. [Wayne Bortner, K5NCW, photo] | | | |
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How to Plan and Apply for an ARRL Hamfest or Convention |
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If your amateur radio club is planning to host a convention, hamfest, tailgate, or swapfest, please consider applying for it to be an ARRL-sanctioned event. To learn what it means to be an ARRL-sanctioned event, and to get some ideas on how to prepare for and conduct a hamfest or convention, visit
www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events.
To have your event sanctioned, complete the online application at
www.arrl.org/hamfest-convention-application.
Please send a copy of the application that returns to you to Steve Ewald at sewald@arrl.org.
The ARRL Hamfests and Conventions Calendar can be found online at
www.arrl.org/hamfests. In addition, the Convention and Hamfest Calendar that runs in QST each month also presents information about upcoming events.
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ARRL Home: www.arrl.org
Find an ARRL Affiliated Club: www.arrl.org/clubs
Find your ARRL Section: www.arrl.org/sections
Find a license class in your area: www.arrl.org/class
Find a license exam in your area: www.arrl.org/exam
Find a hamfest or convention: www.arrl.org/hamfests
Email ARRL Clubs: clubs@arrl.org
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ARRL Club News is published every month (12 times each year). ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page at
www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.
Copyright © 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission.
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