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PHARG is dedicated to promoting the educational, scientific, and operating aspects of the amateur radio service in Downeast Maine. The group was formed in memory of Bob Begley W1KMG, who resided in Hancock, Maine, and was an elmer to many new hams in the region. PHARG now holds the W1KMG call and periodically conducts operating events, and routinely conducts Volunteer Examinations to bring new people into the ham radio community.
There will be a PHARG coffee meeting Thursday, Feb 1 at 10am at Flex-It Cafe on Main Street in Ellsworth. Time to brainstorm and plan some PHARG activities for 2024! Come one - come all!
There will be a special Poverty Hill Amateur Radio Group W1KMG Net on Wednesday, Feb 7 on the N1ARO Hancock Repeater at 7:30PM. (145.835- pl 101.9)
Mel W1MEB will serve as net control using our W1KMG call sign. Suggested topics are sharing a memory of the late Bob Begley W1KMG or suggest an idea on how to recruit more people into ham radio. Spread the word!
There will be an ARRL VE amateur radio exam session Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Meadow View Apartments Phase IV Dining Hall, 25 Tweedie Lane in Ellsworth. Session starts at 10:00am.
All levels of exams will be offered. Applicants will need to show a legal photo ID or two forms of approved alternate identification, obtain in advance and bring their FCC Registration Number (FRN) available for free at fcc.gov, $15 VE fee (under age 18 the fee is only $5), a copy of their current amateur radio license if upgrading, and a valid email address.
Upon successful completion of exam, applicants will then need to pay the $35 FCC admin fee (ARRL will reimbuse those under age 18 upon request) when the FCC sends them an email with payment instructions.
Here is more information on how candidates under age 18 can get reimbursed the $35 FCC fee: ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program
Other than the VE exam sessions and a few special W1KMG nets, PHARG has not been real active as of late. Let's change that for 2024! A PHARG coffee/lunch will be planned for February or March to plan special events and other activities that can be done in collaboration with local clubs. Stay tuned. Announcements will be sent out soon!
Thank you Mel, W1MEB, for serving as net control station for a special Poverty Hill ARG W1KMG simplex net on Decemner 8. There was a good turn-out for the net, especially from hams Downeast!