Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service

06/15/2026

If you have been studying for your Technician License, you should be aware of the information below.
New Technician Question Pool Takes Effect July 1

On July 1, 2026, a new Element 2 Technician-class question pool will take effect for examinations. VECs and VEs must have new test designs available for use at exam sessions effective that date.

The newly revised pool, released in December 2025 (updated and re-released on February 19, 2026) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), must be in use starting July 1. There are 409 questions in this pool, down slightly from 412 in the previous pool. The pool also includes three diagrams used for some of the questions. View all current question pools on the NCVEC website at www.ncvec.org.

06/14/2026

This is just an early reminder that our monthly in-person meeting will be on the 19th of this month at the Caribou EOC at 6:00 PM. We meet at 111 High Street in back of the Fire Department. I hope all members and guests can attend.
EARS will be meeting at Richie's Restaurant on the 20th at 7:30 for breakfast, all members and guests are welcome to attend.
Field Day will be Saturday the 27th of June and we are setting up right next to the tennis courts on Bennet Drive. I would like to invite everyone to participate, lend a hand, or stop by and say hello. I will have more details at our monthly meeting.
Lastly, I would like to encourage any licensed operater to join us in our weekly nets where we test our radios and our emergency communications. We do that every Wednesday at 7:00 PM starting on 444.400.

73's

06/13/2026

Field Day June 27th, come see us!



While it’s always good to be prepared for emergencies year round, summertime is a great time to really get the ball rolling when it comes to preparedness. Storing supplies, reviewing plans, and practicing the skills you will need during an emergency is a lot easier when the weather is good.

The Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service will join amateur radio operators across the nation on Saturday, June 27th for Amateur Radio Field Day – a national event involving the nearly 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the United States and 3 million worldwide.

Held on the fourth weekend of June, tens of thousands of operators across North America set up temporary, off-grid transmitting stations in parks, fields, and public places to practice communicating without commercial power.

The event is designed to test equipment, train operators, and introduce the public to amateur radio. Over a 24-hour period, clubs and individuals compete to see how many other stations they can successfully contact across various frequency bands and communication modes. Operators practice setting up stations quickly in remote environments using alternative power sources like solar, batteries, and generators to simulate disaster conditions.

This year, Caribou EARS will be set up between the tennis courts and the Caribou Community School next to the Caribou Rec Center on Bennet Drive. Stop by anytime Saturday, June 27th and see how amateur radio saves lives.

05/20/2026

A decent read if you have a few minutes.

Users looking at MURS vs FRS and other radio services face many options with important differences in what they can do. FRS radios work within a frequency

05/18/2026

ID-5200A/E Expands Your Operating Possibilities with a Full Range of Advanced Features

Icom Inc. proudly announces the launch of the ID-5200A/E, 144/430 MHz dual-band transceiver for amateur radio, in summer 2026.

The ID-5200A/E is a mobile transceiver equipped with a large 4.3-inch color touchscreen. The radio features a waterfall display, allowing users to easily see signal activity and band conditions. It features independent dials, volume k***s, and squelch k***s for the A and B bands, positioned on the left and right sides respectively, and includes dedicated physical buttons for frequently used menus and functions, enabling smooth and intuitive operation.
ICOM is coming out with this!!!!!!

The ID-5200A/E supports enhanced D-STAR functions such as Terminal Mode, Access Point Mode, DV Repeater Monitor, and image transmission and reception. It also supports Wi-Fi connectivity (with built in access point capability), allowing comfortable use of Terminal and Access Point modes via an Internet connection. Support for APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is planned through a future firmware update.

The radio supports true dual-band simultaneous reception, including FM/FM, FM/DV, and DV/DV. Users can monitor two D-STAR repeaters or listen to another repeater while in QSO. It also supports V/V, U/U, and V/U dual receive, including Airband.

In addition, several optional mounting brackets are available, including in vehicle mounts, docking brackets, and desktop stands, allowing flexible installation to suit various operating environments.

Main Features
A Large Touchscreen Color display with Excellent High Visibility
Independent Dual‑band Dials for Superior Operability
The First Mobile Transceiver to Feature Waterfall Display
Memory Scope Function
Enhanced D‑STAR Functionality, Including Terminal Mode and Access Point Mode
Supports APRS* (Automatic Packet Reporting System)
Connectivity for Smartphone and PC with Wi-Fi®/Bluetooth®
Supports Dualwatch including DV/DV
Flexible Mounting Options in the Vehicle

05/06/2026

Great reference guide.

05/03/2026

It's not too late! Beginner class for the Ham Radio Technician License. The class will meet Tuesday evenings starting May 5th from 6-8:30 PM. The exam will be June 9th the last evening for your license. The course is free, but you will need to purchase a textbook $21.00 and the exam is $15.00. Signup deadline is April 20th. For more information contact Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service at: [email protected] or Joe at 207-325-4190

03/26/2026

Amateur (HAM) Radio Class

Amateur Radio class for beginners. This is an entry level class to prepare you for the Technician Exam.
The class will start May 5 and end June 9, 2026. It will meet Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30 PM at the EOC in Caribou with the licensing exam the last evening. The course is free. You will be required to purchase a textbook at $21.00. The exam cost is $15.00. Signup deadline: April 20th.
The Caribou EOC is located at 111 High St. For more information contact Caribou Emergency Amateur Radio Service at: [email protected] or Joe at 207-325-4190.

03/23/2026

3 years ago today one of our founding members became a Silent Key, we sure miss you Captain Danny Raymond.

03/14/2026

Please keep this in mind as we get closer to ice outs. A little prepairdeness now is worth its weight.

…Maine Flood Preparedness Week 2026…
Today’s Topic: National Weather Service Partner Resources

The National Weather Service works closely with partners across the state to predict, prepare for, and respond to floods.

For some excellent resources on potential flood threats, flood monitoring and flood preparation, please check out these links from our partners:
USGS Maine - https://www.usgs.gov/centers/new-england-water
FEMA Flood Preparedness - https://www.ready.gov/floods
FEMA Flood Maps - https://msc.fema.gov/portal
FEMA Flood Insurance - https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program
Maine Floodplain Management Program - https://www.maine.gov/dacf/flood/index.shtml
Maine Emergency Management River Flow Advisory Commission - http://www.maine.gov/rfac/