The idea for the Maine 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge first came up in the Fall of 2010, as WSSM members began discussing ways to encourage local hams to get on simplex for the purposes of testing our personal stations, general communications, and emergency preparedness. Someone suggested, "Why not make it a friendly competition?" And so, the 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge was born. We realized that a contest designed exclusively for 2 Meter FM had other benefits as well - It was an ideal way to introduce new hams to radiosport, and could also help us to collect important data about the simplex coverage throughout the State of Maine.

We began by drafting a set of rules that we thought would make it fair for stations of any power level and also wanted to encourage mobile operating by making each town visited count as a multiplier. The idea is to work as many stations in as many towns, cities, or townships as possible, within a four hour time period. The rules were kept simple, and exchanges were kept to a minimum.

Once the rules were created, the next challenge was to promote the contest and hope other organizations, especially ARES groups, ham radio clubs, and contest clubs would embrace it and encourage participation. We created a website and started an email campaign, and within days of its announcement, hundreds of hams throughout Maine and New England were talking about it.

Below, you'll find the latest records, compiled since the first Simplex Challenge. Who knows - with a little time, hard work, and a little luck too, maybe you'll find your name on this list in the future!

Top Scores in Each Category

CATEGORY Overall Overall Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile

POWER LEVEL Any Any Low* QRP Medium High Low* QRP QRP Medium Medium High

CALL SIGN K1GJY KB1HNZ KD1O NG1P KD1O K1WXY W1CPS KB1YYC KC1LSO K1GJY KB1HNZ KB1HNZ

NAME Stefania Watson Tim Watson Stephen Curry Bill Richardson Stephen Curry Robert Stessel Charles Shepard Dakota Dumont John Horton Stefania Watson Tim Watson Tim Watson

FINAL SCORE 15,738 15,738 4,260 1,742 14,345 1,998 780 1,938 1,938 15,738 15,738 384

YEAR 2017 2017 2012 2020 2016 2024 2012 2024 2024 2017 2017 2013

* Category dropped in 2012 and replaced by QRP.

Previous category records:

CATEGORY Overall Fixed Fixed Fixed Mobile Mobile

POWER LEVEL Any QRP Medium High QRP Medium

CALL SIGN KD1O KB1YYC KD1O N1JD W1CJS KB1HNZ

NAME Stephen Curry Dakota Dumont Stephen Curry John Donahue Cindy Shepard Tim Watson

FINAL SCORE 14,345 504 14,345 1,320 1,449 6,080

YEAR 2016 2016 2016 2011 2016 2015

---

Most Overall QSO's: 164, by K1GJY and KB1HNZ (2022)

Near / previous records in this category:
163, by KB1HNZ (2016)
152, by KB1HNZ (2015)
141, by KB1HNZ (2014)
127, by K1HC (2024)

Most Overall Cities Worked: 122, by KB1HNZ & K1GJY (2017)

Near / previous records in this category:
95, by KD1O (2016)
59, by KD1O (2013)
51, by K1HC (2024)
49, by KD1OM (2023)

Most Club Points: 38,517,  by the Wireless Society of Southern Maine (2017)

Near / previous records in this category:
27,585,  by the Wireless Society of Southern Maine (2016)
25, 582, by the Pine State Amateur Radio Club (2024)
25,875, by the Wireless Society of Southern Maine (2014)
11,333, by the Pine State Amateur Radio Club (2023)

---

Closest Finishes:

Closest between 1st and 2nd:

Overall:
Difference: Tie between Stefania Watson K1GJY, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ (2022)
Difference: Tie between Stefania Watson K1GJY, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ (2017)

Near / previous records in this category: 
Difference: Separated by 1 QSO, equal multipliers - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Sebastian Ames, operating as WS1SM (2014)
Difference: Separated by 1 QSO, 2 bonus points, equal multipliers - Stefania Watson K1GJY over Tim Watson KB1HNZ (2019)

Category (Medium Mobile):
Difference: Tie between Peter Bither AI1O, and Richard Smith N1SGL (2024)
Difference: Tie between Stefania Watson K1GJY, and Tim Watson KB1HNZ (2017)

Near / previous records in this category:
Difference: Separated by 1 QSO, equal multipliers - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Stefania Watson K1GJY (2024)
Difference: Separated by 1 QSO, equal multipliers - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Stefania Watson K1GJY (2021)
Difference: Separated by 1 QSO, and 1 multiplier - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Stefania Watson K1GJY (2016)
Difference: Separated by 2 QSOs - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Stefania Watson K1GJY (2020)

Category (QRP Mobile):
Difference: Tie between Dakota Dumont KB1YYC and John Horton KC1LSO (2024)
Difference: Tie between Dakota Dumont KB1YYC, and John Horton KC1LSO (2023)
Difference: Tie between Dakota Dumont KB1YYC, and John Horton KC1LSO (2021)
Difference: Tie between Charlie Shepard W1CPS, and Cindy Shepard W1CJS (2018)

Closest between 1st and 3rd:

Overall:
Difference: Separated by 2 QSOs, equal multipliers - Tim Watson KB1HNZ over Sebastian Ames, operating as WS1SM, and David Wood KB1FGF (2014)

---

In the Summer of 2012, the WSSM announced a new challenge for contesters - Make 100 or more QSO's during the Simplex Challenge, and qualify for and become a member of the 2 Meter Century Club. In its first year of existence, Stephen Curry, KD1O, became the first to join this exclusive club.

Rules: This award is issued by the Wireless Society Of Southern Maine to any station who has submitted evidence for having made 2-way communication with at least 100 other amateur stations during the annual 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge.

Award winners:

KD1O, Stephen Curry (2013, 2016)
KB1HNZ, Tim Watson (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024)
W1WMG, Thom Watson (2014, 2015)
WS1SM, op. by Sebastian Ames (2014)
KB1FGF, Dave Wood (2014)
K1GJY, Stefania Watson (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024)
WA1IOG, Wesley Linscott (2023)
K1HC, Dick Bean (2024)
KD1OM, Stephen Jordan (2024)
KB1YYC, Dakota Dumont (2024)
KC1LSO, John Horton (2024)