Dear Fellow Hams,

As I write this letter, water is pouring off the hillsides. During the last several nights there have been no freezing nights to slow the thawing of the deep snowpack. The brook is roaring. Spring is springing! Further proof is the emergence of the spidery red blossoms of the Beaked Hazelnut. Pussy Willow catkins are swelling. The catkins of Balsam Poplar are long and drooping now. The cheery yellow Coltsfoot are starting to bloom.

Is it the spring weather that is opening up 10 meters? Several people have mentioned hearing distant stations.

Our Spring Party on April 6th was a fun evening. Sorry you couldn't all be with us. WA1YNZ, Scotty, and KA1IWX, Henry , drove up to be with us. We started at 5:30, so we could order the pizzas. Joe, N1ZBK, took orders for soda and got them for us. While we waited for the pizzas to be delivered we started the business meeting. When Pierre arrived with pizzas, we took a break. It was awfully quiet for about a half hour while hungry hams devoured the pizzas. We concluded the business meeting and headed for KW1C's house. Marty had coffee and cookies for us, and we had a birthday cake for Marty.

The big attraction was Marty's shack. The newer hams, especially, were awed by Marty's rigs and whole set up. Marty made a voice contact with Jim Breakall, WA1FET , a professor at Penn State University on sabbatical in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He specializes in antenna modeling and propagation. (He has an article on antennas in the May QST, pg 38). He is building a contest station on his farm in Puerto Rico. We all listened to his interesting comments. Marty also made a CW contact, at a speed a bit too fast for the rest of us! Marty, we certainly thank you for the pleasant evening in your beautifully refinished home.

At the end of March I went to Augusta to visit W1DNI. Vinnie is in the Veteran's Home there. He had been off the radio for three months. I hung my J-pole in his room and handed him my radio. I wish you could have seen his face light up when a regular contact from the past answered him. The first night, I checked into a "CARA on the Air " net, 146.700 They had a buy-swap segment. K1MAX was selling an Icom-751. He brought it to the Veteran's home the next day and met Vinnie. Max offered to put up an outdoor antenna for Vinnie. Max and his friends did so. What a nice, helpful group. Vinnie is so much more content now that he is back on the air. A fine example of Hams helping Hams.

WRITE: Gale Flagg R.F.D.#3 Box 250

Fort Kent ME 04743

PHONE: 207-834-6670

E-MAIL: sgflagg@ainop.com

The club has been working for years to get a club repeater on Rocky Mountain. The good news that permission has been given has spurred some members into action already. N1HSQ & N1CHF went up the mountain recently to take measurements. Fire Warden Lance Martin has been consulted about what he would like us to do. He is very pleased that we will cut the brush on the road. A work day is being planned for May 2 to do that.

Kindness of K1FK: Every night except Fri. and Sun. at 19:00 local time. Different text each night and alphanumeric groups periodically. Reminder at 18:55 on .64 when tone off. 10-15-20 wpm. Thanks, Dave!

Meeting called to order @ 1754 EDT by N1UYA .

Those present: N1JHD, N1QMC, WA1YNZ, KA1IWX, K1FK, KW1C, KA1VTW, N1JHT, N8VJM, N1ZBY, N1ZKB, N1CHF, N1CGV, N1UYA.

Motion to read previous minutes: KW1C, second N1QMC.

Treasurer's report by N1CHF: $996.56 previous balance; $133.00 dues; -$6.91 cake; -$35.36 refreshments and newsletters; $1.69 interest; $1088.98 balance. Motion to accept by N1ZKB, second N8VJM, pass. Note: treasurer's report is placed in its usual location within the minutes but was actually given during New Business due to the late arrival of N1CHF.

N8VJM reported that the club now has e-mail and a www page. The e-mail is SJVARA@hotmail.com and the web page is http://www.angelfire.com/me/sjvara. N1UYA polled the members present to determine who would like to have their newsletter sent as a webpage link via e-mail.

Correction to the last newsletter: N1ZBY's phone number is 834-6848, not 834-6548.

N1UYA received the go ahead from Senator Paradis on Rocky Mountain repeater. N1ZKB questioned who will be the new repeater trustee(s) and who owns the equipment. He motioned that we apply to the FCC for club call and frequency. Seconded and passed. Further discussion clarified that, for the present, the club will use N1CHF's repeater and call (as one of the trustees) and his repeater frequency until such time as the club purchases a repeater. The club will be financially responsible for maintenance and repair of the repeater loaned by N1CHF. Limits of club liability will be discussed at a later date as suggested by KW1C and current limit of $50.00 for routine maintenance/upgrade without club approval shall apply, motioned by N8VJM, seconded N1CGV and passed. By general consensus, it was decided that N1UYA will investigate insurance for the repeater and associated equipment. Advantages of the repeater were discussed and were pointed out to be North Maine Woods coverage, county wide coverage and convenience for the dog races. Discussion was held regarding possible interference by repeaters on the same frequency. No problems are anticipated in normal operation. Motion by KW1C to buy the items on the need list as compiled by N1CHF, seconded by N8VJM, passed. K1FK offered to donate N-connectors.

Meeting stands in recess @ 1845 EDT to eat pizza. Reconvened @ 1910 EDT.

Code practice from K1FK 147.600 Mhz: Mon, Wed, Sat @ 1900 EDT, 5-10-15-20 WPM.

Motion to have emergency net on SUNDAY at 1900 EDT N8VJM, N1ZBY, passed.

Publicity announcement will be made for monthly meetings by the Public Information Officers.

US Customs will donate a desk it has in Escourt per W1BTP and a letter needs to be written. Motion by N1ZKB, second N1QMC. Undecided where this desk should be placed.

KW1C will be the field day coordinator again this year. New field day rules will be distributed as they become available. No VHF/UHF or packet bonus, not to include satellite. KW1C made the following assignments: Location: N8VJM Tent: N1JHD Radios: KW1C, K1FK, N1UYA. Generator: N1JHD, N1CHF. Portable toilet: N8VJM. Propane: N1JHT Web link to rules: N8VJM

Party at KW1C's house followed the meeting.

Next Meeting MON 4 MAY 1998.

Adjourned by N1UYA @ 1933 EDT.

Standard HT C-228A, 2 meter, 220 Dual Band HT, Battery Pack and Charger and Diamond X-2200 2 meter/ 220 vertical base antenna, 6dB gain. 11.5 feet high. Will sell for $250. Accessories available at 1/2 list price include Battery Pack, Speaker Mike, and 12v power cord.

HF80A HF amplifier --$750.

HF Rig: Kenwood 850, 1 1/2 years old. With antenna tuner, power supply, table mike, interface, extension speaker, $2200 Canadian (@$1500 American). Contact VE9TSN

Wanted

N1YQU is looking for a 2 position coaxial switch. You will usually be able to get him on 146.64.

N8VJM is looking for a 2-meter--440 transceiver with crossband repeat. 834-6866
 
 

May

3 Good EME Conditions

5 Eta Aquarids meteor shower peak

31 Good EME Conditions
 
 

If you have an e-mail address and we don't have it yet send it to the club's e-mail address at :

SJVARA@hotmail.com

*K1FK dbowker@shire.sjv.net

KCISE bighouse@bbs.fkchs.sad27.k12.me.us

*KWIC sandrab@bbs.fkchs.sad27.k12.me.us

N1CHF N1CHF@shire.sjv.net

*N1QMC sandra@ainop.com

*N1UYA sgflagg@ainop.com

*N8VJM mclous51@ maine.edu

N1ZBY maple@shire.sjv.net

W1TCF fdumond@shire.sjv.net

*WA1YNZ WA1YNZ@ainop.com

N1FCV gilbo@nci1.net

N1FCW bishopd@nci1.net

N1FRX KWAZYDUDE@hotmail.com

*N1JHT don@shire.sjv.net

 

* those who have indicated they would like to get their newsletter via e-mail. If you would like to get your newsletter via e-mail, please let Miles know.

Thanks, Miles, for setting the club up with its own e-mail address and for putting us on the internet. You will find old copies of newsletters, current newsletter, and who knows what at: http://www.angelfire.com/me/sjvara