Dear Fellow Hams,
     Winter seems to be reluctant to leave us! People who live near the river have no snow left. Those of us in the woods still have up to 2' of snow in many places, especially on northern exposures. The Pussy Willows have noticeable gray catkins now. The bright yellow Coltsfoot is blooming wherever the snow is gone, and I think they are the earliest I have seen. So many birds have returned that the first hour or two after daybreak is full of their songs.
     The Mosley vertical antenna I ordered in November finally arrived a few days ago. Hopefully it will not sit in its box for too long. I suppose after the snow is gone, it would be a good idea to put it up before the black flies arrive!
     There is an interesting editorial in the May CQ/VHF. WB2B claims that  the future of amateur radio probably won't start with the  "powers that be", but will probably come from thinking "outside the box". He claims the old-timers, including himself, are too locked into what they know to be true. He says we need people who will dream and develop a vision unhampered by tradition. Ask questions like: What would be a really unusual way to use my radio? What is the most exciting thing I could do with my radio? Let your mind run wild with fantastic images and ideas.
Don't allow interference from the "part of your mind that 'knows better'".

73/ N1UYA Gale

Address comments, questions, or suggestions to: 
Gale Flagg  R.F.D.#3  Box 250
Fort Kent  ME 04743 
Phone: 207-834-6670
E-mail: sgflagg@ainop.com

     National Volunteer Week is April 18-24. The ARRL gives a big thank you to hams the world over for encouraging new hams, helping with licensing, and encouraging each other.
      In the realm of public service, ham radio volunteers do admirable service by providing emergency communication and assistance of all types during disasters and emergencies everywhere. Disaster victims  often have no way of communication  except for ham radio volunteers.  The ARRL salutes hams with high praise.

Called to Order: 18:43 EDT by N1UYA.

In Attendance: KW1C, N8VJM, N1UYA, N1PMS, N1CHF, N1LON, N1FCV, N1ZOE, N1JHD, N1QMC, N1CGV.

Secretary's Minutes: motion to despense with reading of minutes by N1CGV, second by N1CHF, passed.

Treasurer's Report (N1CHF): previous balance reported as $347.47 at last meeting; +$.47 (interest);  +$97.00 (dues); $353.92 (current balance).  Motion to accept by N1PMS, second by N8VJM, passed.

Old Business: Congratulations for a job well done were given by N1UYA to all who worked on the Can-Am Sled Dog Races.  Suggestions for improvement were discussed and included having a minimum of two operators at control and most checkpoints.

Rocky Mountain report by N1CHF: USGS maps were shown and folklore was told about "a former tower site".  The repeater performed well during the dog races and could be expected to perform much better next year with improvements to the sensitivity, antennae and power level planned for this summer.  Battery voltage remained well within reasonable limits throughout the duration of the race.  Modifications to the new radio are coming along nicely althought it is not expected to be pressed into service this summer as the other improvements will take priority.

New Business: Field Day Chairman KW1C discussed the contest which will be held SAT 26 JUN 99 thru SUN 27 JUN 99.  A list of responsibilities was drafted and will be available at the next meeting.  The same list will be available online  as soon as it is scanned.  Other topics discussed included using a beam, having more transmitters, making satellite contacts, adherence to the absolute limits of 3KHz from the band edge.  More info can be found at the ARRL site:
 http://www.arrl.org/contests .

N1CHF related a discussion with Fort Kent Police Chief Kenneth "Doody" Michaud about repairing the facility on Charette Hill in exchange for our assured continuation of uses.  He also mentioned the need for some minor work on the site at New Canada to include a door.

Next meeting will be MON 3 MAY 98 18:30 EDT at UMFK, Grindle Conference Room. 

Adjourned @ 20:08 EDT by N1UYA with no objection from the floor.

Programs: Postponed due to time constraints.

Submitted by N8VJM, secretary.
 

May

5    Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower

23  Good EME Conditions

 Jennifer Boomhower  05-20

       This is to inform you of what's happening and what's going to happen with the Rocky Mountain Repeater. First, here's the latest on how the batteries have been doing over the last month:

 Avg. V       Max V     Min V (day)

13.77         14.03      13.57 

Avg. Temp.  Max Temp. Min Temp. (day)

34.13 F        44 F             25 F

       The latest work we've been doing on the repeater is designing a new regulator to keep the batteries charged without overcharging them. Our first regulator didn't last long and the present one consists of one micro- controller monitoring the voltage and telling another micro-controller when to open and close a relay to maintain the proper voltage. This has been working fine, but is only temporary.
       The new one is all designed and we only need to make a printed circuit board before we can assemble and test it. We are in desperate need of a laser printer for this job. Does anyone out there have one that we can use?
       We still hope to go up the mountain in early May. If you would like to help then, or any time this summer, please let me know. 

       I would like to thank the following members for helping amateur radio 
progress here in the valley:
       First, thanks to Marty - KW1C, Russ - KA1YBF, and Sandra - N1QMC, for the monster batteries. These will be placed in service on the link and on 64 as back up batteries as soon as the snow melts. One will remain here at station N1CHF to keep it up and running during emergencies. Though it was first thought that they could be placed in service on the 715 repeater, we just don't have room for an insulated box that big in the tower. A box that big would also not fit through the window, which is how all large objects get into the cabin up there. Besides, we don't know of anyone willing to haul three 120 pound batteries up the mountain and up the 50 foot tower. And finally, we seem to have plenty of battery power up there already.
       Thanks to Lee - N1LON, Dave - N1FCW, and Louis - KA1ZOE, for their generous cash donations to the club, in addition to their dues. And speaking of dues, have you paid yours yet?
       Finally, thanks to Jim - KC1SE for donating a complete weather station to be integrated into the Rocky Mountain repeater. Imagine some of the wind speeds we'll see with this! 

73, Steve N1CHF

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Pair of stacked 7-element beams for 10 meters. Each, best offer.

Heil BM-10 microphone boom set; MFJ 451X  keyer.  Each, $35.

Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273

       I would like to thank all the members of this club who volunteer for public service, make copies, work on the repeaters, get snacks for meetings, give me a ride when I need it, and deliver the newsletter.

Gale Flagg N1UYA