F E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T
The Official Newsletter of the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association

December 2000                                                          Vol.10 no.12
Letter From Our President
Dear Fellow Hams,

        Winter is here! It is snowing heavily as I write. The last week has given us 2 feet of snow, 2.26 inches of rain, slush turning to ice, running water from rain (plus the melt of a foot of snow) turning to ice flows, and high winds that broke some towers and many trees, and toppled some antennas. I wish those of you who sustained loss a speedy repair, so we will hear you on the air again.

      On Dec. 3rd N1CHF noticed Rocky Mountain's signal had dropped way down. By the 4th, the batteries appeared to have stopped charging. During gray November the charge had gone way done, as expected in sunless weather. But they did not recover in the sun of the 3rd and 4th. N1CHF and N1JHD made a trip to the site on the 5th. Not an easy trip, I might add, with snow bent branches and a slippery trail. 
 

 

 

     When N1CHF reached the tower, he found everything sheathed in ice---tower, antenna, and solar panels. He managed to chip the ice off the panels. The batteries began to charge. Steve and Gil, thanks for your time and effort. 
     In my "shack", the radio equipment is moved to its new location, but nothing is hooked up yet. Still trying to locate a good grounding bar. Waiting for the electrical outlets to be operative, also. So, I am still 2-meters only. Dare I give another hoped for date?
 

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



Next Meeting:
Monday, January 8, 6:30 PM
Grindle Conference Room, UMFK


Schedule of Coming Events

Date
Event 
Place
Contact
Sponsor
Time
Freq
SUN
Net
NB
VE1PIN
IRG
1930
147.300
MON
Net
Fort Kent
N1QMC
SJVARA
2030
146.64
MON
Net
Presque Isle
WA1YNZ
AARA
2000
146.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2                               Feed-Point, December, 2000
Report Of December SJVARA Meeting

Called to Order:  18.45  by N1UYA
In Attendance: Gale N1UYA, Steve NICHF, Pete N1PMS, Charles
N7GLR,  Gil NIJHD, Sandra N1QMC and Marty KWIC.
Secretary's Minutes:  Motion was made by N1PMS to dispense with the
reading of the November minutes.  Motion was seconded by KW1C and passed.
Treasurer's Report:  Steve, NICHF, Treasurer, gave report on
club finances.  The previous balance was $722.06. + $12.00 dues 
+$1.50 interest -$20.00 donation for QSL.NET gave us anew balance of $715.56. Motion to accept by N7GLR, seconded by N1PMS, and passed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Rocky Mountain: Steve stated that the batteries are not charging.  The
output is extremely low (was S9, now is S1).  The batteries and the signal are way down.  Someone will need to  go up to the repeater site to see what the problem is. In full sun the batteries were still down. This is a recent development.  Gil and Steve will go up to Rocky Mountain tomorrow, December 5.   Charles motioned to reimburse Gil for fuel and
Marty seconded the motion, which passed.  
Gale told the club that Feedpoint is online and working quite well.  Steve was commended and congratulated for his efforts on the Feedpoint Web Page. Online links to web sites of other Maine clubs (there are 10-15) plus ARRL web page have been added as well as Maine repeaters. 

 Progress on attaining equipment for the school club:   John informed the club that he has all the equipment except  an antenna.  Gary Stevens, the principal of the Elementary School stated that the antenna could  be mounted on the chimney or the side of the building. Charles offered his Cushcraft (10, 15, 20 meter vertical) and Marty volunteered his 80 meter antenna.
Motorola Radio: Steve has been diligently working on the Motorola radio donated by Marty to the club.  Steve had to replace the crystal but it is on the wrong frequency.  It needs a different crystal. The radio now puts out 150 watts.  The transmitter and exciter are working fine but the receiver needs more modification. 
Steve was able to get one of the manuals for the Motorola from E-Bay but he still needs the second manual.
NEW BUSINESS:
The  January and March meetings will be the second Monday due to New Year's Day and the Can-Am Races. Other meetings, the first Monday.

Charles received a letter stating we our application for membership in the ARRL has been approved. The club is now affiliated with the ARRL. 
Program: New Ursus Video on the Can Am Sled Dog Race was shown.
Next meeting:  MON, Jan.8, 2001  Grindle Conference Room UMFK
Adjourned: 20:00
Submitted by:N1QMC

In Case You're Interested 
The American Lighthouse Society is sponsoring "Lighthouse Christmas Lights. " It started 0001 UTC Dec. 18th and contiues to 2359 UTC Jan.2. All modes and bands eligible. Certificate if you work 10 or more lighthouses or lightships.
 Happy Birthday
Please wish the following a Happy Birthday

Steve Boomhower  1-22
 


 
 
 
Page 3                                         Feed-Point, December, 2000
The St. John Valley Amateur Radio Club is now Affiliated with the ARRL

 
    Benefits Available Through ARRL Club Affiliation are as follows:

    1. ARRL-sponsored club liability insurance.
    2. ARRL-sponsored equipment insurance.
    3. Use of ARRL logo on club newsletters and letterhead.
    4. Commissions to clubs for members who join or renew ARRL membership.
    5. List of prospective hams in our area.
    6. Opportunity to ask for a list of all hams in a specific city. 
    7.Our club name will be given to people in our area who are looking for Amateur Radio Clubs to Join.
 
 
 


   8. Free Mailing Labels or a list of ARRL members or clubs once a year.
   9. A list of other  ARRL-affiliated clubs in our section. 
  10. The opportunity order the ARRL Annual Report. 

     The ARRL Tape Library lists a lot of interesting videotapes.  We will use some of them at coming meetings. 



 
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

For Sale
Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer.
Heil BM-10 microphone boom set   $35.
MFJ 451X  keyer  $35 Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273
RADIO SHACK-HTX212-- 2 meter Mobile.  $75.00
PYRAMID-- 10 Amp Power Supply.  $30.00 Contact N1YQU 455-8208
A Bit of Humor
Youngster's sing Christmas Carols from Richard Lederer:
* Good King Wence's car backed out/on a piece of Stephen. * We Three Kings of Porridge and Tar. * Noel, Noel, Barney's the King of Israel. *Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf, I say. * Sleep in heavenly peas, sleep in heavenly peas. * When shepherds washed their socks by night.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 4                                                                Feed Point,  2000

 
FEED POINT
Published by the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association and distributed free to members and friends of Amateur Radio.
Officers
President: Gale Flag N1UYA
Vice President: Sandra Dangle, N1QMC

Treasurer: Steve Boomhower N1CHF
Public Information: Cheryl Boomhower  N1CGV
Technical Advisor: Steve Boomhower, N1CHF
Editor/Publisher/Printer
Gale  Flag - N1UYA / Stan Flag  834-6670 
Associate Editor/Web Edition

Membership Information (Annual Dues):
Regular Membership  $ 12
Associate Membership  $ 6
Articles:
Articles may be submitted by anyone with a good idea, and may be re-printed only in their entirety and with credit going to this newsletter. 

 


Feed Point
RFD 3 Box 250
Fort Cent, ME  04743