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F E E D - P O I N T

The Official Newsletter of the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association

June 2000 Vol.10 no.6

Letter From Our President

Dear Fellow Hams,
    Happy Summer to all! May it include lots of good weather, perfect vacations, bountiful gardens, and ham projects completed.
    Talked with Denny, WT8Y, over the weekend. He was enjoying the good weather, but was glad he has learned to carry extra blankets in his camper because the temperature dropped to the low 40's after Saturday's 83. He is visiting local participants in the HF Knucklehead group. Hope you all had a good time.
     The Rocky Mountain repeater was used to pass traffic on Friday, May 12 and Saturday May 13. KA1OOW called in after surviving 5 foot waves in the BIg Black Rapids and was waiting at the head of Big Rapids with 7 other boats. A 67 year old man, who has done the St. John 9 times, offered to lead them through. Ken wanted his wife to watch them come down through the rapids and said they would be the third canoe. It should take about 7 minutes. Time went by, and after about 20 minutes I heard a somewhat strained and hurried transmission from KA1OOW saying that the kayak had capsized but they had retrieved the paddler. I can visualize Ken hauling his radio out of its dry quarters and making that transmission in rough water. Must have been tricky! Later I found out they had been able to catch the capsized boat, too.

Congratulations to N8VJM on his UMFK graduation. With very short notice, we organized a farewell supper on June 9th for him at Pierette's to wish him well as he leaves Fort Kent. He has packed up and gone, plans somewhat uncertain at this time. We will miss him and say thanks to him again for his many contributions to the club during field days, Can-AM races, and on the Rocky Mountain Repeater, as well as many projects helping other hams. Good Luck, Miles.

73,
N1UYA
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF A LATER HOUR FOR THE NET WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE SUMMER.

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, July 10, 6:00 PM
Flagg Residence: Contact N1UYA for Directions

Schedule of Coming Events

Date


Event	Place	Contact	Sponsor	Time	Freq
SUN	Net	Madawaska	VE1PIN		1800	147.300
MON	Net	Fort Kent	N1QMC	SJVARA	1930	146.64
MON	Net	Presque Isle	WA1YNZ	AARA	2000	146.73

Page 2 Feed-Point, June, 2000

Report Of June SJVARA Meeting

Called to Order: 1845 by N1UYA

In Attendance:
N1UYA, N1CHF, N1FRX, N1PMS

Secretary's Minutes:
N1FRX made a motion to waive reading of the minutes. N1PMS seconded the motion.

Treasurer's Report (N1CHF): Balance: $614.41; income: $48 Dues collected, $24 donations. $1.14 Interest.. Expenses: $56.63 Postage (a 2 year collection of receipts!) New Balance: $630. 92.

Old Business:
Rocky Mountain Report:

Batteries are well charged.

Remember, when using Rocky Mountain repeater, you must push any touch tone to activate it, and you must do it again after the repeater ID's.

Steve has been working on refining the design of the duplexers. He is looking for another radio that requires lower wattage.

Needs at Rocky Mountain Site--work on cabin: painting, replacing windows and new roof. N1FRX will donate metal roofing and screws. It should be caulked when putting it on for long lasting results.

New Business:
New Secretary is needed, as Miles has left. Tabled due to low attendance.

N1CHF gave a report on a most ingenious ham. N4RVE. He is outfitting a trimaran with ham ( UHF, VHF, and HF), computer, and other gear, equipping it with retractable wheels for land travel, and with sail, solar or pedal power for water travel. He plans to take a long trip and will end up on the St. Lawrence. Check it out at www.microship.com

Crew Needed For .64 Site Clean-up--Brush saw and Chain Saw
Let N1UYA know if you can help.

Feed-Point on line-- Needed a volunteer to do it.

Next meeting: MON 10 JUL 2000, 1800 EST Flagg House

Adjourned @ 1945 EST by N1UYA with no objection from the floor.

Program: Brief introduction to Vernal Pools and Fox Hunts

Submitted by: N1UYA

In Case You're Interested
On line Distance Calculator: N9SSA has developed an on-line QSO distance calculator. Use it to determine the distance between two
points, as well as QSO Miles Per Watt . http://www.qsl.net/n9ssa/mpwcalc.html

Happy Birthday
Please wish the following a Happy Birthday

Don Ouellette 7-01
Dean Wiggins 7-04

Page 3 Feed-Point,June, 2000

Fox Hunts

     At the June meeting N1CHF was able to hide his little fox twice. The first time we found it in the midst of some big old burdock bushes around a stack of old planks. N1FRX was wearing a handsome gray cardigan. He was so excited about hunting down the fox he failed to see the burdock's velcro balls and had to spend a long time picking the hooks out of his sweater. We found the fox on the stack of lumber, but hidden under a huge burdock leaf Steve had broken off to use as a cover for the fox.
     We asked Steve not to hide it near the burdocks the second time, He did not, but he surely perplexed a women out walking a dog. She saw him run across the campus . By the time she had walked around the speed-bump road near Crocker Beach, Steve was coming up the steep bank by Cyr Hall's west side,    and he popped up right in front of her. Then he wanted to walk to the front before he came in to tell us it was hidden and so he followed her! Steve says she could not figure out what was going on.
      Fox hunts are fun, but they are also good training for locating a signal, perhaps in an emergency.

World Radio July 2000 Magazine

     I just got a copy of the July World Radio magazine. I was impressed by the many stories illustrating the way hams the world over come to the rescue not only in large disasters, but in interesting single events.
      You Never Know When The Call Will Come By Ed Petzolt, k1LNC, tells of his remarkable help to the Van Tuijul, the family attacked by pirates when they were sailing off the coast of Honduras. It is a fascinating story. He says when he offered his help on the radio he had no idea what it would mean to him and the family in trouble later on. From keeping the husband and wife in touch with each other, to arranging medical help in the U.S, talking to Hospitals, airlines, congressmen and many others, he had an amazing adventure.
     Here are some other story Headlines: Ham Radio Assists Injured Climber (Mt. Whitney). Saved For the Scouts---a ham was asked to sail a 44' boat to Los Angeles with some Scouts from San Diego. Rough weather caused trouble, but thanks to a ham radio, the ship was saved when the marine radio failed. Hams Aid In Boston as Airport Radar Fails-- yes, that was at Logan Airport.

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

A Bit of Humor

Here are some student writings about science from Richard Lederer:
The pineapple is the chief product of the pine tree.
Thunder is a rich source of loudness.
Wind is like air, only pushier.
Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know that we know they are there.

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 Flagg N1UYA
Vice President:Sandra Daigle, N1QMC
Secretary: Miles Clouston N8VJM
Treasurer: Steve Boomhower N1CHF
Public Information: Cheryl Boomhower N1CGV
Technical Advisor: Steve Boomhower, N1CHF
Editor/Publisher/Printer
Gale Flagg - N1UYA / Stan Flagg 834-6670
Associate Editor/Web Edition
Miles L. Clouston - N8VJM 834-6866
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 Kent, ME 04743