|
|
|
|
|
March 2004 Vol. 14 No. 3 |
|
Spring is here! On the calendar, anyway. I went for a nice ski in the woods the day Spring arrived. The buds on the Hobblebush, Hazel Nut Shrubs, and Red Elderberry are still winter tight. In a few places, though, bare ground shows through. Mostly all of those are on steep south facing slopes at the bases of stumps or ledge. In the house, planted onion and pansy seeds have germinated. We look forward to real Spring. Our March 9 meeting was well attended. N1FRX told us the terrible story of the fire that destroyed the home he built and all the family's belongings, including at least 50 vintage radios he had restored. His fire insurance had been canceled two months previous to the fire by the insurance company. Talk about bad timing. He urges everyone to carry insurance on their radio gear. (It is available from ARRL.) He also mentioned an automatic fire extinguisher that will dispense foam when it senses a fire. He intends to clean up the debris when the snow melts and to rebuild. He could certainly use help, if any of you can give him the time. Charlie, when clean up time comes, let us know. My Icom-751, power supply and tuner have been delivered to N1FRX. Anyone have an antenna for him? |
My computer suffered a virus attack on St. Patrick's Day. I was off line for five days. Two weeks before that I made an Echolink schedule with G0LDK in the U.K. for 11 AM on Sunday March 21 to talk to a blind girl who would be at his house. He had been trying to arrange this contact for 6 months. We were able to keep to this schedule thanks to the N7GLR-L to .64 on Echolink. G0LDK gives his sincere thanks to all those who keep the repeater running and for the Echolink. Good job, everyone, and thanks from me, too. Address comments, questions or suggestions to: Gale Flagg 108 Franklin School RD Fort Kent ME 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net Next Meeting: TUESDAY, APRIL 13, ALUMNI CONF. RM., NADEAU HALL, UMFK , 6:00 PM Election and Video |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Page 2 Feed-Point, March, 2004 |
|
Called to
Order: 18:00
Treasurer's Report:Feb.Balance $721.11- $179.66 for batteries for 146.64 + Dues $36 + Interest $.50 + $79.50 (Current Fund Raiser) = March Balance $ 657.45. N1PMS motioned to accept, N7GLR seconded. Passed Old Business: 2.146.64
Report:All okay. New Damp Aid purchased. The last of the first
container used when the batteries were replaced on Feb. 19th. 3.Can-Am
Communications Review: Everyone was very pleased with the performance
of the repeaters. The new batteries made a big difference. The checkpoint
operators and control center would like to have radios to monitor the S&R
frequency. We had one at Maibec, and it helped a lot. It was noted
that the Can-Am net was possibly not opened with an official statement. It
was closed properly. Net Control would like Checkpoints in point to point
contact to ask permission more than once during long drawn out communications
. But, all in all, communications in 2004 were the best ever. |
New Business:
1.
Nominations: N1FRX motioned to keep the same slate of officers.
KW1C seconded. Passed. A ballot will be included with the issue of Feed-Point. 2.Echolink for Schools?N1FG suggested that Echolink could be used in the schools without an antenna (antenna a stumbling block in the past). It was thought Echolink as part of a demonstration of the range of ham radio would be a better choice. We should include HF phone, CW, and 2 meter HTs. We should find schools who have ham radio programs to talk to our school officials. 3. Marty's
New Mike:KW1C brought his impressive and substantial new microphone.
It's a Heil Heritage Dynamic. (N1FRX explained how a dynamic mike is
different from a regular mike - it has a diaphragm that responds to pressure.)
Ordinary mikes have crystal and ceramic elements. Thanks, Marty. 4. Steve's
New Instructions for Getting Feed-point,Did it work?Yes, it
did. 5. Dues Due:
Several present paid their dues. 6. N1FRX
Tragedy: N1FRX shared the horror of the disastrous fire that destroyed
everything. He's glad he and his family are alive and he will rebuild. Go
to Firetrace.com for information on the automatic fire extinguisher. 7. Lewiston
Hamfest and ARRL section Convention March 26 & 27th. 8. G0LDK would
like to contact our club from his club sometime on Echolink. Adjourned: 19:25 Submitted by: N1FG |
|
In Case You Are Interested
Lyrid Meteor Shower: April 22 + or - 1 or 2 days Originates in the south. Best time to see Predawn. All you have to do is get up early! |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Jim Grandmaison 4-04
Marty Bernstein 4-12
Finn Dumond 4-16
Scotty Scott 4-25
Charles Ames 4-29
|
| Page 3 Feed-Point, March, 2004 |
|
New License Proposals
The
ARRL has presented a petition to the FCC. The petition seeks to establish
a new three-level structure starting with a new entry-level license and progressing
through General to Amateur Extra, merging the other existing license levels
into the new structure. A 5 wpm Morse Code requirement will still be part
of the Amateur Extra license. Some think the CW should be dropped entirely,
while others think the speed should be higher.
The most controversy seems to revolve around the proposal to merge Tech and Tech-Plus into the General Class, and dropping the CW requirement for the General license. The April QST editorial states that for a bright future for Amateur radio, there needs to be a route of entry that provides interesting and useful privileges in exchange for passing an exam covering what a beginner really needs to know, "and not be burdened with esoteric vocabulary". |
Looking Ahead
At the meeting, there was
a discussion of KW1C's 40 meter antenna. If I recall the details correctly,
the coax was replaced with some fancy maneuvering while the antenna was still
up on the tower. N1CHF the climber, of course. The new coax did not solve
the problem and more work has to be done this spring. Marty and Steve
may need help.
The Flaggs may require some help if the repeater building is going to be built. Help will consist of mixing mortar and hefting blocks a short distance. Then roofing. Insulating the building? Should we? Rocky Mountain trail needs work with a chain saw and muscle for the downed trees. Water level in the batteries should be checked in both repeaters as soon as possible. Please don't forget the weekly nets. Monday nights at 7 PM (19:00). 146.640 |
|
Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel
tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware.
Best Offer. N1FRX |
* Ronnie could not finish his work last night. He said his brain was too tired of spelling. * The basement of our house got flooded where the children sleep so they had to be evaporated. * I kept Monica home today because she was not feeling too bright. * Ralph was absent yesterday because he had a sore trout. * Please refuse Robert's absents last Friday. He had a sour thought. |
| Page 4 Feed-Point 2004 |
|
Published by the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association and distributed free to members and friends of Amateur Radio. Officers President: Gale Flagg N1FG Vice President: Sandra Daigle, N1QMC Secretary: Rotating Treasurer: Steve Boomhower N1CHF Public Information: Charles Ames, N7GLR Technical Advisor: Steve Boomhower, N1CHF Editor/Publisher/Printer Gale Flagg - N1FG /Stan Flagg 834-6670 Associate Editor/Web Edition Steve Boomhower N1CHF 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
108 FRANKLIN SCHOOL RD
FORT KENT ME 04743