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May 2001 Vol.11 no.5 |
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The last time I wrote there was still 28" of snow on the ground. Now the tree leaves have fully expanded, and there is a beautiful morning chorus of bird song. Robins have laid eggs. There are wildflowers everywhere you look. Roadsides, fields and lawns are carpeted with the yellow of dandelions. It has been so dry, that my rainy day list of things to do has been neglected for three weeks. Vernal pools are drying up way ahead of usual. Salamanders and Wood Frogs will have to try again next year, as their young have not had time to mature this year in many pools. Recently at St. Almond Pond, I found that I could easily get into the Rocky Mountain Repeater (146.715-) and the N1CHF link (146.55) with the Yaesu VX-5R. The Rocky Mountain Repeater was also used by KA1OOW (Ken) this last week as he was completing a trip down the St. John. N1CHF and I had been listening for him all week, and made contact on Friday. Saturday N1CHF coordinated communication between KA1OOW and N1UYB, his XYL. With 146.640 off the air, contact was made with the XYL on .715 direct until she got west of Fort Kent and could get into Rocky Mountain. Ken reported that the St. John was about 8' lower than a year ago. They actually had to get out of the canoes and drag them a few times. Big Rapids was a challenge because of the rocks being much more exposed than a year ago. We really do need rain! |
Our new 911 address has generated these comments: Where is the school? Where are the Kids? Dreadful, you sound like you live in a housing tract. You don't live 108 from anywhere! It sounds quite urban and civilized---not in the least rural and boondocksey.. See Page 3 for details on the demise of 146.640. N1UYA , Gale Address
comments, questions, or suggestions to:
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 5, 6:30 PM UMFK Grindle Conference Room
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| Page 2 Feed-Point, May 2001 |
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Called to Order: 18:40 by
N1UYA
(Note: Dues are due from most members at
this time. Check Membership list on www.qsl.net/n1chf
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Proposed Member: AH8T,
Ricky Martin, will be especially invited to the next meeting so we can
meet him and he us.
Field Day: KW1C reviewed the list of what needs to be done. Everybody is to bring their own food. Coffee will be provided. We hope those not at this meeting will lend a hand with field day and be there to operate. June 23 & 24. Crocker Beach, UMFK. For details contact KW1C or N1UYA. New Business: ARRL Spotlight and Library Challenge: Information about our club activities can be spotlighted on the ARRL web. A package deal on Ham Radio books for our local library was turned down. Insufficient funds. Circuit Boards: N1CHF displayed circuit boards he made for the solar controller at Rocky Mt. and the repeater controller for the 64 repeater. June 3: Hams needed to accompany senior class canoe trip. Contact N1CGV for details. 9 AM American Dream is the start. Program: ARRL Video--Peter
1 Island Dxpedition
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Bands Computer User Interface: instructive, interactive radio-control software. A virtual Elmer for the beginner, an on-line assistant for the expert's day to day operations. Includes amateur band plans, world wide short-wave listings, and an assortment of mode-specific calling frequencies. Data base editable and can be queried by frequencies, bands, and modes. Currently supports Kenwood TS-570, but AB2FM will help make it work with your radio. Download Bands at www.columbia.edu/~wd16/Bands.htm |
Please wish the following a Happy Birthday Russ Beaulieu June 19 |
| Page 3 Feed-Point, May, 2001 |
The 146.64 repeater was taken off the air on Wednesday May 23 by Aroostook Communications. There was no notice, even though the tower owner had known this was coming since last October! Apparently there was some disagreement between the landowner and the tower owner. The landowner directed that the tower must be removed. The dismantling of the tower was noticed by KW1C, who notified N1CHF. N1CHF visited the site and picked up all of the equipment. The repeater, originally on Charette Hill, has been at the New Canada site for at least 10 years. We are actively looking for a new site. Preferably one from which we can't be so easily evicted. Though we are now back on the air, it is only from a temporary site. Many thanks to N1CHF for his emergency attention to 146.640 and his work in rebuilding it and getting it on the air for us temporarily. I had already made the announcement about changing the net to Rocky Mountain and Simplex, when I heard that .64 was back on the air! That is speed on N1CHF's part. I talked to him just an hour before I sent the e-mail and made phone calls and he had given me no clue to what he was doing! Thanks again, Steve. |
Fin Dumond, W1TCF, was the original builder of 146.640. KW1C contributed to the duplexers and other pieces of equipment for it. Fin, the "Father of Ham Radio" in the St. John Valley, was the one who always listened to and answered anyone who called on 164.640. He was willing to make phone calls for those who needed to get messages to non-hams, to give directions, and to discuss just about any subject anybody brought up. Fin now is in the Highview Nursing Home in Madawaska. He has his handheld there and was able to talk on 146.640. He could not always get into the repeater and N1CHF is working on improvements to .64 so that Fin can get in regularly. I, for one, certainly miss being able to talk to him at will. I used to report my findings in nature to him, and talked to him from the river, mountains, and places in the woods. It was amazing how many times he had a story tell me about where I was, or told me to look for something special there. His stories were history lessons. Fin, we thank you for all you have done for Ham Radio here in the Valley. |
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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 455-820 |
* Now is your chance to get your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home , too. * What a treat is in store for those who dine here. It is impossible to prepare a palatable meal for the price we ask. * We offer competitive salaries, full benefits, and real growth opportunities that are often promised, but rarely delivered. |
| Page 4 Feed-Point, 2001 |
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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: Rotating Treasurer: Steve Boomhower N1CHF Public Information: Charles Ames, N1GLR Technical Advisor: Steve Boomhower, N1CHF Editor/Publisher/Printer Gale Flagg - N1UYA / 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
RFD 3 Box 250
Fort Kent, ME 04743