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April-May 2004 Vol. 14 No. 4 |
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We still await leaves on the trees and black flies. Other than the really hot days of May 1-3, it has been rather cool. The wood frog eggs are taking a long time to develop. I have learned that I can't press Trout-Lily flowers when it is only 42 F. and there is no sun. The returning birds are coming in very slowly. It has even been too cold to place all the young plants I have grown outside to harden off. N1CHF came up to the valley the last week in April. On May 1st he and KA1ZOE helped KW1C with his 40 meter antenna. New coils had to be put in place while the antenna was on the tower. It was quite windy and N1CHF said he had quite a battle to reposition the tipped up antenna when the coils had been replaced. The new coils solved the problem, and KW1C reported good contacts on 40 meters that same Day. On May 3rd N1CHF came out to work on the 146.640 repeater. The water level in the batteries was checked and they required only a small amount of water. The Damp-Aid was replaced. N1CHF climbed the tower, took some digital pictures, and removed the pulley at the top. We had a rope in the pulley, but it broke the first winter, somehow frayed by wind abrasion. Steve thinks the pulley may have caused some of the static we heard. |
Steve also noted one of the radials had broken off the antenna during the winter. We were unable to find it. He said eventually they all will break and should be replaced by solid aluminum rods. Stan has placed more colored sleeves on the guy wires to make them more visible. (The sleeves are from Danny Nichols). On May 12th Stan moved some of the blocks on the tower pad and used angle irons to square the base for the first tier of blocks. 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, June 8, ALUMNI CONF. RM., NADEAU HALL, UMFK , 6:00 PM |
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| Page 2 Feed-Point, April-May, 2004 |
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Called to
Order: 18:00
Treasurer's Report: March Balance $657.45 + .47 interest + Dues $50.00 = April Balance $707.92 + interest .54 + Dues $48.00 = May Balance $756.46 N7GLR motioned to accept, N1PMS seconded. Passed Old Business: 2.
146.64 Report:12.54 volts at 11:22 May 1st. Damp
Aid replaced and water level in batteries checked May by N1CHF. Radial
missing from antenna. (see pg. 1) 3.
N7GLR asked about linking 146.640 to P.I.. repeater, and linking
146.640 and 146.715. No positive response from P.I... N1CHF is working
on the linking of our two repeaters. Election : The ballots were counted.
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New Business:
1. Fort
Kent High School Senior Class Canoe Trip:N1FG received a phone call
from Terry Rioux asking for the club's help in monitoring the trip.
It will be Sunday, June 6, starting from The American Dream at 1:00 P.M. Last
year we had one mobile ham to follow the canoes down river and report their
location at several view points. We had another ham at Riverside Park to
receive the mobile ham traffic. If you are interested, please contact N1FG.
2.
Form 605 issued before Dec. 2003 will no longer be accepted by the FCC.
See discussion about this on 3. FCC Proposal
would make wide-ranging changes to Amateur Service Rules. Some
of these proposals were discussed: Eliminate the prohibitions on manufacture
or marketing of Amateur Service power amplifiers capable of operating between
24 and 35 MHz. Eliminate a need for public announcement of volunteer examiner
test locations and times. "The FCC has ordered the revision of the definition
of 'amateur operator' in Section 97.3 (a) (1) to reflect that entry
in the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), not a license document, determines
whether a person is an Amateur Radio operator. " 4.
Proposed Restructuring for Amateur Radio: Not discussed. Mentioned on
page 3 of March Feed-Point. 5.The
FCC has okayed RFID Tags for 433.5 to 434.5 MHz.The tags are used to
track shipments and packing containers. The device was designed to increase
security at ports, rail yards, and warehouses. Manufacturers of 433 MHz
systems will have to register locations of their system base stations to
aid in interference resolution. Program: Geocaching See more on page 3. Adjourned: 19:16 Submitted by: N1FG |
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In Case You Are Interested
New General Class Element 3 question pool will take effect for
examinations on July 1, 2004. Question pool contains 432 questions, up from
385.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Jennifer Boomhower 5-20
Russ Beaulieu 6-19
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| Page 3 Feed-Point, April-May, 2004 |
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Pre-December 2003 Form 605
"Effective Monday, May 3, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will
dismiss any application files on an FCC Form 605 issued earlier than December
2003. Form 605 is the hard-copy version of the Amateur Service application.
The change does not affect applicants filing on-line with the Universal
Licensing System (ULS) athttp://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/
said the FCC, which is encouraging on-line filing. The ARRL is developing a replacement package for Form 605. Hopes to have it ready by Hamvention May 14-16. Remember, you must have an FCC Registration number, known as an FRN, to file any application with the FCC (FCC Form 160). After getting your FRN, you might also want to file FCC form 606 to associate your FRN with your license records and call signs. |
Geocaching
N7GLR gave
a presentation on Geocaching at the May meeting. He and KA7VNR had done
some geocaching recently in New York.
So, what is it? "Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users." Participation in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the great features and capabilities of a gps unit. Individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of them on the internet. GPS users then use the location coordinates to find the caches. N7GLR told us to be sure to use the same method of designation of coordinates on your GPS unit as those listed for the cache. You do that by going to the set-up "page" in your GPS. What is usually in a cache? That may vary, but there is always a logbook with information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. There may beother individually bagged items, such as maps, CD's, jewelry, tools, tickets, etc. The finder should sign the logbook. Take something if requested to do so, and be sure to leave something in return. Youmight be asked to transport an item to another cache.One candle has traveled from Australia to Arizona. If you want your item to travel (be a hitchhiker),leave a note attached to it saying so. For more information, and some interesting variations, go tohttp://www.geocaching.com Thanks, N7GLR, for the information, both verbal and written. Don't Forget: Rocky Mt. Trail needs chain saw work! Please , we need help! |
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Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel
tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting
hardware. Best Offer. N1FRX |
We will keep you posted on this. We are going to work out a way for the club to get some of the money, of course. |
| Page 4 Feed-Point 2004 |
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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 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