F E E D - P O I N T
The Official Newsletter of the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association
May 1998 Vol.8 No.5
Letter From Our President
Dear Fellow Hams,
From snow cover to a lush green landscape has taken just three weeks. The leaves, wildflowers, and black flies are about two weeks ahead of last year! A moose made its annual visit to one of our gardens right on schedule--24 hours after we planted the onions, a large moose wandered down the wide onion row, placing each hoof exactly where onions were planted. Such accuracy!
Last week I made what I hope is the last trip to my family home in Connecticut. As usual, I made several ham contacts. Brother George, at the monastery on the Hudson River in New York, supplied me with the time and frequency for a Mission Net on HF to try once I have the Icom-751 working well. I am hope to be able to talk with him and the others within a month.
Driving back from Conn. through Mass., N.H., and southern Maine, my mobile antenna enabled me to make several contacts, including some very helpful road directions in the Old Orchard Beach--Cape Elizabeth areas, as well as in the Winthrop area. It is so nice to know you can ask for help and find friendly hams responding everywhere. During the tourist season, let's keep our ears open for calls from traveling hams--welcome them to our area and provide them with any information they need.
The May 2 work day at Rocky Mountain was canceled because of lingering snow. However, yesterday, May 23rd, proved to be an excellent day for the clearing of brush and fallen trees from the access road and the trail up the mountain. N1LON transported N1FCW, N1CHF, and N1UYA to the work site. With pruners and a brush saw, we tackled leaning alders on the access road. We ate lunch on the chilly porch of the base cabin. It was only 44F! It rained lightly most of the time. Good cool weather for hard work, and, maybe best of all, no annoying insects to distract us from the work at hand. Too cold for them.
After lunch we started up the Mountain Trail with pruners and Lee's chainsaw. N1JHD and N1RDE arrived with a brush saw. They did an excellent job of clearing the brush, while the rest of us moved the big logs and the overhead intrusions.
Though we had our doubts, we actually cleared all the way up to the tower. It was cold enough for us to see our breath and we didn't hang around long. We headed down and got back in town about 18:00. It was a long, wet day, but an excellent job was done by all. THANKS!
WRITE: Gale Flagg R.F.D.#3 Box 250
Fort Kent ME 04743
PHONE: 207-834-6670
E-MAIL: sgflagg @ ainop.com
73/ N1UYA Gale
Rocky Mountain
Update: Two antennae, and two batteries have been purchased. Steve is working on an old GE cabinet to house the repeater.
The next big challenge: Getting the equipment up the trail and the tower.
Anybody have a horse or mule we could use or a strong back?
Schedule of Coming Events
| Date | Event | Place | Contact | Sponsor | Time | Frequency |
| Sundays | Net | Canada | VE1PIN | 1800 | 147.30 | |
| Sundays | Net | SJ Valley | N1QMC | SJVARA | 1900 | 146.64 |
| Mondays | Net | PQI | WA1YNZ | AARA | 2000 | 146.73 |
Next Meeting
Monday, June 1 at 6:30 PM
SPRED building, Market St., Fort Kent
Topic: Field Day
Page 2 Feed-Point, May 1998
Minutes of May SJVARA Meeting
Called to order: 1840 EST by N1UYA.
In attendance: W1BTP, N1FRX, N1LON, N1FCW, N1ZHR, N1ZKB, N1JHD, N1QMC, N1CHF, N1CGV, N1UYA, N8VJM.
Motion to read April minutes by N1QMC, second N1ZKB, passed. Minutes were read by N8VJM with no additions or corrections. Motion to accept by N1QMC, second N1PMS, passed.
Treasurer's report: old balance $1088.98, +$30.00 (dues), +$2.10 (interest), -$26.26 (parts), -$9.38 (steel), -$331.20 (solar panel), new balance $755.24. Motion to accept N1PMS, second N1JHD. Note: this report is placed in the usual order within the minutes although given later due to the late arrival of N1CHF.
Old Business
N1UYA read the statement of club purpose from the bylaws. N1ZKB raised issues of conduct (statements allegedly made on the air and over email) by the treasurer and secretary. N1ZKB then suggested that these officers resign and began a discourse on events that he states occurred in 1991 (per his second-hand information). N1CHF, N1QMC, and N1FCW, who were present during these named events in 1991, presented a completely different account. N1UYA requested that the topic be dropped.
Dave Soucy and Jim Thibodeau arrived to answer questions previously asked about liability and insurance needs. Emerging from this discussion were the following conclusions: the club is not a legal entity, so it would be nearly impossible to successfully sue the organization and unattractive because the club has no major assets; using common sense and thinking about how what we do will affect others is the best insurance against liability; insuring equipment against damage would cost more than the value of the equipment within a short period of time; each individual should check their homeowner's or renter's insurance to see what is covered and at what level.
N1CHF talked about measurements made on the Rocky Mountain site, brush cutting, and general information. N1FRX questioned the need for a discharge tube to protect the equipment. N1CHF stated that the antennae to be used are already DC grounded. This was agreed to be protection enough. N1UYA offered to replace the solar panel and batteries in the event of irreparable damage and will purchase one of the two antennae. N1QMC and N1FCW pointed out that the money collected for constructing a club repeater must be used for that purpose or be returned to the donors. N1JHD offered to use his tractor to do some of the brush cutting on the trail to the site. K1FK's analysis of the theoretical coverage areas of 146.64 and 146.70 repeaters was presented. This showed a clear advantage to using the Rocky Mountain site for North Maine Woods coverage over any proposed modifications to 146.64. N1ZHR and W1BTP discussed proposed future modifications to 146.64.
Letter will be written to U.S. Customs concerning the surplus desk that they have.
Copies of Field Day rules were distributed. Last year's list was reviewed and revised. N1QMC and N1JHD stated that the tent was reserved. N8VJM has Crocker Beach reserved and will check on a grill from UMFK. Meal plans will be discussed at the June meeting. N1ZHR offered to bring a lantern and concrete blocks. Each person will be responsible for their own 2M HT, flashlight, bug repellent, recreational equipment, towel, cooler, sleeping bag and other personal equipment. N1UYA will check on the McDonald's drink cooler. N1CHF will bring tools and coax. N1JHD and N1CHF will work on the generator. N1JHT will be asked to check on propane. KW1C will supply first aid equipment. The club has antennae for Field Day use. The possible use of a power conditioner was discussed. W1BTP will donate an HF rig for Field Day use if we have a surge protector between the generator and the rigs.
New Business
N1FCW said he would be willing to donate some money for repeater upkeep if necessary. He suggested we could probably get funds from club members.
W1BTP would like to see more information made available to the members when money is spent.
N1UYA suggested later nets in the summer in response to the usual fall off of check-ins during the warmer months.
N1UYA declared the meeting adjourned at 1922 EST with no objection from the
floor.
Page 3 Feed-Point, May 1998
Stuff For Sale
Standard HT C-228A, 2 meter, 220 Dual Band HT, Battery Pack and
Charger and Diamond X-2200 2 meter/ 220 vertical base antenna, 6dB gain. 11.5
feet high. Will sell for $250. Accessories available at 1/2 list price include
Battery Pack, Speaker Mike, and 12v power cord. Steve, 834-3858
HF80A HF amplifier --$750. Dick Higgins, K1EHL.
HF Rig: Kenwood 850, 1 1/2 years old. With antenna tuner, power
supply, table mike, interface, extension speaker, $2200 Canadian (@$1500
American). Contact VE9TSN
Wanted
N1YQU is looking for a 2 position coaxial switch. You can usually get
him on 146.64.
N8VJM is looking for a 2-meter--440 transceiver with crossband
repeat. 834-6866
In Case You're Interested
June
7 Arietids meteor shower peak
9 Zeta Perseids meteor shower peak
13-15 ARRL June VHF QSO Party
20-21 SMIRK 6-Meter QSO Party
27-28 ARRL Field Day
29 Good EME Conditions
Happy Birthday
Please wish the following a Happy Birthday
Sam Barret 6-06
Pierette Peterson 6-12
Russell Beaulieu 6-19
Some Highlights from June CQ/VHF
From the editorial: Battling Band Bigotry
"...our survey of CQ/VHF readers last fall showed that 82% of you are either current or former scanner enthusiasts; 80% current or former SWLers, and 71% current or former CBers."
W2VU says band-ism, mode-ism, and code-ism, Hf/VHF squabbles, code-no code squabbles and ham/CB squabbles result in band-bigotry, in which operators act like they are superior in every way. Their preconceived notions about members of other groups, what type of people they are, what they know, and what they can learn can't be changed--resulting in bigotry that hurts us all. All radio operators need to work together for the common future of our hobby.
In addition, the editor says "old-fashioned religious, ethnic, and
racial bigotry are showing up on our bands with alarming frequency." "If you
really feel the need to dislike some other group of hams," forget about HF/VHF,
code vs. no-code " and focus on the hate groups that are abusing our
frequencies. "
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Gordon West has a review of the Yaesu FT-847. What a rig! Check out this 12-volt, all- band, all- mode radio with DSP. It is a marvel and has passed Gordon's rigorous tests with flying colors.
Also, Gordon has tested a telescoping- 90" to- 20' flag pole great
for light-weight antennas. With it you can get on the air with a 20' mast
anywhere your car can go. The base goes under a car tire!