|
|
|
|
|
November 2002 Vol. 12 No. 11 |
|
As I write snow is coming down outside. Up here on our hill we have had constant snow since Oct. 19th. The snow stick has measured 11 1/2" of snow twice. The evergreens have carried a load of snow except for one warm day, and one rainy day. We certainly finished the 146.640 and the 146.715 projects just in the nick of time! There really has not been much good weather, if any warm enough, to do those jobs since they were completed. And it isn't even winter yet! The top section for the 150' tower was the top section of my original tower. On top of it was mounted my Mosely vertical HF antenna, and the quarter-wave ground plane was side mounted. These had to be removed, of course. The HF antenna was put on two sections of jack posts bolted together, and placed in a 50 gallon drum. Then gravel was dumped into the drum to give it weight and to stabilize the jack posts. Why do I mention this now? I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the antenna was just inside the roof line, so that snow coming off the roof would hit it. This morning (Nov. 23), as rain turned to snow, we decided it was time to move it before cold weather turns the rain saturated snow into cement. Easier said then done. First Stan tried to hoe the snow away from the base. |
It seemed to be sitting in a pit of ice. We worked a crowbar under it to break it loose. The tractor was moved near it, and a rope tied around the bottom of the barrel to the tractor's bucket. The tractor pulled, the rope stretched and the barrel leaned. The snow came down harder. Then Stan moved the bucket very close and lifted the bucket. That did the trick. The antenna is straight and safe. Thanks to Stan, the non-ham, who has given us so much help with our big .64 project. On Nov. 17th , KW1C arrived in a snowstorm at N1FG's. He connected the power supply to my new Icom-756 Pro and went through basic operations step by step. We made a good contact with a CQ contester and got a good report. It will take a long time to learn all the ins and outs of the radio, but thanks Marty, for getting me started. N1FG , Gale Gale Flagg 108 Franklin School RD Fort Kent ME 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 3, 7:00 PM, Alumni Conf. Rm. Raffle Drawing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Page 2 Feed-Point, November, 2002 |
|
Called to
Order: 20:20 In Attendance:
N1FG, N1QMC, N1JHD, N1KGS, K1NI- (Ernie, from Jefferson.
N1FG heard him on .64 earlier, as he came in to town to work on UMFK
equipment in Daigle. Invited him to the meeting.) Secretary's Minutes : Reading of minutes waived. Treasurer's
. bal.:
$175.02 + interest $ .25 + $24
dues, + $110.00 donation, + Raffle Sales $204.00 = Nov. Balance: $513.27 Old Business: Rocky Mountain: The new repeater was installed in the tower building on Oct. 13th. Thanks to N1CHF, N1JHD, and N1FG. ( See October Feed-Point for details.) The call sign is N1FG, the tone is 91.5.
The 146.64
Repeater: Oct. 12th the repeater was moved to its new home. N1CHF took
the antenna up the tower. SWR was too high so the repeater was not
left on. The problem turned out to be a faulty chip. That was replaced on
Oct. 14th-- a cold, windy day). The repeater was turned on. Testing
has shown good coverage in town, and as far as Monticello, Patten, Riviere
de Loupe, and much better reception along Rte. 161 toward Allagash. |
good quality cards, wrap, and more to benefit the club. At checkout click on Maine and look for the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association for us to get credit: 50% of the sales go to us. Tell your friends and relatives! Raffle: The tickets for the Garmin Etrex GPS and the ADI HT are still being sold. ( K1HEL has offered to make a copy of the software that goes with the Garmin for the winner. N7GLR has offered to help a non licensed person get a license if one should win the ADI. Thanks, guys !) Please help us sell tickets! Tickets available from N1FG Echolink: Is connected on sunny days by N-7GLR-L, but not on cloudy days. New
Business: Program: Held before meeting. N1KGS--Emergency
Communications. See page 3. Adjourned:
20:40
Submitted
by: N1FG
|
|
Rag Chewers Club: Talk for at least 30 minutes to one person, report the QSO to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St., Newington CT 06111, enclose $10.00 fee, and you'll receive a Rag Chewers Club certificate by return mail. |
Happy Birthday To: Jessica Boutot 12-7 Bert St. Onge 12-10 |
| Page 3 Feed-Point, November, 2002 |
|
Both of the club
repeaters seem to be working well. The batteries at Rocky Mountain have a
higher charge than those of .64, not surprisingly. We have gotten very little
solar charging in the last month. This afternoon,
after four days of no sun (dense fog, rain, and snow), Rocky is 12.68 and
.64 is 12.04.
I checked the new .64 tower and base a week ago. The
rubber cover on the freezer was still in place and everything looked okay.
I have not checked inside the freezer, being afraid of disturbing the equilibrium.
Some cold, dry day I will take a look.
Late Breaking Echlink News: N7GLR has returned his
link to simplex 146.54 to save power on 146.64.
|
Emergency
Communications
N1KGS is our Section Emergency Coordinator.
Max took the job after the 1998 Ice Storm.
1. There was not much coordination at that time, just small isolated groups. ( He explained that all the Maine phone lines go through Mt Agmenticus. During the ice storm the back up generator was only 20 minutes from failing from lack of propane. If it had failed it would have been a disaster. Hams were off the air because of loss of antennas, and there was no coordination between groups. 2. A month ago a million and a half dollars given to the ARRL to train Amateurs in Emergency Communications on line through the Univ. of CT. 3. Amateur Radio is being recognized as an integral part of Home land Security. Operators also need courses in Hazardous Waste, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Incident Command. Vernon Ouellette teaches these courses. Needed: Emergency Coordinators: Member of ARRL and at least a Tech license. Any emergency will require responders to go the scene, and people to stay to monitor repeaters.
|
|
Heavy duty
40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware.
Best Offer. |
Pun Riddles by Stan Kegel: 2. A likely hood. 3. Communication saddle lights.) |
| Page 4 Feed-Point, 2002 |
|
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