Dear Fellow Hams,
      I wonder if  winter is here to stay! We have 8" of snow here in the woods and we had five straight days of below freezing weather. 
      A month ago I began investigating vertical HF antennas. I went to see N7GLR's Butternut. Checked out the Cushcraft R-7000, and then KC1SE reminded me that Mosley has a multiband vertical. When I looked that up, its clean lines appealed to me as well as the claims the Mosley people make for it. I decided to order one, only to find that Mosley is moving their factory, which means a delay of a month to a month and a half. That made me wonder about ordering an  R-7000 for temporary use and then selling it when the other came. KC1SE thought he could come up with a more reasonable temporary solution. During the snowstorm on Nov. 15th he drove out and put up an 80 meter dipole.  He slogged through the snow up and down a steep bank and through thick brush. Jim has a great throwing technique and he got the two ends high in two trees.  He discovered a broken connection which he wished he'd noticed at home. Soldering in the snow and cold isn't much fun. I am most grateful to him. I've done some listening on the HF bands and hope to make a contact soon.
73/ N1UYA Gale

Address comments, questions, or suggestions to: 
Gale Flagg  R.F.D.#3  Box 250
Fort Kent  ME 04743 
Phone: 207-834-6670
E-mail: mailto:sgflagg%20@%20ainop.com

    The Rocky Mountain Repeater has had its ups and down.
The problem mentioned in the last newsletter was taken care of on Nov.16th, when N1LON and N1CHF climbed a snowy trail at Rocky Mountain to make the necessary changes. Everything was working well, but the next day nothing could be heard from the repeater. On Nov. 20th, N1HSQ took N1CHF up to Rocky Mountain, and N1CHF had an even snowier, icier climb to the repeater. Once again, everything is working. N1CHF hopes he can do anything necessary to the repeater by remote control from his house. Otherwise, he's thinking of moving into the tower!!
     The good news is that the coverage is good!  It reaches the Can-Am checkpoints. It reached across the Allagash to Round Pond, and several other spots, as determined by N1LON, N1FCW , and N1HSQ traveling around the region on Nov. 20th. It also reached to 6 miles south of Oxbow when KC1SE was traveling that way Nov. 22.

    N1CHF reports that the N1CHF Link(146.55,223.540, 445.00) antenna has been pointed south. Testing it via the traveling KC1SE  indicates that the link can be heard all the way down Rte.11. So if you get into trouble on Rte. 11, try giving the link a call. It has no identifier yet, so the only way you know if you are making it into is is if someone answers. At least one person is usually listening.

Called to Order: 18:35 EDT by N1UYA.

In Attendance: KW1C, N1FRX, N7GLR, KA7VNR, N1PMS, N1LON, N1CHF, N1FCW, N1CGV N1UYA, N8VJM

Secretary's Minutes: Motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes was made by N1CGV, second by N1FRX. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report (N1CHF): previous balance $246.39, +0.59 (interest),  +$100.00 (anonymous donation). New balance:$346.98.  Motion to accept by N1CGV, second by N1PMS.  Motion passed.

Old Business: Rocky Mountain discussion: The repeater worked for a day but neededN1CHF reported on Rocky Mountain progress.  It was reported that the repeater was put back on the air and was showing good coverage.  The regulator and 220MHz control are not functioning, but fixes are soon to be installed.  The desense problem we have been experiencing seems to be the result of cable length between cavities repeater components.  N8VJM explained that having four cavities would also help sensitivity.

KW1C will talk to AA1CN about a ham program in the school system.

KW1C will talk to AA1CN about a ham program in the school system.

New Business: N8VJM discussed proposed changes to the format of Feedpoint to improve compatibility between hardcopy and web editions.  Members provided positive feedback.

N1FRX made a motion that appointing the field day committee should be tabled until January, second by N8VJM.  A lengthy discussion ensued and N1FRX amended his original motion to state that the field day committee should be appointed in December, but need not meet immediately.  Another lengthy discussion ensued.  Motion passed. 

Next meeting meeting is set for MON 7 DEC 98 @ 1830 EST in Daigle Conference Room

N8VJM made a motion to adjourn, seconded by N1CGV.  Meeting was adjourned at 1916 EST N1UYA.

Programs: License restructuring proposals.

Submitted by: N8VJM, secretary.

December

14    Geminids meteor shower peak
22    Ursids meteor shower peak
27   Good EME Conditions

     Hams are wonderful people for the most part. They are so willing to jump in to help with emergency communications. I keep reading in CQ/VHF and in the ARRL newsletter on line about the tremendous response of hams during natural catasrophes and accidental ones.
     The damage of Hurricane Mitch was severe and the response of the Amateur Community was tremendous.
      When Swissair Flight 11 went down off Nova Scotia, Canadian Hams offered their communication skills. When a call went out on repeaters for more help, many amateurs from surrounding areas  responded. 120 hams assisted at two Command Posts for 12 hours each day, as well as the various outposts.
   Here are some "Lessons Learned" from the operation at Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia:
   1.  Training enables people to react quickly. In Halifax, they use day long courses, as well as weekly and monthly practice nets.
   2.  Key people must have a list of frequencies of VHF marine, CB, air traffic, phone numbers, linking arrangements for repeaters, etc.
   3.  Radios, antennas, power supplies for emergencies must be readily available. Complete stations should be issued to key people who will first to react to a call for assistance.

Excerpted from December 1998 CQ/VHF.

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Also,a pair of stacked 7-element beams for 10 meters. Seperately or together, Best Offer.

Heil BM-10 microphone boom set and MFJ 451X keyer.  Each $35.

Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273

Here are some questions asked of witnesses by attorneys during trials.

1.  "How far apart were the vehicles at the time of collision?"
2.  "You were there until the time you left, is that true?"
3.  Q.   "Doctor, how many autopsies have your performed on dead people?"
     A.  "All my autopsies are performed on dead people."