Dear Fellow Hams,       
 Last month I said I didn't know if winter was through with us yet. It certainly wasn't! It has been so cold in the last few days I have taken to calling people in Texas and California on EchoLink just to hear about temperatures in the 80's and the show of wildflowers that are blooming. The Blue Bonnets are coloring Texas roadsides and California Poppies are blooming on the hillsides in that state. In the UK lambs are cavorting on green hillsides.   In New Zealand their autumn is having the warm temperatures of summer.

More and more hams are discovering EchoLink. The ones who may be enjoying it most are hams who have moved into retirement communities where no antennas are possible.
     

   
 
     

On April 18th I queried ZL2VBC about a new "aerial" he had put up. He explained it as a Super J Pole, with copper wire windings in the middle and at the top.   He achieved a 3 to  4 db gain in transmitted and received signals in comparison to a regular j-pole. I wonder if such a j-pole would help with Can-Am communications.

With your help, I was able to get .64 re- located, my goal for last year. As your president for another year, I hope we will all work together to find ways to involve schools in amateur radio.
 

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, May 6, 7 PM,  Alumni Conference Room.  Nadeau Hall, UMFK

Called to Order: 19:11
In Attendance:  N1FG, N1PMS, N1FRX, N7GLR, KA7VNR

Secretary's Minutes: N7GLR motioned to accept. N1FRX  seconded. Passed

Treasurer's Report: Submitted by N1CHF :Mar.  Bal. $879.34  + interest $.86 + Dues $24.00 = April Bal. $904.20 N1PMS motioned to accept. N1FRX seconded. Passed. It was suggested that we look into a short term CD. 

Election: 14 ballots were returned, 11 of them by e-mail, 2 delivered by hand, 1 by snail mail. The slate of officers nominated was voted in. There is no change from last years officers.

Old Business: The 146.64 Repeater:  Everything looks fine. Stars extremely brilliant up there (discovered during one of my owl surveys). AA1PN from Exeter Me called in on .64. Good copy, a bit of static.

The 146.715 Repeater:  Sounds okay still. N1CHF will be working on a mount for new antenna to go up this summer.

Can Am Communications Feedback from K1HEL: 1. A beam at control center aimed at Rocky Mountain might help. 2. Possibly set up KW1C's home station as a digi-peater from Rocky Mountain directly into Net Control. 3. Reasons for schedule not being adhered to: snowstorm, late replacement, and no-show of one operator on Monday.
 

New Business:
1. Field Day: No decisions. Still considering EOC at Loring.

2. The New England QSO Party will be held May 3-4.
Categories include: single operator high & low power & QRP, same categories for mobile operators and multi-operators single transmitter. Signal report will include county and state or signal report and province or "DX".
          For more information go to www.neqp.org
         Questions can be addressed to info@neqp.org

3. Eastern States Exposition: Our club has received a letter asking us to take a shift at the Amateur Radio Booth at the Eastern States Exposition to be held Sept. 12-28th.  It was thought we are a little far away to do that, but if anyone is going to be down there let me know.

4. Dues Due:  Those present paid their dues. Those not present may mail their dues to SJVARA, 108 Franklin School Rd, Fort Kent   Me 04743.  Check the membership list on the web page to see if your dues are due.

5. N1FRX asked for our help in controlling RF problems on Charrette Hill caused by MPBN's 25000 watt transmitter. Causing trouble with phone, door bells, and health.  Suggestions included contacting congress person and FCC and documenting problems.

6. Link 146.640 and 146.730: Could it be done to make sure a person needing help would be more likely to get help.

Next meeting: Tuesday, May 6,  7:00 PM Alumni Conference Room  in Nadeau Hall, UMFK

Adjourned:  20:11

Submitted by:  N1FG

 US International Police Association Radio Club sponsoring a special event in remembrance of fallen peace officers April 27 to May 11:  28.355, 21.410, 14.240, 3.850.  US members will be using 1x1 calls. CW May 3-4. Infor : www.iparc.org

This conference will address the issue of allocations around 7 MHz this summer. The problem is the overlap between broadcasters overseas and American amateurs. (We've heard this during Field Day when European Broadcasters have fouled up our contacts.

The proposals shift the broadcasters up to 7450-7550. The  frequencies for our use would be 7000 to 7300. This proposal would make the shift gradual to be completed by 2009.  There are other proposals.

While these plans are being worked on, some international broadcasters are turning away from HF. Deutsche Welle, a large international broadcaster, has recently ceased HF broadcasting in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

June 3 Meeting:

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer.