Dear Fellow Hams,

Winter finally settled in with good  cold temperatures and enough fluffy snow to improve all trails. There is enough snow to form deep drifts that are a challenge on the Can-Am  dog race trails. I got dumped into one when opening a trail for a dragger.

N7GLR and I heard a ham calling on 146.64 the first weekend in February. K1WGI and KA1MWG had just arrived in Ste. Agathe for a week of snowmobiling from down state. We both talked to them and invited them to our Feb. 5 meeting. We were glad to have them as visitors. KA1MWG  was equipped with APRS. He had a handheld attached to a small Garmin APRS (similar to a GPS). His radio would transmit a signal every minute that would go to the satellites. A friend of his in Augusta was receiving the signal and could track his (KA1MWG'S) position.  It would certainly be a handy thing to have for anyone who has to travel alone in isolated areas.  Someone could keep track of them all the time and could locate the traveler easily if help should be needed.

The 146.64 repeater continues to have trouble at times. Over IDing occurs  from time to time. It sometimes cuts out unexpectedly. At other times it works perfectly. I seem to have a hard time getting into .64 this winter. Something has changed, but I am not sure what.

N1FCV has assured me that we can use his repeater 147.33+ as a back up whenever .64 is not adequate. If you tune in to  our net on Monday at 7 PM and you hear nothing. Listen on 147.33. We appreciate the fact that it is there. Gil, N1FCV, has had a lot of trouble in the last couple of years with fire and wind. The repeater is now located at the Frenchville Airport. 

Can-Am Dog Races: We still need operators! 

On January 24, my vanity call sign, N1FG, was granted. My original application was received  on October 17th and was involved in the anthrax scare.
                                                    N1FG, Gale
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, March 12, 6:30 PM, UMFK Grindle Conference Room. 

Called to Order: 18:40
In Attendance:  N1UYA,  N1FCV,  N7GLR, KA7VNR, N1JHD,
N1QMC, K1WGI, KA1MWG
Secretary's Minutes: N7GLR motioned to dispense with the reading of minutes. N1QMC seconded. Passed
Treasurer's Report: January  Balance: $221.45   +  .31 interest = February Balance of $221.45.

Have you paid your dues yet? We need you as a member to continue our ARRL affiliation and to continue the work of the club.

Old Business:
Rocky Mountain: Rocky Mt. continues to give a good strong signal.
N1QMC and N1FG talked for about 5 minutes on it recently, with no problems. We still can not get a battery voltage reading.

The 146.64 Repeater:  We can get no readings on the batteries for this repeater either. Steve says the solar panel might accumulate snow as it is not at a very steep angle. The time outs could be because a person does not wait for the courtesy tone. (After the meeting, N1FG, mobile, tested .64 all the way home with KA1MWG. The repeater began to ID after each transmission. I had fairly good contact until I parked next to my house antenna, where I had no contact.  My antenna has not moved, so something in the landscape must have.)
 

N7GLR made a motion that the 100 watt radio be traded for a 40 watt radio to put in for .64. Seconded by N1JHD. Passed
  New Business: 
Nominating Committee: Nobody wanted to do this. Nominations will be made at the March Meeting.

Future of the Club: Sparse meeting attendance discussed. KA7VNR suggested a different meeting schedule. One meeting at UMFK, one a social supper ( or could be breakfast ) and one short meeting on the air, in a three month rotation. Something for us all to think about for the next meeting. I'd like comments from the members, please. N1FCV asked our visitors about their club.  The Augusta Club has about 60 members. 6-25 attend. About 15% participate in Field Day. The internet is having a negative impact on ham radio.

Can Am Communications: It looks like we have to hope for several  non local hams. It is very difficult to make up a schedule when people do not make a firm commitment. I  really appreciate those who have contacted me and made a firm commitment. If any one else can do so, please call me or e-mail me. Our visitors will spread the word in Augusta.

Next meeting: TUESDAY March 12, 6:30 PM, Grindle Conference Room, UMFK
Adjourned: 18:30
Submitted by:  N1FG

Some people think cell phones are the answer to emergency communications.  Here is a story that again proves amateur radio is still important.  On Thanksgiving afternoon of 2001,  KA2NCC and his 12 year old son became stuck in a deep rut on a snow-covered  forest road in the Oregon Cascades. Their cell phone said "no service." Family radio channels got no answer. An unused 2 meter rig under the seat was hauled out and connected.  Dad got an answer from KD7CSY, who directed him to a closer repeater. Heavy snow continued to fall, and rescue vehicles were unable to reach the stranded pair. It was 12 hours before anyone could get close enough. The hams in the area, especially KD7CSY,  were in constant contact. When Father and son got a ride off the Mt., KD7CSY and AC7BZ were there to  greet them, buy them breakfast, and take them home to wait for help to retrieve the vehicle.

The son says, "I need to get my license, Dad. That was great!".
 

 This story also points up the importance of scanning our local frequencies.  We have to be listening to be able to help! (Source QST March 2002)

On November 7,1923 Bob, U8CWR (now W9NN) in Dayton, Ohio, and Al , 9BBI (now K4FW) in South Bend, Indiana had their first QSO.  On November 17, 2001, 78 years later they had another QSO. "78 years of QSOs with two 95-year old pals!" That's what Bob wrote on the QSL card he sent to Al.     (Source QST March 2002)

N1YQU For Sale Items:
I have a Yaesu FT 840 HF Transceiver  good on 160 through 10 meters. Excellent condition. Three years old. Great for a new hams first radio or make a good second rig for someone. Asking $400 with stock mike.
Don Peary, N1YQU

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. 
Heil BM-10 microphone boom set   $35.
MFJ 451X  keyer  $35 Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273

* The equator is an imaginary lion that runs around the world forever.  * We do not raise silkworms in the U S , because we get our silk from rayon. He is a larger worm and gives more silk. * The earth needs the O-Zone layer to keep in the gravity.