Dear Fellow Hams,       
The cold subzero weather seems to have a relentless grip in Northern Maine. But take heart, I heard a Black-capped Chickadee singing its Spring song  when I skied up to check the radio tower on February 9th. It took me about an hour to climb in the soft snow, 24" of which we received on Ground Hog Day and two days later. The drifts on the corners going up into the woods were very deep. Surprisingly, no snow stuck to solar panels  during that snowfall. The hill top at the tower's base is wind swept down to the icy layer.  The black rubber covering for the freezer was 2/3 off. On February 12th I cut some small holes near the bottom of the overhanging rubber. A rope is threaded through them and tied down well at each corner. Hopefully this will keep the rubber in place.

Stan took two snowmobile trips up on the 10th, so we have a packed trail now.
          
     

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 11, 6 PM,  Alumni Conference Room,  Nadeau Hall, UMFK

Called to Order: 18:25 

In Attendance:  N1FG,  KW1C, N1KGS, N1PMS, N1JHD, N1QMC

Secretary's Minutes: KW1C motioned to accept. N1QMC seconded. Passed

Treasurer's  Balance: $821.44, + $56.00 Current Fund Raiser + interest $.95 = Feb. Balance=  $878.39    N1PMS motioned to accept. N1QMC seconded. Passed

Old Business:

The 146.64 Repeater:  The rubber cover 2/3 off on Feb. 9. N1FG plans to tie down at bottom so it won't come off again. N1KGS asked if tail on repeater could be shortened to conserve power. (As far as lowering the solar panel for deicing, it would have to be so low for that, it would be vulnerable to moose and vandals).

The 146.715 Repeater: Test conversation with KW1C (home QTH) on January 27th. Sounded Good.
 

SJVARA'S current Fund Raising: $56.00

New Business: 
Honda 1000 watt generator has been purchased by Stan and Gale for charging .64 batteries when it is in the cement block building to be built this summer. A work crew to help build it would be appreciated.
 

The generator could also be used for emergency communications. It is light weight and easy to carry.
   
New Field Day category: A new Field Day Category, operating from and EOC,  was discussed. Does Fort Kent have an EOC? Would it help the community to become familiar with our capabilities? N1KGS will be appointed  to RACES and have the keys to the County EOC at Loring.

New ARRL Brochures: '' Leap Into Amateur Radio" We have 25. Perhaps we could do something with a Science Fair at the school (N1QMC). If not in Fort Kent, in some other area school.

News from N8VJM:  Miles and his wife Joy have a baby girl, MaeLee. (N1FG sent a congratulatory e-mail to N8VJM from the SJVARA. Miles says Thanks.)

CAN-AM COMMUNICATIONS:  Please see
page 3  for this discussion and our need for more operators.

Next meeting: Tuesday, March 11,  6:00 PM Alumni Conference Room  in Nadeau Hall, UMFK

Adjourned:  19:25

Submitted by:  N1FG

  The Republic of San Marino has two new ham postage stamps. They were issued  on the occasion of the November  meeting of IARU Region 1.
 

During the February 11 meeting, which was postponed a week because of the heavy snow on February 2 & 4, we discussed at length the communications set up for Can-Am.

PROBLEMS:
1. We will not have N8VJM, with all his equipment.  KW1C and N1KGS   will provide spare radios

2. Conserving Power on both repeaters. Both repeaters are on solar power. Getting through the nights will be a problem.
     
Keep transmissions as short as possible. For the start, use simplex, and test for simplex from the Violette Crossing to see if that will work.
     
If the voltage drops low or panels are iced: Portage and Allagash will use computers to send times to central. See if Machias can go simplex to Portage.  Maibec will have the biggest problem.
Stan is working on a way to attach leads to the .64 batteries with  the plug end hanging out and protected. Then he could take the new generator up there and charge the batteries. Any suggestions on this?

3. Set  Up:
KW1C, N1JHD, and N1FG will set up the antenna at Lonesome Pine on the first "warm" day.
KB1EBE and N1KGS  will be co net controls, probably on 12 hour shifts. We need to provide a second operator to work with them in four hour shifts, or longer.
KB1EBE has suggested the use of a phone message book at net control for passing messages to Can-Am officials. The note can be torn out.  A carbon remains for our records.
N1QMC will use earphones at Allagash.
Radio Set Up in Control Center: N1FG and KB1EBE.
       
       
 

                     PLEASE VOLUNTEER For March 1-3

4 hours on Sat., Sun. & Mon.
Please contact N1FG for scheduling.
galeflagg@sjv.net
834-6670 

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