F E E D - P O I N T
| February | Vol. 16 No.2 |
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It seems that the snow followed by rain pattern is going to continue all winter. I have lost track of how many times it has happened, but I think there must be five or six ice layers in the snow now. The St. John River still is unfrozen in several places. The Black Capped Chickadees already are thinking of spring. They started their two note whistle in earnest on Valentine's Day. N7GLR is thinking of spring, too, as he just planted his tomato seeds! (Inside, of course). The count down to the Can-Am sled dog races has begun. The trail crew continues to struggle with the strange conditions the rain and the lack of subzero days has caused in many places. Making by-passes around unfrozen wet areas, building bridges where none have been needed before, filling in with pallets and brush, adding fabric to hold brush. All of those, plus having to clear broken trees. It has been a hard year for those who are in charge of the trails. Arrangements for the ham radio communications during the races are nearly
complete. We are fortunate to have AA1XD and N1TN (previously W1LEE) as the 12 hour
day net controls, and KB1EBE on the 12 hour night shift. We need a third operator
during the busiest hours from the start to the finish of the 60 mile race. KW1C is
the first to step in for that job. We need more. Still need to find some one to
go to Black Lake checkpoint with N1PMS. Also needed is an operator to help KB1EBE
on Sunday night.
| The ARRL Chief Executive Officer, David Sumner, K1ZZ, has an interesting
column on International Goodwill. He reminds us that the FCC rules state that one
of the fundamental purposes of the Amatuer Radio Serivce is "Continuation and
extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill".
Amateur Radio could have developed as an insular activity. The pioneers in amateur
radio prevented that from happening. Our radio signals can transcend any kind of barrier that can be
raised to keep people apart. He goes on to relate instances where hams have become
friends and bridged gaps bombs had caused. He hopes we will continue to maintain
the legacy and responsibilty we inherited from those who went before us so that promoting
international goodwill will pass to future generations. Gale Flagg 108 Franklin School Rd Fort Kent, Maine 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net Next Meeting: Tuesday, March, 14th PM Nadeau Hall, Alumni Conference Room, UMFK |
| Schedule of Coming Events | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Event | Place | Contact | Sponsor | Time | Freq |
| SUN | Net | NB | VE1PIN | IRG | 2000 | 145.130 |
| MON | Net | Fort Kent | N1FG | SJVARA | 1900 | 146.64 |
| MON | Net | Presque Isle | WA1YNZ | AARA | 2000 | 146.73 |
| Page 2 | Feed-Point, February, 2006 |
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Start Time: 18:05 Members and guests in attendance:N1FG, WB1FTK, KA1SJV, N7GLR, N1EVO, KA7VNR, WB1FTK, KA1SJV, KW1C, N1QMC, N1JHD. Secretary's Minutes: N7GLR moved to accept minutes as posted. Seconded by WB1FTK. Passed Treasurer's Report: N1FRX Report: $1,607.71 = Old Balance + $1.52 interest = $1,609.23 New Balance Old Business: 1. Rocky Mt.: 13.71 volts at 08:53 Hrs February 14th. 2. 146.64 Report: 12.40 volts at 08:53 Hrs February 14th. 3. Testing Luke Dyer is ready for testing. N1EVO will be. N7GLR will send for the testing materials. The date selected is Saturday, March 18th. 4. N1EVO showed us his CW key using a Pico keyer. It was inexpensive and can do many things. New Business: 1. W1TCF call sign on the repeater: W1TCF no longer monitors the 146.640 repeater. He does not have a radio where he is. The named control operator must be able to turn the repeater off if necessary, according to the FCC. For now the control operator has been changed to N1FG. W1TCF is still listed as Trustee. The repeater ID may have to match the Trustee's call sign. |
2. Can-Am Races March 4-6, 2006 Discussion of the communications
set up. N1JHD will let us know when to put up the antenna at Lonsesome Pine. KW1C
offered to help. KW1C will help at Net Control on Saturday. N1EVO is taking
photos so will not be able to help in the radio room. Daigles will see if one
of their sons can help at Black Lake.
3. NWS Weather Spotter Training Request A copy of a letter from KB1ELT at the Caribou NWS was handed out. They would like to hold a training sesssion, including information about nets to be set up for weather reporting and the frequencies to be used. We will ask if they can be at our March 14 meeting. 4.Dues will be due next month, 5. Ten meter net after our Monday Night net: N7GLR and WB1FTK will be on or near 28.350 for any who would like to try it. Program: N1FG gave a short program about gardening. Seed inventory, ordering seeds record keeping, potting soil, how to handle small seeds, the usefulness of a water meter. Over watering leads to fungus gnats! Thompson and Morgan recommended as having a particularly helpful catalog. Adjourned: 19:21 Submitted by N1FG. |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO: | |
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| Telecommunications regulator OFCOM has unveiled plans to reform Amateur Radio licensing in Great Britain. The main change is that Amateur Radio licenses will be issued for life, although licensees will have to confirm their license details every five years. The licenses will be issued electronically. | Sandra Daigle 03-20 |
| Page 3 | Feed-Point, February, 2006 |
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From the Feb. 12 ARRL Newletter: US Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-AR), this week offered "A Salute to Ham Radio Operators" on the floor of the US House. Ross, one of two Amateur Radio licensees in the House of Representatives (the other is Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI, R-OR), addressed his colleagues February 8 to recognize the contributions of the Amateur Radio community in the wake of last year's devastating hurricane season. "Citizens throughout America dedicated to this hobby--a hobby that some people consider old fashioned or obsolete--were true heroes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as they were often the only line of communication available into the storm ravaged areas," Ross said. He noted that while ham radio is often overlooked "in favor of flashier means of communication," Gulf Coast communities learned after the 2005 hurricanes that technology can be "highly vulnerable" to storm damage. "Ham radios, entirely self- contained transmitters, require no cell towers or satellites, simply a battery and a strip of wire as an antenna," Ross explained. |
Because of the "critical intervention" of radio amateurs across the US, Ross said, many lives were saved following Hurricane Katrina. "The dedication displayed by ham radio operators in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina sets a tremendous example for us all," Ross concluded, noting that "now more than ever" he's proud to be an Amateur Radio operator. "The people whose lives were rescued as a result of the tireless dedication of ham radio operators will forever be grateful to these selfless public servants." This information from N1EVO: The pico-keyer is very tiny (about the size of two postage stamps) and has a ton of useful features.
See complete specs at http://www.hamgadgets.com .
Price is $17.99 for the kit and mine went together in about
25 minutes. If anyone would like one but are not up to doing the soldering, I will put it together
for them at no charge.
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Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" X 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. N1FRX. Yaesu VX-5R Excellent condition. Mic, charger, two batteries, DC cord, manual. N1FG | Why English Teachers Die Young |
F E E D - P O I N T February, 2006 |
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| Published by the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association |
| and distributed free to members and friends of Amateur Radio. |
| President: Gale Flagg N1FG |
| Vice President: Sandra Daigle, N1QMC |
| Secretary: Sandra Daigle, N1QMC |
| Treasurer: Charles Zafonte, N1FRX |
| Public Information: Charles Ames, N7GLR |
| Technical Advisor: Marty Bernstein, KW1C |
| Editor/Publisher/Printer |
| Gale Flagg - N1FG / Stan Flagg 834-6670 |
| Associate Editor/Web Edition |
| Charles Ames N7GLR |
| Membership Information (Annual Dues): |
| Regular Membership $ 12 |
| Associate Membership $ 6 |
| 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. |