F  E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

Winter is here! It is zero at 11:00 AM on January 20th. The sun is shining brightly on snow littered with birch seeds and scales, fir scales, maple seeds and more from yesterday's strong wind. Thank goodness the slippery ice on our driveway is slightly covered with snow. We had to leave a car at the mailbox for several days during the first part of January.

Speaking of wind, I am sure you have heard that the UK had a very damaging windstorm just a few days ago. Lorries overturned, fire engines were swept across roadways, trees crashing, building sections lifted off and crashing everywhere. One school building lost its roof. The children were safely moved to another part of the building. Talking to several hams over there, I know a lot of antennas are down, and laying in a tangle with trees and power lines. Damage spread as far as Poland. They have a large cleanup job to do over there.

A little update on my new Icom MKIIG. We had hoped to have Griffeth's in Caribou install it. However, after they looked everything over they said they did not have the experience. They recommended Autotronics in Frenchville. When I delivered the car and radio to Autotronics, I discussed location, etc, with the technicians. Several hours later we picked up the car. The radio was neatly installed under a back seat, glass mount antenna securely on a side window, and the remote panel with mike installed on the dash. A very nice job.

The only problem is my programming. 146.52 works well. I still have no repeater working. I programmed it with auto repeater and on the third attempt found auto repeater was on off! That was the coldest day so far. I gave up. Hope the fourth attempt will be successful.

New Business:
1. PAT ADAMS "We loved your two cards from the Radio Group. We enjoy being as helpful as you say we are". N1FG talked briefly about their appreciation in receiving the "Thank You" cards from the Club.
2.Bill Cobb E-mail re Rocky Mountain:N1FG read an email she received from Bill Cobb regarding the Rocky Mt Tower trips and asked about the tower's condition. N1EVO mentioned that it needs a new roof; also the sign has fallen off the building. N1FG believes the State Forest Ranger Service will buy the materials, but the Club has to do the repairs. N1FG will check into the State Forest Ranger Service maintenance agreement. N1EVO volunteered to take pictures of the tower in the Spring to send Bill Cobb. N1FG will be sending an email back to him about this.
3.Other:N1EVO told us that his brother, Pete, wants to take the Tech Exam. KA7VNR mentioned that a couple of Madawaska Fire Fighters are also interested in taking a class to get their license. It was suggested the club purchase a couple of ARRL License books for the Club to loan out to interested people.
(Continued on page 3)
Next Meeting: February 13, 2007, Nadeau Hall, UMFK, 6:00 PM
Adjourned: 19:10; N7GLR motioned to adjourn, and KA7VNR seconded. All present in favor.
Submitted by KA1SJV

N1EVO also suggested putting a notice on UMFK's bulletin board to let students know about SJVARA. N1FG and N7GLR thought that this was a good idea. It was decided that N1EVO and N7GLR would get together and get the word out to create more interest in our Club.

N1EVO told us about the Sunday IRG Net swap shop which is every other week. N1FG mentioned the weather net at 6:30 AM Monday-Friday. Also, the Sunday night and Tuesday night nets are on at 8:00 PM our time. 145.130 is the repeater for access to all three nets. It is located in Riceville,NB. Many repeaters are linked and members are given the codes for opening any one or all of the linked repeaters. Membership in the IRG is $15.00 Canadian or $13.00 U.S..

The group then watched a 12 minute DVD about the four seasons in the Sapsucker Woods at the Cornell Labratory of Ornithology showing the woodland and it inhabitants (amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds). It was enjoyed by all.