F  E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

Whew! I guess summer is really here. It was 87°F. yesterday, and the overnight low was 63.5°F. The warmer temperatures should give the corn the boost it needs. We have coined a new word, "Moosance". Our larger pond has two water-lily plants. The moose came and ate all the leaves when they first came up. Last week the moose came back and happily munched on the water lily again, wiping out the leaves and four flowers.

About July 9th I noticed a lot of static on the 146.640 repeater. It was very windy and I thought it might be from that. However, I realized I had not changed the Damp-Rid since sometime in May. Given all the wet weather, I thought I should do that. On the morning of the 10th I went up to take care of it. It definitely needed changing. When I got back to the house, I heard a horrible noise coming through the scanner, and when I checked, I saw that it was the repeater. I tried to key it up several times, but it would not turn off. I raced back up with an HT to keep track of the racket. I slid the cover off the refrigerator that houses the repeater. I was startled by swarms of Carpenter Ants and huge white eggs underneath the right hand component of the repeater. I did not know what to do. I had a large terrycloth towel in the ATV. Took that and placed it on the ants and eggs. Many ants got on the towel. I shook them off outside, and repeated the procedure several times. In the mean time the repeater was still going and the voltage was dropping.

I went back to the house to call N1JHD and N1EVO for instructions. Neither was available. Stan came home about then, and he went up to figure out how to disconnect it. I monitored. He tried one orange wire. That didn't do it. He reconnected that and tried the other orange wire. That did it. Silence! We put two TAT ant baits inside the cabinet.

N1JHD thought it might be the antenna connection at the top. Two days later he was going to come and check the antenna coax. In the meantime we had gotten Raid Ant &Roach Killer and some Ant Killer powder. There were very few ants left, and the eggs were all gone. Where??? We sprayed Raid inside the building and dumped the powder all around the base of the building. N1JHD said we should try reconnecting the repeater. We did and it worked fine. Had the ants caused the problem? We will have to wait to see if the problem returns without ants.

The following is an e-mail N1FG received a short time ago.

"Hello! My name is Carl, I run QSL managerial & printing service iQSLUSA operating out of Niagara Falls, NY.
Our website is www.iqslusa.com.

We have opened our doors just recently and would like to introduce our service to your club members. Would it be possible to send our samples & introductory letter and information on group discounts to be displayed among your club members?

Please get back to me with some info on exact address and time it would be best to send a parcel with samples. You may also contact me via phone at toll free number 1 866-490-7372 We appreciate your help and look forward to hear back form you. Best 73! Carl & iQSLUSA team

A little about us:

There is currently an article that offers some insight about us on qrz.com www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=161258

About our Services:

On top of regular in house QSL printing, we offer several innovative QSL services that distinguish us from being just another QSL printer.

1. Our online QSLmaker allows you to create attractive QSL cards in minutes without downloading or learning graphic software.

2. We have the ability to automatically fill in QSO tables using your log data. This may save a lot of time for serious QSLers.

3. We alphabetically sort cards as well as offer ARRL QSL Bureau forwarding services at no extra charge.

4. No extra charge for custom design and touchup work regardless of project complexity.

All US club members automatically receive 5% on all orders. 10% off per person groups discount is available.

Look forward to your reply, 73!" **************************************

WB1FTK has put together a detailed Power Point program about the installation of his antenna. It was quite a project, completed with the help of KA1SJV and K1FK. It will be shown at our September meeting. It has been posted to the SJVARA web site. When I first looked at it, I could not get out of it because of my laptop screen. Had to shut off my computer and reboot. WB1FTK has added an exit button that can be used. He says to use it, you must download the program. Thanks, Don.