F E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

The Official Newsletter of the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association


June 2003                                                    Vol. 13 No.6


Letter From Our President

Dear Fellow Hams,       
Happy summer to all! We do have summer temperatures as I write, but a week ago we needed a fire in the stove four days in a row! It only took about two days of sunshine and warm weather to make the potato plants triple in size. Bulbs planted six weeks ago were encouraged to emerge in the same  short time.

On June 1st KW1C and N1FG provided communications for the senior class canoe trip from the American Dream to Riverside park.
N1FG was mobile and KW1C was stationed at Riverside Park. I called in the location of the first canoes at a place before Jalbert Crossing, then Jalbert Crossing, Daigle's Horse Farm and just upriver of the dike in Fort Kent. I was able to report when the last canoe came in sight, and a few incidents I saw. Two lads kept being swept to the shore. They finally got out, and walked the canoe down away, before setting out again.

     
      
   
   

We were complimented by the people at Riverside Park  for the good communication coverage. Thanks, KW1C, for your help. The seniors were fortunate to have only a few sprinkles of rain, as heavy rain had been forecast.

N1FG received a nice certificate for completing and passing the test of Emergency Communications Level I course. A $45 check was received as reimbursement for the cost of the course. Since then I have purchased  the ARES Field Resources Manual. It is worth the $8.95. Spiral Bound, with weatherproof cover,  it covers all the things in the course, plus a few, in a quick and easy to read format.

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, July 8, 6 PM,  Flagg Residence.
Pot Luck Supper


 

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, June, 2003

Report of June 3,  2003 Meeting

Called to Order: 18:05
In Attendance: 
N1FG, N1QMC, N1PMS, N1KGS,

We held the program first so our speaker could get home at a reasonable time. Vernon Ouellette, Director of Aroostook Country's Emergency Management Agency, presented  Hazardous Material First Responder Level 1 Training. See page 3 for some of the details.

Secretary's Minutes:   
Treasurer's Report: Submitted by N1CHF :May Balance $953.16  + interest $.98  = June Balance  $954.14.

Old Business:

1. The 146.64 Repeater:
 All is well.  Reported the plastic covers off the vents. Battery Charge 13.50 volts at 11:51 today.  (Recently K1NI and another ham were using  this repeater when working up here. They thanked me for the use of the repeater when they were leaving and were very pleased with its coverage.) 

2. The 146.715 Repeater:   Battery charge 14.24 at 11.50 today. On June 2 the 146.64 repeater was heard on the Rocky Mt. repeater! N1KGS said maybe it was the solar flares that caused it.
 

3. Dues are Due:  Some still owe dues. Keep your membership up to date please.
 

New Business:

1.  Field Day: We will operate from  the Loring EOC. That will be June 28th and 29th. We will meet there at 10 AM to check things out,  and set up a second radio. We will operate from 1 PM to Sunday 1 PM. It is expected that our participation from the EOC will give us credibility with the various agencies who might be able to use us  in an emergency. I hope that you will come see the EOC and help us operate, even if you have not signed up with me yet.
 

2.  Letter from San Andres DXpedition: They were asking for donations.  The club members did not wish to do so.
 

3. EZ Hang Ham Club Special letter:  A sling shot with fishing line and various weights to get antennas high offered at 20% off. Price of the kit  $87.20, shipping included. No one present interested. If anyone is, please contact me.

Next meeting: Tuesday, July 8,  6:00 PM , Pot Luck Supper,Flagg Residence.
 

Adjourned:  20:20

Submitted by:  N1FG

 
 
What Some People Do For Field Day
AC6SL, K0IW, & K0DUG climb to 9000'  in the Rocky Mountains with heavy packs. In 2002 they melted snow for water and had granular snow pellets falling. When the GR5V  inverted V antenna was raised, the wind broke the mast in 2 places.

 

 

 
       HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Don Ouellette 7-01
Dean Wiggins 7-04
Peter Pelletier 7-23

 


 


 

Page 3                                          Feed-Point, June,  2003
   

Hazardous Materials: First Responder, Level 1

Highlights from the Course:
Recognizing a HAZMAT situation:
Any liquid or gas that leaves the container it is supposed to be in, and poses a threat   to harm life, property, or the environment.

Classes of Hazardous Materials include:
Explosives, Compressed Gasses (propane, helium, ammonia, acetylene), Flammable Liquids (gas, oil, toluene, acetone), Flammable solids (magnesium, phosphorous), Oxidizers (chlorines, sodium chlorate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide), Toxic Materials and  Infectious Substances  (arsenic, anthrax, botulism, carbon tetrachloride), Radioactive Materials  (cobalt, uranium), Corrosive Materials (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid), Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (paint spray, hair spray)
   
Hazardous Materials have colored Labels. Blue=Health Hazard, Red=Fire danger, Yellow=Reactive, White=Special Information. Level 1 means minimum danger, Level 4 means extreme danger.

"W" means USE NO WATER.

Guidelines For Approaching a
hazmat situation:

Use Binoculars, don't get close. Listen for hissing. If you can smell it, you are too close.
People should be directed away from the  spill site.
Any evacuees should be directed upwind.
Shelter Buildings should be sealed with tape.

 

There is an Emergency Response Guide Book that responders should consult before taking action.  Carriers of Chemicals must have shipping papers with the materials listed and the hazard class, The materials also have ID numbers, which can be looked up in this book. It tells the hazard class and the appropriate action to take. ONLY trained people should approach the hazmat hot zone. Madawaska has a trained hazmat team.
       
The toll Free Number for help with any Hazmat is:
Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300.

If you see a spill, report it to the Fire Department.
   
Others things discussed were safety clothing; the fact that schools, hospitals and fire stations are soft targets for terrorists. ( Easy targets. They need to have security cameras);  and the set up at NORSUN, which uses hazardous materials.
   
We appreciate the fact that Vernon was willing to come for such a small group. He did a fine job of introducing us to a scary subject. I am certainly glad to know what I learned that night.

 
 

For Sale

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. 
 

A Bit of Humor
Newspaper Bloopers collected by Richard Lederer:

Rolls-Royce announced today that it is recalling all Rolls-Royce vehicles made after 1996 because of faulty nuts behind the steering wheel. * A special course on shoplifting will be given Nov. 10 for those who want to prepare for the Christmas season early. * Anchorage: The state board of fisheries is considering whether or not to impose seasonal catch limits on tourists. 

 

 

Page 4                                                                Feed-Point,  2003


 

FEED-POINT
Published by the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association
and distributed free to members and friends of Amateur Radio.
Officers
President: Gale Flagg N1FG
Vice President: Sandra Daigle, N1QMC
Secretary: Rotating
Treasurer: Steve Boomhower N1CHF
Public Information: Charles Ames, N7GLR
Technical Advisor: Steve Boomhower, N1CHF
Editor/Publisher/Printer
Gale  Flagg - N1FG / Stan Flagg   834-6670 
Associate Editor/Web Edition
Steve Boomhower   N1CHF 
Membership Information (Annual Dues):
Regular Membership  $ 12
Associate Membership  $ 6
Articles:
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. 


FEED-POINT
108 FRANKLIN SCHOOL RD
FORT KENT ME  04743