F E E D - P O I N T |
The Official Newsletter of the St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association |
March 2001 Vol.11 no.3 |
Letter From Our President Dear Fellow Hams, Happy Spring! A friend of mine on Cape Cod wished me Happy Spring, but guessed that would be a joke up here in the valley where we still have three feet of snow! Robins have been reported in Millinocket, so I think we will be seeing some soon. The 9th Can Am Sled Dog Races were held in perfect weather. It was clear and cold. The dogs run best in cold weather. The trails were smooth and well packed. There was a record number of teams and a record number of finishers. The 250 mile race was won in record time. Team #6, Keith Aili, had a running time of 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 21 seconds. Thanks to all the hams who worked on the communications for the race. They are listed on page 3. During the start of the 250, N1UYA's HT quit transmitting. N8VJM came to the rescue with his HT. While the Maibec crew was getting ready to leave town, N8VJM did a quick repair of my HT. A call from Lonesome Pine informed me that the 30 mile race marshall didn't think the radio crew belonged in he timing room where they had set up! Why he thought he had anything to do with the radio |
room, I don't yet know. N1FCW was ready to
leave, but things were smoothed over. The next problem was at 60 mile
Checkpoint in St. Francis. HT of KB1EBE not working well. We heard this on
the way up and stopped at Cross Rock Inn. I asked Gorman Chamberlain to
please take me into the checkpoint with my radio on his snowmobile. He
graciously agreed. N8VJM went instead to provide technical assistance if
needed. HT's were exchanged. Both N1PMS, at Black Lake Snowmobile Club for
30 mile team check, and KB1EBE in St. Francis were transported in and out
by snowmobile. Despite these early problems, communications went well. I
have heard other hams who were listening commend our operation. Good Work,
everyone! N1UYA Address comments, questions, or suggestions to: Gale Flagg R.F.D.#3 Box 250 Fort Kent ME 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net
Next Meeting:
|
Date |
Event |
Place |
Contact |
Sponsor |
Time |
Freq |
SUN |
Net |
NB |
VE1PIN |
IRG |
1930 |
147.300 |
MON |
Net |
Fort Kent |
N1QMC |
SJVARA |
2030 |
146.64 |
MON |
Net |
Presque Isle |
WA1YNZ |
AARA |
2000 |
146.73 |
| Page 2 Feed-Point, March, 2001 |
Report Of March Meeting Called to Order: 18:40 by N1UYA
Secretary's Minutes: Read in February
Feed-Point |
Can Am Communications: Good
Job Everyone! In the future we need to be sure net controls have a
separate radio for any personal QSO's. The race frequencies should not be
changed on Net Control Radio.
New Business: Ricky Martin, AH8T, has applied for membership. Ricky lives in Van Buren now and hopes to make our summer meetings. Field Day: Those present would like to have field day this year. WE will make plans at the April Meeting. Program: ARRL Videos---When Disaster Strikes, At Any Moment, and Field Day Fever Next meeting: Mon. April 2, 6:30
Grindle Conference Room Submitted by: N1UYA |
In Case You're Interested From Hints & Kinks March QST: Liquid Electrical Tape found to be an excellent seal for coax connections, especially when center conductor and braid are connected directly to antenna. Soaks in and dries so it isn't sticky or messy. |
Happy Birthday Jim Grandmaison 4-04 Finn Dummond
4-16 Charles Ames 4-29 |
| Page 3 Feed-Point, March, 2001 |
Can-Am Dog Races 2001
N1CHF:
Steve built an antenna bracket to hold the vertical antenna at Lonesome Pine
Lodge, putting it and the antenna in place well before the race. He arranged
for the radio and power supply, and N1CGV and N1ZLA set them
in the control center room on March 2. N1CGV,
Coordinator for the races, scheduled
KW1C, WA1ZQH, N1FCW, N7GLR, KA1VTW, N1QMC, KB1EBE, VE1PIN, N1CGV,
KB1EBG, N1JHT, N1KGS, and KC1SE for various hours at the Ski
Lodge. Special thanks to the 8 hour night shift hams: VE1PIN &
N1KGS. |
In at Big Machias Lake, Checkpoint #2, KC1SE and KA1OOW found the Michaud Camps a big improvement over Rocky Brook. The unheated cabins were cold, though, and Jim had trouble with his generator because of the way below zero weather. They could not reach Rocky Mountain, and had to use .64. We could not contact them on .52 from Maibec. N1HSQ and N8VJM had the usual nice accommodations at Maibec, Checkpoint #3. The Maibec crew was especially happy to have so many teams arrive there (24) including the first women ever. N1QMC, N1JHD, N1ZBX, and N1ZHQ all helped at Allagash, Checkpoint #4, at Two Rivers Lunch. Sandra particularly liked meeting the relatives of the mushers and their handlers (not allowed at Checkpoints #2 and #3.) N1UYA tried to call the 250 and 60 mile starts (broken radio at team #12). There seemed to be a lot of interference even when it was working, and interference with N8VJM's radio. Next year I'll try moving further west on Main Street. Also, took some hours at Maibec and reported the last three 250 teams from the hills in Wallagrass. N1UYA |
For Sale Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower,
16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. |
A Bit of Humor When speakers shoot from the lip:
collected by Richard Lederer:
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| Page 4 Feed-Point, 2001 |
FEED-POINT
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Feed-Point
RFD 3 Box 250
Fort Kent, ME 04743