F  E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

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

March, 2007Vol. 17 No.3
Letter From Our President

Spring is here at last! At least on the calendar. The repeaters have survived the ice storms of St. Patrick's Day and the first day of spring. Hope everybody's antennas have survived okay, too.

Communications for the Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Races went very well, thanks to the twenty-five hams who donated their time, equipment, and operating skills. Many of the hams came from afar and had to deal with a blizzardy snow storm the day before the races. Most of them came on Thursday night to be sure they got here in time. I appreciated that very much, because I was concerned about Friday travel.

The club antenna was set up on March 1st by N1JHD, N1EVO and his brother Peter, KW1C, and N1FG. We also set up the Kenwood dual band radio to check the the best position for the antenna loop for Rocky Mountain. On March 2, I met with K1ACO before he took a trial run to the 30 mile checkpoint. Later, working in blowing snow, W1LWT, W1SK, N1ZNJ, and KB1AD set up three antennas in quick order. K1JJS was inside setting up the radios and APRS. After all that, most of us went to supper at the China Garden.

Next Meeting:
Tuesday, April 10th, 6:00PM
Nadeau Hall, UMFK, Alumni Conference Room

Thanks to N7GLR for printing up handsome Certificates of Appreciation, which have been sent to the participating hams:
John Goran, K1JJS, Day NC;
Lee Trask, W1LWT, Day NC;
Dave Berry, KB1EBE, Night NC, 60 mile Ckpt;
Dave Geary, KB1CLC, Sat. Night NC;
Marty Bernstein, KW1C, NC;
Joe Grace, W1SK, 60 MILE CKPT, Net;
Jim Bennet, N1CFA, Net and Village RD;
Randy Harper, N1NGN, APRS;
Sandra Daigle, N1QMC, Allagash;
Noelle Daigle, N1ZBX, Allagash;
Caralyn Daigle, N1ZHQ, Allagash;
Gil Daigle, N1JHD, Allagash;
Carl Pelletier, N1EVO;
Gary Gilman, N1ZNJ, Maibec;
Gale Flagg, N1FG, MAIBEC;
Jim Grandmaison, KC1SE, Rocky Brook;
Ken Simons, KA1OOW, Rocky Brook;
Wilburn Scott, WA1YNZ,Portage;
Lynn Dow, N1WRY, Portage;
Dwayne Dow, N1WRX, Portage;
Peter Pelletier,N1PMS, Village RD;
Peter Cote, K1ACO NC, 30 Mile Checkpoint with XYL.
Marty Baker, KB1AD, Net and Village RD;
Clarence Daigle, N1QWU.
My thanks to all for a job well done.


Gale Flagg
108 Franklin School Rd
Fort Kent, Maine 04743
Phone: 207-834-6670
E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net
Schedule of Coming Events
DateEventPlaceContactSponsorTimeFreq
SUNNetNBVE1PINIRG2000145.130
MONNetFort KentN1FGSJVARA1900146.64
MONNetPresque IsleWA1YNZAARA2000146.73
Page 2Feed-Point, March, 2007
Minutes of March 13th SJVARA Meeting

Start Time: 18:10 Members and guests present: N1FG; N1PMS; N1EVO; N7GLR; KA7VNR; KW1C; KA1SJV; WB1FTK.
Secretary’s Minutes: N1PMS made the motion to accept the minutes. Seconded by N7GLR. All present voted in favor.
Treasurer's Report: N1FRX
Old Balance:$2215.19
Interest:$1.83
New Balance:$2217.02
WB1FTK motioned to accept and N7GLR seconded the motion. All present voted in favor.
Old Business:
1. Rocky Mt.: 12.40 volts at 11:42 Hrs March 13th. N1FG said that it held up very well during the Can-Am sled dog races.
2. 146.64 Report: 13.50 volts at 10:36 Hrs February 13th. This repeater was down for 6 hours during the races. Stan had to attach a battery charger, and that is still on. It should be removed so we can see how the batteries are.
3. Can-Am Report:N1FG mentioned that there was a communication breakdown about the APRS trackers. N1ZNJ could not find them in Augusta before he came up. N1NGN had done a lot of work to prepare for their use. He did do some testing with a digipeater the first day of the race. N1FG said the crew did an excellent job on the communications for sled dog races. She also mentioned that Stan bought a tracker kit that needs to be put together. Asked N1EVO if he'd be interested in putting it together, and he said sure.
4. Other: The annual membership dues were collected from those present.

New Business:
1. Nominating Committee: N1FG asked for volunteers. The following members were nominated to be put on the ballot as the 2007 SJVARA Officers: President – N1FG; Vice President – N1JHD; Secretary – N1QMC; Treasurer – N1FRX; Technical Advisor – N1EVO; Publicist – N7GLR.
2. 10' Mast: Club Property: N1FG stated that the mast she purchased for the forestry radio at Allagash checkpoint would be available for future club activities. N1HSQ loaned the radio that was used.
3. Future Program: Ideas: N1FG asked for suggestions for future club programs. After discussion among the group, it was decided to have the club members take turns presenting the monthly program from those present. Next month's program will be presented by WB1FTK and N7GLR about their home weather stations. Other: N1EVO said he knew several people who are interested in taking the Tech test. Tests will be ordered from the ARRL for Tech – General – Extra Class. When tests are received, a date and time and place will be set for those interested in testing.
(Continued on page 3)
Next Meeting: Annual Meeting April 10, 2007, Nadeau Hall, UMFK, 6:00 PM
Adjourned: 19:03
Submitted by KA1SJV

In Case You Are Interested
Happy Birthday
Lyrid Meteor Shower: The maximum period for meteors from comet Thatcher will be around April 22. Best viewed in the predawn hours. Point of origin the South. Only about 12 meteors per hour.
Jim Grandmaison 04-04 Marty Bernstein 04-12
Finn Dumond 04-16
Wilburn Scott 04-25 Charles Ames 04-29
Page 3Feed-Point, March, 2007
March Meeting Minutes Continued

N7GLR showed the group a bulletin he created to post at the college. N1EVO suggested that it could also be posted at various businesses, which might create added interest in ham radio. He passed out copies of an ARRL website article called, "What is Ham Radio?". N1EVO also suggested that maybe a bulleted format of the perks in being an amateur ham radio operator for the bulletin could bring in new members. There was further discussion among the group. N7GLR and N1EVO said they will fine tune the bulletin to be posted, and if anyone had any new thoughts to email N1EVO.

N1EVO suggested having a Field Day in June on Charette Hill, and some discussion among the group followed with nothing definitely planned.

N1EVO talked about his recent CW contacts on 40 meter and how impressed he was with his Italian station contact. N7GLR also talked about some of his 40 meter CW contacts.


WB1FTK talked abut his CQ 160 Contest weekend. He worked 14 States, 3 Canadian Provinces, and made a total of 50 contacts (all phone). He mentioned the band conditions were extremely lousy.


Program: Mundy Wildflower Garden: Short Video of the Cornell garden could not be seen due to the lack of a remote control for the DVD player.


Pizza Party at April Meeting? For something special for the annual meeting, we could pre-order pizzas to be delivered at the meeting. Size and ingredients would need to be given to N1FG. We can pay from our treasury, if you wish.




For Sale

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" X 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. N1FRX.
Force 12 EF-510, 5 ele 10m Beam w/balun New in the box, never installed Retails at $470/$480 ... asking $350 Call Don, WB1FTK, at 543-6033
A Bit of Humor
Just one wrong letter~Richard Lederer
*He heard himself assailed as a self-centered financial executive who buttered his own beard. * HELP WANTED: Law firm needs secretary. Excellent benefits including tension. * If we would only send young American tenors to stud abroad, they would return immensely improved.

F E E D - P O I N T            March, 2007

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: Diane Elrich, KA1SJV
Treasurer: Charles Zafonte, N1FRX
Public Information: Charles Ames, N7GLR
Technical Advisor: Carl Pelletier, N1EVO
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.




FEED-POINT
108 FRANKLIN SCHOOL RD
FORT KENT ME 04743