Dear Fellow Hams,
      The last time I wrote there was still 28" of snow on the ground. Now the tree leaves have fully expanded, and there is a beautiful morning chorus of bird song. Robins have laid eggs. There are wildflowers everywhere you look. Roadsides, fields and lawns are carpeted with the yellow of dandelions. It has been so dry, that my rainy day list of things to do has been neglected for three weeks. Vernal pools are drying up way ahead of usual. Salamanders and Wood Frogs will have to try again next year, as their young have not had time to mature this year in many pools.
      Recently at St. Almond Pond, I found that I could easily get into the Rocky Mountain Repeater (146.715-)  and  the N1CHF link (146.55) with the Yaesu VX-5R. The Rocky Mountain Repeater was also used by KA1OOW  (Ken) this last week as he was completing a trip down the St. John. N1CHF and I had been listening for him all week, and made contact on Friday. Saturday N1CHF coordinated communication between KA1OOW and N1UYB, his XYL.  With 146.640 off the air, contact was made with the XYL on .715 direct until she got west of Fort Kent and could get into Rocky Mountain.  Ken reported that the St. John was about 8' lower than a year ago. They actually had to get out of the canoes and drag them a few times. Big Rapids was a challenge because of the rocks being much more exposed than a year ago. We really do need rain!

See Page 3 for details on the demise of 146.640.

                                                     N1UYA , Gale

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

Field Day Plans & ARRL Video--Ham Radio in Space 
 

 

Called to Order:  18:40 by N1UYA
In Attendance:   KW1C, N1FRX,  N1PMS, N1CGV, N1UYA, N1CHF, N1JHD, N1QMC.
Secretary's Minutes: N1FRX made a motion to dispense with reading of the minutes. N1PMS seconded. Passed.
Treasurer's Report: April Bal.: $257.08. + Interest $.49 + $96.00 Dues, + $8.00 Donation, - $10.96 Postage, -$50.25 miscellaneous stuff, -$98.43 Parts. New balance: $201.93   N1CHF gave a detailed accounting of all expenditures.

(Note: Dues are due from most members at this time. Check Membership list on   www.qsl.net/n1chf
or contact N1UYA or N1CHF   for expiration date.)
Old Business: 
RocKy Mountain: Batteries 13.7v.  Batteries 52 F. Shack 72 F on May 8.  It still  may be necessary to press any single tone to activate the repeater and each time after the ID, depending on conditions.
 

Program: ARRL Video--Peter 1 Island Dxpedition
Next meeting: TUESDAY. June 5  6:30 Grindle Conference Room
Adjourned: 20:10
Submitted by: N1UYA

           The 146.640- Repeater

     The 146.64 repeater was taken off the air on Wednesday May 23 by Aroostook Communications. There was no notice, even though the tower owner had known this was coming since last October! Apparently there was some disagreement between the landowner and the tower owner. The landowner directed that the tower must be removed. The dismantling of the tower was noticed by KW1C, who notified N1CHF. N1CHF visited the site and picked up all of the equipment. 
      The repeater, originally on Charette Hill, has been at the New Canada site for at least 10 years.
       We are actively looking for a new site. Preferably one from which we can't be so easily evicted. Though we are now back on the air, it is only from a temporary site. 
      Many thanks to N1CHF for his emergency attention to 146.640 and his work in rebuilding it and getting it on the air for us temporarily.
      I had already made the announcement about changing the net to Rocky Mountain and Simplex, when I heard that .64 was back on the air!
That is speed on N1CHF's part. I talked to him just an hour before I sent the e-mail and made phone calls and he had given me no clue to what he was doing! Thanks again, Steve.
 

Finland Dumond

     Fin Dumond, W1TCF, was the original builder of 146.640. KW1C contributed to the duplexers and other pieces of equipment for it.
Fin, the "Father of Ham Radio" in the St. John Valley, was the one who always listened to and answered anyone who called on 164.640.  He was willing to make phone calls for those who needed  to get messages to non-hams, to give directions, and to discuss just about any subject anybody brought up. 
      Fin now is in the Highview Nursing Home in Madawaska. He has his handheld there and was able to talk on 146.640. He could not always get into the repeater and N1CHF is working on improvements to .64 so that Fin can get in regularly.
       I, for one, certainly miss being able to talk to him at will. I used to report my findings in nature to him, and talked to him from the river, mountains, and places in the woods. It was amazing how many times he had a story tell me about where I was, or told me to look for something special there. His stories were history lessons. 
        Fin, we thank you for all you have done for Ham Radio here in the Valley.

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer.
Heil BM-10 microphone boom set   $35.
MFJ 451X  keyer  $35 Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273
RADIO SHACK-HTX212-- 2 meter Mobile.  $75.00
PYRAMID-- 10 Amp Power Supply.  $30.00 Contact N1YQU 455-820

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