Dear Fellow Hams,
Spring seems reluctant to assert itself this year. A lone Hummingbird is working the Pussy Willows to gather some nectar. There are usually a lot more flowers out by now. Some of the Wood Frog egg masses are frothy, perhaps frozen on those very cold 20 degree mornings. We had 5"  of snow on May 13th. N1CHF reported snow in Boston on May19th, and snow is predicted for us in the next two days.

Bad weather may delay planting, but it does not put a stop to ham radio activity, thank goodness. A canoe trip in snow was quite an adventure for KA1OOW and friends.  Once again the Rocky Mountain Repeater provided a way of contact for KA1OOW's annual canoe trip down the St. John.  Apparently he was able to make contact to beyond Presque Isle while he was still up river. On Saturday, May 18th, 146.64 and 146.715, with me as a relay at first, were used to pass messages between YL N1UYB and KA1OOW to arrange the pickup time. When the vehicle got near Allagash they were able to talk direct on 146.715. They both appreciate both repeaters. They had cell phones, but they would not work up there. Score one for ham radio!
 

If anyone has a suggestion for a better day or  time for our net, please speak up. Quite often WA1YNZ is my only check in on Mondays at 7:00 PM on 146.640.
                                          N1FG , 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

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 PM, UMFK, Room 200.
 Video

Called to Order: 18:40
In Attendance:  N1FG, N1FRX

Secretary's Minutes:
Treasurer's Report:  April Bal.: $302.32 + interest .34+ dues $24.00+ Donation $8.00 =May Bal.: $334.65    Since then $12 in dues have been deposited.

Have you paid your dues yet?   If not, please do.

Old Business:
Rocky Mountain: Work continues on the improvements for this repeater.
We will soon need help to clear the trail of the winter's windfalls and install new equipment. Please contact me or N1JHD if you will help us with this. 

Remember: Any single tone is needed  to activate the repeater  and after every ID of the repeater while you are talking.

The 146.64 Repeater:  Time out problems still exist. The best way to have a conversation is one sentence at a time! Let go of the "mike" and wait for the courtesy tone every one or two sentences to prevent time out.

    We need better attendance! Please try to make the June 4 meeting.
 

As you can see, attendance was sparse. N1FRX and I had a lively conversation about several ham related topics.
 

Next meeting: TUESDAY June 4, 6:30, Room 200, Cyr Hall. UMFK
Adjourned: 19:12
Submitted by:  N1FG

The Spring meeting of the IRG on April 28 in Upper King's Clear New Brunswick was well attended. I drove there with VE9PCR and VE9BTB. (VE9BTB has checked into our net at times and it was good to meet him.)   There was a Scotch Auction put on by the YL's, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. At the business meeting VE1PIN was elected president for another year. Pins issued by the Weather Service were given out to those who have taken part in the IRG Weather Net. The pins say: "Amateur Radio Storm Spotter CANWARN".  It was noted that now the IRG must pay for all the expenses to maintain the excellent linked repeater system. The government paid the expenses to set it up and maintain it until now.  A tasty Pot Luck dinner followed the business meeting.
 

I  got help at the meeting from two hams with directions for operating my Outbacker Perth Plus antenna. My directions were victim of a mouse in the car. All attempts to get the Outbacker people to send me new instructions have failed.

    I have not heard whether anyone else took part in the New England QSO Party. I did, from my vehicle, on May 5th from 10 to 11 AM. We were asked by e-mail, and by phone to participate for this "All Counties in New England" event. Band conditions were not too good. But I made a contact on 40 meters with W1LLU in Essex County, Mass, and one on 15 meters with N4" Baked Potato" in Florida.

Ham Sign On Fort Kent Signs
The Chamber of Commerce has informed me that a sign added to the Fort Kent Signs would cost us $750. They said it would be forever, a one time fee.

N1YQU For Sale Items:
I have a Yaesu FT 840 HF Transceiver  good on 160 through 10 meters. Excellent condition. Three years old. Great for a new hams first radio or make a good second rig for someone. Asking $400 with stock mike.
Don Peary, N1YQU

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

* A man from Canada, vacationing in Florida, sent an e-mail  to his wife who would join him the next day.The e-mail had one wrong letter and
went to an elderly women whose husband had just passed away.
The grieving widow read: "Dearest Wife: Just checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Your Loving Husband  P.S. It sure is hot down here." The poor woman screamed and fainted.