F E E D - P O I N T
| November, 2006 | Vol. 16 No.11 |
|---|
The snow season has come. Up here on the hill we have had snow on the ground
since November 20. Even the glorious sunshine the week of Thanksgiving could
not get rid of it. The weather this last week of November is on the cold side.
On December 2nd AA1XD and others are coming to install APRS on our tower. I hope
they are hardy fellows because it is supposed to snow that day!
Those of you who missed the November meeting missed an entertaining report given by N1EVO and N1JHD about the work on the Rocky Mountain repeater. The new regulator is in place. The batteries were at 1.5 volts when the regulator was replaced. The next trip up was to take our small 1000 watt generator to charge the batteries. With snow blowing sideways and the wind howling, Stan agreed it would be best to leave the generator running and go home. The generator charged the batteries enough for us to know that the repeater was still working. | The next trip up was to replace the batteries,and bring the generator and the old batteries down. Never go to Rocky Mountain without a chainsaw! Three trees had blocked the road entrance! I'll just add that our trip down the mountain with two batteries and one generator in one sled was a rollicking, wild trip. My thanks to the those that made the trips that got the repeater working: N1JHD and family, N1EVO, KB1MNX, WA1CXA, Stan Flagg, and Peter (Carl's brother). Gale Flagg 108 Franklin School Rd Fort Kent, Maine 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 12, 6:00 PM Potluck Supper, Northern Door Inn Conference Room. |
| 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, November, 2006 |
|---|
Start Time: 18:10 Members and guests present: N1FG, N1PMS, N1EVO, N7GLR, KA7VNR, KA1SJV, WB1FTK, N1JHD, N1QMC. Secretary’s Minutes: N1QMC moved to accept minutes as posted. Seconded by N1PMS. All present voted in favor. Treasurer's Report: N1FRX
1. Rocky Mt.: 12.68 volts at 17:30 Hrs November 13th Report of the work done. N1FG asked N1EVO to give his report of the new charge controller installation and battery replacement at the Rocky Mountain Tower. N1EVO made a 2nd trip there which involved hauling a generator to it, with Stanley Flagg and WA1CXA assisting. On his 3rd trip, N1EVO, KB1MNZ, N1FG and Pete Pelletier (N1EVO's brother) used fiberglass sleds to haul the new batteries up and haul the old batteries back down. It was quite the experience! N1EVO said that so far it's working well, but he wants to go back and check the battery charge, when the weather permits. N1FG thanked N1EVO. The water bottles for the batteries got cracked and need to be replaced. 2. 146.64 Report: 12.40 volts at 17:30 Hrs November 13th APRS node to be set up at the tower on December 2. Batteries need to be checked for water. N1JHD volunteered to go check it out. N1FG said that when the APRS node is set up, people will be able to talk to the APRS link. When that happens, N1FG will email members with the directions on how to use the APRS node. |
3. JOTA:N1FG and N1EVO attended and gave 2 meter demonstrations.
K1FD did Sideband demonstrations. N1EVO mentioned using a CW Decode
program (GET). It was a very good event.
4.Other: N7GLR mentioned that the Rocky Mountain Tower pictures are on our website. New Business: 1. Donation Donation of $300 Dollars given to the SJVARA by Pat and Heman Adams: N1FG brought a Thanksgiving card for everyone to sign to thank the Adams for their generous gift to our club. 2.December Meeting – Regular or Special?: N1FG asked the group what they would like to do. It was decided by all present to have a Special Potluck meeting at the Northern Door Inn on Tuesday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m. Everyone coming is to bring a dish plus utensils. Let N1FG know what they will be bringing. Dishes planned so far are: N1EVO – Spaghetti Casserole; N1QMC – Brouchetta; KA1SJV – Apple Pie & Chocolate Pie; and N1FG – Veggie Platter & Dip and a cake. 3.SKYWARN: December 1 & 2: National Weather Service Office, Caribou, Maine: Other:N1FG asked if the group would like to make a donation to ARRL's Spectrum Defense Fund. N7GLR motioned that our club donate $25, and WB1FTK seconded. All present voted in favor. N1FG turned the meeting over to N1PMS and he discussed his version of the antenna shown at the Harvest Dinner meeting, and how successful he has been with its operation. Next Meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, Northern Door Inn, 6:00 PM Adjourned: 19:30 N7GLR motioned to adjourn, and all present seconded. Submitted by KA1SJV |
| Happy Birthday | |
|---|---|
| Geminid Meteor Shower All night December 13-14. Point of Origin is the NE. 65 per hour | Diane Elrich 12-13 |
| Page 3 | Feed-Point, November, 2006 |
|---|
|
N1FG was on a search for a new mobile radio for the new vehicle. Under consideration: The Yaesu FT 857 D, The Icom 706 MKIIG, and the Icom 7000. The Icom 706 MKIIG is what is in the old vehicle. The new vehicle has less room for putting in a radio. The reports on the Yaesu were mixed. Consultaion with the Ham Radio Outlet folks resulted in a recommendation to avoid the Yaesu because it would be a whole new learning operation. Icom 7000 close enough in operation to the present radio to be okay. However, when reports on that were checked, there were disturbing comments about over heating and smoke. So another ICOM 706 MKIIG was ordered and has arrived. It will be mounted with the face separated from the radio. If anyone has experience with this kind ofinstallation, N1FG would like to hear about it. |
N1JHD has added water to the batteries for this repeater. He took care of it on Tuesday, November 7th. Thanks,Gil. The Damp Rid was replaced by N1FG on Thanksgiving morning. It sure was cold and windy up there. |
Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" X 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer. N1FRX. |
F E E D - P O I N T November,2006
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.
| |
|---|