Dear Fellow Hams,
A drive through the St. John Valley today emphasizes the change of seasons. The leaves are gone from the trees, and we can see the intricate patterns of  bare branches amidst the evergreens. Snowflakes in the air four days of the last five remind us that winter is not far off.  Frozen ground will be the norm soon, so if you have any posts or ground rods to sink, it had better be soon!
I hear lots of comments about good HF band conditions and good contacts. Charles (N7GLR) says he has contacted nearly 50 countries since putting up his fence-post mounted Butternut vertical antenna in June. K1FK and N1ZKB set  up a radio for a small group of Boy Scouts at 2nd Wallagrass Lake during the JOTA weekend. They made some good overseas contacts.

The elementary school  is interested in having us make a presentation to the students. They would like us to present them with a proposal for such a program – the who and the what. We'll discuss this at the next meeting.

73/ N1UYA Gale

Address comments, questions, or suggestions to: 
Gale Flagg  R.F.D.#3  Box 250
Fort Kent  ME 04743 
Phone: 207-834-6670
E-mail: sgflagg @ ainop.com
 

On September 27th, as reported in the last news letter, the SJVARA club repeater was heard from Rocky Mountain.

The repeater was being disturbed by a Quebec Repeater with a frequently used autopatch. N1CHF tried to put the tone on our repeater to shut the other one out, but something went haywire. The result was that the repeater had to be retrieved from Rocky Mountain the next day for adjustments.  N1CHF has been working on it and the crystal was reworked for 146.715.  N1CHF, N8VJM, N1LON, and N1FCW made a trip up Rocky Mountain on Saturday, October 24th to replace the reworked repeater. In making tests on high and low power, a desense problem was detected that seemed to be the opposite of what would be expected. 

However, the repeater is on the air. N1CHF believes the problem is in the cable length and hopes to correct that problem soon. He will need a ride to Rocky Mountain. Can anyone help? Call Steve, N1CHF soon please, as the weather is a factor.
 

Called to Order: 18:39 EDT by N1UYA.

In Attendance: N1UYA, N8VJM, N1FCW, N1LON, N1PMS, N1JHD, N1QMC, KC1SE, N1JHT, N1CGV, N1CHF, KW1C.

Secretary's Minutes: motion to dispense with reading of the minutes by N1PMS, died for lack of second.  Minutes were read by N8VJM.  Motion to accept  the minutes as read made by N1PMS,  second by KC1SE, passed.

Treasurer's Report (N1CHF): previous balance reported as $321.71 at last meeting; -$11.85 (refreshments); +$.62 (interest); -$17.50 (laquer thinner, rope and silicone); -$8.19 (card); -$2.85 (clamp); -$17.90 (refreshments); -$32.50 (crystals); +$12.00 (dues); $246.39 (current balance).  Motion to accept by KW1C, second by N8VJM, passed.

Old Business: Rocky Mountain discussion: The repeater worked for a day but needed a software fix for the controller.  There was a discussion about using a single stationmaster style antenna with four cavities instead of two beams. The repeater seems to have good coverage and audio.  N1LON will be restoring the fire map.  

Thanks to Plourde and Soucy and Northland Frozen Foods for printing of July and August newsletters.

The harvest supper at Lakeview was discussed. Invitation to AARA and MARC will be sent.

New Business: Winter net time changed to 1900 H (7PM).  The possibility of specialty sessions and other net control operators was discussed with KW1C, N8VJM, N1PMS, N1FCW, and KC1SE expressing interest.

N1UYA made mention of the idea of a school program. JOTA (Jamboree on the Air), an international event involving Scouts and ham operators was discussed.

Next meeting will be MON 2 NOV 98 1830 EST at UMFK, room TBA. 

Adjourned @ 1947 EDT by N1UYA with no objection from the floor.

Programs: Double Bazooka Antenna by KW1C

Submitted by N8VJM, secretary.
 

November

1    Good EME Conditions
17   Leonids meteor shower peak
      (Possible meteor storm)
29   Good EME Conditions

Matt Albert    11-07
Dave Bishop 11-09 
Charles Zafonte 11-25.

It seems that the FCC Notice Of Proposed Rule Making for amateur radio licensing was actually two proposals. One was in the discussion section and the other in the Appendix. The appendix actually contained the proposed rules, which were so different from the implications of the discussion section that a 13-page document was issued to reconcile the two.

According to CQ/VHF, there are some glaring gaps in the proposed rules, the worst of which is the code speed requirements. What they have proposed is that any access to HF privileges would require a 13-wpm test. 

There are other problems with the FCC‘s proposed rules. We will discuss this at our November meeting. The FCC wants suggestions from hams. If we don't speak up, the proposals may become reality, and they now seem contradictory, "Cosmetic at best, damaging at worst, the apparent victim of bureaucraticbungling and – if we read the tea 

The VHF conference in Kansas City on July 24 and 25  held Antenna Gain Contests for homebrew antennas. Here are some of the results:

On 144 MHz the champ was an 11-element 20-foot Yagi with a measured gain of 12.7dBd.
On 222 MHz the winner was a 17-element 25-foot Yagi with a 15.7 dBd.
 The 432MHz class was won by a 40-element 31-foot Yagi with an 18.0dBd.

As you may recall, a dipole has a little less than a 3dB gain over an isotropic antenna, which is a theoretical antenna that radiates equally in all directions. dBd means decibels over a dipole.  So the winners have done a great job!
 

Heavy duty 40' galvanized steel tower, 16" x 16" x 16". Includes mounting hardware. Best Offer.

Pair of stacked 7-element beams for 10 meters. Best Offer.

Heil BM-10 microphone boom set   $35.

MFJ 451X  keyer  $35

Contact Charles Zafonte N1FRX  834-6273

Here are some questions asked of witnesses by attorneys during trials.

1. Now, Doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
2.Was it you or your brother who was killed in the war?
3. The youngest son, the 20- year old, how old was he?
4.Were you present when your picture was taken?
5. Did he kill you?