F  E  E  D  -  P  O  I  N  T

As I start this edition of Feed-Point I hear the first rumbles of thunder for this season. Weather continues to be erratic, a high of 45F one day and the next day 88! One night recently had a low of 60F preceded and followed by freezing temperatures. The day of the highest winds, 50-60 mph, brought an interesting comment from the NWS in Caribou. "This is more like a November wind."

At the April meeting there was a long discussion about a new antenna for 146.640. Several were suggested. When you read the April minutes you will see which was voted for. Right after that I received this e-mail from AA1XD. "I have been reading some of the articles from your web sites about your meetings. I guess to put it simply, I hope the club doesn't decide to buy a $100-$200 antenna as I dont believe it would last. I am familiar with a couple of the antennas they spoke of and although they are good antennas, they would not stand the harsh WX you have up there.

I also wanted to remind you that Randy has some repeaters that wouldn't cost you anything in the event that yours failed. He is going to be getting several good working repeaters due to upgraded systems down here. We are planning on bringing one of them up when we come in case we need to put it on the air. We would just need to see if we can configure the controller for it."

N1EVO thinks they did not assess amount of rot correctly. He has one of the windows repaired.

Discussion of HF contacts made. Italy has been coming in strong. K1FTK confirmation QSL card for his 6 band contacts with K5D, 2009 Desecheo Island DXpedition.(160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 17m)
Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 9, UMFK, Nadeau Hall, Alumni Conference Room. 6:00 PM
Adjourned by consent at 19:05
Submitted by Gale, N1FG

In response to AA1XD's e-mail, I asked for a review of the Telewave antenna or any experience with it. This reply came from K1XI: "This is a commercial grade antenna. The antenna description is what the industry rates it as to its performance in the environment and the environment is designed for; hence the 5 year warranty ice and wind rating and the energy/force exerted on the antenna in those conditions and the environment they are expected to survive in. These are not rinky dink antennas." He went on to say the State of Maine uses Telewave antennas at all their sites.

After reading this, I thought that since our treasury is up to almost $3,500, that I would like for us to purchase the best antenna we can. If the members would be willing to take about $500 from the treasury I will match that for the purchase of the $970 antenna. An e-mail to the members of the last meeting has brought five votes to do this. Those not at the meeting please send me an e-mail, with a yes, or no about the $500. Keep in mind, a repeater will be given to us at no cost if it is needed.

A recent letter from the ARRL tells about two young boys, licensed amateurs, under the guidance of teacher WB6RNQ--a graduate of the ARRL Teachers Institue in Wireless Technology-- who set out to design an optimized, totally self-contained portable HF station. It had to be small enough to fit into a backpack and still leave room enough for needed survival supplies. It also had to have a positive power budget, able to operate indefinitely on solar power and rechargeable batteries.

Josh did serious engineering and building and Michael researched options for portable antennas. He was looking for the optimum combination of good performance , light weight, and ease of use in the field. Both boys are 6th graders and Michael's project took 1st place and Josh's second place for grades 6-8 in the Sacramento Science and Engineering Fair.