F E E D - P O I N T
| November, 2009 | Vol. 19 No.11 |
|---|
The second week in November has brought such nice weather. A good time for working on antennas. My Mosley vertical antenna has been moved again to a permanent location away from the house. It has been located on a short mast in a barrel of gravel since it was first put up. The barrel has been put in a hole Stan made with the excavator. The antenna was roped to be sure it was vertical. Now the barrel is full to its rim with gravel, sand, and a thick layer of concrete. Next, we will install a grounding rod and radials. | On October 31st K1XI and KB1OWW ascended Rocky Mountain. K1XI brought a vertical dipole antenna to replace our wind damaged one. They were very appreciative of the crew that assembled to carry the equipment up for them. Mike Daigle, Curt Harvey, and Charles Michaud, a student at UMFK, were the stalwart "pack mules". My sincere thanks to the whole crew. (See page 3 for details of this expedition.) Sky Warn Recognition Day will be held December 5th at NWS office in Caribou. Anyone interested in participation contact me. Gale Flagg 108 Franklin School Rd Fort Kent, Maine 04743 Phone: 207-834-6670 E-mail: galeflagg@sjv.net Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 8th, 18:00 Nothern Door Inn Christmas Potluck and Yankee Swap |
| 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, 2009 |
|---|
Start Time: 18:07 Members present: N1FG, W1TCP, KB1OWW, N1FRX Treasurer's Report: N1FRX:
Old Business: 1. Rocky Mt.: On the air again! N1FG has entered the change in tone from 91.5 to 100 on the club website, Mapbook source, and NESMC. Batteries holding up well so far. The repeater was programmed to give the voltage. Also, it will turn off if the voltage becomes too low. The new antenna, a vertcal dipole, is omnidirectional. 2. 146.640 Repeater: This repeater is not doing as well as Rocky Mountain. There are some sound problems. These will be addressed next summer. It is thought that the interference is coming from the tower itself. KB1OWW suggested that another solar panel and two more batteries might help. |
New Business: 1. Can-Am Information from AA1XD: AA1XD sent some thoughts about improvement for the Can-Am communications. One interesting bit of information is that AA1XD has determined that every checkpoint has line of sight to Rocky Mountain. 2. New Aroostook County Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Frequencies: Listing of the new frequencies handed out. 3. Christmas Potluck and Yankee Swap: The consensus of those present was that we would like to have that event again this year. ( I have since checked with N1EVO and he is reserving the room at Northern Door Inn for Tuesday evening, December 8th.) 4. Other: N1FRX suggested we consider offering a life membership in our club. Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 8th, 18:00 Christmas Potluck and Yankee Swap ($5.00 limit on gifts). Northern Door Inn Adjourned at 19:14 Submitted by Gale Flagg, N1FG |
| Happy Birthday | |
|---|---|
| Geminid Meteor Shower:This is the best meteor shower of the year. All night. 75 Meteors an hour, originating in the NE. Date of Maximum Dec. 13-14, but may vary by a day or two. | |
| Page 3 | Feed-Point, November, 2009 |
|---|
|
Mike, Curt, Charles, and June met Randy at Northern Door Inn at 7:30 AM on Oct. 31. Randy had borrowed my big pack and I gave him a pair of walking sticks, as he was still hobbling on his wounded knee. The antenna was in two sections on Randy's vehicle. When they got to the base of Rocky Mountain the antenna sections were put together. Mike, Curt, and Charles each had a backpack full of various equipment. Mike and Curt shouldered the antenna and up they went. June and Randy followed at a leisurely pace. Mike called me at 10:22 and said they were at the top with all the equipment. They had a rope attached to the top of the tower for hauling items up. They were awaiting June and Randy. |
At aproximately 13:12 Mike called again and told me they were ready to test things. K1XI came in loud and clear! Cheers! While they were there, June noticed the solar panel was very dirty. He told us about it at our meeting. He used water (left from filling the batteries) and his handkerchief to clean green gunk (pollen) off the panel. He said it was nice and shiny when he got done. The voltage went up immediately after the panel was cleaned. The next morning, when K1XI headed south, we talked to him on the Rocky Mountain Repeater from Masardis. He was able to key the repeater from Patten. |
14-element two meter beam, mounted on 10' tower section, with rotor. Best offer over $100. N1FG 834-6670 Force 12 EF-510, 5 ele 10m Beam w/balun New in the box, never installed Retails at $470/$480 ... asking $350 Call Don, K1FTK, at 543-6033 | Economic Crisis in Japan |
F E E D - P O I N T November, 2009
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: Gil Daigle, N1JHD
| Secretary: Sandra Daigle, N1QMC
| Treasurer: Charles Zafonte, N1FRX
| Public Information: Charles Ames, N7GLR
| Technical Advisor: Carl Pelletier, N1EVO and June Despres, KB1OWW
| 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.
| |
|---|