[222mhz] RE: We want some new technology on our "other band."

[CBoone]

There are several 2mtr rptrs now with ILink or other Internet links....I
donot consider that ham radio! UNLESS it is linking to another dedicated
rptr (like IRLP)....but even so, that is not ham radio linking in the RF
sense...to link across town or a region using the internet IMO is not the
way to do it long term to justify our bands..

I understand your relutance to put a link on to another rptr....BUT it will
generate more activity and as long as it is controlled and not abused (and
local) whats the harm? I agree with not getting me started on Skycommand
either...
Its like a gun...in the hands of a trained person, its ok...in the hands of
an untrained appliance op, it can cause havoc!

Problem with 220 is it is not a world wide or even a Japan band (I
understand 220 in Japan is police band and they are STRICT on who gets radio
on that band there...workers on 220 band rigs must pass security screens
going in AND out). VHF designs today can be easily modified for 220
now...back in the 70s, etc it wasn't so easy as components on VHF highband
would not work well on 220....now there are 220 components...(even before
the ACSSB takeover of 220)

I know of three tower sites in S LA and TX that had 220 systems and they
have been abandoned...combiners, multicouplers, rptrs and all still in
place......what a waste of money....even UHF is getting empty in a lot of
areas because of 800MHz systems....and the new 700 MHz band will be a bigger
waste of money....DHS will put out tons of OUR money to cities wanting to
move to the new band....when upgrading their current UHF or VHF systems
would be much more cost effective.
-------------------------------------
My current plans are: 440 and 220 rptrs at all sites....using RLC3
controllers (or similar)...one site (which is in the boonies on a former
microwave tower and QUIET) will have a HF thru 6mtr all mode rmt base on it
and the other sites will be linked in via 420 or 900 full duplex links so
the rmt can be controlled from anywhere...

It will generate some activity and introduce 220 to those on 440....220 has
more useful range than 440 and less intermod (personal experience from being
on 220 for 30 yrs)

For your system, why not put a UHF rmt base off your 220 rptr...that way you
have control and can turn it off when not in use.....keeps your system quiet
when you want it :)

Chris
WB5ITT
224.5/444.5 Beaumont
224.8/444.8 Conroe (Houston)
224.8/444.8 Vinton, La (with HF-6 all mode rmt)
Linked via 420, 900 and 6 Ghz microwave (soon to be OC48 fiber :)


> -----Original Message-----
> From: 222mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:222mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Budd Turner
> Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 11:12 AM
> To: 222mhz at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [222mhz] RE: We want some new technology on our 
> "other band." 
> 
> Thanks for the replies.
> I was misinformed. I stand corrected.
> Coincidentally, I talked to a Kenwood THF6 owner on 224.50 
> about an hour after my post.
> But, it generated more traffic through this group than 
> usually seen in months....
> It seems to me it wouldn't be that hard for the Big Three 
> (Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu [another reply]), could simply do like 
> they did in the past, by changing RF components in existing 
> VHF & UHF models to make a 222 model.
> I am resisting pressure to link to a uhf repeater on my 
> 224.50 MHz repeater, so "we can talk to your repeater with 
> our 440 radios."  That may get more traffic on the repeater, 
> but is it really generating more 222 operators?  
> Linking to 900MHz might be tried though...then the only 
> person having to buy a 900 radio would be me...
> Don't get me started on "skycommand"...
> ASCB might be interesting, although that would probably 
> generate more complaints in having to get them to operate out 
> of their original band.  I have profited in repeater parts 
> from abondoned ACSB systems.  A couple of two-way people in 
> Tucson, tell me they still have equipment in their sites that 
> was literally abandoned by 220 clients.
>