[NLRS] What band...

[Donn Baker]

Tough call, Jon.  But am glad you're considering it.
My experience, for what its worth:

I started out with 2, and 432.  Separate radios.  Added 6m: another radio.
Added 222 with still another radio and a transverter.  Then added 1296 with
still another radio and a transverter.

I was able to consolidate 6 - 432 into an FT-736, and added 902/3 along
with 1296 in a second radio.  (I've since added 2304 via transverter.)
10GHz is a totally separate system.

I run 10/150w on 6m; 25/150w on 2m; 25/120w on 222; 25/100w on 432; 10w on
902; and 10w on 1296.  Gain antennas all bands: 2-el on 6; 11 el on 2; 14
el on 222; 16 el on 432; 33 el on 902; and 45 el on 1296.  No preamps.

The second contest (January) with the FT-736, it died 1/2-way through, and
took 2+ months to get back!!  Operated with only 2m and 1296.  Also, the
FT-736 DEMANDS >12.8 volt DC, and really doesn't like less than 13.25 -
13.4 volts.  (At least mine.)  This means I run with a generator, not just
batteries.

BUT... its real nice having 4 bands with a simple push of a button.  And
cabling if you run outboard amplifiers is no different than with separate
radios.

I think the choice between 222 and 1296 is a tough one...  222 will provide
better propagation, and more power cheaply. This means better distances
(more grids).  BUT: the antennas are larger (loops DO NOT work for DX; you
need gain antennas) and there _may_ be fewer people on 222 than 1296.
(This is debatable, and the answer changes: 6-8 years ago there were more
on 222 than 1296.  That may not be true today.  Any comments out there ?)

1296 does have a growing presence.  And a 20 dB gain antenna is only 12 ft
long.  Max (cheap and easy power is 20w on 1296.  Propagation is often
poor, so you don't get as many grids, even if there are people there.

>From where I operate in EN45 (just N of Monominee), 222 into Des Moines and
Cedar Rapids is very common.  1296 to the same stations is VERY rare.
(Even back into the Cities, 222 is much easier than 1296.)  222 into
Chicago from here is OK, if you can get their attention.  Have NEVER done
it on 1296.

>From EN43 near Rochester, on the other hand, I've worked the Chicago area
on 1296 often... about the same as on 222.  Go figure.

If you're going to stick reasonably close to the Cities, I'd say go with
1296 with a transverter.  If you want to go farther afield (closer to
Chicago, etc.), go to 222 MHz.  Eventually, of course, you need BOTH.

Let the debate begin !!

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0

At 10:50 07-02-02 -0600, Jonathan Fox wrote:
>I had a lot of fun with my 706IIg rovering on 50,144 + 432. What band
>should I be adding for June.
>
>I am figuring either 222 or 1296, what do you think?.
>
>Should I go with a DEMI transverter or should I try to find a FT-736
>that I can install the correct modules in.
>
>
>Thanks for your advice.
>
>Jon
>W0AMT
>73
>
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