[NLRS] 2011 222 MHz Fall Sprint report - K9JK/R

[John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK]

For a second Fall Sprint attempt in the CoROVERolla, it turned
out be another positive experience. Equipment was my old
faithful FT-736R (with FEX-736-220 module) driving a TE Systems
Brick to a KU4AB 222 MHz Loop -OR- to an M-Squared 222-5SS 5
element "Starter Series" yagi atop a painter's pole that
extended to about 16 feet (and only when I was stopped and it
wasn't raining as it was for the entire time I was stopped in
EN61). I had some initial challenges with the 736 cutting out
when transmitting which may have been the battery not being
fully charged as that seemed to go away as the evening
progressed (though I did dial the output down a little bit on
the 736). The mounting of the yagi on the painter's pole and
raising/lowering it was also a learning opportunity and I have
some ideas on how to improve that.

Despite the sporadic rain in the area, conditions didn't seem
all THAT bad, in fact, I'd say about average around here,
certainly not "mountainous" but at least a little "hilly" rather
than "flat".

It was not as busy as last week's 144 MHz, with only 44 QSOs
total (versus 71 for 144 MHz) but there are fewer folks with 222
MHz equipment so somewhat to be expected.

Several stations found me from all 4 Grids I visited - KO9A,
N9LB and W9GA. Several more were "three-peats" - K0PG, K8TQK,
K9IJ, KC9BQA, N9TF, W9RM and W9SZ. Mike, WB8BZK/R and I made 8
QSOs as we traversed the Grids so only "half" of the 16 possible
had we coordinated for a full grid dance (and we may have been
the only stations who activated EN51 and EN62 so each of us
missed some of those "locals" ourselves). Three more stations
were only single QSOs - KF8QL, N9UM and ND9Z.

Ten different Grid Squares were contacted (also lower than the
15 worked in last week's 144 Sprint) - EM89, EN50, EN51, EN52,
EN53, EN54, EN61, EN62, EN63 and EN72. It was either 6 or 7
grids worked from the individual stops, though.

I heard Dennis, KD0KIH, who Terry, W0VB, was hosting at his
powerhouse EN34 station, and called but no reply.

I heard peeps of some other stations as other local fixed
stations were working them but nothing strong enough to try and
tail end...as can be expected for either an omni loop antenna or
a 5 element yagi at 16 feet in a mobile operating setup versus a
fixed station antenna certain to have more elements/gain and at
greater height.

Scoring Summary:
Grid    Qs    Ms  Grid Score (with 2 Points per QSO on 222 MHz)
EN62    12    7    168
EN52    12    6    144
EN51    11    7    154
EN61     9    7    126
Total   44    27   592

Individual Grid Scores were little more balanced with only a 4
to 3 ratio between largest and smallest as opposed to last
week's 144 MHz where the Grid Scores ranged from 65 to 435 (> 6
to 1 ratio).

Thanks to ALL who were on but especially to those who did the
'heavy lifting' with their antennas to hear my mostly
non-directive (or minimally focussed, a.k.a. "weak") signal and
to the Southeast VHF Society for their continued sponsorship of
the Fall Sprints.

Until next Wednesday for the 432 MHz Fall Sprint, 73, JK