[NLRS] New member

[Jon Platt]

Hello Thomas.   With respect to your question, you are correct in that there is not much 70cm activity.    If you are talking about 440 MHz FM activity, I have no doubt that there should be a 440 MHz repeater or two within your range.  Here is one website that list/shows repeaters: http://www.levinecentral.com/repeaters/google_mapping.php?State=MN .   Several of our NLRS members are active on 440 FM and they may be able to tell you what 440 repeaters are active in the Wayzata area.  Vertical polarization such as your ground plane fed with good quality feedline like LMR400 or better should net you connectivity with some 440 MHz FM repeaters. If you are talking about 432 MHz weak signal work, which most of us on this reflector are interested in (ie, SSB, CW), the primary calling frequency is 432.100 MHz using horizontal polarization.  Note that cross polarization, vertical to horizontal and visa versa, causes about 20 to 30 dB of loss, so having the correct polarization is important.  Most weak signal UHF operators are using yagi antennas with boom lengths of about 8 to 15 feet long.   Unfortunately most 432 activity occurs during VHF contests such as the ARRL January VHF contest, etc.   Its not like 20 meters ! Hope this was helpful. 73, JonW0ZQ -----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Miller <Thomas at millerlaw.com>
To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Mon, Dec 17, 2018 8:34 am
Subject: [NLRS] New member
Hi, I am new to this UHF stuff.  I am trying to get my shack upgraded.Problem is that I am hearing almost nothing on 70cm.  Have tried discone, ground plane, log periodic, I hear almost nothing, ever.Is it that there just isn't much 70 cm activity here (I live in Western Hennepin County EN34fx)?  Are any repeaters active?Thanks for any advice.
73
N0UE