[Wswss] [VHF] Thoughts on 222 MHz

[Tim Marek]

In a single sentence... 222 CW/SSB KICKS ASS!

No other band performs as well on tropo and overall
band quiteness than 222. Antennas are a tad smaller than 2M
yet provide amazing results.

While Rover on 223.50 FM, I have worked the entire length of the
San Juanquin Valley with simple antennas and 25W. Mind you the
station worked was the WB2ODH/6 gang atop a tall mountain with
a 4 x vert yagi array and 100w.

>From home the 222 station always plays as well as 144 (both 30+ Ft
long yagis) but the real key is 144 had 400W while 222 only 150W!

If you use the analogy, "OMG theres no one on 222 SSB within 100
miles" to make your decision then your missing the point. From here in
DM09 the next active station in any direction is over 200 Miles away
and in most directions 350+ or more!

Yet in 3 years I managed to work 51 Grids from DM09 (Including
most of the grids within NV)... Something NO ONE in NV has done
before or since.

HOW? By being there every day I could be, beating the 222 band
wagon, promoting its benifits, being active, making dozens of contacts
with people to get them excited, going off on several "GriDXepidtions"
and activating dozens of grids on 222 for those who needed them,
Equiping my rover with a permanent 222 station and loaning it to a
friend who went out and worked me from dozens of grids in CA, NV,
UT, ID, and OR.

Is 222 for the faint of heart? Hell NO! is it a opportunity to do something
few have done to date on one of the best bands we have available?
YOU BET!

Worry not if there are enought locals to make it worth the effort... As the
man said... "Build it... and they will come..." Have faith and keep at it 
and
in time you two can be a self made success story on 222. Along the way
you will energize those around you to become more active, give it a try for
the first time, etc.... All good things...

I regret selling most of my 222 Mhz gear but sadly I am in a possition
where I really have no choice... No work in over 2 1/2 years and a
possible forclosure around the bend.... Ill be selling more of my station 
soon
as well... It is whaty it is... we adapt and move forrward as best we can.

222 Mhz CW/SSB... Is it worth it?   HELL YESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

73s de Tim - K7XC - DM09nm... sk


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Lowman" <jmlowman at sbcglobal.net>
To: <vhf at w6yx.stanford.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 6:03 PM
Subject: [VHF] Thoughts on 222 MHz


> To tag along with Greg's submission - same question, just a different 
> band:
>
> In looking at the claimed scores for 222 MHz in the VHF contest, it looks
> like most operators were struggling to get to double digits in contacts.
>
> Lately I've been thinking about getting on this band, but not sure that 
> the
> expense of a transverter and a good Yagi antenna from M^2 is justified
> if these results are typical.
>
> Further, I understand that this band is all but dead as far as SSB, except
> in contests, even in the highly-populated greater LA/OC area.
>
> For those who posted scores, how many of your contacts
> were on FM?  This is another thing that I've heard.
>
> If most of the action is on FM, I'm already set with 25w.  Maybe I'll buy
> the Yagi if it will do any good.
>
> Any advice or observations?
>
> Jim - AD6CW
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