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Re: [VHFcontesting] advice for 222 in a contest

To: <k4gun@comcast.net>, "'VHF contesting list'" <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] advice for 222 in a contest
From: "Stephen Hicks, N5AC" <n5ac@n5ac.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 16:15:21 -0500
List-post: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com">mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
I think you'd be better off with the transverter ... FM will cost you 20dB
for the mode ....

Steve, N5AC 

-----Original Message-----
From: vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k4gun@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 16:13
To: VHF contesting list
Subject: [VHFcontesting] advice for 222 in a contest

I just got off the phone with DEMI and got some bad news.  Back in February,
I ordered one of their high power 222 transverters (60 watts out).  I told
them I needed it before the June contest and they were not sure at the time
if they would have it ready by then or not.  Well... they are now talking
about 6 to 8 more weeks so it probably will not be here.

That leaves me with two options.  I can borrow an old transverter from a guy
in my club.  I don't know how good it works but I think it only puts out
about 5 watts.  Obviously, if I were using this as a regular piece of
equipment, I would need an amp.  At this point, I don't know about how it
needs to be set up in the truck or if I will need to buy anything else to go
with it.

Alternate plan B is to use my HT on FM.  Before you say that's a bad idea, I
already have an 8' boom antenna and the coax to feed it and an adapter to
run to the HT.  Other stations would not need to switch to vertical antennas
but would only have to switch to FM in order to make a contact.  

Plan B means fewer contacts.  It also means less complication and using
equipment that I know works.  It essentially means I concentrate on the
other bands and figure on 222 being a bonus for those rare times when I can
use it.  

I'd love to hear opinions on this.  I have the antenna and the space on the
mast to use it.  I'm just not sure I want to mess around with a single time
use transverter that is of dated vintage.

Steve
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