Yes Sir, It is Tuesday and that means that the 222 MHz band will be
filled with signals and they are all looking to work anyone and
everyone. I would say that it is more fun than being there in the
January VHF Contest as all the players are actually on 222 MHz rather
than hunting around on 144 MHz and then running the bands! If you have
the gear, tonight is the time to turn it on and make some QSOs. If you
don't have anything for 222, your best bet is to plug in your soldering
iron and, while it is warming up, you should look around the bottom of
your desk drawer for that Mini Circuits DBM you won back in the 70's
when the VHF conference was at Rivier College. You must have a few
FT-243 crystals that will multiply up to around 194 MHz. 6925 Kc ought
to do it, and MMICs are cheap so now you have a transmitter. The
receiver is a bit more difficult. I would suggest a Super Regen. After
getting the multiplier string built it will be late afternoon, so you
are running out of time. The super regen has its drawbacks, (No FT-8)
but at least you will be on the band by 7 PM EST. That is 00:00 UT for
the time challenged.
I am hoping to be up and running this evening. It will be snow shoes
and a back pack with a headlamp to guide the way. The weather folks are
predicting a low temp of 1 degree overnight. I suspect I will not stay
on very long with no heat in the shack. Still, it will be a neat
adventure. Everyone shows up around 222.100 and then moves off as the
activity builds. The ON4KST Chat page is useful for lining up skeds if
you are in the hinterlands. (Region 2 144/432) I hope the generator
starts! If it does, I have a 1500 watt baseboard heater along with a
small electric foot warmer heater. Cold drinks won't be a problem if I
bring along an ice pick.
I hope to see you on 222 tonight.
Dave K1WHS
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