Hello 222 addicts,
It is March 21st. Here in the Great White North, At this time, we are
usually just coming out of "Mud Season" and the ground is starting to
dry out. Unfortunately, we are still digging out from some heavy
snowfall here. The ground is still blanketted by snow. Temperatures are
moderating and this afternoon promises to brush the low 50's. Heavy
snow drifts prevent driving to the remote hill shack, but I am planning
to strap on the snow shoes and trudge up with my laptop and try to get
on the air. With all the storminess, I had heavy wet snow rip out the 5
GHz internet link cable. I may not have any internet this evening.
Still, I plan to get on a bit before 00:00 UT or 7 PM local time. The
plan is to start on 222.100 MHz on CW and SSB and then move off as
activity starts up in earnest.
This is THE NIGHT to get on the 222 band. Enjoy the regular activity
and try to make some contacts. If you are in an area with no activity,
your best bet is to make sure there is no activity by getting on and
looking for a contact. If you are unsuccessful, you might write a note
to one of the VHF e mail reflectors and outline what you did or did not
work and let people know that you are QRV. If we know you are there,
stations can aim your way and look for you. The ON4KST Chat page is a
good resource for setting up skeds. There is sporadic activity in many
parts of the USA and the best thing to do is let people know that you
are there and looking. Meteor scatter range is 700 to 1100 miles with
simple antennas. If you have high power, you can make 1300+mile
contacts. Meteors are a bit hin this time of year, but it is fun just
trying to make a path work. If you have a singe long yagi, you can
experiment with rising or setting Moon EME contacts. If you have an omni
antenna and 10 watts, your best bet is to upgrade your setup so that you
can extend your range. AJ6T is running very low power in Tennessee, but
with a good yagi, he is making fantastic ft8 contacts over significant
distances.
I just got back from a road trip to Florida. My plan was to eat oysters
from Apalachicola Bay. I was largely successful. I left Maine in a snow
storm with 7 " of snow on the ground. When I came back home on March 19,
the snow was about 7 to 12" deep and huge amounts had slid off the roof
and blocked the doors. One storm dumped over 22" in one day! I am
hoping it all melts by next week, as the snow shoes are getting old for
this 78 year old geezer.
So dust off your key. Plug in the FT8 machine. and turn on the 222 rig
for this evening. I am hoping to be there if I can get up the hill, and
the antenna is still there, the generator starts etc. Hopefully, it will
all work!
73
Dave K1WHS
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