Hello VHFers
It is Tuesday. It is also winter, but that is not stopping the fun that
always happens on 222 MHz on any Tuesday. We have had snow over the
last three days and it has covered the ground in a few inches of the
white stuff. This all makes driving up to the shack difficult. The guy
who repaired the road last summer classified it as a "path". It is a
tad rough. I had to put in a culvert to divert a small river and I made
the mistake of cutting a 20 ft culvert in half, figuring that a ten ft
wide road was wide enough. Factor in slippery roads and a layer of snow
and that ten ft looks awful small. I had to put in metal posts to mark
where the culvert is so that I don't drive into the ditch. As Rosanne
Rosanadana used to say "It's always something!". I have to be very
careful navigating that culvert now.
I am hoping to inaugurate the new shack computer this evening. The old
desk top unit was crashing with cold temps, and it got pretty bad.
Sometimes, it would not respond when turned back on. I removed it and
have been working on loading up software etc on the new industrial mini
computer in hopes that it works better than what I had. There is no
heat in the shack that contains 222 MHz. I have to rely on electric
heat and the big generator. Hauling diesel fuel in the winter becomes a
problem. No oil dealer can get up there, so I have to supply my own fuel
in small containers. So we will see how far I get this winter for 222
Nights. I am hoping I can get through December anyway. January and
February can be brutal. Heavy snow will make things impossible.
So I loaded all the software on the computer and it is about 75% done.
I am hoping that I can run the WSJT-X program along with my logging
program off the same COM port. I took a hint from N1JEZ and am using a
program called VSPE to accomplish that. We shall see how it works. If
it does work, it will be great to have a bigger screen. My laptop has a
12" diagonal screen and having WSJT, ON4KST, and my logging program all
taking up screen space was a challenge. The new setup has two monitors
if I can fit them in the small space.
If you are new to the 222 activity, just try to get on and look for
stations on 222 MHz after dinner. On the East Coast, that is about 00:00
UT. Modes are SSB, CW, FT8, Q65 etc. No one has claimed an FM contact
yet. I am still researching 223 MHz FM activity around New England. It
id sparse up in the North. We gather around 222.100 and move off the
calling frequency when things get busy. The midwest can be quite active
with several well equipped stations there capable of long distance
contacts. There is activity in the SE. A few stations are always there
looking. Set up skeds with anyone on the ON4KST chat page. URL follows:
http://www.on4kst.info/chat/index.php
Be sure to select 144/432 Region 2 Chat. The 222 guys will be there.
The plan is to get on and see what you can work. If the Moon is in
position, you can monitor HB9Q Chat and select 222 MHz. Possibilities
for an EME contact on your rising or setting Moon are quite possible if
you have a few hundred watts and a good long yagi.
I will be up at the shack early, probably cussin' 'n swearin' trying to
get the new computer hooked up. Such endeavors usually don't come off
easily. I will be on 222.100 at about 23:45 UT if all goes well.
Conditions promise to be poor. So what else is new?
73
Dave K1WHS
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