My experience is limited, having only participated in half a dozen or so VHF
Contests, but I'd opt for the 222 MHz band. It's a quiet band, whose range
often equals or seems to exceed that of 2 Meters even at similar power levels
and antenna gain. Don't ask me how that could be possible, but it is--and I'm
not the only one who has noticed it.
During the June contest for instance, I was running 200 watts on 2 Meters into
a 10 element Yagi. Operating from Locust Ridge in EM63 at about 1,200 Feet ASL.
Worked K5QE, Marshall in Texas for a new grid and quite a thrill. He was weak
but very readable on 2 Meters. He reported my signal about the same. Switching
to 222, K5QE literally blew me out of the truck with an S9+ signal...then the
really amazing thing happened. He reported my signal as being the loudest he'd
heard on 222 that evening.
The thing is I was running only 125 watts on 222, into a 12 element yagi. I'm
experienced similar occurrences during other events too.
222 is literally my favorite VHF band, I only wish that more commercial
equipment was available so that we'd have more folks to work. It's easy to get
on with virtually any 10 Meter IF rig, a Demi or Elecraft transverter, and a
small amp. Hey, if I can do it, anybody can!
I highly recommend the "forgotten band" of 222. Thought 1296 is a lot of fun
too.
73
Les Rayburn, N1LF
EM63nf
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
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