[VHFcontesting] 223.5 worth having

[Steve Clifford]

On my first rove, I didn't have 222 SSB.  I built a small, hand-held yagi
for 223.5 and ran it to my Yaesu VX6R.  I think I made 6 contacts and 3
mults in January.  Considering that it was my first rove and activity wasn't
great, I was very happy with the results.  If I did it again, I would likely
get a lot more than that.  Its often just a matter of asking other stations
to try it.  Because you're not asking guys to switch to vertical antennas,
it isn't a big problem just  to switch to FM.

Give it a shot.

Steve
K4GUN/R

On Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM, Ellen Rugowski <
ellenjoanne2003 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Hmmm, I've been thinking of picking up an old 220 FM rig for chump change
> for the reasons you just listed.  Thanks for the comments.
>
> --- On Sun, 5/31/09, crawfish at surfmore.net <crawfish at surfmore.net> wrote:
>
>
> From: crawfish at surfmore.net <crawfish at surfmore.net>
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] 223.5 worth having
> To: "Bill Burgess" <ve3cru at rac.ca>
> Cc: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 1:40 PM
>
>
> I have a Midland 13-509(10 watts out) that I listen to 223.5 with. Clegg
> had a similar rig, the FM-76. Cheap and easy way to get on 1 1/4 meters.
>                                                  Joe W4AAB
>
> > To respond to earlier comments on the benefit of having 223.5, I offer
> the
> > following:
> >
> > At least 3 years ago, I obtained an old Icom IC-3 HT for 223.5 with
> > frequency changing wheels on the top.  Along with this unit was a Mirage
> > C22A mini brick amp, 20W, including preamp for $50 Canadian in total.
> One
> > of the best investments per dollar that I have ever made.  I also have a
> > Pryme PR-222 HT 5W that is left on 223.5 as a spare or loaner.
> >
> > Running barefoot on the rubber ducky, I scratched out a qso from FN13ax
> > across Lake Ontario to the Rochester area.  Then hooked it to the K1FO 16
> > elmt beam with 6 feet of coax and we were both strong, with no amp.
> >
> > The HT - amp - K1FO combo has seen qso's from EN94xa to W2SZ FN32jp, on
> > 223.5, plus FN04xa to K1TEO FN31 full quieting on 222.200 horizontal
> > polarization, and more.  Takes only 30 seconds to flip from V to H.
> >
> > If you don't have 223 FM you may be missing some good qso's, points and
> > mults.  Watch for bargain gear for sale.  Alinco has a DR-235TG 25 watt
> > mobile rig and a DJ-296 5W HT.  There may be older rigs available that I
> > am not familiar with.
> >
> > Hope to work you on 223.5 and yes this includes MO base stations not yet
> > equipped.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Bill   VE3CRU
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
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