[VHFcontesting] Adding a band, which one?

[James Duffey]

I find more activity on 222 MHz and it is usually easier (read cheaper) to generate power at 222 MHz rather than on 1296 MHz, so I think 222 MHz is more productive. Particularly in contests. High gain antennas are of manageable size and the band is quiet. 

But you can see for yourself. Go to the ARRL Contest Results page. Choose the June contest as that has the most activity. Select contest results and go to scores database. Choose "select entries to list", "EPA", that is your section, (congrats on the first place EPA low power finish by the way), and then check "list per band counts". Hit select and sort entries to display. You will get a list of all the participants in the June QSO party from the EPA section, as well as the QSOs and mults they made per band. Add them up to see the activity.

The answers for EPA are: 275 QSOs on 222 MHz, 144 mults; 145 QSOs with 65 mults on 1296 MHz. It looks like you can do maybe about 2/3 the contacts you do on 432 on 222 MHz and maybe half of the 432 count on 1296. BUt those are guesses.  

222 MHz gear is a bit hard to find, but it is available if you are diligent. I like the band. - Duffey
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KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM