[VHFcontesting] 222 Activity Nights

[David Olean]

It has been about a month since we started the 222 activity nights.  It 
is going. quite well in some areas. Not sure about other areas. It is a 
big country after all!  I am not a member of many VHF reflectors, so 
have only been pushing the idea to The Northeast area, VHF Contesting, 
and the 222 activity group. Hopefully, the word is being spread to other 
areas.

In my area, there is a pretty good group of dedicated people who try to 
get on each Tuesday night. Of course, life can always get in the way, 
but, for the most part, a good group shows up most Tuesdays. Some calls 
heard often include: WW2Y, KO4YC, VA3ELE, VE3ZV, VE3DS, WZ1V, N1SV, 
K1PXE, N3RG, KA2LIM, K2AEP, and W9KXI among a few others! Quite a list 
and it sure is fun seeing who you can work and say hello to.

This last Tuesday, May 25, was quite good generally, with warmer air on 
average causing local signals to rise. The real long haul contacts still 
can be troublesome, with little or no enhancement. I listen to the 
K1IIG/B beacon and it seems to be stronger of late. Signals from 500 
mile distances do not show much change however. The good news is that 
500 mile contacts are being made on CW.  Contacts in the range of 
450-525 miles included VE3DS, VE3ZV, VA3ELE, and KO4YC.

I puttered around with my HV supply for the 222 amplifier. My step start 
died due to builder error. I mistakenly used a 115 volt coil relay and 
put it across 230 volts AC.  I found another relay with a 115 volt coil, 
but could not get it to work properly. Part of the problem was caused by 
having a Variac in the primary. Once I drew out the  circuit I saw my 
problem, and tried to put some series resistance in the relay coil ckt 
and put it across the 230 volt line. (not from one side to neutral) The 
problem is that the relay draws different currents while it is trying to 
pull in, and then when it is fully energized.  I got it to pull in, but 
then the current dropped and the voltage soared to 170 volts. This would 
eventually cause another smoke event, so I abandoned that idea. My 
solution was to find a 230 volt coil relay.  Another solution would be a 
230 to 115 volt step down xfmr.  VE2XX uses varistors. That sounds good, 
but my surge is especially severe, since I am using 12 X 2000MFD 550 
volt electrolytic caps. Being a capacitor input supply with very high 
peak currents, I wanted to keep any stray resistance away from in front 
of those capacitors! It is 166 MFD! Power supply regulation under load 
is a problem.

I did not get a chance to try any impossible contacts this time. The 
distances between 450 and 650 miles would be fun to try. We just need 
activity in the right places, and have gear that is capable of some long 
haul DX.  Maybe some increased activity on 222 MHz might convince some 
hams to  get active and / or upgrade their setups?  222 can be a 
fantastic band, but I don't need to tell you all about that!  CU all 
next week.

73

Dave K1WHS