[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Activity Night

[David Olean]

Hello 222 fanatics!

Today is Tuesday and I am getting geared up for the activity night. Last 
week was a comedy of errors on my part. I am finding that I am losing 
most of my fast ball and most problems are self inflicted. My amplifier 
would not tune properly and I thought that my tower mtd preamp was blown 
out. I also had no internet connection.  First we fixed the 5 GHz link 
and got the path working again. I suspect RF on 160 meters is tripping 
the link up as the dish and CAT V shielded cable is very close to the 
160 radiator. We had to reset everything and re assign the proper path 
names etc.   The amplifier needed some work and I dragged it down to the 
shop and re worked the plate tuning caacitor system.  It had a bristol 
wrench set screw that defied finding a proper tool to loosen. I tried 
everything I had to no avail. I ended up machining some new parts and 
used set screws that normal folks can deal with. I modified things to 
allow a wider tuning range. I hope it works. My PRM-10 GDO says that it 
works.

The tower mounted preamp was another hassle, and I climbed the tower and 
opened the wx proof box then clipped out the preamp and took it doen to 
the shop. I magine my surprise when I fired it up and saw 20 dB gain and 
a 0.4 db noise figure. (?)  I also checked the SAW fiter and it checked 
just fine too. To my chagrin, I found that the preamp cable in the shack 
had fallen off the 7/8" cable. What a dumb move!! Now I have to climb 
back up and re install the preamp at 105 ft up!  I keep saying that I 
need a chaperone to watch me all the time.

So if you have any 222 MHz gear, now is the time to try it out on 222 
this evening.  Most folks get on around 7 PM EDST or 2300UT. Most 
activity is on CW, SSB and FT8  and use of chat pages is encouraged. 
Most folks in the NE use the ON4KST page, but do whatever works in your 
area.  We are trying to build activity in the entire country and that 
will allow attempted skeds with stations outside of your typical 
operating area. This is obviously a great way  to find elevated band 
conditions. Here in the NE, we have terrible conditions this time of 
year, but the Gulf states are starting to heat up and soon, with warmer 
wx and a bit of humidity in the air masses, we should start enjoying 
some long haul contacts here in the northeast. These great contacts are 
only possible if we all make an effort to be on the band.  Tuesday 
nights are a good way to ensure that your setup is working at 100%. If 
the band opens on another day, you are sure that your system will be ready!!

I dragged my computer up to the VHF shack and got it all hooked up and 
going. I have it interfaced with my 222 rig and am ready for FSK441,  
MSK144,  FT8, and JT65.  I am now off to re install the KW amp and try 
to put the preamp back on the tower! I hope it all works!!  CU this evening.

Dave K1WHS