[VHFcontesting] 222 Activity Night for Tuesday August 23, 2022

[David Olean]

Hello 222 MHz addicts,

I missed the excitement on 222 last week as I was away on a work crew in 
Troy, NY removing some big generators from a building. I got back Sunday 
night late. I am aching all over, but I have enough energy to get up to 
the hill shack and fire up the 222 gear for this evening. DON'T FORGET!  
Tonite is 222 Night!

If you have not gotten in on the fun yet, we tend to meet from about 
2300 UT up to about 0130 UT and look around the 222.100 frequency for 
any action. The ON4KST chat page seems to work well (144/432 Region 2) 
and plenty of longish skeds can be set up on the KST page, so if you are 
in an area devoid of local activity, you can have a 222 op beyond your 
normal range try to work you via one of the DXmodes: CW, JT65, FT8, 
MSK144 etc.

Now if you are a little pistol in the midwest or out in the 222 
boondocks somewhere,  you need to pay attention.  In the interest of 
promoting 222 MHz activity, I have secured a stash of 13 of the 1500 
watt Larcan PA amplifiers.  I also grabbed a few of the 500 watt driver 
amps that have 2X MRF151G FETs.  They will be made available to 
deserving 222 ops with the sole purpose of getting activity in some of 
the lesser available states for EME and MSK144 purposes.

I discussed my plan with the chief engineer of a local NH TV station and 
he agreed to provide the modules at no charge. I had given him an 
article I recently wrote on converting the Larcan for 222, and he was 
impressed and wants to help out.  So now I have 13 units that need to 
find a home. My plan is to provide these at no cost other than "moving" 
costs.  I would be willing to drag these to the CSVHFS next year in 
Little Rock for distribution with a small gas surcharge.  If anyone is 
planning a trip and could move a few pallets that would be good too.  
The things are a bear to ship, as they need a wood crate design to avoid 
damage, and shipping costs are nuts lately on top of that! I don't want 
to ship them.

These amps will only go to someone who will put them on the air and not 
resell them. They are 222 activity builders and not a source of income. 
I have already tagged one for WQ0P to get him up to EME power levels.  
This amplifier and one or two yagis will make EME rather easy.  There 
are enough 222 guys with connections that I am sure we can work the 
transportation out at minimal cost for all involved.  We also have to 
identify suitable hams to receive the amps. I'll need help with that.

If you are unaware of the Larcan pallets, they have six MRF151G FETS and 
deliver about 1500 watts output with no conversion needed.  40 watts of 
drive is needed for full output. You do need a big 50 volt DC power 
supply that will handle about 60 amps. I would also recommend protection 
circuits to protect against high output VSWR. W6PQL has boards that will 
accomplish this. For about $150 you can be in business.  A few muffin 
fans and you are ready to go.

I had a great time in NY. I got so dirty, I had to throw away some of my 
clothes. I have many stories to tell as a result of this trip.  We 
stayed in a really cheap hotel that was over run with NY State welfare 
"clients".   They were all smoking weed and setting off the fire alarms 
daily.  We got to know the police on a first name basis as they were 
there every day and night breaking up domestic disturbances and assault 
and battery situations. Our crew were the only occupants with a job at 
the whole place.  I finally got my chance to do some heavy manual labor. 
I will never again even think about it.  I am cured!


73

Dave K1WHS