[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Activity Night

[David Olean]

I must apologize. This little mote will be brief.  I want to remind 
everyone that it is Tuesday and Tuesday means a lot to many VHFers as it 
is the best time to congregate on the 222 MHz band and make contacts on 
one of our best VHF bands. While it is true that 222 MHz is not 
authorized in Europe, that only means that out European friends don't 
know what they are missing!   The reason for the brief note is that we 
got dumped on in Northern New England with lots of heavy wet snow again. 
I have seen comments of 14-16" of the stuff. I think to the North it was 
even deeper as most precip was well inland away from population centers 
along the New England coast. It snowed all niight and then all day on 
Monday. I got out my 17 year old snow blower and it went about 40 ft and 
quit throwing the white stuff. Turns out it flat wore out and a key way 
on the drive shaft broke and the key got reduced to nothing. Parts are 
not available so, between trying to fix the machine and  not having 
driveways and walkways shoveled out. I was in a tough spot. The solution 
was a new machine. I just finished clearing the place and there is no 
way I can access my remote VHF shack. There is almost 2 ft of snow all 
of a sudden in the woods. Negotiating the road at night on snow shoes is 
possible, but not for me tonight! I would have to lug a computer with me 
and common sense has reared its ugly head telling me to stay home.  Too 
bad because the Moon was getting in a great spot this evening. If you 
have a few hundred watts on 222, it might be a good idea to check the 
HB9Q  222 MHz Chat page and see if there is any action during your 
Moonset. No harm in listening when the moon sets at your location. 
Moonset for me in western Maine is about 0100-0145 UT. For every 15 
degrees west add an hour.  I am about 71 degrees west longitude. The 
WSJT-X program will give you aiming info in the "ASTRONOMICAL DATA" window.

So it looks like my activity nights are on hold for about  six weeks 
until warmer wx shows up.  I have a plan to grab a 16 element yagi and 
put it up at the house maybe for next week.  That is if I can find a 
spot to hang the yagi that is not too far away.  Running a longish 
feedline could be difficult.  If the snow abates, I might be able to get 
on 222 from the VHF shack, but don't hold your breath. More snow is 
predicted.

REMEMBER: Jan 24  starting about 7 PM EST 00:00 UT  222.100 MHz CW SSB  
FT-8  JT65  Facsimile  SSTV. The important thing is to be there and work 
your friends. It is really a blast.

73

Dave K1WHS