[VHFcontesting] 222 Mhz Activity Night is only a few hours away.

[David Olean]

Yes Sir, It is Tuesday and that means that the 222 MHz band will be 
filled with signals and they are all looking to work anyone and 
everyone.  I would say that it is more fun than being there in the 
January VHF Contest as all the players are actually on 222 MHz rather 
than hunting around on 144 MHz and then running the bands!   If you have 
the gear, tonight is the time to turn it on and make some QSOs. If you 
don't have anything for 222, your best bet is to plug in your soldering 
iron and, while it is warming up, you should look around the bottom of 
your desk drawer for that Mini Circuits DBM you won back in the 70's 
when the VHF conference was at Rivier College.  You must have a few 
FT-243 crystals that will multiply up to around 194 MHz.  6925 Kc ought 
to do it, and MMICs are cheap so now you have a transmitter. The 
receiver is a bit more difficult. I would suggest a Super Regen. After 
getting the multiplier string built it will be late afternoon, so you 
are running out of time.  The super regen has its drawbacks, (No FT-8)  
but at least you will be on the band by 7 PM EST. That is 00:00 UT for 
the time challenged.

I am hoping to be up and running this evening.  It will be snow shoes 
and a back pack with a headlamp to guide the way. The weather folks are 
predicting a low temp of 1 degree overnight. I suspect I will not stay 
on very long with no heat in the shack. Still, it will be a neat 
adventure.  Everyone shows up around 222.100 and then moves off as the 
activity builds. The ON4KST Chat page is useful for lining up skeds if 
you are in the hinterlands. (Region 2 144/432)   I hope the generator 
starts! If it does, I have a 1500 watt baseboard heater along with a 
small electric foot warmer heater.  Cold drinks won't be a problem if I 
bring along an ice pick.

I hope to see you on 222 tonight.


Dave K1WHS