[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Aurora Report

[David Olean]

Hello VHF ops,

I was watching the solar indices in hopes that we might get a dump of 
Solar particles down on the poles to spark off a real bonafide aurora. 
After dinner, I trudged up the hill and turned on the generator to get 
stuff running. I started calling CQ on 222.100 and also monitored the 
ON4KST page. There was some concerted activity on six and two meters. I 
was  atad disappointed that more folks didn't make the move to the 
higher band as conditions warranted.  Still, ther was activity on the 
222 MHz band.  My first AU contact was good old VA3ELE running just 25 
watts! Peter had a great signal via aurora. Next station worked was 
VE3DS who was really pounding in. I found that my "sweet spot" seemed to 
be between 295 and about 305 degrees. As time went along I found that 
295 degrees was the best heading later on.   I heard N4PZ near Chicago 
with a great 55A signal several times, but Steve did not answer my 
calls. Both VE3DS in Toronto, and Steve N4PZ peaked at about the same 
heading. That N4PZ contact would have been a great QSO and I suspect RX 
problems were the fly in the ointment.  I also heard and worked WX3K in 
PA. Stephanie lives near the Delaware Water Gap in FN20.  She announced 
that this was her first 222 MHz aurora QSO! Congratulations are in order 
for that.  WX3K had a good 55A signal as well. Totals for me were three 
222 MHz AU QSOs and four stations heard.

I have been thinking about the best way to utilize the hilltop shack. 
Not having remote capabilities is a big problem as getting up there can 
be a problem. It does not get any better when you factor in the age of 
the poor slob who has to do the walking.  It is like walking to school 
back in the old days. It was all uphill both ways!!  I just bit the 
bullet and am starting on a hilltop power project to allow permanent 
power up there. I am enlarging my solar installation. I have ordered a 
new big Lithium battery along with some killer solar panels to generate 
1 KW of DC power. The new batteries have internal heaters. They can be 
powered by the Solar panels directly. This will allow charging in the 
winter months.  Now I have to remove the original 150 AH  lithium 
battery or keep the shack heated all winter with a propane furnace. ($$) 
I am hoping that with a bigger system, it will be possible to keep 
things running continuously. I will need power for the 5 GHz internet 
link, a dedicated computer, and the K3 radio. All of this will have to 
run off a sine wave inverter that must also be powered up continuously.  
I figure about a 15-20 amp continuous draw at 12 VDC. I'll probably have 
to add a second lithium battery to achieve my goal, but I'll start with 
just one 300 AH battery. They are not cheap.  If you figure 20 amps per 
hour of use, a 12 hour period of no Sun will amount to 240 AH of battery 
drain! Yikes. I suspect the correct battery capacity is three batteries 
for a 900 AH capacity. That is only $5000. (a mere drop in the bucket)  
I might be getting into trouble here!  Walking up the hill is sounding 
better and better!

73

Dave K1WHS