[VHFcontesting] [222Activity] 222 MHz Aurora Report

[Paul N1BUG FN55mf]

Hi Dave,

Can you tell us the time(s) of your aurora QSOs on 222, please? I am 
wondering what time I should have been there!

I worked several stations on 6 meters but for the most part the aurora 
didn't sound strong enough for higher bands at the times I heard it. I 
may have got to the rig too late. I checked 2 meters several times and 
heard only one station on SSB chatting away, evidently unaware of the 
aurora. I couldn't catch a call sign. This was at a time when signals on 
6 peaked up stronger for about five minutes, then rapidly went down 
again. I suspect the best part of the aurora was before I got there. 
Evenings continue to be extremely difficult for me.

Paul N1BUG



On 3/24/23 11:02, David Olean wrote:
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
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