[VHFcontesting] 222 Activity

[David Olean]

Hi Howard

Do not forget that W1GHZ has an inexpensive transverter ckt board 
available and you can populate it thru a Bill of Materials list from 
Mouser.  Cheap n Easy!  WW1M and I are going to build one. I think he 
has ordered two boards for us. You do have to supply the LO but most 
people use those synthesizer boards available from DEMI and Q5 Signal.  
We will report back as things progress.  Now I know that many people 
have no time, and others go cross-eyed trying to work with surface mount 
parts, but I have had good luck with SM parts so far.  Magnifier glasses 
and laying off hard drugs helps.

I would agree that the 222 band needs a commercial stand alone rig for 
many folks, but in the past, activity on 222 was miniscule.  
Manufacturers could not make any money on a 222 rig. Possibly a 222 MHz 
band could be added now with technology where it is, with much less 
effort.  I would always go the transverter route with a high end HF rig 
rather than a VHF multi mode rig just because you get more bang for the 
buck, but many people have the opposite opinion.

I hope the activity keeps growing on 222 MHz. Increased activity and the 
attendant "chatter" will let folks know that 222 is a viable choice. 222 
is a great VHF band. If it was world wide, it would be jam packed!

Dave K1WHS



On 5/20/2023 4:46 PM, Howard Reynolds wrote:
> I fully realize that the root cause of no 222 MHz radios is that the band
> is only available in Region 2 (and the manufacturers aren't).  However,
> every once in a while a radio with 222 MHz appears such as the IC-375 or
> the Yaesu FT-736R.  It's FM, but I've had a Kenwood TM631A (144 and 220)
> and an Icom IC-37 for years.  Anyway, I keep hoping that, with sufficient
> activity in Region 2, the almighty dollar sign will be ignored.  WA3EOQ
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