[VHFcontesting] Icom & 222 Activity

Mon May 22 17:37:31 EDT 2023

With the current SDR designs, it would be easy to incorporate 222 and just
disable it for other countries, much like they do now for 2m operation where
some countries don't have the full 4 MHz we do. The American market is just
not enough to entice them to do it. I wonder how many FT736 220 modules and
Ic-375's were sold. The VHF weak signal market is probably less than .1% at
beast of the total amateur radio market, if it weren't for satellites, we
probably wouldn't have anything except transverters. As easy as it is to
hook up a transverter for 222MHz, I just don't see the issue.

I am surprised ICOM brought out the IC-905, I assume they are aiming at low
power FM video and the DSTAR market. K1RZ played with mine quite a bit at
Dayton and I have to say it's pretty nice. For folks that don't want to or
can't roll their own, it's something to think about.

Terry - W8ZN

-----Original Message-----
From: VHFcontesting
[mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces+terry=directivesystems.com at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of k3sk at buckwalter.co
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 5:24 PM
To: 'Marshall-K5QE' <k5qe at k5qe.com>; vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Icom & 222 Activity

Marshall,

It sounds simple, but its not economically sound.   If the mfgr adds 222 MHz
it cannot be marketed in much of the world.  Many countries have laws
similar to the FCC "type acceptance" and if the 222 band is included it will
not be allowed to be imported into many of those countries at all.  This
would mean the mfgrs would need design and build several different versions.
A single band rig or several versions of a multi-band VHF/UHF rig are about
the only options and for a Region 2 only market, the single band is about
the most cost effective choice.

de K3SK

-----Original Message-----
From: Marshall-K5QE <k5qe at k5qe.com>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 4:26 PM
To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Icom & 222 Activity

Why anyone would want a single band all-mode 222 rig is beyond me.....just
another big box that I need to find a power supply for and space on the
operating desk for.  What we need is a rig that has 6M, 2M, 222, and 432 in
it(for sales purposes, you would probably have to have HF too).  We have the
IC706MK2G series of radios(the 706, 7000, and its successors, and the Icom
9100 series rigs).  If the rig makers can make a rig that works on 2M and
432, they can make a rig with 222MHz on it. Maybe it would only make 25W,
but that would be FB as it is enough to drive a big TE Systems amp or a
solid state 222 palette amp.

Adding 222 to a rig that already has 6M, 2M, and 432, just cannot be a
serious engineering challenge.  However, we just don't seem to be able to
get I, K, or Y to do that.

73 Marshall K5QE

On 5/22/2023 5:53 PM, peter h via VHFcontesting wrote:
> I just sent icom Sales an e-mail, requesting same.
> Bt73Pete, n6ze
>
>
> Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
>
>
> On Monday, May 22, 2023, 06:25,k3sk at buckwalter.co  <k3sk at buckwalter.co>
wrote:
>
> I cornered Icom at Hamvention this past weekend and ask if they were ever
going to offer another 222 multi-mode.  The initial response I got was that
I was the 3rd or 4th person that had asked that that day!    Then after
educating them a little on the current SSB/CW/FT8 activity and telling them
about the recent selling prices on used IC-375A, they seemed interested and
said this was something that would be brought up at post Hamvention
discussions with ICOM HQ.      This is a good start, but unless everyone
starts contacting them to put a little pressure in their marketing, I
wouldn't hold my breath.
>
> de K3SK
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Olean<k1whs at metrocast.net>
> Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 9:37 AM
> To: Howard Reynolds<wa3eoq at gmail.com>;vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] 222 Activity
>
> 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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