[VHFcontesting] April 30, 2024 Schedule of Events.

[David Olean]

A lot has been going on lately, but it is time for 222 MHz Activity 
Night. So, if you are busy with your everyday activities and lose track 
of time, please don't forget to get on 222 this evening.  If you are 
busy occupying Columbia University, Berkeley,  or other campuses, take a 
break  at 23:00 UT, and turn on the 222 rig and see if you can work a 
few of the hardy souls who get on every week for the gala Activity 
Night.  Most all of the contacts are SSB or CW, with a few FT8 or other 
digital contacts thrown in as well.

I am hoping to be on and will be looking for any and all contacts from 
here in FN43mj. WA1T is up in Northern Maine tonight with his newly 
programmed Chinese HT that covers 222 MHz.  Aim your bems NE and maybe 
he can hear someone!  I received a truckload of Rohn 45 sections last 
night. I slid them off the 18 wheeler tailgate right into my pickup 
truck and then drove them up to the VHF shack loation. It is exciting to 
finally get a 144 antenna back up and percolating.  I am hoping to have 
144 operational this Summer for sure.

I was monitoring 222 MHz yesterday afternoon and caught a minor solar 
flare while checking Sun noise. Background noise went from 215 mv up to 
about 830 mv of audio noise when aimed at the Sun, but it would flare up 
past 1.5 volts of AC audio with the flare. It makes me want to pay close 
attention to the Solar indices in hopes of catching an aurora. Nothing 
is predicted for this evening, but it sure would be a hoot if we had an 
aurora on a Tuesday night!

So the activity starts after dinner about 23:00 UT (7 PM EDST) and goes 
until you get tired and want to get back to your tent on campus. WE all 
try to monitor the ON4KST (144/432 Region 2) Chat page and that is  a 
great way to let people know that you are on if you live off the beaten 
path.  It is a great way to set up skeds for difficult paths.  Fellows 
in the Midwest and Southeast also get on and it is a great way to test 
your station and exercise your rotator.

There have been rumblings from the 222 MHz Activity Committee that a few 
of the regulars have been missing of late. They do pay attention, and 
their executive decisions can be pretty harsh if you get them worked 
up.  Just a word to the wise from someone who is actively shoveling dirt 
on the East side of Mt.Moosilukee.  I hope to see you all on 222 this 
evening.

73

Dave K1WHS