[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Night is upon us

[David Olean]

Hi VHF folks

This is a reminder that this evening is the long awaited 222 MHz 
Activity  Night. For those who have not been participating, and do not 
know the drill, it is simple.  You get on and try to make some contacts 
on the band to let the world know that 222 MHz is alive and well.  The 
Organizing Committee, known as the 222 MHz Activity Night Board of 
Directors, has on occasion offered significant prizes to those who make 
the most contacts.  Tuesday night is not a contest. Ragchews are 
encouraged and all modes of communication are welcome.  Still, it is fun 
to vie for the odd prizes that show up from the Organizing Committee.  
No logs are submitted, but reports are encouraged, especially if some 
non standard conditions are encountered. In winter, those "non standard" 
things seem to crop up much more often.

Last week, my station fell apart, with computer problems on one band and 
my nifty band decoder box failed right in the middle of a sked. Imagine 
my surprise when I opened up the decoder and did not recognize much of 
what was going on in there!   Did I make this? So I have been reverse 
engineering my own concoction!  I have the decoder down in my shop, and 
things are still not right. I think I have lost a ground wire within a 
multi conductor cable that goes back to my K3.

So I will be on a bit before 00:00 UT. The shack is unheated, and 
overnight temperatures fell to about 10 or 12 last night. The only way 
to heat it up is with electric heat so the big diesel gets fired up 
every Tuesday during the winter.  I have a computer in the VHF shack 
that runs on 12 volts and it seems to not be bothered by the cold temps. 
Soo far this winter it has been pretty flawless. My computer problems 
all happened on the 10 and six meter setup with a portable laptop.

So fire up the 222 rig if you have one and get on 222.100 plus or minus 
and see what you can do. Weather in the NE is benign. Here in Mumbo 
Jumbo land there is maximum Sun and light winds.  Maybe the band will be 
in great shape with little QSB. Check things out and see what happens. 
Remember to check in to the  ON4KST Chat page, Use 144/432  Region 2 page.

73

Dave K1WHS