[VHFcontesting] 222 MHz Activity Night is TODAY

[Dave Olean]

Yes it is right after the ARRL September VHF QSO Party. It was only this 
past Sunday night when you were yelling your lungs out on VHF trying to 
haul in the last contact. Well actually, you were trying to pull out 
that last contact by squinting at a computer screen and pushing the 
radio buttons in a software package trying to eke out that contact. You 
are probably exhausted and thinking that ham radio is the last thing you 
want to do. Please read on.....

I met a new ham who lives quite close to me here in Maine. He just got 
his tech license and has a little HT with a BNC connector and a rubber 
duckie. He went to a local radio club meeting and they loaned him an 
IC756 Pro. I fixed him up with some coax, connectors, adaptors, and an 
HF tuner. The funny thing is that he has yet to make a contact anywhere 
with ham radio. He listens on a 440 repeater while driving to work, but 
has yet to make a QSO on the repeater.  He invited himself over today 
and I gave him some stuff and then we went and disassembled  all 90 ft 
of the Rohn 45 that I just lowered from up in the trees. That was very 
satisfying. Matt, the new ham, is a welder and is great mechanically. He 
is a brand new ham and is still  learning the difference between an 
SO-239 and a PL-259.  I have invited him over for 7PM and 222 Night.  My 
plan is to have him get on 222.100 around 7PM and call CQ. His call is 
KC1YBG and I told him to use his call when he calls CQ. So make a point 
to turn your beam toward Mumbo jumbo land and give Matt a call. You will 
be among the first so be good and positive and show him what life is 
like on the 222 band!  If Matt's wife agrees, then VC Towers will put up 
a small Rohn 25 for him to get started. Al, WA1T is excited and I am 
sure Nik will be happy to oblige.  I have some 25 sections that I will 
give him. I might even have a rotator.

I have it on good authority that the 222 MHz Activity Committee is 
honoring all who show up so soon after the September Contest with a 
special "extra special" award. If you get on and make at least one 
contact, you will be eligible to drive to Good Buddy Ron's house (WZ1V) 
for a fantastic beer bash complete with barbeque potato chips and all 
the pickled herring that you can eat. I understand that the beer will be 
top shelf stuff as well. The committee will send you a secret password 
and a special hand shake that will allow you to get the free beer. You 
must make a contact this evening on 222 to get the right password.

The Hepburn tropo map looks great for enhanced conditions around 
Southern New England. It does not appear to extend anywhere to the West, 
but you never know. It is worth a quick check.  Don't forget the ON4KST 
Chat if you are out of the big activity areas. You can set up skeds and 
let people know that you are there and looking for a QSO.

73 and good luck

Dave K1WHS