[450] 222 ponderings, GEORGE take note!

[George Andrews]

Bob,

Repeater activity seems close to two meters fairly often. There is of course less repeaters on 220. It is hard to compare the two. Ran mobile for a couple of months and activity levels were close (80% compared to 2 M) West Haven and Milford repeaters are inactive presently, don't know why. It also looks like owners are not repairing 220 repeaters when they fail. Something to keep in mind as it may reflect general thoughts about 220. I like the Isopole, Covers a pretty good area in terms of repeaters. There is not enough activity to determine simplex performance unfortunately. The only data I have found indicates 3dbd gain, nothing spectacular. I think the angle of radiation is what makes this antenna decent. The CX333 looks great in terms of gain! Plus you have triband capability with pretty good gain figures. I don't know what the cost differential is between Bozak and CX333. I would likely go with the CX333 as I don't think you could do any better. Have you looked at the JetStream antenna? http://www.jetstream-usa.com/jtb5.shtml

My advice is to go with a vertical to start with. See what you can do with repeaters and see how simplex activity is from your location. From what I have seen, there are days when the band will amaze you. Other days, the performance will feel like 70 or 33 cm! Get some operating experience with a decent vertical and judge for yourself whether the band warrants any further effort. 

I have a four element end mount Cushcraft antenna. It is on mast only and not very high and has limited direction. I plan to put that in a better location and have a rotor. Once I get that up, I will see how things perform with that. Once that is up, I do not plan to develop the 220 station any further. I originally planned to pick up another Jetstream radio for the truck. There is not enough simplex activity to justify the expense. If I want to use repeaters, 2 M/70 cm is all that is neccesary. If I want to do 220 from the truck, I will just move the radio.

Remember 220 Tuesday nights.

I have a foldable jPole for 220 and was using a coax groundplane. I won't part with the jPole and the gp went into the trasdh a while ago. K1FBI may have something he might sell.

Let me know when you (or anyone else) are ready to do any testing.

George

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob 
  To: 144.450 Mailing List 
  Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 12:52 PM
  Subject: [450] 222 ponderings, GEORGE take note!


  I'm trying to decide how much space to allocate to 220 vertical, and what level of gain to bother with....

  Simplest option is a Bozak 2x5/8.....SOME gain, sturdy, no caps to blow out, permanently flat swr, and wouldn't take up any space allocated for something else (on top of the 2 meter stack).

  Next step up would be a CX-333.....could go in the same spot, take up the same space, offer slightly more gain, also could be tied through a triplexer to the upstairs station for 2 meter vertical option and the downstairs station for 440 vertical.  Rather expensive, but gets good reviews.

  Next step would be a vertical yagi of the smaller "end mount" variety....more gain, but takes up more mast space.
  If I do this however, I may as well go with a longer yagi and get more gain as it wouldn't take up any more mast space....perhaps I could mount it slightly off center on the crossboom for the 2x3 6 meter setup.  I already have the 10 element homebrew, so this would be a fairly quick fix with minimal outlay.

  I guess what it comes down to is just how much activity is really happening right now? 
   How many people are in George's group and at what distance and how widely scattered are they?  
  If it is a small group and fairly close by, a small stick would suffice.  On the other hand, if activity is limited, a long yagi could give me something to do...mapping out the distant repeaters and such......and maybe even being able to check into the "Pakrats" FM net......

  Will anyone else from our group be joining the game?

  Any thoughts?

  Anything already discarded and available in the "stick" variety among your group George?


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