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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Bob,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.
<STRONG>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</STRONG>. 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? <A
href="http://www.jetstream-usa.com/jtb5.shtml">http://www.jetstream-usa.com/jtb5.shtml</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Remember 220 Tuesday nights.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Let me know when you (or anyone else) are ready to
do any testing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>George</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=N1UJS@toast.net href="mailto:N1UJS@toast.net">Bob</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=450@lists.vhfwiki.com
href="mailto:450@lists.vhfwiki.com">144.450 Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, June 26, 2010 12:52
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [450] 222 ponderings, GEORGE
take note!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I'm trying to decide how much space to allocate
to 220 vertical, and what level of gain to bother with....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Next step would be a vertical yagi of the smaller
"end mount" variety....more gain, but takes up more mast space.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I guess what it comes down to is just how much
activity is really happening right now? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> How many people are in George's group and
at what distance and how widely scattered are they? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>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......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Will anyone else from our group be joining the
game?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Any thoughts?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Anything already discarded and available in the
"stick" variety among your group George?</FONT></DIV>
<P>
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