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222-225Mc.

N

N1WVQ

Who here has used this band? More importantly, who has enjoyed it? I use 222 & swear by it (I know, this sounds like a commercial) but it is quiet, low noise, the range is about the same as 2m but without the intermod or bad operators. They say 222 penetrates well, like 440. With all of these things going for 222, why aren't more people using it? It's a rhetorical question: it wasn't near major commercial allocations like 2m, 440 & even 902 are, so modified rigs never really went up to the old 220 band. But with synthesized rigs now & the prices only being a little higher than a 2m radio it seems like the perfect time for 222 to take over. It has so much potential & it would be a shame to lose it to commercial interests. THEY know how valuable that spectrum is! Even if just you & a friend are on with nobody else, it's like a private band! My friend & I get on 223.46 simplex on a semi-regular basis. There's some activity around Providence & S.E.N.E. on the 224.62 repeater. SoCal has activity too. Plus, I've found 222 to be a friendlier, more relaxed band away from the whackers (wannabe cops & firemen) & jerks that seem to still be on 2m. 440 is pretty much dead (at least here in New England as well as N.E. Fl.) & since we're secondary to military on that band why not go someplace where we have PRIMARY status?!
73, N1WVQ/V31VQ/WQBI410
 
One problem that 222 always had was the lack of both commercial and modifiable (such as the '50s/'60s-era police radios modified for 6, 2, and 440 back in the day) equipment. Plus, the band isn't available in most of the world, so the potential market is much smaller.

One special interest or another was always trying to take it away from the Amateur Service (and was successful on the 220-222 segment for the now-unused UPS voice/data network). Remember Tom Knietel's "hobby band" and Class E CB, both proposals from the early '70s? Neither happened, but both were controversial. I also think it hurt potential occupancy of the band.
 
I remember hearing about Class E from guys who were around then (I was born in '79) but not about the Hobby Band. What was that proposal? How is the 220-222 band these days? Are they still having trouble getting licensees? It seemed like for awhile they were.
Yes, it seems that those proposals did scare people away. The modifiable radio issue seems to be a problem too but to me the beauty thing is that we now have radios specifically geared for 222! We don't have to rely on commercial hand-me-downs like on 902.
Tomorrow I am leaving for Cape Cod for a week where there were 3 repeaters a few years ago but none now. We will see if there is anybody at all there, even on 223.5.
I would love for a linked repeater system here in New England like Condor for example. I know the New England Net used to be one back in the late '80s.
73,
N1WVQ/V31VQ/WQBI410
 
I've been a 220 user since the late 1970's. There is still plenty of activity in MAJOR metro areas like Chicago, Los Angeles, etc., but it's use is somewhat limited elsewhere. Back in the seventies, there were plenty of 220 rigs available from Clegg (FM-76), Midland (13-509, 13-513, etc) and others. Kenwood had some nice dual banders in the 80's (TM-621 and TM-631). Henry Radio had the first synthesized HT in the S-2. Icom also had a bunch of HTs (IC2AT, IC-02AT, and others). I have owned most of these rigs and found the band behaves much like the 2-meter band. I still own a low profile 220 repeater (which is hardly ever used). There have been some attempts to get activity going here in Central KY, most of which have not gone well. When I lived in the Dayton-Cincinnati areas, there were many "hard-core" 220 users, but that was 25-30 years ago. Don't hear nearly as much 220 activity today when I visit those areas.

Many of us fought the UPS battle with $$$ and petitions, but it was no use going up against UPS, which ultimately abandoned their plans to use the 220-222 portion after the damage was done and the lower part of the band was taken away. I really think the ARRL let us down on that one.

But, when the battle was lost, the ARRL tried to console 220 users in the fact that the remaining 222-225 segment of the band became an EXCLUSIVE Amateur allocation in the U.S. Many hams are still not aware of that.

Early attempts to give NOVICES voice privileges on the band was also a bust. Many "old time" hams thought that giving NOVICES voice privileges was criminal or something. In 1987, when NOVICE enhancement did became law, I worked with our local club to link my 220 machine with a seldom used 2-meter repeater to give NOVICES access to 2 meters (via 220). The old farts in the club (many of them only holding TECH Licenses) would have no part of that and the plan never happened.

The band is still there and I fault the ARRL for not doing anything (it seems) to promote its use.

Off My Soapbox.....
 
My ham club in Providence has an old 76 lying around as well as a 13-513 as the repeater access radio. Another club I belong to is in the process of putting up a 222 repeater & finally on Cape Cod the old K1KEK repeater has come back to life on 224.34 (no P.L.) under the KB1PVQ call (K1KEK's son). So, some good news anyway! I heard in a few places there was more 220 activity years ago. I think Hartford may have been that way.

73,
N1WVQ/V31VQ/WQBI410
 
If anyone here ever visits Memphis, they would be surprised to find the most active repeater in town is on 224.78. In fact, as I am typing, I am hearing a few folks chatting on it.

A group of us just started using 222, and the group just grew. Most are using Alinco 235Ts (the only full-power radio currently in production), but there is a mix of other radios. I have a 235T, though I rarely use it. I bought an old Kenwood 621a 2m/220 (yes, the old band) off QRZ for $175 a year or so ago, and really enjoy it.

The 235T is a tad expensive. They sell now for almost $300, a bit high for a single-band FM rig.

Now, we're all getting radios together for 900 MHz. That takes a bit more creativity.

DE
 
Enjoy 902! I'm thinking on getting on there for A.T.V. because of PAVEPAWS here in New England blocking 439.25! Does 902 have the -25 split there? Glad to know that 222 is active in Memphis! I'm going to warm the ether in about 10 minutes!
 
Yow!..are novices not allowed on the 220 band any longer? I am one of the few who STILL hold a renewable novice ticket and used to enjoy 220 as one of the only voice options. I also still check 10m regularly with my Ranger 10m mobile rig..As far as voice priveleges go it would be a better move to allow at least a little voice activity for novices..just to get feet wet. I know they don't grant them any longer, but every so often it's fun to get on a 220 repeater in towns when traveling. Is there any chance that the FCC will just dissolve the few of us into a TECH licence and be done with novices all together?

And what is up with the old-timer's negative view towards novices? I know we are a small group, but we'd like to chew a rag once in a while..all these guys do is gripe, and reminice about the old days, and talk about thier gear..and overall discourage any participation.

Guys set me straight on novice priveliges as of this date..I don't want to get tagged.
73
KB4RIZ
Jeff
 
Sure, novices retain all privileges they always had. The FCC rarely takes privileges away.

Here is a link to a nice color chart, indicating all bands and privileges:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/Hambands_color.pdf

As far as Novices being rolled into Techs, I wouldn't hold my breath. While the idea seems perfectly reasonable to me, for whatever reason, the FCC has declined to do so, one more than one occasion. But, the good news is -- if you want to upgrade to Tech, it is super-easy. The question bank is out there, and I am sure you could knock it out with virtually no trouble.

Good luck.

DE
 
DeadElvis said:
Sure, novices retain all privileges they always had. The FCC rarely takes privileges away.

Here is a link to a nice color chart, indicating all bands and privileges:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/Hambands_color.pdf
Click to expand...

Some of those old f*rts are too senile to remember that Novices had voice privileges on 145-147 MHz before Incentive Licensing took effect in 1967.

As far as Novices being rolled into Techs, I wouldn't hold my breath. While the idea seems perfectly reasonable to me, for whatever reason, the FCC has declined to do so, one more than one occasion. But, the good news is -- if you want to upgrade to Tech, it is super-easy. The question bank is out there, and I am sure you could knock it out with virtually no trouble.

Good luck.

DE
Click to expand...

That'll happen right about the time they give us Advanced guys Extra privileges. Like, never. ;D
 
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