Revitalizing 1.25m Band. Use It or Lose It!
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- This is my quest to get as active as possible on the 220MHz band so that we do not lose those frequencies due to lack of use. Ever since I got my Anytone D578UVIII Pro tri-band mobile radio I have been interested in the 1.25m band. Its not easy finding manufacturers making these presently but there is still a used market for decent 220MHz radios. I will go through how i got involved and the current setup I'm using to revitalize these frequencies in my area and hope you do the same. Lets get to work.
I just installed a 1.25m repeater in our area at my QTH. It's linked in to a local DMR talkgroup via a digital to analog bridge.
Nice. We just got our club 1.25m repeater up within the last 2 weeks. I’m happy to use that band and we still have our morning talks on 223.5 MHz simplex going on as well after almost a year since this video. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Alinco makes an excellent 1.25m 50-watt mobile. I have one here in the shack and there's a few of us keeping the band alive in far north Texas.
Good video and kudos to you for working the 1.25 meter band to get some activity flowing to help keep it alive. Funny thing is, I kind of have mixed feelings, as it can make a good semi-private band for SHTF local recon, so not sure I want to draw too much attention to it in my area. Lol I want it to stay alive, but fly under the radar.🙂
We still have our morning coffee chat on 223.500 MHz simplex and should be getting our new 220 MHz repeater up and running in a couple of weeks. Making a good effort here. Ham-Solo K0FYR
The Chinese are making efforts to save 1.25 meters by making very affordable amateur radios, that have 2 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70 meters, all in one compact radio! The more international version cover many other bands, as well. Citizens Band, 49Mhz, PMR446, business band, some do 8 meters! All this available in one compact, extremely affordable, unit! If people start thinking beyond the bully brands that have all the publicity, the small brands are offering a lot more, for a lot less. I recently configured a triple band handheld unit for someone. She paid £40 for it with 8 watts out on 2, 5 watts on 1.25, about 4.5 70 centimeters. She had a, cheap amplifier that she connected the handheld to it. The girl was very innovative. She had three antennas in the attic cut from coat hangers, with a duplexor on each end.
I’m glad to hear that about some of the Chinese radios. Maybe this will be a grass roots effort that comes from the consumer driving demand instead of having to rely on the manufacturers to do it for us. Ham-Solo K0FYR
For a ground plane on a magnet mount antenna, I use a cookie sheet I bought from GoodWill for $3. Works great!!
I love 220 here in Sacramento. Keep up the good work. 73
cheers! great improvement! txs for keeping 220 alive!
I use the UV-5X3. My RT3S doesn't transmit on 220 but will receive.
This was fun. I’ve been interested in 1.25 since I got my technician class several years ago. I’ve had a few hits on the calling freq, even got to chat with a couple of guys about 30-40 miles away. That was on an unmodded Baofeng UV5R.
Thanks should have a follow up coming out this week with some significant changes to antenna and mast setup. Better results for sure. I need to do an additional mod before I edit the whole video and publish. Keep your eyes open and should be out by mid-week if all goes well. Ham-Solo K0FYR
well done! keep making noise on there, try to get folks on there. back in the early 1990s there was an incredible amount of folks on VHF 2 meters and 1.25 meter band . UHF was the quiet area, here in Western Pennsylvania - day or night the two VHF bands were packed with folks. I was one ham that already had all three of these bands in my shack. had high gain antennas on a tower in my back yard... it was great. but anyhow 1.25 meter band has the long haul capability and the penetration of 70cm. it was my favorite band, we had one repeater in my town for the band, our group of hams had a real blast on there, but as 70cm started to gain repeaters and 2meters already stuffed full of repeaters, digital ( slow scan and fast scan TV) so over the years we lost ground in the band, now it's split up it's middle. I just got info that a new 220 repeater has been put up so, I need to find my old rig and maybe get a new one.... I'd love for it to go back to those days.. 73 BTW I'm retired firefighter/medic saw the New Yorker helmet plates. :) hamming for more than 40 years now,
Well thanks for watching. Yeah been having fun on 220 that’s for sure. I will have a final adjustment of my new 220 mono band 10 element Yagi video coming out on Friday. You should check that out as well. I retired from San Antonio FD about 3 years ago now. If you check out my QRZ I have info there about that at the beginning of my page. Ham-Solo K0FYR
I have made it my mission to also utilize this band. I have used it recently. We have a repeater nearby at 2200 feet. I hit it everywhere with my 5 watts. Just purchased the TYT for contesting and to set up at the house to use. Stay safe bro. 73
That’s cool Kevin, let’s keep it alive. I’ve been working on a 10 element Yagi for 220MHz from MFJ. Finally got the final setup and it works great. Here is the link to the last of 3 videos on it. ua-cam.com/video/iw_B6tuQQgM/v-deo.html Ham-Solo K0FYR
Don’t forget the Wouxun KG-UV7D-220, which has 1.25 & 2 meters, if you’re lucky enough to have some close 220 simplex or a repeater in your area. :)
Oh that’s cool Mark, I didn’t know there was a Wouxun model for 220MHz. I may have to check one of those out especially if it’s superheterodyne. Thanks for watching and the info. Ham-Solo K0FYR
For years, I used a Radio Shack TV aerial rotator on my 2 meter/70cm yagis. They handle light weight antennas and the wind load really well. There are still some available at reasonable cost through Google shopping search.
I think I have a ham mentor that may be giving me a rotator and controller. I will check with him in the next day or two. Not sure what kind of setup I need to do that though. Ham-Solo K0FYR
We have 220 out here in Kansas with a few repeater around the Kansas metro. Good video. KF0ICI
Thanks, we are close to getting our own 220 repeater set up in our club. Ham-Solo K0FYR
I like doing SOTA activations with my 220 Baofeng UV-82 during VHF contests. 220 is a ton of fun and way under utilized.
Which of the Amateur bands are OVER-utilized?
@@HarryHamsterChannelI think the defunct 11 meter band is the most popular of all the amateur radio bands. It is so swamped, lately, that there is an overflow into parts that are not considered CB radio from 27.405 Mhz to 27.602125Mhz. Then 26.715Mhz to 26.955Mhz. All modes are used, including some digital modes, even in 27.602125Mhz to 27.99125Mhz, which is supposed to be FM only, anyway. I guess citizens band will fall into entry level, unlicensed, amateur radio. PMR446, is likely the second most popular, followed by 2 meters and 10 meters. 4 meters is sort of starting an interest.
💪 we are 220 strong here in SW OHIO 💪
That’s awesome! Ham-Solo K0FYR
Power on my TYT 9000D PLUS 220 MHz single band is low 15w, mid 35w, and high a whopping 72w.
Excellent Ham Solo. I am very curious about that band. I just bought the Yaesu VX6R, which is a tri band radio. Very much appreciate you putting together this video. Thank you.
Your welcome Janice. We’ve been having a good time talking on 1.25m lately. I found that I could pick up the staticky station on the video this morning on 223.460MHz. The magic of radio I guess. Ham-Solo K0FYR
What happened to the 220 band is a sore spot for me. Hams never really fully embraced the 220 band. Everyone would much rather camp out on 2-meter CB. And then there's that crap with UPS taking 220-222 and never using it because they found something better. The FCC should give it back to us. 😡
And now some company is trying to take 33cm.
Just figured out my tyt uv8000E will do 220 need to get a TRI band antenna
A good telescopic one should work for an HT. Different lengths for 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm same antenna. Check out the Smiley Antennas. Ham-Solo K0FYR
I have used 220 with a cushcraft 13 b 25 watts from waco to Shreveport LA 100 air miles simplex
That’s awesome, keep it up brother. Let’s use this band up. Ham-Solo K0FYR
You don't necessarily need to rotate a yagi - if you set it up pointing in the direction of that net it should help you a lot. Even putting it on a pole screwed to a deck would work.
I just got my own 222 gear as well! A well-loved 25w DEMI transverter which will be fed with my FT-817nd. I've yet to make a QSO, but it has been tested on a power meter and all's good. I really need to get a yagi actually, but that's a whole other story.
73 de VE3GKT
I agree Joseph, however there are some other directions and repeaters I’d like to try and get. I will have the yagi build and initial test video coming out in a day or two. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo good stuff! I'll sub and keep an eye open for it. 73!
Good video! There are no decent radios for 220. The major brands (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood) have boycotted this band. The argument that the most of the world doesn’t use it is short sighted, since most hams are in the U.S., and there’s more than enough repeaters too. The existing few radios are cumbersome to use for simplex, low power, and only have FM, with no multi-mode capability. Sadly, the TYT 9000D didn’t work for me, mic buttons didn’t work. The Icom 9700 and 905 should’ve had 220.
I agree. There are a couple HT’s being released but you’re correct low power. Even my Anytone 578 mobile only does 5 watts on 220. Ham-Solo K0FYR
The Alinco DR-CS25T is an excellent 50-watt mobile radio. I have one on the air 24/7. For low power, the new Baofeng UV-21R works on 2m/1.25m/70cm.
There’s 7 repeater’s within 100 miles of my qth of Clarkridge Arkansas. I have an old dual band Yaesu mobile but it has 220 as a receive only
It would be nice if someone made a fm/ssb 1.25m rig at 100 watts
Look at Elk Antennas #220L6 YAGI which is portable or permanent at only 24.5 inches in length. Much shorter than MFJ
Old vet tip: refer to the band as "220" (like you did) and _not_ "222". The new guys say "222". It's a painful reminder of how the FCC and the ARRL sold us to FedEx and how those clowns didn't use it; they gave all their drivers cell phones.
No one refers to it as the "1 point 2 5 band".
Yeah Roger we are saying 220 hear as well but wanted to specify the actual meter band in the video. We are actually talking about this right now on our coffee chat on 220 as I type this. Thanks for watching. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo don't get me wrong. Your video was super! I was just playing the role of crusty old ham howling at the moon. It's perfectly OK to refer to it as the "1 point 2 5" meter band" because, well, that's what it is!
I use my Alinco 235 every day, I just call out a few times on every repeater I can reach. then scan through and see if anything is going on. Still haven't talked to anyone, hopefully my perseverance will pay off. My closest local 220 repeater just recently got taken down. One day lol, one day 220 will be busy again.
Yeah we average sometimes 5 to 6 now as regulars on the morning coffee chat and make call outs after different times during the day now to see who’s on. It’s picking up here at least. I know some people who are tying in some of the 220 simplex channels into their Allstar nodes. It’s a cool band and has been working good in Colorado at least. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo Hey, well I'm happy to hear that someone's using it! Its such a interesting and often overlooked band.
I am probably the only person using 220 in my city. So only my son and I. lol.
Keep it alive brother! Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo For sure I am have used the 220 frequency for 10 years now. Works awesome from my car to my house. Oak oils like to setup up a repeater if I could find one built cheap enough.
brand radios this days : 2 meter 50 watts , 70 cm 50 watts, 1.25m..5 watts or less, people use it, you just can't hear them .
I agree that there are lower wattage radios as I have a Tri-band like that in the Anytone AT-D578UVIII mobile unit that only does 5 watts on 220MHz. However, I was also able to buy a used TYT-9000D that is doing almost 60 watts on 220MHz. So it’s definitely still possible to get more powerful versions. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo Hustler/Newtronics makes a fantastic collinear for 220, CG220 -5.2 BD of gain.
Brace yourselves! The new and upcoming Kenwood TH-D75A will come with 220.
I like the idea but I don’t know if I can afford it. Ham-Solo K0FYR
One thing that scares me is that some folks think that linking 220 to 440 or 2 meter (or both) repeaters will help. That's not logical at all and won't help!! Why have 220 linked in any area if you could just talk to the same people on the two other bands? One of the attractions of going 220 is the lack of people on it and the fact that most nosey non-ham scanner listeners won't be listening to you conversations. At least not as likely. I have two police scanners (receive only) that don't even have 220, they skip the band!! About 99% of hams have both 2m and 440 and folks that do happen to have 220 also have both 440 and 2m. Why would a person bother transmitting on 220 to a repeater linked to both 440 and 2m when he/she could just get on those two and talk to the same people! And also, what incentive would someone have to buy a 220 radio if they can just use 440 and 2m instead since they would be linked? Makes no sense. Let's not link to 220!! Keep 220 it's own little and quieter world, thanks!! But let's still try to keep 220 alive, just not by illogical linking.
Actually I totally agree. Our radio club is in the process of purchasing a 220MHz repeater that we will have setup as a standalone 220 repeater not linked to anything else. We have already secured the frequency pair from the state and are just awaiting its arrival so we can set it up with the cavity filters. Really like out morning coffee chats on 223.500MHz SX without a lot of interference. Just wish I had the same power output on my mobile. See if you can find my 220MHz Yagi setup videos for my ham shack. Ham-Solo K0FYR
I tried to contact you on your listed email on your profile but it came back undeliverable. BTW, I don't give out my call sign on UA-cam, a strict policy with me. I'm a super private person. That's why. We have a repeater locally on 224.560 but it's linked to both 146.76 and 448.2! Makes zero sense to me and when I can later hit some of the 220 repeaters, I'll never talk on it since I can talk on the other two. Right now I can't even kerchunk any of our 220 repeaters (except that one I have no use for) on my VX-6R since it only puts out 1.5 watts on 220. The 220 band on the VX-6R is kind of a nothing burger, almost useless. And I can't put a more powerful mobile in my Honda civic Sedan, as they are not made for things like that and there's no room. I envy folks with big pickups or SUVs sort of except for the gas hog thing. But that's getting off the topic. Possibly I'll get a mobile rig (such as the Anytone with 220) and just use it as a home base unit? And I'm planning on getting that new Kenwood that is coming out later this year. Already have the money saved up.
@@markr.1984 I have the Anytone 578 mobile and the 5 watts isn’t that effective. Kind of like your 1.5 watt HT. I have a TYT-9600 for 220 at the house and it’s 50 watts. Looking for a 2nd for my mobile now. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@markr.1984 Looks like my email has been wrong all this time and you’re the first one whoever mentioned it. It is K0FYR@arrl.net and I’ve now corrected it on my QRZ page. Thanks for the heads up. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Kenwood has a couple handhelds that will do D Star on 220. Not many people will be able to receive that.
Then there's a mobile that will do DMR on 220 by another manufacturer.
Aside from keeping Baofeng's from transmitting at power, why do we need this?
Because it’s a spectrum band that is simple to use and can have decent simplex contacts at distance and we shouldn’t give it up so easily. I’m not sure what you mean about keeping BaoFeng’s from transmitting at power. You can use up to 1500 watts on that band if you want to. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Cool video. I'm trying to decide between 1.25m(5 or 6 repeaters, not much use) and 6m(5 or 6 repeaters not much use) so, I don't want to get it wrong, with limited funds. A quick question, what size and weight(approximately) is the steel square you're using for a ground plane for mag mount antenna? Thanks again, for all your time and effort to make nice videos. KC3UEE.
P. S. That's a nice Hot Wheels Squad 51 replica on the shelf. 👍
Hey kidbach. As far as I’ve experienced with the 1.25m and the 6m I’d have to go with the 1.25m. It will work regardless of the solar cycle where I’ve seen 6m not have much use at all when we are in a low cycle because it won’t really work then. The 1.25m is resilient like 2m and should work at all times. Just have to increase interest and use to make it great. As far as the steel square I got it from a local hardware store but it is Made in USA by National Hardware and is a Sheet Metal - 16 gauge steel that came as a 24” x 12” piece with plain steel finish N215-756 4070 part number. I used a metal blade circular saw and cut it into 2 12”x12” pieces. Thanks on the Squad 51 notice it’s one of my favorites as I grew up on that show. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Those mobile compact antennas are form over function.
I’ve had some decent results with the compaqtenna on 2m and 70cm getting well over 30-40 miles with it on simplex and a little farther with some repeaters especially with the DMR repeaters here in the mountains. The 220MHz portion been a little less but that maybe because the radio is only doing 5watts on that one anyway. Ham-Solo K0F
we currently have a few repeaters on 220 in my area and a club that promotes their 220 repeater. Could you please list several radios that are available for the big 220 band?
Well I have a few mobiles that do it currently to include a TYT-9000D and my Anytone AT-578UVIII Pro. Handhelds are a little more scarecrow for me but I just heard that Kenwood was going to release a new radio that has it in there. Maybe the TH-D75A but I heard it is expensive. I don’t currently have a handheld on 220 as I’ve found that the people and repeaters here are just far enough away that I need more than 5ish watts to hit them. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-SoloThere are 5 of us using TYT9000ds ,and a repeater made from 2 using a celwave duplexer and a id o matic ider.
Our club just recently purchased an older model repeater and are in the process of repairing it to put it up on the air in our area. Not sure of the model but it is one of the warhorses which shouldn’t have any problems once we get it up and running. Ham-Solo K0FYR
I drove 850 miles from dm72 to the west coast. EVERY 220 repeater listed in repeater book was dead.
Yeah it is slim pickins out there. We have been having luck on simplex but the repeaters are severely slow. I got the yagi assembled and just used it today. I will post that soon. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo Since then, a couple of clubs in DM72 have added 220 repeaters,2 have 70+ mile range from mountain tops. Unfortunately there are less then 20 of us using them.
I don't know if you would be able to hear me on 223.500 I have the B-Tech UV-25x4 and a Edfong J-Pole Tri-band 2m 70cm 1.25m.
Possibly depending on your location. I see on QRZ that you’re in Colorado Springs. When I travel down the hill I’m more than sure I’ll hear you. Might be possible in Teller County but will depend on conditions and setup. You can try at 0830 each morning to see of you can hear the 4 or 5 of us talking on 1.25m and see how it goes. They usually make contact on 223.500MHz and then move down to 223.480 or 223.460 respectively. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo I am busy in the morning I will check in the next few days after that .
Are you able to hit the W0TX or W0POH repeaters up in Lakewood/Golden? I'm looking at getting an Alinco MD-520T and trying out 1¼m, I'm up in Louisville.
I am able to hit the W0POH in Golden with this yagi: ua-cam.com/video/iw_B6tuQQgM/v-deo.html Ham-Solo K0FYR
Get an Ed Fong 220 antenna
@@dandjc4833 I have one as well as an awesome yagi antenna. Check out these two videos and thanks for watching. ua-cam.com/video/KnegQaCdqfE/v-deo.htmlsi=Ek0DeyF0mY5ORc4Q
ua-cam.com/video/uePFACfSxhQ/v-deo.htmlsi=4-eSoJfK5rHG8OL6
Ham-Solo K0FYR
Anyone tell me what to do to fix alinco dr-cs25 microphone Tx is to low have to close to it way to low
Hey Steve, Unfortunately I don’t know enough about the inner workings of a microphone like that will all those buttons. If it were me I’d check with a local ham club for an electrical engineer or try and search for that models replacement on eBay or Amazon. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help here. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Thanks for your advice you know it's bad when you buy a new radio and you have trouble. I have talked to some people and they say all are that was one thing I can say if you don't know key up and ask other hams 9 times out of 10 some one has already been there and done that that's for the reply 73's
Could you post the name and source of the mobile antenna.
Yes sir the name of the mobile antenna was just basically the tri-band mobile for 2m, 1.25m, & 70cm from BridgeCom Systems. Anytone Tri-Band (144/220/440) Antenna for AT-D578UV Tri-Band DMR Mobile. www.bridgecomsystems.com/products/tri-band-folding-antenna-for-at-d578uv Ham-Solo K0FYR
Hustler makes a 6 db collinear for 220. CG220
@@Ham-Solo Comet 2x4 will work on 220 and is wide banded for 70 cm and GMRS
You're in tennis would really work better outside in the open
Problem is you can hardly buy a radio that has 220!! Only one handheld these days I know that is triband and it's not full transmit power on 220. If they make the radios that have 220, they will come. It's the manufacturers that are killing the band, not us hams.
Yeah I agree. Our little group that meets everyday now on 223.5 MHz have been able to find a radio for each at swap fest’s or online and are having a good time. The TYT-9000D works exceptionally well and there is a QYT version also. The Anytone AT-5888UV III Tri-band has 25 watt for 220MHz and it also has a cross band function. Some of the guys have programmed the cross band to receive on say 2 m and then transmit on 223.5 MHz and then walk around their house or property with an HT on 2m and still talk to us on 220 MHz while cross banding and seems to work fine as well. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Now Kenwood is reintroducing the TH-D74 as the TH-D75A so that will help people get back on 220. It's only a little different than the 74 and about the same 'very expensive' price. I'm going to buy one and try to get folks back on 220 in the Salt Lake/Provo area. Utah has a total of 19 220 repeaters but some might be off air, some maybe not coming back. So maybe 17 on air or so but I don't hear anything on them on my Uniden SDS200 scanner at this time. A lot of folks want to get on digital data like DMR and D-Star and no 220 repeaters support those modes at this time. Maybe none in the entire USA, so that's not helping. Digital modes are the thing right now, but I don't understand all the excitement, personally.
@@markr.1984 Hey Mark. I’ve been in the Salt Lake/Provo area at least 3 times over the last 5 weeks. I’m sure I’ll be back for work so maybe we can meet up at some point and talk radio or something. I wouldn’t mind one of those Kenwood’s but a little pricey for me. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-Solo I now have a Yeasu VX-6R so I can do 222.00 but at low part. I hit hit a few 220 repeaters the other night at 3:00 in the morning. I don't need to get a radio check from anyone. could not get one at 3:00 in the morning anyway!! Especially on 220!! What I do is I transmit my callsign and just say 'testing'. While I have set my Uniden SDS200 scanner on the output of the repeater and set it to record my call!! I check my access to all the local repeaters like that. I work graveyard shift and on my nights off I stay up and sleep the same daytime pattern. I simply can't change my sleeping from day to night or reverse without getting serious sinus headaches. So my talking to local or distant hams is limited to the late afternoon or evenings/night for me.
I got my feet wet with a QYT KT7900D for $75 that has 25 watts on 220 with a Hustler CG 220 with 5.2 db of gain
If the Money wants the band, there is nothing we can do to stop them. Trillions of dollars versus a bunch of old noisy people? Who will win?
Well, I’m for trying. There are plenty of other spaces for them to use than this. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Poor guy. Got stuck in honolulu
I know right. How could I manage to stay in Hawaii another day, gosh. Ham-Solo K0FYR
We have a local club with a repeater but since there are no affordable tri-band radios, why other. I'm not spending the required money to talk to people I can talk to on 2m, 70cm, and GMRS. It's a narrow, useless band, let it go.
It’s been fun using it and makes talking on it more of a special challenge as there aren’t that many on it. Keeps down the crowd and gets good simplex distance. To each his own. Ham-Solo K0FYR
@@Ham-SoloAgreed. I have my own selfish interests in using it specifically because it is not crowded.😁
Never mind I looked at the mobile part of video again I will program that one in and 223.5000 And keep an ear out. KF0KTM
Take that antenna out of the attic and put it outside.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a mast or tower and haven’t asked the architectural review committee about having anything setup permanent like that. After this video we have found that propagation changes occur everyday on 1.25m and some days all stations come in crystal clear on one of the range of simplex channels. I will make a follow up video. Ham-Solo K0FYR
Was the repeater you found traffic on 224.7200 W0MOG?
That is correct. Now Barry(W0MOG) also has his 440 and 900 repeaters also tied in to that one but I’ve been specifically talking to Barry on the 224.720 and him back to me on the same whenever I go down into Colorado Springs. Ham-Solo K0FYR