2 Meter Band Opening!!

[TheSpaceMann]

Big 2m band opening on the East coast today at 2:30 AM EDT!!

 

[N2AL]

Big 2m band opening on the East coast today at 2:30 AM EDT!!

I tried to CQ this morning while mobile, on my way to headquarters. I was on VHF Call, 146.520 MHz this morning around 0900 Zulu (5 am local) but I was unable to contact anyone. I figure the bands either closed up, or I was the only station monitoring.

Yesterday I was copying stations from Maryville, TN and Cleveland, TN, while mobile around the Knoxville area. They were preparing for Field Day and moving to alternate frequencies to QSO.



Andrew | N2AL
www.n4awl.com

 

[ecps92]

still looking good at 9am Sunday
VHF Propagation Map

Big 2m band opening on the East coast today at 2:30 AM EDT!!

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Huge 2M band opening East coast 3 AM EDT!!

 

[wyShack]

Weak signal work is mostly SSB (single side band) and around the SSB calling frequency of 144.200 Mhz. Two meters can be open for SSB and other weak signal modes and signals are still not enough to break a squelch or make FM reliable.

It can be worth a try but if you want to go for distance, get a rig that works SSB-you will find a whole new world. Antennas are also usually horizontally polarized rather than the vertical for FM. The path loss trying to work horizontal with a vertical is around 25 db if I remember. Of course, polarization is less a factor once a signal 'bounces'.

73

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Weak signal work is mostly SSB (single side band) and around the SSB calling frequency of 144.200 Mhz. Two meters can be open for SSB and other weak signal modes and signals are still not enough to break a squelch or make FM reliable.

It can be worth a try but if you want to go for distance, get a rig that works SSB-you will find a whole new world. Antennas are also usually horizontally polarized rather than the vertical for FM. The path loss trying to work horizontal with a vertical is around 25 db if I remember. Of course, polarization is less a factor once a signal 'bounces'.

73

Good points, and a small 2 meter beam can work wonders when the VHF band opens up!

 

[w8prr]

Although FM, it is interesting how many APRS stations show up when the band opens.

 

[AK9R]

Although FM, it is interesting how many APRS stations show up when the band opens.

Direct, or hopping through digipeaters?

During certain times of year and certain times of day, you can sit in Indianapolis and see APRS position reports from stations in Michigan. Those reports are hitting a digipeater in southern Michigan which is then heard by a high-profile digipeater in Indianapolis.