222 MHz band radios and usage

[6079smithw]

If I recall correctly, Kenwood once had a 220-only mobile rig in their lineup.

It was the TM-331A. Bought one back in 2005-6 at Rogus in Meriden CT IIRC.
Still have it, still works like new. Couple of working rptrs in my area, neither one very active.
Need to take it to CT this fall when I visit my brother and check out the Eversource freqs...

 

[soberone14]

There is also a local to me here in northern Virginia (I tracked them down as they are not in FCC as it is leased spectrum):
Tait III DMR (2 TDM channels on each frequency), Color code 0. Callsign is WRBV929
for 217.000-217.500 frequencies and WRMM943 for 217.500-218. Some frequencies
are used by more than site. Input frequencies for the repeaters are 2 MHz higher.

System code site number-Location-Frequency(channel number)c=control channel
1 Fredericksburg (Spotsylvania Co.) 217.63125(103c/104) 217.70625(115/116)
2 Bowling Green (Caroline Co.) 217.69375(113c/114) 217.76875(125/126)
217.84375(137/138)
3 Blakey Ridge/Banco (Madison Co.) 217.66875(109c/110) 217.74375(121/122)
217.81875(133/134) 217.89375(145/146)
217.96875 (157/158)
4 King William (King William Co.) 217.53125(87/88) 217.60625(99/100)
217.71875(117/118) 217.79375(129c/130)
5 Mineral (Louisa Co.) 217.65625(107c/108) 217.73125(119/120)
217.80626(131/132) 217.88125(143/144)
6 Dunbrooke (Essex Co.) 217.65625(107c/108) 217.73125(119/120)
217.80625(131/132)
7 Linden Mtn. #2(Warren Co.) 217.53125(87c/88) 217.60625(117/118)
217.71875(117/118)
8 Hogback Mtn.(Warren Co.) 217.51875(85c/86) 217.61875(101/102)
217.94375(153/154)
9 Berryville (Clarke Co.) 217.79375(129c/130)
10 Dawn/Hanover (Caroline Co.) 217.06875(13c/14) 217.29375(49/50)
11 Paytes (Spotsylvania Co.) 217.78125(127c/128) 217.85625(139/140)
12 Hustle/Loretto (Essex Co.) 217.15625(27c/28) 217.26875(45/46)

That is Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg,VA they are my local power company. They are a DMR TIER 3 network

 

[k6cpo]

222 is hard to find in many areas. One problem was when the lower part of the spectrum was taken away for a commercial use which was never developed. The use of VHF/UHF FM repeaters has also suffered with the popularity of DMR. Many DMR repeaters were previously 440 FM, and hot spots have added to the DMR craze.

What's driven the DMR craze is the flood of inexpensive Chinese-made handhelds that hit the market several years ago. Up until then, the only digital voice modes were D-Star and Yaesu's System Fusion®. If you were interested in digital voice, what would appeal to you more as an entry radio, a $460 Yaesu FT-5D or a $220 Anytone 878? Even though the implementation and operation of Fusion is simpler, many hams never look at anything beyond the dollar sign.

 

[dlwtrunked]

That is Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg,VA they are my local power company. They are a DMR TIER 3 network

Yes, I know. I have visited alll of the repeater sites. (I live in Spotsylvania Co. also.)

 

[AK9R]

Folks, this isn't a DMR thread or a inexpensive Asian radio thread. Let's stay on the topic of 222 MHz band radios and usage.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

This 222 has captured my imagination (and I am alwaays looking for a new territory to explore.)

So--- I just order two TYT-TH9000's from Amazon---one for a base, the other for a mobile (?)

Should provide some fun. I'll have something to say about them I am sure.


Lauri



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[AK9R]

I just order two TYT-TH9000's from Amazon

When you get them, let us know the power output. The one I had only put out 30-35 watts in spite of the manufacturer's claims.

And, looking at the listings on Amazon, I just shake my head. Search for "TYT TH-9000D". One listing says the transmit frequency range is 420-450 MHz at 50 watts. Another says 144-148 MHz at 65 watts though the title of their listing says 60 watts. Another says 222-225 MHz at 45 watts. Another says 220-260 MHz at 60 watts.

 

[tweiss3]

When you get them, let us know the power output. The one I had only put out 30-35 watts in spite of the manufacturer's claims.

And, looking at the listings on Amazon, I just shake my head. Search for "TYT TH-9000D". One listing says the transmit frequency range is 420-450 MHz at 50 watts. Another says 144-148 MHz at 65 watts though the title of their listing says 60 watts. Another says 222-225 MHz at 45 watts. Another says 220-260 MHz at 60 watts.

I should have put mine on a meter to see what it was putting out, but I can hit more repeaters on my 331a than I ever could with the 9000D, even though it claimed double the power, using the exact same antenna and feedline.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

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...........looking at the listings on Amazon, I just shake my head...........

Yes, I did consider that- what is a TH-9000 to one person may not be a TH-9000 to another--- (is this model 9000 any relation to the HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey ?--that would be my luck )

It was (still is) a crap shoot, but Amazon has a good return policy and my heart is not wed'd to 222 Mhz yet, so my disappointment index is low.


In the end I pushed the button on two of them that were described as:

"TYT TH-9000D 220-260MHz Mobile Transceiver(s)"

If the weather holds good the UPS guy should deliver them by Monday... We like him, and he says he likes the drive out here cuz' we give out cookies.


Lauri




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[rescuecomm]

I just got one of the TH-9000 222 Mhz radios last week. When I put it in the car, I'll be checking SWR and power. My UHF slug is only 50 watts full scale, so we will see.

 

[KA0XR]

I have a very similar Anytone AT-588 for 220 MHz (only difference I think is the labeling on the buttons). The last time I hooked it up to my Bird wattmeter I recorded 43 watts out on high power, testing on a mobile installation into a 5/8 wave. The SWR was near perfect with hardly any reflected power. Disappointing since I believe when I bought it off Amazon it was advertised as 60 watts. I recorded a similar power output last summer when I hooked the radio up to a backyard 1.25 meter J-Pole antenna.

 

[rescuecomm]

More than sufficient RF power if the repeaters you're working don't have high ambient noise levels. Back in the day when we had the full 220-225 band, most crystal 220 rigs had 10 watts. Of course, we ran noise squelch on 2 meters back then too. LOL but sad.

 

[captainmax1]

I have both of the below DMR Radios and they are some of the best I have ever owned and my favorites right now. The first one has 220. I have seen others that look exactly like them but are cheaper copies as far as I can tell by look, feel and features. The second one is my favorite to go handheld for VHF/UHF/DMR. Easy to use and program with included software. Bridgecom has great customer service. I have always used Icom and Yeasu up to the last couple years and still do.
AnyTone AT-D578UVIIIPLUS Tri-Band DMR Mobile Radio (bridgecomsystems.com)
AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus | BridgeCom Systems

 

[mass-man]

More than sufficient RF power if the repeaters you're working don't have high ambient noise levels. Back in the day when we had the full 220-225 band, most crystal 220 rigs had 10 watts. Of course, we ran noise squelch on 2 meters back then too. LOL but sad.

Midland 13-510!!! 10 watts, no CTCSS, xtals. It was a banner day when I finally got a 13-513!

 

[rescuecomm]

What about the good old days? Revolvers, crystals, channel elements, carburetors, chokes, hammering nails, percolators, three on the column, and push reel mowers. People just don't appreciate modern technology and a wonder we survived. LOL.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

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................Polio, scarlet fever, 'the bomb'.... all least we forget

_________________________________________________________________

My two TH-9000's arrived early-- today. I have yet to play with them, but I will say they were boxed very attractively.... though I can't say much for the instruction manuals.
I have a discone antenna to dedicate to one, and I am still puzzling out what to do with the other. A friend however has some ideas what we can do with it..... should be fun .


Lauri


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[GlobalNorth]

Some of us still use push reel mowers, hammer in nails with a 22 ounce Estwing framing hammer, and like revolvers. I even use a K&E slide rule from time to time. If it works well for the user, why change?

The Bomb? I'd rather exist with a R-7A Semyorka armed with a KB-11 hydrogen warhead controlled by a Soviet that lived the horrors of WW2 than face a RS-28 Sarmat, armed with 10 MIRVs or one MARV that is controlled by a delusional ex-spy whose only combat experience is as a judoka.

 

[rescuecomm]

Is that from a Ian Fleming novel or did you just come with it?

 

[kny2xb]

Yes, I did consider that- what is a TH-9000 to one person may not be a TH-9000 to another--- (is this model 9000 any relation to the HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey ?--that would be my luck )

I'm sorry Lauri, I'm afraid I can't do that

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

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"The Bomb? I'd rather exist with a R-7A Semyorka armed with a KB-11 hydrogen warhead ............"

It will all end like this----


Kwajalein Atoll, (Marshall Islands) 2010-- an incoming Mirv

I know, that has nothing to do with 222 MHz..... we are going to do 222 tomorrow.

_________________________________________________________________________

Tonight the TH-9000's were both powered up - into a resistive dummy load, thru a Bird watt meter --and on high power they both registered >40 watts.
They have nice audio,---- however the microphones are 'soft'-- or maybe that just female voices. Their programming was easy-peasy, though we only put them on 222.5 MHz.

"Do you think we can hear anything on 255.55 ?"

"The operative term there is 'hear'-- we are not going to transmit !"


Lauri



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