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2M SSB - Is it worth the cost?

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Matt285:
So I may have brought this up in the past, but I find myself thinking about it again. I have a Yaesu 818 and recently purchased a 65 watt amp to get out a bit better signal on FM simplex, however I seem to be in a bit of a dead zone when it comes to VHF, at least to the West of me. There is a net operated about 25 miles from me once a week and I have checked in several times using my portable satellite antenna on 5 watts. I've always been fascinated by 2M SSB/CW even though I know its not super active. I have recently thought about getting a 14 element yagi, but it would only be up at around 25' . I will also need to get a rotator, but I would like to have one anyway for other experiments. Based on the low height and max power of 65 watts I'm wondering what I might expect and whether or not it's worth the investment?  Let me know what you think.

Stretchyman:
Good question and something I'm currently getting on with too.

I was warned it would be a lonely hobby and Yes there's not many on 2m SSB unless there's a contest but I've zero interest in contesting but useful to find how far you can get.

A 65W amp won't be much use and suggest far more power, I've gone for 300W as there's a decent kit available but 1KW is just as simple just a bit more expensive..

Your antenna is decent (better than mine)as I've only got room for 6 elements (have both horiz and very to compare). Your height is far too low but does of course depends on the terrain. Height is everything at these frequencies..

I know you're in the US and I'm in the UK but things won't be that much different I guess?

Str..

Matt285:
Yeah. One of these days I'm hoping to have a tower. I would be curious about a link to the amplifier you were talking about, although I don't know If I would have the know how to build something like that. Ive built a couple QRP transceivers in the past, but it was just following instructions and making good solder joints more or less.

Stretchyman:
https://www.enigma-shop.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=product&task=show&name=amateur-radio-2m-high-power-300w-amplifier-kit&cid=815

You have to wind a few coils, very easy..

ThaDood:
In the mid-90's, I paid about $1,100.00 total into 2M SSB. That includes a used Kenwood TS-711A, a Mirage modified 2M 140W repeater linear amp, a Hamtronics 2M GaAS FET preamp kit, LMR-400 coax, and a homebrew copper 5 element HORZ beam. At that time, I knew several people into 2M SSB, and even 432MHz SSB, and that 140W PEP talked weekly into the St Lawrence Seaway, CT, NJ, PA, and even into D.C. off the back of the beam. At the time, I was living near the bottom of the Newtown Creek Valley, my beam was only 30ft up, yet just cleared the rooftops and trees close by. +300 miles, without DX enhancement, seemed to be the norm. It seemed to be about on-par with my 6M SSB system. 432MHz SSB, with 30W and a 3 element beam, got me out to Erie, PA, or about 175 miles. So, was it worth it? At the time, I'd thought YES, plus the experience that I've gained in doing it that I can apply today. Just don't ask how much I've spent on 222MHz FM and 1.2GHz. I probably should include the Astron RS-70M power supply, as well, that powered the rigs and amps.

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