We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: 2M SSB  (Read 10912 times)

Matt285

  • Guest
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2020, 1932 UTC »
I recently got a new FT-818 and am able to listen again on 2M SSB. I have tuned into a couple of Florida nets and actually hear activity up and down the East coast (In state so far) and even heard a QSO a few nights later between a guy in Miami and one in Jacksonville. I'm listening on a 135' dipole, so it's not the most effective. It's been a lot of fun listening and I'm glad theres still activity. Makes me want a 13B2 and Mirage 160 amp (Reasonable dreams) Maybe one day.

Offline ThaDood

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 1209
  • Likely, not where you are.
    • View Profile
    • Extreme Part #15!
    • Email
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2020, 2049 UTC »
Heck... Put that rig to a VHF/UHF TV antenna and rotate that around, with a +20dB VHF/UHF preamp, and then you'll really see what you can hear on 144.200USB and even 432.100USB / CW. If you should use a TV antenna to TX, minus the preamp in place, you may get away with around 20W PEP. Higher than that and most likely the 75 / 300 Ohm TV baluns will fry. Can be done, though. It wouldn't be hard to construct your own 3 element 2M SSB beam, or even an Omni,   https://www.sekarc.net/2016/01/easy-2-meter-ssb-loop-antenna.html      ,      http://www.hamuniverse.com/2ssbyagi.html    Yeah, that shows 6 element, but 3 can be done.  I make a 4 element PVC and copper #10AWG beam in the mid-90's and talked all over the NE USA States and Canada with 140W behind that.
I was asked, yet another weird question, of how I would like to be buried, when I finally bite the big one. The answer was actually pretty easy. Face-down, like a certain historical figure in the late 1980's, (I will not mention who, but some of you will get it, and that's enough.) Why??? It would be a burial that will satisfy everyone: (1) My enemies will say that it will show me where to go. (2) On the same point, I can have my enemies kiss my butt. (3) It will temporarily give someone a place to park a bicycle. See??? A WIN / WIN for everyone.

Matt285

  • Guest
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #17 on: August 18, 2020, 1526 UTC »
Yeah. I think if I were going to get a Yagi for 2m, I'd go with at least 5/6 elements. I have an Elk 2m/440 log periodic I'm planning on using for satellite op's. I suppose that might work a bit better than the dipole. I have noticed 6m being open more often lately, so I'm trying to figure out what to do. I can only have one directional antenna up at a time. Not to mention the financial factor. I used to work 6m QRP using a homemade Moxon. It worked fairly well. I think I would go with a 3/4 element yagi this time around though.

Matt285

  • Guest
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #18 on: August 26, 2020, 1318 UTC »
I made my first 2M SSB contact on Monday. Distance was only about 42 miles, but I thought it wasn't too bad considering I was running a Yaesu ft-818 at 5 watts in to a Elk log periodic 2m/440 typically used for satellite op's about 8' off the ground. Saving and looking for a larger Yagi now!

Offline Monophonia

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 32
    • View Profile
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2020, 2358 UTC »
All this 2M SSB talk is making me want to get a 2M beam for my 50' tower build coming up. I'll have more than enough wild load and rotator capacity to put a sizeable 2M beam under the hexbeam.

Offline ThaDood

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 1209
  • Likely, not where you are.
    • View Profile
    • Extreme Part #15!
    • Email
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #20 on: October 17, 2020, 1800 UTC »
What I wished gained more traction is 222MHz SSB. Nothing around to desense you, except maybe if you are next to the VHF TV CH13 transmitter tower. 222MHz is more sensitive to Tropo as well. Unfortunately, I'm in a terrible location for 432MHz SSB, bottom of a river valley and lots of foliage. 2M SSB is planned for a make-over where I am, with only a 3 ele beam, (To start.), and extra RX preamps. I do have a 2M 140W Mirage amp as well, so I can certainly play on 2M SSB in my decent directions.
I was asked, yet another weird question, of how I would like to be buried, when I finally bite the big one. The answer was actually pretty easy. Face-down, like a certain historical figure in the late 1980's, (I will not mention who, but some of you will get it, and that's enough.) Why??? It would be a burial that will satisfy everyone: (1) My enemies will say that it will show me where to go. (2) On the same point, I can have my enemies kiss my butt. (3) It will temporarily give someone a place to park a bicycle. See??? A WIN / WIN for everyone.

Matt285

  • Guest
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2020, 1932 UTC »
I'd imagine 220 SSB is a very small group. I don't even hear of any FM activity in my area. I talked to someone on our local repeater that had just moved down from NY and they ask about 220. I have noticed that people I have talked to about it, really love the band and various reasons. Hopefully it will become popular again someday. I doubt it though unfortunately.

Offline ThaDood

  • DX Legend
  • ******
  • Posts: 1209
  • Likely, not where you are.
    • View Profile
    • Extreme Part #15!
    • Email
Re: 2M SSB
« Reply #22 on: November 23, 2020, 1909 UTC »
I'm going to try and get a 2M SSB beam up for the Winter ARRL VHF Sweepstakes:

January VHF Sweepstakes: The third or fourth weekend in January. See the current rules for this year's exact date.  1900 UTC Saturday through 0359 UTC Monday.

http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar 
I was asked, yet another weird question, of how I would like to be buried, when I finally bite the big one. The answer was actually pretty easy. Face-down, like a certain historical figure in the late 1980's, (I will not mention who, but some of you will get it, and that's enough.) Why??? It would be a burial that will satisfy everyone: (1) My enemies will say that it will show me where to go. (2) On the same point, I can have my enemies kiss my butt. (3) It will temporarily give someone a place to park a bicycle. See??? A WIN / WIN for everyone.