Lancaster Overlook at FN20AD located at the Sunny Crest Home  with a Clear View to the East at 820ft
elevation

August  ARRL 222 and Up Contest AA2SD/R Rover Tests 2 Additional Bands 903 and 1296.

AA2SD/R Rover - August 2nd -3rd 2025-  I started the Rove at Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve Grid
FN10XC at 1000ft elevation. I have visited this spot for the Winter VHF contest although it proved
to be not an ideal location due to the coverage of high trees and blocking foliage for the microwave
bands. I made 12 quick contacts after setting up my larger masts and decided to move on to a new
location. To add to the delays, I had no phone coverage at this site, which contributed to a lack of
coordination with other operators. I worked  Gary WA2OMY and Roger W3SZ easily from this location
and I also worked Stephen K3WHC.





A Quick Overlook Move to FN20AD Due to Blocking Trees and Summer Foliage  - I was able to adjust and
move to the second location at 800 ft elevation and clear views in FN20AD in Lancaster. This
location is located in Lancaster at the Sunny Crest Home at 800 ft. I noticed Chris KG6CIH Rover has
visited this location before and proved to be an excellent overlook. I was able to work Gary WA2OMY
on SSB with both 1296 and 903 bands with my small loopers. I also worked W3SZ Roger on 1296 and 903
and Dave K1RZ without setting up the larger antennas.


First Stop Welsh Mountain FN10XC with loopers and a 10 element Yagi

Testing 1296 and 903 as a New Rover  For this Rove I deployed a pair of small loopers for 1296 and
903 on my roof rack with a small Elk 70Cm Yagi and ELK 6 Mtr 6 element 222 Mhz small beam. The
smaller loopers proved to be very effective at the higher elevations and I have no set up time to
operate. I also set up a larger set of Directive System loopers at the clear overlooks on a mast. I
also deploy  dual stack halos for the 70cm and 222MHz bands.


ICOM 705 mounted on a swivel mount behind the FT991A, The Down East Microwave YBC Band Switcher was
added to simplify switching as a Rover.


ICOM 705 Test as an New IF Rig and YBC Band Controller  from Down East Microwave -  I recently
acquired an ICOM 705 to use as an IF Rig for use with 903 and 1296. This new addition was very
effective with the band scope and ease of menu operation compared to the FT817. On several instances
I could see the station on the band scope and peak my antenna to make the QSO. 

I also tested a new band controller YBC from Down East Microwave which is made specifically built
for the FT991A, this switcher is linked to the 991 and will switch the IF keying for each band as
you change bands in the presets or with N1MM logging software. The controller eliminates a A/B
switch for use the 222 Demi Transvertor and makes for a smooth transition for ruining the bands.  It
splits the two common antenna ports from the transceivers HF/6M and VHF/UHF ports into 4 separate
ports, HF, 6M, VHF and UHFand provides separate PTT outputs per band to control external equipment.


This YBC Band Controller mounts on the top of the FT991a and makes for a neat installation. I would
recommend this for any Rover to simplify band controls with multiple transverters. You can find more
information on this device at http://01895fa.netsolhost.com/PDF/YBC_pd.pdf


This is my passenger operating shelf. All devices are secured with tie downs and zip ties .The Down
East Microwave YBC Band Controller is mounted on the top back side of the FT991A.


Sunday Set up at FM29FU Ebright Azimith - One of my favorite locations is the Ebright Azimith in
Delaware at 440 ft. I set up the mast Sunday Morning with the larger loopers and Yagis. I worked
W2SJ on 3 bands and I was able to work Mike WB2RVX , Ray N3RG and Dave K1RZ with a clean sweep on
all 4 bands.


AA2SD Rover set up at Ebright Azimith FM29FU during Sunday Morning Participating in the 222 and Up
Contest.

Final Rove Results. After a slow start on Saturday, I picked up the pace and worked it into the late
evening. This contest is much slower than a traditional VHF contest, and I decided to stay in as
long as my stamina held up and not go to FT8. Overall conditions did not appear to be very good. I
decided to go back to making calls and arranging SKEDS to work on much needed 1296 and 903 operating
skills. I appreciate Dave K1RZ, taking the time with Ray N3RG , Bob W2SG and Mike WB2RVX , Gary
WA2OMY, and Roger W3SZ to work me on 1296 and 903.

222MHz Longest Contest as a Rover - The longest distance 222 MHz contact was Dale AF1T in New
Hampshire along with Jeff K1TEO., and Roger W3SZ . Sunday at Ebright Azimith location was a good day
for 1296 and 903 contacts. Thanks to Dale and Jeff and Roger for arranging SKEDS and hanging with me
during the moves.

Summary of 222 and Up Activity 
300 + Miles Logged in 2 Days (3 Grids Visited -I visited 5 unique overlook areas)
I visited (5) overlooks - Welsh Mountain, Lancaster Hill Top, Gibbsboro NJ, and the Ebright Azimuth
in Delaware, Mullica Hill Inspire Hospital Lot
QSOs in Log : 60  (all phone with only no FT8)
I expect the score to be lower, as the ARRL will adjust this for the longest contact per Grid
Square, this is the total sum of all QSO’s as I worked the same station in multiple Grids



  
Thank You for Your Support - As a  solo Rover it’s especially challenging when things get very
slow, it’s easy to lose motivation to get to the next stop and call it quits. With a quick
adjustment to my operating strategy and finding another ideal location I was able to pull a rabbit
out of the hat. I would like to personally thank all of the Pack Rats and Friends as I am new to
Roving and especially to these new bands. I am also pleased to report that the equipment acquired
and passed down antennas are one the air, and making QSO’s. My main focus is in support of the
club, spreading the word, learning weak signal operation and having fun operating as a new Rover.

I look forward to working with you during the upcoming September VHF Contest  this Fall with KE5NJ
from the 100 Mile Overlook in Jim Thorpe PA.

Scott
AA2SD/R

Poor conditions. Problems with 432 MHz and 10 GHz Antennas.  Glad to give out points.

Working long distance on VHF and above has always been of great interest to me, so this contest was
a natural draw.  Tropo conditions were just average or below average with no sign of an inversion
layer to add DX excitement to this running of the 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest.  That was despite
an intolerable heat wave that has gripped this part of the country for weeks.  I had fun operating
on 222, 432 and 1296 MHz, and even managed to snag two new grids toward VUCC on 23 cm.  I ran two
rigs on two separate Win11 computers and used WSJT-X on FT8 and Q65 for all of my QSOs.  A few CW
attempts were unsuccessful but always fun to try.  Hopefully by the next running of this contest I
will have enough power on 222 MHz to make chasing MSK144 meteor scatter QSOs a viable proposition.
As usual there are many more station upgrades envisioned.

222: IC375A (30w) with 15el M2 Yagi at 30 feet
432: IC9700 (100w) with 21el M2 Yagi at 25 feet
1296: IC9700 (10w) with 36el I0JXX Yagi at 30 feet

Slow going in the valley, worked most of my contacts Saturday night when Mike
K6MYC was on the bands stirring up activity.  We did livestream the whole thing
so people knew what direction K6MYC was pointing:
https://www.youtube.com/live/rUnw66eYGJg?si=Kk-dhMfgDBVVQJKS

Did not have IC-905 available for this contest so I was limited to 3 bands with
my home setup.

Thanks

Recently built a Yagi antenna for 222 MHz which worked well during this contest.

I've posted a humorous write-up on my blog:  https://n5zy.org/2025-august-arrl-222-and-up/
but the short one-liner: This trip was supposed to be all about fun and radio victories—but
apparently, I forgot to pay tribute to the fickle God of Propagation (and her troublemaking sister,
the God of Summer Storms).  I operated From Mount Scott in Oklahoma Saturday but Sunday at 4:30 am I
left to get ahead of the oncoming hail storm.. and only managed to stop and make a few more contacts
from the side of the highway when I got an hour ahead of the storm.  Upon arriving at home I began
taking everything off the roof of the car so I could pull it into the garage...  that was the end of
my contest period!

432	SSB	8/2	1820	K7MDL	CN87XS	31.02
432	SSB	8/2	1833	N7EPD	CN87UA	102.13
222	FM	8/2	1835	K7MDL	CN87XS	31.02
903	FM	8/2	1837	K7MDL	CN87XS	31.02
432	SSB	8/2	1839	K7YOZ	CN87SF	79.01
432	SSB	8/2	1934	VA7SC	CN89JI	169.01
432	SSB	8/2	1935	KG7P	CN87TX	4.63
432	SSB	8/2	1947	AB9BH	CN87US	19.55
432	SSB	8/2	2308	KA7RRA/R	CN88XA	26.49
222	FM	8/2	2310	KA7RRA/R	CN88XA	26.49
432	SSB	8/2	2317	WA7ZWG	CN88SS	92.87
432	SSB	8/2	2335	K7ND	CN87QF	80.97
432	SSB	8/2	2348	N7QOZ	CN87SF	79.01
432	SSB	8/2	2352	KF7RH	CN87RU	15.5
432	SSB	8/2	2357	KX7L	CN87VT	18.65
432	SSB	8/3	0003	K7IU	CN97AV	31.4
432	SSB	8/3	0044	KA7RRA/R	CN87WX	19.18
222	FM	8/3	0046	KA7RRA/R	CN87WX	19.18
432	SSB	8/3	0300	KA7RRA/R	CN98CB	45.58
222	SSB	8/3	0301	KA7RRA/R	CN98CB	45.58
222	FM	8/3	0306	N7EPD	CN87UA	102.13
432	SSB	8/3	0426	KB7DQH	CN87QL	54.29
432	SSB	8/3	1528	KF7RH	CN87RU	15.5
432	SSB	8/3	1538	W7RNB	CN87ST	15.23

Time split between this 222 up contest, NAQP and troubleshooting
a technical problem in the shack.

Worst turnout for this contest ever.

1.6KM

One contact, just barely in time - by the hair of my chinny chin
chin as the storybook went....

Thx everyone for the q's  Operated from the Owyhee Range at nearly 8,000ft Weather forced a retreat
after 4 hours

Tried to resuscitate my 1296 antenna before the
contest but failed. After that, the 902 transverter
stopped locking to the 10MHz signal, so that band
was also gone. Conditions seemed pretty flat and
activity was low. Still, fun to dig contacts out of the
noise. Remembered N6NB this weekend because
he was a big proponent of this contest. Thanks for
the QSOs and 73, Ron (W8RU).

Run from a single story condo with antennas in the attic and at 9 ft ASL.  A challenge, for sure.

Other than the 1st hour, VERY POOR activity levels & conditions.

Poor conditions and low participation made is a slow go for me. Stations didn't wait for others to
call/work before running the bands, never to be found again. Missed easy qso's & points on SSB!
Rapid qsb, multipath & trying to track transverter() frequency drifting signals on FT8, made decodes
difficult or non existent, even when I could see the signal on the waterfall. I did much better in
past runs, especially on 903 & 1296. Tnx for the qso's. See youzeall in Sept.

Just giving out points

Really Weak Signal Team