Gene There are many 1.2 DV repeaters on the air (mostly because Icom offered them Free to groups buying a 2M and 70 CM Dstar repeater). 1.2 isn't just a line of sight band, just ask any Weak Signal enthusiast. I'v worked Central TX from FL on all VHF+ bands through 3456 MHz on SSB. Advantages are small antenna sizes (great for those living in deed restricted communities) Not that mine are small (55 el on 1296) and the lack of interference from non Ham sources.
As to feedlines, there is a lot of 7/8' Andrews Hardline showing up at major hamfests for reasonable prices. Also usable is 75 Ohm CATV Hardline (SWR is only 1.5:1). As to antennas - for mobile use it can be simple - Look at: Kent Britain, WA5VJB, has designed a pretty good mobile antenna, that most of us are capable of constructing. Look at <http://www.wa5vjb.com/references/1200MHzant.pdf>http://www.wa5vjb.com/references/1200MHzant.pdf Its on the k5tit.org web site under forums. Its a great band - Lets use it before we lose it. VRY 73 Bob Cumming W2BZY QRV 160M - 9CM + 3CM (5760 next) from EL98hr Also Repeater Chairman - Orlando Amateur Radio Club K1XC - 2M, 70CM & 23 CM Central Orlando Coming soon W4PLB - North Orlando 1.2 is just like any of our higher bands- If we don't use them we'll lose them - This is Prime Real Estate for the Cel industry if we lose it. At 10:00 PM 1/30/2009, you wrote: >How many of you repeater owners have an active 1.2 DV repeater on the >air? Do you see any actual use? > >I'm curious about this because, IMHO, 1.2 DV has very little to offer. >1.2 is strictly line of sight, and one really needs a high gain >antenna and expensive feedline for reliable work. Why operate on a >band where losses are so high, when 2M will triple the range with a >far less expensive radio? > >Please note, 1.2 DD is a different animal. In Minneapolis/St Paul, >you can set up your ID-1 anywhere around the metro and repeat that >128kbps data stream all over--They got the WOW factor going on with >that network! > >73 de NAØG Gene > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
