220MHz - only in America

[N8YX]

As I watch listings like this one appear from time to time:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ICOM-IC-375A-220MHZ-SSB-CW-FM-TRANSCEIVER-/190500343327?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5ab48e1f

(and it'll fetch north of $2k)

I cannot help but think the management of Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu are a bit out of touch with the amateur community.

If one wants any sort of 220MHz SSB/CW gear, there are the following options:

1) Buy an Elecraft XV222;
2) Buy a Microwave Modules, Down East Microwave or European transverter;
3) Wait for an IC-371, -375 or FT-736R w/ 220 module to be posted for sale;
4) Roll your own.

With the prices these things are commanding on the used market, does anyone besides me think it a bit odd that none of the Big Three is capitalizing - at least in some fashion - on the 220 weak-signal market?

[NQ6U]

The problem is that that 1.25m market only exists in ITU Region 2, so the manufacturers tend to ignore it. I think there are only two companies currently selling 220 MHz FM rigs, Alinco and a Chinese company who's name escapes me at the moment. Too bad, too, it's a nice band. I found an old IC-38A for $25 and built a nifty little collinear J-Pole out of copper pipe, but there aren't enough people on the band so I only use it during certain nets that link the 220 repeaters up with the 2m and 70cm repeaters.

[N8YX]

The problem is that that 1.25m market only exists in ITU Region 2, so the manufacturers tend to ignore it. I think there are only two companies currently selling 220 MHz FM rigs, Alinco and a Chinese company who's name escapes me at the moment. Too bad, too, it's a nice band. I found an old IC-38A for $25 and built a nifty little collinear J-Pole out of copper pipe, but there aren't enough people on the band so I only use it during certain nets that link the 220 repeaters up with the 2m and 70cm repeaters.
There is a bit of FM-only gear still available...but no one is making an all-mode rig similar to the -375 these days. I would consider Icom's new 9100 -if- the thing had as an option a 222MHz module instead of the 1.2GHz unit which is offered. (For that matter I would like to see a 902MHz version of same.)

[KA5PIU]

Hello

Want 220 all band?
Guess how hard it is to convert a 2 meter transverter to 220?
I was a Novice for ages and so 220 was a common band for me.
The very same mod that gives the FT-101 2 meters and 400 can give it 220 (FTV-250).
For the FT-107 there is the now hard to find FTV-107 that can be modded for 220.
Both radios do a 2Mhz section at a time.
Later radios were the same thing, only different. ;)
But, why all mode on VHF a lot will ask.
Even fewer will buy one.
With that said, the FT-817 has been modded to go from 1 to 550+ Mhz with no gaps.
This is not a simple move a jumper mod but a very extensive process that removes some filtering.

[kds]

...and a Chinese company who's name escapes me at the moment.

Might be Wouxon -- http://www.wouxun.us -- I've heard a lot of good things about their 144/220 handhelds. They'll be selling a 144/220 mobile rig later this year too. Both their handhelds and mobiles can also be purchased 144/440 but 144/220 is a nice combo if you have some 220 activity in the area.