[50mhz] Band openings and ragchewing

[John Geiger]

This is my 14 summer Es season on 6 meters (since
1992) so I have had a little experience with this
band, and both types of operating are appropriate
during band openings.  I have done the quick
contest-style QSOs, and I have had some nice ragchews
on 6 also.  What is appropriate depends on the
opening, the propagation path, and the stations
involved.

When working a DX station on 6 I almost always use the
"59 in EM04" approach. If it is another country (other
than Canada and Mexico) there are probably lots of
other US stations that need him or her, and I am
probably too excited to hold much of a rational
conversation anyway.

Now for US openings, you have to gauge the opening by
what you hear, and what you see on the DX reflector. 
With experience, you learn to tell whether this is a
brief opening, or whether the band will stay open for
awhile.  Part of this is determined by how many
stations you hear and how large of an area they are
covering.  If it seems like a strong opening, I am
more inclined to ragchew for awhile.  I like 6 meters,
and I am interesting in meeting other people who feel
the same about VHF, swapping ideas, and learning from
them.  Just yesterday during a ragchew I learned from
a ham in Alabama that one of his friends is getting
ready to take a grid expedition to 1 or 2 new grids I
need.  That is good stuff to know.

If I see or hear double hop QSOs taking place, I am
less inclined to ragchew because that is a fairly rare
phenomena, so I want to let those stations get in on
it.  I still want to get in and make a few QSOs also,
though.

I have over 300 grids worked from my current QTH, so
new grids come less and less often (3 so far this
summer).   That is one thing that makes ragchewing
more enjoyable.  I know that I probably won't be
missing too many new grids, so I want to enjoy the
human element some. 

Also, after a few years on the band, you learn what
are common grids and what are rare grids.  I won't tie
up someone in a rare grid with a ragchew like I would
a more common grid.  

Also, with experience you meet more and more 6 meter
ops, and you enjoy running into them again and saying
"HI" and catching up with them on what has been
happening since the last opening.  Friday night I
worked Tom, NQ7R, who is now in Phoenix.  We both used
to live within 40 miles of each other in Iowa (He was
K0VSV then) and both of us were into VHF operating, so
it was great to work an old friend on 6, now that were
are in good 6 meter skip distance (EM04 to DM43).

Generally during a QSO one of the 2 ops will make it
fairly plain by their operating style what they want
to do.  You generally have to follow the lead of the
station holding the frequency, and make the QSO
appropriate.  If he won't give you a ragchew QSO, keep
tuning, you will find someone who will, or throw out
your own CQ and talk with whoever answers.

If you think 6 is bad for quick contest QSOs, get on 2
meters during a band opening, or the FM satellites.

73s John NE0P
EM04to 


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