[50mhz] Need advice on getting on 6M

[Ken Kaplan]

Hi,

I am seriously thinking about trying 6m. Never been there & never listened but I've read a lot 
both here and other places. It seems like 6m might fit me. The 2m & above repeater thing 
just does not interest me. HF is not an option as I have a tech license and antenna 
restrictions would kill things anyway. I do have a Cushcraft AR6 Ringo that I can "sneak" up. 
A while ago, I picked up an old Swan 250 that may or may not be up to specs. If not, I can fix 
it. What I don't know is what modes are most commonly used? Is SSB the common way to 
go like on HF? Is AM used? I see that a lot of mobile rigs use FM. Is that for repeater 
access? I know where to get info on propagation factors as well as antenna design. I 
understand electronics well (tube & semiconductor - I are an engineer <g>). What I have no 
info on is how to operate on this band. The Ringo instructions indicate that the antenna 
tuning stub needs to be tuned to a 1 mHz portion of the 6m band. What portion of the band 
should I focus on? My goal is to have a base station and do dx and maybe work all 50. I 
know, probably not with a Ringo but I have to start somewhere.

Although I've had my license for quite some time, I've never really been on the air. I see 6m 
as possibly changing things for me. Is there a website or a book that I should be reading to 
get me started on 6? Any Phoenix, AZ hams out there who would be willing to give me a 
show-tell?

Thanks,
73 Ken kb7rgg