[50mhz] need advice on getting on six

[mweisbergs at juno.com]

Hi Ken

Welcome! The advice you've received so far is pretty much right on. The
Swan 250/250C was one of the "popular three" of the tube days... it's got
fair to good sensitivity and selectivity (certainly enough for normal
dxing but not weak-signal work) and puts out a big signal. My experience
has been that it drifts more than the others of the day. The single VFO
is not much of a liability on SSB as almost all DX operates simplex. 
Another plus is that it's easy to service.

I would tune the ringo for 50-51 MHz; this would accommodate the CW, SSB
& the few AM stations you'll hear. The one RTTY DX  QSO and all the FM DX
contacts I've had were below 51MHz.  Performance will fall off at 52 MHz
but it will be usable there without problems with tunable tube finals. As
such it will be enough to listen and become familiar with six and
determine how much FM/AM activity there is in your area without spending
anything..

At some point you'll want something more than the unity gain of a
ringo/halo type of antenna. If you have the room for it you might try a
6m hex beam; it's small and, according to a friend with one, the gain
seems comparable to a 3L yagi.

But if you're going to go DXing, make friends with other 6m types in your
area who will alert you when the band opens; the most and best eqipment
is useless if you're not there when the DX comes in.

Good luck

Bud K2YOF