[50mhz] Re: Need advice on getting on 6M (Peter Markavage)

[KG4FET96 at aol.com]

Your Getting some pretty good advise: BUT
First point: Modes.  You will find all modes used on 6M. SSB is  the primary 
mode yes, however, you will find FM Simplex on the call freq of  52.525.  I 
have worked as far west as TX and as far North as  Jersey on FM Simplex from 
EM90, (jax FL) on a VERTCAL 1/4 wave ground plane  and 50 watts. AM is found on 
the band as well. AM Call Is 51.000.  SSB  and CW are reserved for the lower 
end of the band.  SSB Call is 50.125, CW  call is 50.100.
 
How to operate: 6M is unique in that when the band is open most of your  
contacts are going to be "Run and Gun" defined by a contact that is grids  and 
rpts and that's about it. There are few Raghewers but they can be  found.  Do 
know your grid as listed in the detail section of your QRZ data.  Almost no one 
will want your city/state/county information.  Don't hold  contacts on the call 
freqs of 50.125 SSB or 52.525 FM.  Call CQ  and move your contacts to an 
empty freq.
 
Antennas and DX: First you need to define DX.  DX for VHF is  usually c
ontacts outside about a 500 mile circle.  From where you located  contacts into 
Mexico, Central America, and South America will be routine in the  summer trop/ E 
skip season. Canadian grids will be DX as well. Icomamerica.com  has a grid 
square map on their site you can download. When the band is  open these can be 
done with a vertical antenna.  Is it the best NO, but  sounds like a beam is 
out of the question for you for now.  You can set up  a horizontal dipole with 
small diameter wire and 300 Ohm antenna wire and do a  fairly good job.  Aim it 
Broad side to the areas you want to work. Great  thing about a dipole on 6 is 
that it is around 13 ft long so moving it and  changing directions is pretty 
easy.
 
Hope this helps some and look forward to hearing or hearing of you this  
summer.
73 God Bless and Good Luck
DE KG4FET Sandor EM90dh