[50mhz] Re: ground rules

Sat Jul 8 02:08:36 EDT 2006

> From: Greenacres113 at aol.com
> Subject: [50mhz] ground rules
> 
> i need some advice.
> if someone 500/1000 mi. away is calling 'cq dx' are they  calling
> only 
> non-USA? i've always been a HF dxer and that's the norm. is it the 
> same on 6 mtrs.? 
> what is considered DX?
> are short CQs the norm because of the QSB?
> is there a calling freq. on 6 mtr. cw similar to 50.125 for  fone?

Below is a copy of the UK Six Metre group's 'Code of Practice' which
give you an idea of the thinking from this side of the pond. As they
Note: "There are geographic variations to these recommendations due
to varying local band plans and licensing regulations. We would
encourage other Societies to adopt this Code of Practice".

If you are looking to join a Society that specialises in 6m, the
UKSMG is definately one to look at
[http://www.uksmg.org/index_cs.php]. I have included the IARU Region
1 50MHz Band Plan so you can see 'where we are' on the band.

Here goes.....

"This is the recommended Operating Code of Practice as issued by the
UKSMG in conjunction with JAROC, HARDXA, JAROC, SixItaly, DRAA,
LABRE-SP and SSA. In due course it is hoped that many other Amateur
Radio Societies will adopt the recommendations over time. The
Operating Code of Practice is aimed at all radio amateurs using 6m
with the hope that its adoption will make the use of the band more
productive and fun for everyone.

Now that the use of the 6m band is at an all-time high, it is very
important that the way each of us use the band does not upset our
many close radio neighbours by spoiling their ability to work DX
stations and have fun them themselves. Please read these
recommendations carefully and try to adopt their use in your every
day operating. The alternative is that your poor operating practices
will bring your callsign into disrepute that will be remembered for
many years we are sure! You automatically represent your country
every time you transmit and if you do not abide by internationally
accepted practices and conventions you are effectively disgracing
yourself and all your fellow country amateurs!

6m AS A DX BAND: 6-metres is a DX band just like any other of the
amateur radio high frequency DX bands and it, along with other 6m
operators, should be treated with respect and tolerance.  

LOCAL BAND PLAN: Always respect your local band plan. In Europe this
is issued by the IARU and is attached as Addendum (1). 

LOCAL QSOs: Do not cause nuisance and disturbance to other dedicated
6-meter local and overseas DX operators with local QSOs within the
50.100MHz to 50.130MHz DX Window. If you do wish to local rag-chew,
it is recommended that you do this above 50.250MHz where interference
will be minimised. Note: Please remember in Europe that French
operators are not allowed below 50.200 so local QSOs held just above
50.200 could affect their ability to work DX. 

LEARN TO LISTEN: True 6-meter DXers spend about 5% of their time
transmitting while 95% of time is spent listening and observing
changing band conditions and propagation modes. Learn to recognize
propagation mode characteristics and when the band is likely to be
showing signs of an opening. This will be far more effective than
just calling CQ DX at random and ad infinitum.

 50.100- 50.130 DX WINDOW: The DX Window is widely accepted concept
and should, in principle, be used for INTER-REGIONAL DX QSOs only,
especially the 50.110 calling frequency as discussed below. The
definition of what constitutes a 'DX' station naturally lies with an
individual operator, especially when a particular station within your
own Region constitutes a new country! The 50.100 - 50.130 DX window
is only to be used for QSOs between stations in different regions,
where the same region is anywhere within a range of single-hop Es
propagation i.e. roughly 2400km or 1500 miles. We would ask you to
think carefully before having any intra-European short distance QSOs
in the DX window. For those of us in Europe, this is especially
important in periods of multiple-hop Es or F2 propagation to avoid
burying inter-regional QSO opportunities under a layer of European
QRM. 

PLEASE BE SENSIBLE and avoid local QSOs in the DX window if at all
possible!

As the DX Window is heavily used, always listen before you call and
always ask if the frequency is being used before you transmit (should
be done on any frequency anyway). Just because YOU can’t hear
anything, it does not mean that the frequency is not occupied or some
rare DX is using it. Remember that operating etiquette calls for you
to ask if the frequency is occupied BEFORE calling CQ.

50.110 INTER-REGIONAL CALLING FREQUENCY The international DX calling
channel is 50.110MHz. This should be used for long range DX contacts
and such contacts should be inter-regional in nature (please note
that a "region" is not necessarily a "Continent" the use of the term
"Region" provides more freedom in particular circumstances to make
QSOs within your own Continent on 50.110. e.g. in the USA:
east-to-west coast QSOs, or in Europe, JW to ZB2 which was
technically prohibited using the old term of Inter-Continental
calling frequency). If a local station returns to your CQ, move
quickly to an unused frequency above 50.130MHz. Do not use the DX
calling channel for testing or for tuning up your radio/antenna.

Do not encourage pile-ups on 110. If you have a successful CQ ensure
that you QSY elsewhere in the band.

50.110 CQING: LISTENING is the first rule of working rare DX on 6m.
So think twice before calling CQ on 110. It would be stupid to say
that you shouldn’t call CQ but please remember that this is a shared
frequency so your reputation will be on line if you insist on calling
CQ unceasingly every minute of the day or throughout an opening -
even if you do say "CQ DX only" or "CQ outside of my region only".
The occasional CQ is good as it can discover an unrecognised opening.

If you are a 6m DXer and have been intensely listening for weak
exotica for hours on 110 and up pops a CQ caller, rather than ask him
rudely to clear off, ask them POLITELY to QSY and TELL THEM WHY OR
WHAT YOU ARE HEARING OR LISTENING FOR, and please GIVE YOUR CALLSIGN.
Of course, this applies equally well to any frequency on 6m. Most
operators are sensible and will do so – probably because they would
like to work the DX themselves! Conversely, if you call CQ or are
occupying 100 and someone asks you politely to QSY and GIVES YOU A
REASON, do so without arguing about the rights of doing so - remember
that that you share this resource with thousands of other operators.

If you really must call CQ on 110, think twice, listen for five
minutes, cross your legs, count to 100, and if the overwhelming
desire is still there go ahead and CALL - but keep it short! At the
end of the day the choice is yours and yours alone. Don't forget to
QSY when successful unless it is inter-regional DX!

QSO TECHNIQUES: Many operators do not take the time to learn how to
DX, develop QSO skills and techniques and jump right in. This is not
to be recommended as typical 6m propagation does not allow wasting of
time during DX QSOs due to the nature of propagation of the band
(borderline HF/VHF). Openings could be very short in time duration
and DX stations wants to work as many callers as they can during an
opening.

Basically, follow the style and take the lead of the DX operator in
providing information. Otherwise keep it simple and to the point as
there are other stations who are also waiting in line for a QSO with
the DX station. Do not waste times in exchanging unnecessary
information such as locator codes, names, QTH, equipment, weather and
so on. Just exchange your call signs and confirm your signal reports
and move on to allow other DXers to have their QSOs. Leave out all
the extra information (such as Maidenhead squares) unless it is
requested. Many opportunities to work a DX station are extremely
short and if your operating practices prevent others from working the
station it will be remembered by those who missed out for a long
time. Next time it may be you who misses out. For more details about
how to be successful in 6m pile-ups read 'Working Pile-ups & CQing on
110'.

FREQUENCY CONFLICTS: With the quickly shifting propagation as
regularly encountered on 6m, it is quite possible that two stations
who have been occupying a frequency for several hours running 
pile-ups without hearing each other,  to suddenly find themselves in
a clash.  In these circumstances, operators should mutually resolve
the situation as quickly as possible to avoid  conflict. It should
always be remembered that no individual operator 'owns a frequency',
even if you have occupied a frequency for several hours.

DX PILE- UP OPERATING: Working and breaking DX pile-ups can be a
frustrating experience on 6m as it is on HF. Manners and good
operating are very important. You should listen to the DX stations
carefully and not continue to call if they request a particular
country or prefix to go back to them if that is not you. You should
always go back with your complete callsign, give it quickly and give
it only once. There is nothing more frustrating and aggravating for
others in a pile-up to you to double with the DX station and miss who
they going back to. Of course, you should NOT call if you cannot hear
the DX station! If a QSO is uncompleted due to QSB or QRM, don’t
continue to try and complete the QSO to an excessive degree, use your
judgment and call back later. It is likely that others are hearing
them OK and can complete a QSO. Take the lead from the DX station and
don’t call back immediately if they are working someone else. The
message is simple, try to avoid calling over the top of the DX
station – it does you no good and just upsets your fellow DXers.

SPLIT FREQUENCY OPERATION: When a DX station creates a large pile-up
of stations all calling him on their own operating frequency (simplex
operating) it creates tremendous QRM problems for those calling and
the DX station. Under these circumstances, it is recommended that the
DX station uses split operating; that is transmitting on one
frequency but listening over a range of frequencies above the
frequency being used by the DX station. This mode of operating will
significantly increase the QSO rate of the DX station. However, split
operating on 6m can cause TREMENDOUS interference with other DX
operators who, through no fault of their own, are running a simplex
pile-up in the same split-frequency section of the band. To minimise
this interference, it is recommend that a maximum split of 10KHz
(definitely NOT 100kHz) is used.

DUPLICATE QSOs: It is always tempting to call a rare DX station every
time you hear it. This should be avoided as it means that you taking
away the opportunity for the DX station to work a new station and
give them their first QSO with the DX country. Use your judgment if
the DX station is known to be rare! Conversely, a quick call can
sometimes be useful if no one else is going back to the DX station to
show that there is propagation.

CW OPERATION: CW is probably the major mode of operation on 6-meters
due to the usually weak nature of many real DX openings. Do not call
a CW DX stations using SSB as they will not be able to hear you and
you will be causing severe interference to other CW DXers trying to
work the station. The contrary is true as well, if you cannot break a
SSB pile-up using SSB then do not call using CW!

FM QSOs: All FM transmissions should be made above 50.500 MHz for the
obvious reason that FM is wide band and could wipe out weak DX
signals. There is no acceptable reason to transmit FM below 50.500
MHz, as there is plenty of spectrum allocated for this purpose.

Notes: This Code of Practice may be amended by UKSMG, JAROC & HARDXA
from time to time to reflect current licensing conditions and
operating practices.

Addendum 1: 
IARU Region 1 50MHz Band Plan

50.000 - 50.100   
 CW only   
 50.020 - 50.080   
  Beacons

 50.090   
  Telegraphy Centre of Activity 

50.100 - 50.500   
 SSB and CW only   
 50.100 - 50.130   
  Intercontinental Telegraphy & SSB (note 1) 

 50.110   
  DX Calling (note 2) 

 50.150   
  SSB Centre of Activity

 50.185   
  Cross-Band Centre of Activity

    50.200  MS Centre of Activity  

 50.250   
  PSK31 Centre of Activity

    50.255  JT44 
    50.260 - 50.280   PSK441 
    50.270  FSK441 Calling Frequency 
50.500 - 52.000   
 20 kHz All modes   
 50.510   
  SSTV (AFSK)

    50.520  Internet voice gateway (10 kHz channels) 
    50.530  Internet voice gateway (10 kHz channels) 
    50.540  Internet voice gateway (10 kHz channels) 

 50.550   
  Fax woking frequency 

 50.600   
  RTTY (FSK) 

    50.620 - 50.750   Digital communications 

 50.710 - 50.910   
  FM repeater outputs (10 kHz channel spacing)

 51.210   
  (note 4 ) 

 51.210 - 51.410   
  FM repeater inputs (10 KHz channel spacing)

 51.430 - 51.590   
  FM (note 3)

 51.530   
  GB2RS new broadcast and slow morse 

    51.910-51.950   Internet voice gateways (10 kHz channels) 

 51.950 - 51.990   
  (note 4) 

Note 1. Only to be used between station in different continents.
Note 2. No QSOs on this frequency. Always QSY when working
intercontinental DX.
Note 3. 20 kHz channel spacing. Channel centre frequencies start at
51.430 MHz.
Note 4. These frequencies may be used by emergency communications
groups.

LICENCE NOTES: Amateur Service 50.0-51.0 MHz
Primary User: 26dBW permitted
Amateur Service 51.0-52.0 MHz
Secondary User: 20dBW permitted - Available on the basis on
non-interference to other services (inside or outside the UK)."

Hope the above is useful. Enjoy the magic band!

Graeme
G6CSY.

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