[50mhz] Newbee Questions?

[N1UDI at att.net]

de N1UDI

I'm new to this group and I have a few questions reg. 6 meters or as it's been said the magic band. I've been  reading the post that are showing up and need to know what mode of emissions are hams using? FM, SSB? What are the calling frequencys are there repeaters,ect.  Does one need to run a high power level? 100 watts or more or less? I only have a two military radios that are set for FM an RT-68 and RT-70 although I under stand the RT-70 may not be up to specs for 6 meter ham operation. The RT-68 may not have a good power level 15 watts?  I have not powered them  up yet but would like to do so and see if I could hear any of this bands activy.

Speaking of listing to this ban. I would like to build a 1/4 ground plane for receiving, how will this ground plan measure up as a transmitting antenna also vs yagi?  What about hight of the anntena and location? I'm 3 miles from Long Island sound. Would that give me a better shoot at  having QSL's across the pond to Europe?  I can't buy any thing till I go back to work, so I must use preexisting materials aka junk box parts, plus building things is big fun!  

Regards' Rock