[50mhz] Newbee Questions?

[Dave Edwards]

Rock....Some have had some luck on FM simplex (52.525) and there are a 
couple of repeaters...but to me...the magic band is magic because...
An otherwise dead band can suddenly open up with 40 db signals...then close 
up tight again in a minute.
On what seems like a dead band, many have worked many countries including 
WAS.
Mysterios propagation like Aurora happens regularly.
Unlike HF, it is apparent what is happening. Sometimes, when everyone seems 
to be coming from one spot a thousand miles away...suddenly you start 
hearing weak signals coming in from twice that distance (double hop).
You can regularly hear pings from meteor scatter.
In short, a lot of cool things happen on 6.
But, to answer one of your questions, this is all on SSB and CW.
I've worked the west coast with a battery operated portable rig and a whip 
antenna (CW) but you really want 100 watts and at least a small yagi beam. 
The 4 element HyGain is a winner (64BS).
Glad to help out with any other questions you may have.
....Dave
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <N1UDI at att.net>
To: <50mhz at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:23 AM
Subject: [50mhz] Newbee Questions?


> 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
> Moderator: Ray Brown, KB0STN
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