[50mhz] 6m EME - DXing is Alive and Well on the Magic Band!

[Lance Collister]

Happy New Year!!!


****************** MAKE EVERY DB COUNT! ***************************************

EME continues to be a very productive way of working DX on 6m, due in large part 
to the fact that the Kp index generally remains quite low.  During the best days 
of the month (with lowest “Degradation” from high sky noise and greater distances 
to the moon), EME contacts between single yagi stations and even with low power 
single yagi stations are common.

The secret to success on 6m EME is to make every dB count!  Any improvements will 
be most noticed on EME, where there is often only a dB or two between detection 
and a contact.  However, any of these improvements will also pay off on Es or F2 
propagation too.  There are several things to keep in mind:

1. Use the very sensitive weak signal digital mode of JT65A.  This mode is 10 to 
15 dB more sensitive than CW!  Can you imagine trying to increase your antenna 
size TEN TIMES?  This is the first place for anyone to make toward making weak 
signal contacts.  Taking advantage of the capabilities of this great weak signal 
tool is easy once you have the program properly set up.  For a simple checklist of 
tips to set up the program, please download the .txt file at:

		http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/JT65.txt

2. Maximize ground gain.  Many 6m operators don't think about “ground gain”, and 
just choose their antenna based on convenience or advertised gain claims.  Just as 
important is what you do with it once you build or buy it!  An antenna aimed at 
the horizon and  mounted on its own mast over flat ground, with smooth terrain in 
front of it (free from “ground clutter” of buildings, rooftops, cars, valleys, 
hills, etc.)  is free to receive additional signal reflections from the ground. 
Good ground gain can make a single yagi perform like a four yagi array!  That 
additional 6 dB is HUGE on EME!  If you MUST put your 6m beam above a tri-band HF 
beam, try mouting it at right angles, so the HF elements are not shielding the 6m 
beam from valuable ground reflections.

3. Optimize the station.  This includes reducing feedline losses, making sure your 
receiver is most sensitive, locating and replacing lossy connectors and relays, 
and getting the last dB possible from your transmitter.  Many transceivers or 
older 6m receivers lack sensitivity, in favor of increasing overload or dynamic 
range capability.  It is very rare that the performance of a 6m receiver can't be 
improved by one or more dB by adding a good modern low noise external 
preamplifier.  On transmit, even a small amplifier can make a HUGE difference on 
EME – especially when you are have low gain to start with! Remember - the 
difference between 100w and 400w is 6 dB!  That is like turning your antenna into 
a four yagi array on transmit!  That will greatly increase your ability to be 
copied when signals are just barely at the threshold of detection.  And replacing 
old degraded coax with modern new low loss coax or hardline will help you on both 
receive and transmit.  A good goal is to try to reduce your feedline loss to less 
than 1.0 dB on 6m.

4. Increase antenna gain.  Increasing the free space gain of the antenna is also 
something that will help you on both receive and transmit.  Especially in single 
yagis, it is very easy to add several dB just by changing to a larger yagi. 
Review the table here to see where you could gain a couple dB (or more!):
		
	http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/6mTable.htm

5. Operate at good times.  Over the course of a month, the Degradation can change 
over 12 dB just due to the way the moon moves across the sky!  Wisely focus your 
activities on the best days of each month, and you will be amply rewarded with 
higher success rates!  You can predict which days are best by consulting the free 
GJTRACKER computer program:

	http://bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/GJTRACKER.zip


********************* RECENT SUMMARY *******************************************

The past few months have provided some very exciting DXing on 6m!  At my station, 
during the last half of October, I worked JT6EXN, G4BWP, JG2BRI, and G5WQ and 
copied OH6MIK and OZ3ZW.  During November I completed with K2ZD,  JR6EXN, W3RGA, 
MM0AMW, XE2AT, GD0TEP, PA0JS, K9MU, EA8/G8BCG, ZL3NW,  ZL1RS,  and copied  OA4TT, 
and  YV4DYJ. The contact with XE2AT was especially exciting because that was the 
first ever 6m EME from Mexico, and my EME DXCC #98.

In December, I had the pleasure of working K7XQ,  ZS6WAB,  ZS6NK,  K6MYC, K6EMI, 
OK1RD, N8JX, K9MU, K4YMQ, K4RX, ET3BN, ON4IQ, OA4TT, VK4ABW, N9CJK.  Many of those 
contacts were during the second weekend of the annual ARRL EME Contest, which 
always seems to boost activity even if many stations do not qualify to submit logs 
according to the ARRL rules.  Especially exciting during that contest weekend was 
my contact with ET3BN, which was my EME DXCC #99, and a USA “First” on 6m.

The first weekend in January saw optimum EME conditions again, and I worked E51WL, 
GM4WJA, K7XQ and ZL3NW.  Of particular interest was the contact with E51WL in the 
North Cook Islands, which was my EME DXCC #100, and took my 6m DXCC total up to 150.


*************************** UPDATE ****************************************

A few months ago, I thought for sure there must be some end in sight to new DXCC I 
was working during the bottom of the sunspot cycle.  But now it looks like it 
appears to be starting out to be another great year with a new DXCC coming on 6m 
every month!   We are looking forward to A9/EI3IO getting set up in the coming 
weeks with his 6M7JHV and proven station.

During the good period at the end of February, watch for KH9/WA2YUN to come on the 
air with a K3 with external preamp for 0.5db noise figure, new LMR400 feedline 
with 1.2db loss and an optimized 5 element yagi with 10 dBD gain and a clear view 
of ocean in all directions!  During the last week of March, HB9QQ is going to be 
active as with 500w and a 7 element looking out over the ocean! At the beginning 
of April, we are looking forward to the C91GN (license finally in hand now) 
Dxpedition by ZS5Y with 600w and a 6M8GJ yagi!

As if those exciting new stations were not enough, VP8DMH in FC52wk is expected on 
the air next spring with an ACOM 1000 and a 6M8GJ yagi to provide the first 
activation of Antarctica on 6m EME!

There are additional DXpeditions planned for later months this year, including 
possible operations from 3V8, 3B8, and A6.  There also is some noise about 
possible new DXCC popping up in the South Pacific ;-)  As details become 
available, more information will be made available here and on the great “Make 
More Miles on VHF” website.


************************MAGIC BAND EME EMAIL LIST *******************************

The number of stations interested in and operating 6m EME has grown to be too 
large to keep track of, and the best way for new people to learn what is going on 
and receive shared information is for them to subscribe to the Magic Band EME 
Email reflector.  If you know of anyone who is interested in joining, please have 
them contact me with a request and a summary of their 6m station.  Thanks!

Happy Magic Band Dxing!!!

VY 73, Lance
-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834  USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728   URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME?  Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME email!