[AK-VHF] Launching New Net for 6m SSB

[Ed Cole]

After a lot of discussion between Brandon-KL7BSC (VP of the AK VHF-Up 
Group) and KL7UW (me).  We decided to try adding a new net to focus on 
6m activity.

Although much 6m activity in the lower-48 has migrated from SSB to FT8, 
we felt SSB was better suited to net activity (round-table style that 
has been enjoyed on 2m Saturday mornings).

But tail-ending a net at 10:30am on Saturday probably makes for too long 
an activity (most nets are one hour, at most).

So we propose to start a 6m net at 8:00pm on Sundays o 50.125 USB.  This 
is late enough for folks who have lots of other weekend activities. 
Also does not conflict with those who participate on the Snipers Net, 
Bush Net or Motely Group.

Also, I have had good reports on my 6m-SSB signal in the Anchorage area. 
  I run two 7-element yagis (horizontal polarity) with 80w*.  KL7UW will 
be Net Control (located on the Kenai Peninsula in Nikiski - 12 miles 
north of Kenai; grid square BP40IQ).  *I have a 1200w HF/6m amp under 
construction so eventually can run higher power for the net.

Six Meters is under-utilized by Alaska hams so we hope having a weekly 
net will help provide a time for some activity in the 
Anchorage-Valley-Peninsula region.  We may try out some digital modes 
later on but SSB seems to be universally accepted.

Most HF radios have 6m, and will do 100w, so all that is needed is a 6m 
antenna.  All lower-48 activity on 6m-SSB or digital modes use 
horizontal polarized antennas so one should consider that for what you 
put up.  I would suggest a 3-element yagi, at minimum (what I started 
out with) but a dipole or moxon will probably work.  For better signals 
a 4 or 5 element yagi is popular (one can do meteor scatter over 1200 
miles running 100w with that size antenna).  Also there is seasonal 
sporadic-E propagation into the lower-48 on 6m.

So, hope to see folks join us on 50.125 at 8pm on Sunday.

73, Ed - Kl7UW
Pres. AK VHF-Up Group
https://kl7vhf.org/