[Elecraft] Advice on 6 meters...

[Rick WA6NHC]

I live in an HOA infested area, my mistake.

Six meters is a LOT of fun now that the concerns over channel two 
interference are gone.  When it is open, it's 'magic' to the point that 
almost anything works well.

I intend to put up a 'TV' beam antenna (not allowed by the HOA but 
others are around so that practice is ignored).  At least to the 
uninformed, it 'looks' like a TV antenna in size and shape.  I will take 
advantage of the common ignorance that HDTV is UHF, not VHF (need a 
smaller antenna now).  It will 'just happen' to resonate REALLY well on 
six meters.  ;o)  It's not my fault the HOA is ignorant and I don't 
intend to inform them of this matter. ;-)  The only real trick is that I 
don't own the roof or the outer 'skin' but since I'll be getting a new 
roof, I figure a case of beer or a bottle of Scotch to the actual roofer 
will be helpful in making connections to the roof.  I'll have them 
install a weatherhead for feedline, then have THEM attach the anchor to 
the roof and supporting mast (it will already be >40' above dirt, can't 
be taller because of a nearby airport).  Then I'll um, simply take 
advantage of what they left behind (and do the install when folks are at 
school/work).  I may even try it on a TV.  ;o)

In the meantime, I made a J pole tuned for the upper end of the band 
(back deck, completely HOA legal).  I can work the club repeater and 
others, while listening for band openings (KRX3).  It isn't ideal (too 
many of my computers, too close to the house), but I'm still building 
the station up while keeping most of it stealth.  Six meters has better 
coverage in hilly country than two meters, so wide area coverage is 
pretty easy here (Sierra foothills).  [The club repeaters are 6M-900Mhz 
with interties possible so we saturate our target area.]

So yes, a beam would be an excellent idea.  The cost for building a J 
pole varies with the cost of copper (don't use thin wall and don't use 
half inch on the lower halves, it flops too much, ask me how I know).

73,
Rick wa6nhc

On 2/26/2014 10:08 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> I have seen some comments recently about six meters and I have never operated six meters.  I don't really have a descent antenna for six meters, just my 80-meter (ladder line fed) dipole or my hex beam that I can at least tune to six meters.
>
> The band is always dead quiet with the small exception of some noise spikes here and there but very rare.
>
> Question:  is there any activity for six meters that I should invest in a nice multi-element 6 meter bean antenna?
>
> My most dominant operating mode would be CW but maybe some SSB from time to time.  I have no idea what's there as this band has always been blank to me.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
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