[Elecraft] Advice on 6 meters...

[John Marvin]

Rick,

Be careful who you call ignorant. HDTV is NOT UHF only. After the 
digital transition most stations went to UHF. However, there are still a 
lot  digital stations in the high VHF range (channels 7-13). I can 
receive 4 high VHF stations in my area (Fort Collins, north of Denver 
CO).  There are also still a handful of digital TV (full power) stations 
in the US in the low VHF range (channels 2-6). On Channel 2 there are 8 
left in the US (nearest to me is KREX-TV in Grand Junction, CO) and 2 in 
Canada.

There are also more low power TV (LPTV) stations on Channel 2 (on the 
order of 50 in the US). Since LPTV stations haven't been required to 
transition to digital yet there is a mix of analog and digital LPTV 
stations.

So, if anyone asks, tell them you are trying to get DX reception of 
KSNV-DT in Las Vegas (nearest full power RF channel 2 to you) or KFTY-LD 
in Santa Rosa, CA (nearest low power digital TV station to you).

John
AC0ZG


On 2/26/2014 1:43 PM, Rick WA6NHC wrote:
> 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