[Elecraft] OT - 6 meter DX activity in sunspot low

[Rich - K1HTV]

Gary, 

The solar sunspot cycle, primarily effects F2 and TEP propagation on 6 Meters. A low sunspot number should have no effect on the E-skip (Es) propagation that occurs primarily during the summer months and secondarily during a minor Es peak during winter. I wouldn't worry too much about a 3 element add on 6M yagi mounted on your ranch. If you can get it up around 30 feet you should do very well during the upcoming Es seasons, especially if you live up in New England. After retiring from VOA and moving from our MD QTH to VA, for 3 years I ran a barefoot K3 to a porch mounted yagi. The yagi was 20 ft above the ground. During the years between 2009 and 2012 I worked 65 countries on 6 Meters. Those were very good Es years for summer 50 MHz DXing. Since then the summer Es propagation, while producing plenty of 6M DX, has been poorer for my area than the period I mentioned. 




The one thing you can expect as we approach the solar minimum is that each summer there will be plenty of Es openings and DX, at least for the northeastern U.S. where you live. The folks in the Mid-West and left coast won't get anywhere near the amount of DX, but they will have their good days when the MAGIC BAND does its magic. The thing you need to remember about DXing on 6 Meters is that you must be constantly aware of what is happening on the band or you will miss the DX openings. Remember, you snooze, you loose. You can keep in tune as to what is happening on 6 Meters by going to DXMAPS.COM and the ON4KST 50 MHz Region 2 chat page. The later requires that you register (free) before you can use it. 




Remember, that there is much more than Es SSB and QSos on the band. Many folks are using the digital modes (JT65A, FSK441, etc.) to make QSOs even when there is no Es propagation. Have fun on the Magic Band. 




73, 
Rich - K1HTV 
www.qrz.com/db/K1HTV 




= = = 


Sent from my iPhone 

> On Aug 22, 2016, at 9:32 AM, Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com> wrote: 
> 
> I've made exactly five 6M contacts in the last 36 years, all of them 
> a couple months ago during Field Day with my K3s. It piqued my 
> interest as I have DXCC from 160 through 10 & this would offer a new 
> challenge. 
> 
> I discovered DXEngineering has a 3 element, 6M add on that attaches 
> to a tribander and gives decent gain. Considering my tribander is 
> roof mounted on a ranch, I won't have a great antenna for 6 no matter 
> how I slice it. Still, if there is something worthwhile I can do with 
> 6M, I should. 
> 
> So my question is for those who have operated 6M for years and know 
> how the band works during the lows of the sunspot cycle; is it like 
> 17 & up where any DX openings are unobtanium, or does 6M behave 
> differently at sunspot lows and DX openings are common? 
> 
> Thanks & 73, 
> 
> Gary 
> KA1J 
> _____