[ICOM] Activity on 6M

Thu Aug 5 13:20:56 EDT 2004

Up front - an apology for a non-Icom equipment post; the subject needed
addressing/redirecting.  I also apologize to those who consider this "old info",
but there seem to be quite a few new to six m recently that (while experienced
ops) are not familiar with the "magic" band.  If you have comments or questions,
pse direct directly to me and clear it off this reflector; I will not reply
here.  Tnx.
************************************************************************

If you never hear any activity on six meters, you: a) are not listening much or
b) don't have an antenna.  Now, I am referring to SSB/CW - not FM (I prefer the
weak signal/DX modes).

Yes, there are times when 6 will be dead as a doornail with only "local" beacons
(I consider these to be in the ~300 mile range) to use as "sanity checks".  Six
is a band that rewards the watchful as it will not follow the prop rules of HF.
F2 prop will be at the peaks of the sunspot cycle; aurora prop is dependent on
'ol sol's temperament, tropo is not the best on six, but the summer Es is the
"bread and butter" mode for 6m ops.  One mantra for six m is location, location,
location - though luck does indeed enter into the formula.  As on any band, the
prop gods rule and on 6m; 20 miles can make a world of difference.

As far as activity, yesterday, there was a massive Es opening (starting mid
afternoon) with S9++ signals from 4 land; many signals from the Carib. with FM,
FG, 9Y, KP4, KP2, PJ2, V44/beacon, and some had Qs into YV (VP9 was also on).
Unfortunately it was 24 hours too late for YV0D though there were a lucky few
who did have prop.  The band then shifted with S9+40 signals out of VE1 and the
midwest at the same time.  A little later, three XE's were in as well as a
pipeline to southern 7's and a few 6's.  At midnight (local) the midwest was
still popping thru.  During this opening, several heard 45 MHz ZL video too.
Admittedly, however, the Es season this summer hasn't been the best overall with
huge gaps of (essentially) silence.

Late last month there was a massive 5-day Aurora session with some here in the
east working KL7 & VE7 on Auroral E.

For beacons, look at:  http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm

Much activity also is reported on various chat pages dedicated to 6m operating;
see:
    http://dxworld.com/50prop.html
    http://chat.dxers.info/dx/?b=6m    (asks for sign-up to eliminate spammers
but not a big deal)
    http://www.on4kst.info/chat/login.php  (also asks for registration - not an
issue)
    http://www.smirk.org/
    http://www.uksmg.org/
The ARRL also has good info available on their site.

There is a wealth of information on the Internet; the above is but a few.

Operating six means also that the accepted protocol for the band be observed.
Here in North and South America (things can be a bit different in other
regions), the 50.0 to 50.08 is essentially dedicated to beacons (though a few Qs
do occur there); 50.08 to 50.1 is a commonly used CW segment; 50.1 to 50.125 is
considered the "DX window" and is considered bad taste to have continental 48 &
lower tier VE QSOs there.  Is it illegal?  Well, no, but non-DX operation there
borders on intentional interference, so...  Both CW and SSB are used in that
window.  50.110 is considered the DX calling freq and 50.125 is considered the
"national" one but it is preferable not to "set up camp" on either frequency -
move off!  One can expect that folks will be quite "protective" of the DX
window; sometimes Qs are made in this range that are barely above the noise
floor and QRM is **not** appreciated!  CW is used above 50.125, but is less
frequently found.  BS'ing is common, though during openings, most move up band a
ways as a matter of consideration.

Most ops on six will fight tooth and nail for DX yet are most supportive of
others getting a "new one".  Thankfully, some of the vitriol seen on HF is
seldom seen on six.  You will still find AM on six; typically around 50.4 and
the digital modes are also starting to make inroads in the band (JT6M, for
example).  FM is used too but I am not the one to ask about that.  As far as
equipment, there is a lot of good gear around but antennas make the real
difference - yes, a vertical will work for SSB/CW but you are cheating and
kidding yourself - 3-4 el at 25' is (typically) a bare minimum - and *no* RG58!
BTW, not all Yagis are created equal, but I will not address that here.  Oh,
yes, there are those times when a wet noodle will work, but don't count on it!!

I again apologize for the off-topic (non-Icom equipment) "epistle" which would
have been more appropriate for another reflector, but the subject needed
addressing.  There are multiple reflectors available which are 6m/VHF oriented -
take a look.  Again, as said in the beginning, 6m rewards the faithful/watchful.

73,

Tom - WA2BPE - FN12
"46 years on six m. 8/04 and proud of it!"

"Michael P. Olbrisch" wrote:

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> > [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Tom Norris
> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 10:51 AM
> > To: ICOM Reflector
> > Subject: Re: [ICOM] Activity on 6M
> >
> >
> >
> > As far as repeater activity on 6, I've yet to run across
> > any in my area - the southeast - regardless of the theoretical
> > listings in the repeater guide. Michigan may differ.
> >
> > Tom NU4G
>
> That is interesting.  My last tour in Huntsville, AL (Redstone Arsenal)
> there was quite a bit of activity on 6m.  There was an AM net, and FM net,
> and a group of guys on SSB, including one on Lookout Mountain.  The best DX
> we got under "normal" conditions was about 300 miles.  This is what caused
> me to buy an ICOM IC-551D with FM, which I still own today.
>
> This is also when I learned why you do not build a 4 ele yagi for 6m from CB
> antenna parts, but make the boom out of a wooden 2x4.  After the first rain,
> the antenna went from horizontal polarization to circular polarization.
>
> Even when it dried, it never quite did get back into alignment.  A bit later
> my XYL got me a 4 ele cushcraft, which I also still have today.
>
> 6m used to be active in the SE.  And is still active in the El Paso, TX-Las
> Cruces, NM area.
>
> Mike.  KD9KC
> El Paso, TX.
>
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