[SixClub] 6M QRN

[Christopher Boone]

Rich,
Welcome to the world of 6mtrs and low band noise! :) The 40-80 MHz
region is the worst for background static, manmade noise and electrical
noise from lightning, power arcs, etc. The natural background static
tends to peak right around 50-65 MHz...and if you have ever tried to
watch a TV 2 or 3 from a distance over time, you will "see" what I mean
:)

One phenomenon you will see on 6 that rarely happens on other bands
(maybe 10m on occasion) is RAIN STATIC! A heavy COLD rain can cause a
ionization build up on metallic antennas...and even with a good ground
to drain it off with, the rcvr will get slightly "deaf" because of this.

In fact, DB Products and other low band antenna makers actually
recommend and SELL a poly-tape (to wrap the low band elements with) to
reduce or prevent such static problems!! 

I have seen lightning take a FULL quieting signal on lowband commercial
base station and reduce to nothing but noise for a period up to a minute
due to the lightning ionizing the air....and it taking that long to
dissipate....

Six IS truly the MAGIC Band....and it has it's own quirks, etc. all its
own.....you'll see them as you operate the band more and more...

If your radio does NOT have a GOOD noise BLANKER (not limiter!), you
will eventually need it!

Also to see how bad background noise on 6 can get compared to other
bands, check out my article on the Six Club web site...on the FM web
page but it applies to ALL modes: http://www.6mt.com/fm1.doc

Chris
WB5ITT
Six Club #2181 (after 30 years of being on 6, I finally got broke down
and got it!)


> -----Original Message-----
> From: sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Philip 
> M. Roberts
> Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 8:08 AM
> To: World Wide Six Meter Club
> Subject: Re: [SixClub] 6M QRN
> 
> 
> Sounds as if you have a storm nearby. Usually on six , I have 
> found by 
> turning the beam you can detect these storm cells, usually as 
> far away as 
> 100 miles.
> 
> Phil W8UV----- 44 years on 6m and still being surprised by 
> the nature of 6m.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 09:23 AM 5/15/2004, you wrote:
> >This morning I was getting S5-6 QRN on 6M.  Now it's down to 
> S3.  Are others
> >getting this too -- is it typical on 6M, at this time of 
> year or (fill in
> >the blank)?
> >
> >73 - Rich, KE3Q