[SixClub] Apparently Six meters does exist in idaho.

[Zeb Palmer - KD7EVS]

I'm not on six a lot. I love six meters, I have since I got my ticket. As
you all know, there truly is something magical about this band. Mostly I'm
on six when traveling, always ssb. My Mobile setup isn't impressive. I drive
a ford ranger, I've got several antennas/radios but for six run a Yaesu 857
running an ATAS 120 on a homebrew mount (read: mostly held together with
tape) at my rear stake pocket next to the bedrail. Add to that the base of
my mount is grounded to the bed with several screws and my antenna connector
is grounded via AGW6 wire to part of the frame. Well this weekend that AGW6
was broken by cargo I had in the back. 


I was traveling from Salmon, Idaho DN35 to Boise, Idaho DN13 with my wife.
Once out of cell range and 2m range I tune in around 50.125. no the squelch
is never on, I listen to every crack and pop of the static which of course
drives my wife (KD7VKY) nuts. I crossed several high passes where it
wouldn't surprise me to hear stuff on 2m or 6m.  as I was between Grandjean
and Loman, on a winding river road in a tight canyon. Ranges of mountains up
to 10-11,000 feet on all sides. A coyote crossed in front of me and having
freshly washed my truck didn't want to get blood on the grill so I stopped.
As I started to go again, I heard Donald duck calling. After a bit of tuning
I just heard Whiskey Seven X-ray Alpha calling. I was surprised to hear him
but figured he was calling someone specific. Actually it kinda scared me I
get so used to the static. I also passed him off as one the locals out here
in this very un-populated area (most of Idaho is un-populated). But again I
heard him call. This time it the atmosphere had it back up to 50.125.00 on
the nose. CQ CQ w7xa calling.     I gave my call once normal and again
phonetically. He was called me back. Kd7evs this is w7xa in San Jose, CM97,
name's Alan and your 55. each turn of the river brought him from 54 to 59
and back. He then mentioned I was fading in and out too, but a fairly
impressive signal for 6m mobile. If he could have seen the terrain I was in
he would have been impressed with any signal. But of course he asked me my
grid square. :(    which I had no idea. I new I was between DN35 and DN13
but also knew I was within miles of one of the lines. I apologized and gave
him, Lowman Idaho. (now I know as DN24).   Anyways, six isn't a very popular
band around here and I listen to a lot of static.   I also CQ till I'm blue
in the face, occasionally DX static responds but usually local ;)   

There were a couple other stations that called me on the tail end of this
contact. I did talk with another station she was 59, her audio was great
blowing me away from the speaker but not local. My wife (my logbook) wrote
down KB6NAS but that's Frank in Washington not the gal I talked to. But as
quickly as this opening started for me it quit. Twenty minutes later up at
50.135 I heard what sounded like a pileup for a dx but couldn't pick
anything out of the mess. With full DSP on I could hear a few of the calls
and grids were on the west coast. 


I write this mostly as a way to relieve my excitement, but also to remind
everyone that 6m is the magic band, if you are into 6m the only way you'll
ever hear anything is to listen. And if you don't hear anything throw out
your call a few times.  Openings can appear and disappear in less than five
minutes. If both ends are listening, no one will ever hear anything! 

Anyways. Back to the static. Seven Three.

Zeb Palmer
KD7EVS
Communications Director
Voice of Idaho Amateur Radio Club
www.voiceofidaho.org