[SixClub] 6 meters and FM

[Christopher Boone]

6 FM was open yesterday......I worked into SC while mobile in Houston!!
Both 52.525 simplex and several rptrs (NON Houston) were active!BUT the
SSB portion was hopping more...I have been on 6 FM since 1974 and 6
AM/SSB since 1976.....SSB does open sooner because of the weak signal
advantage....but FM can be fun when it does open.....I WISH someone made
a decent all mode 6mtr AND 10mtr mobile....I have a Midland SynTech II
mobile (110watt, 320 channel programmable) FM only in the
Blazer....there are sooo many times I wish it was all mode as well...I
ran a RS HTX10 on 10mtr for a while...had more fun on the SSB portion
than FM.

Mobile antenna- I recommend the Larsen NMO-150 (uncut it covers the 6mtr
band with below 2:1 SWR from 50-54....excellent radiation!) 
Base station- take your pick.....there are plenty of vertical out
there...the Cushcraft Ringo is simple and works...so does a 1/4wave CB
base station antenna cut down to resonate on 6 (cut it from 108/102 down
to 54 or so inches...) There are some gain antennas (the HyGain VR6 or
Cushcraft Ranger) but they are merely 5/8wave antennas...maybe 3db gain
over your basic 1/4wave GP....donot believe the gain factors of Comet
and Diamond...their's are dBi (Isotropic) and are always 2.15 or so
higher than what everyone else (who basis against a standard dipole or
GP) will be.....subtract 2.15 when it says dBi and you get the REAL gain
(dBd)!!!

Chris
WB5ITT
EL29
(Plain text-The recommended choice of remailers)

-----Original Message-----
From: sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:sixclub-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of KG4ZDM at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 8:05 AM
To: sixclub at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [SixClub] 6 meters and FM


Guys,

How much real DX opportunity exists on FM?  I've become interested in
the Yaesu FT8900 quad band mobile - would it be useful for anything on 6
other than local repeaters?  Does anyone have any experience with the
8900?  Either as a mobile or a base?  What about antenna options?

Thanks!

Trent
KG4ZDM
6mtr #2037