[SixClub] FM On Six

Thu Jun 3 11:35:10 EDT 2010

Thanks for the tips!  Definitely new to understanding the propagation 
effects on 6 meters.  Familiar with other bands, just not 6 meters.

Since I primarily work only mobile (no "base" setup as of yet) it will be 
nice to know when to walk out to the car to try :)

Thanks again,

Ryan KC8PMX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Les Rayburn" <les at highnoonfilm.com>
To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 11:29 AM
Subject: [SixClub] FM On Six

> Welcome to the Magic Band! I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun--and be 
> hooked
> by the end of Summer.
>
> Sporadic E propagation is just really starting to cook now, with the 
> average
> annual "peak" about two weeks away, and lasting well into 
> August/September.
> Tropo is also more common in June. Check around Sunrise/Sunset. I often 
> hear
> guys ragchewing on 52.525 in the mornings, in my area. Even a little tropo
> enhancement can extend your "normal" range by 100 miles or more.
>
> Since you're currently limited to FM, let me offer some tips on operating
> that mode.
>
> 1.) Monitor 52.525 Simplex all the time during the Summer. When Sporadic E
> is first starting, signals will be weak, so it's best to "open" your 
> squelch
> when trying to do weak signal work on this mode. Otherwise, you may miss a
> few calls.
>
> Best times (though there are no rules) for Sporadic E are in the morning
> between 10-Noon local, and again in the afternoon from 3-6PM. That being
> said, I've seen Sporadic E at all times of the day & night.
>
> 2.) Be sure to operate in the ARRL VHF Contest coming in 10 days. June 
> 12th
> & 13th. There is usually quite a bit of FM activity during the contest, 
> and
> sometimes a "special event" station too. Last year's contest saw a special
> event station on FM--something to do with trains, as I recall. Anyway, 
> they
> worked a bunch of guys on FM.
>
> 3.) FM attracts more casual operators. Often when the band opens, and I
> check 52.525, I hear guys rag-chewing, and they may not be aware that the
> band is even open. They also may not have a clue what a "grid square" is.
> Just look them up later on QRZ.com to find out which grid they're in, 
> unless
> they're mobile.
>
> 4.) Don't forget the "capture effect" on FM. That means your receiver can
> only receive the strongest signal. This take a lot of getting used to.
> You'll be in QSO with one station, only to suddenly find another station
> booming in. Make QSO's quick and be sure to get the vital information 
> first.
> Callsign, and grid square. Then signal report.
>
> 5.) Unfortunately, I've never made an FM contact anywhere on the band 
> except
> for 52.525. There are lots of other simplex channels available, but unlike
> on SSB, operators just don't seem to move off the calling frequency. Best
> strategy is to "work them while you can" and keep QSO's short.
>
> 6.) CQ July contest also sees a lot of FM activity.
>
> 7.) As soon as you can afford it, get on SSB. FM is a great mode (even for
> DXing) but SSB offers a huge advantage for weak signal work.
>
> Hope this helps--and we'll see you on Six!
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> EM63
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Donald Dubuque W4DJD" <ke4iap at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 10:12 AM
> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [SixClub] Six is open in Oklahoma
>
>> 2.  Does anyone even bother with the FM calling frequency or nearby
>> frequencies?  I know it isn't the sexy SSB section, but right now thats
>> all
>> I have to work with.  (i.e. 52.525mhz  +/-)
>>
>> FM your to narrow in freq and your distance is reduced greatly.
>>
>>
>> Don Dubuque-W4DJD
>> Admin for the following sites
>> Six Club/Hamwave/10m/6m Club/Hamradiotube/W4DJD/Stavingeeks
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 2, 2010 at 10:11, Ryan Lughermo <kc8pmx at charter.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Some questions about 6 meter operating.
>>>
>>> 1.  Typically when is the band open more frequently, morning, evenings 
>>> or
>>> ???
>>>
>>> 2.  Does anyone even bother with the FM calling frequency or nearby
>>> frequencies?  I know it isn't the sexy SSB section, but right now thats
>>> all
>>> I have to work with.  (i.e. 52.525mhz  +/-)
>>>
>>> 3. Other issues I should look for such as weather conditions that help 6
>>> meter propagation?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Ryan KC8PMX
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "mikea" <mikea at mikea.ath.cx>
>>> To: "World Wide Six Meter Club" <sixclub at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 8:30 PM
>>> Subject: [SixClub] Six is open in Oklahoma
>>>
>>>
>>> > Right Now (0030Z, 1930 CDT)
>>> >
>>> > QSOs to New Mexico, San Diego, Minnesota. Hearing 3-land, 2-land,
>>> > 1-land, 6-land, 7-land.
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Mike Andrews, W5EGO
>>> > mikea at mikea.ath.cx
>>> > Tired old sysadmin
>>> > ______________________________________________________________
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>>>
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