[SMCARA] The "Magic Band", aka 6 Meters

[Tom Clarke]

Well, after reading of Boz's success on six meter FT-8 recently, I knew
that I had to get something up in the air for six.

I rummaged around in the storage unit and found my PAR Omni-Angle six meter
loop.  I put it up in the backyard on my Buddiepole tripod mount at about 8
feet off the ground, under a tree, next to the air conditioning compressor.
Sounds like a "compromise" antenna to me. It's right at home with my HF end
fed 51 foot antenna at 12 feet!

I fired up on Sunday afternoon and  found that I had a pipeline to NH, VT
and MA, as well as TX, OK, and the Dominican Republic.  Later the band
shifted around and I got a bunch of WI, MN, IL and IN contacts. Today my
best DX was Goose Creek SC, about 65 miles up the pike from Chucktown! Six
is like that!

I am happy with the results of my "compromise" antennas that permit me to
do some Hamming, even though I am downtown and surrounded by every RFI
generator known to man! A lot of folks don't like FT-8, but it lets me get
on the air! I rarely run more than 50 watts, but that seems sufficient
without resorting to an "afterburner" (aka linear amp).

So, get yourself a six meter antenna, put it up as high as you can get away
with, and have a blast on the"Magic" band!

73 Tom W4OKW FM-02

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