Six Meter BAND CHAT
Some Common
Questions and Answers:
What is the six-meter band you ask? The six-meter band is a portion of the radio
spectrum around 50 MHz allocated to Amateur Radio. If you like a challenge, this
band is it! If you want reliable, easy, worldwide Amateur Radio communication,
stick to 20 or 40 meters. However, if you enjoy a challenging band that changes
from moment to moment, six meters is just for you! Obviously you have an
interest if you've bothered to start reading, so read on to the end and see what
you think and how you feel, as I've prepared this to help both new and old
operators alike get started. This is by no means the definitive article on
six-meter operation, but it should give you and idea of what the band has to
offer and help you to get started.
What's the big attraction? It is fascinating because just about all types of
propagation pop up on six meters at one time or another: Sporadic E (Es),
Tropospheric Ducting, Aurora, Meteors, even F2 skip like an HF band! They're all
here for you to enjoy! Six meters is addicting: A few hams work the band
regularly, but many never work it at all. Once you get addicted, you tend to be
hooked for life. The band has become more popular in recent years thanks to
several new six-meter capable radios. There are two types of six-meter
operators; the ones who use FM or packet for local work, and ones who work DX
with SSB and CW. (Some operators do both, like yours truly!)
Okay, now that you've peaked my interest, what are the frequencies? Well, in the
U.S. and some other countries, the six-meter Amateur Radio band lies between 50
and 54 MHz, just below TV channel 2 in the U.S. In some other countries, six
meters is allocated much less bandwidth. New Zealand's band starts at 51.0 MHz.
Check your allocations for your particular country. Outside of the U.S., the
allocations have changed in recent years, as the band is becoming much more
popular.
Where can I run FM? Usually above 52 MHz. The level of activity varies with the
area. Its popularity is on the rise thanks to several new all-mode six-meter
rigs on the market. The main FM simplex frequency is 52.525 MHz. Your
local range is better on six meters than on two meters with the same power and a
similar antenna. If two meters is too crowded in your area, the FM
portion of six meters may be just the solution you need! Most six meters
enthusiasts, however, use only SSB or sometimes CW. Many times you will find,
especially during weak openings, that many operators use CW cross-mode to SSB to
make the contact. CW has a way of punching through when nothing else will. Don't
worry however, if you don't know Morse Code, you will still make a ton of
contacts, as most of them do seem to be made using SSB. For really rare DX
though, don't forget to tune down the band and look for stations using CW
exclusively! So knowledge and proficiency in Morse Code does help! There's
plenty of time for you to work on mastering that though, and a ton of DX and
other contacts to be had just on voice.
What about AM? AM is becoming popular again, with the
calling frequency at 50.400 MHz. If there's no local AM work in your area you
might check for it during a good band opening.
Is there packet on six meters? It depends on the area. Local packet work can be
found in the higher frequency portions of the band. There has been very little
DX packet work.
So what about the other digital modes? There has been an increase in activity,
especially with PSK31 on six meters. If you have that capability or any of the
other digital modes, you might start looking around and listen for it. On six
meters anything can happen, at any moment!
How about repeaters? There are a several six-meter repeaters listed in the ARRL
Repeater Directory, but some of them are not operational. This will depend on
your area. The offset in the U.S. is usually one MHz. (e.g. 53.330 out, 52.330
in) I would listen to the FM portion of six meters to check for activity in your
area. One that I use is on 52.560 out, 52.060 in, so not all of them have an
offset of one MHz! (Don't forget PL Tones too, just like on two meters or any
other band when using repeaters it's always handy to know the PL Tone!)
How do I know if there's a DX opening? The best way is to check for an opening
is to listen, listen, and listen some more! Many beacons operate around the
world between 50.0 and 50.1 MHz; check the ARRL Repeater Directory. Monitor
50.110, 50.125, and 50.200 for SSB openings. You can also
monitor 28.885 MHz, the "10 Meter VHF Liaison Frequency", where fellow
Amateurs report VHF openings and schedule contacts. Don't worry if you
only hold a Technician class license, you don't have to transmit on ten meters,
just listen. I try to leave my radio parked on 50.110 or 50.125 at all times. DX
Clusters, both on the Internet and on packet are also excellent resources when
it comes to finding band openings. However, nothing beats listening!
Okay, so what are the most popular frequencies? Per the FCC, 50.0 to 50.1 is
reserved for CW work in the U.S. Most operation is SSB.
50.110 is the most popular SSB DX frequency, and 50.100 to 50.124 should be used
only for DX. Some Amateurs tend to discourage U.S. domestic stations from
calling CQ in this "DX window". But if no one is calling CQ, how will
you ever make a contact! Don't be afraid to call CQ. Just remember that this
area is for International QSO's only. 51.000-51.100
is the Pacific DX Window. The other popular frequencies tend to vary
from area to area, so the following is only a general guide for beginners: 50.125
is the domestic calling frequency for the United States, although more and more
operators are beginning to shift up to 50.200, and most domestic SSB is found
between 50.125 and 50.200. Only during hot F2 openings do you find
SSB much above 50.200. However once you establish contact, it is polite and good
operating practice to move off the calling frequency! I usually announce that
I'm going to QSY, and just move up the band 5 to 25 kHz to wherever there is a
clear area free of QRM. Don't worry, others will find you, and fast! As the
calling frequency quickly becomes a dogfight for position. As for DX'ing, well
work it the same way you would any other DX, say on 20 meters. Just be patient
and keep trying once the DX station is ready for another call.
Will I need to have a beam antenna? If you want to win
contests, bust pileups, and snag a lot of DX, then yes, as you will able to
direct your signal and have more gain, thus more dB of "hearing aid",
and more ERP that you'll have. You can have a lot of fun with a
vertical during openings, and sometimes it's best to listen on, as you will have
better 360 degree coverage, and it is great for local work, but the hot shots
use beams. Most serious operators are horizontally
polarized, but cross-polarization does not matter for Es, F2, or Aurora.
(However, I've found some really interesting things when it comes to sporadic E
propagation, when (mainly on FM, but also on SSB), the band starts to "fade
out", I've switched to my vertical and sure enough, the station was an S-9+
where he was gone or in and out on the beam, then, later, once the stations
started fading out on the vertical, sure enough, there they were, very strong on
the beam again, so having both types of polarization is a real plus!) A few
stations use 3-element beams, but a 4 or 5-element beam is so small that a lot
of people use them. Quite a few people have Cushcraft 6-element
"Boomers". There are a few other big beams, and some guys even stack
them! However, that might be overkill, especially if you're just starting out. A
good 3-element beam will do you just great with a power level of about 50 to 100
watts or so. Also, these small beams work great with
just a simple TV antenna rotator. Adding a vertical will compliment
your setup nicely, and is probably best for local work, especially if you're
going to be using repeaters.
How high should my antenna be? For sporadic E (Es) openings, a height of about
30 feet is about perfect according to studies. For tropo and other modes, the
higher the tower the better! Some people have multiple antennas at multiple
heights to work different kinds of propagation modes. I've never found the need
in doing this though. As for coax, RG8 or RG213 is good enough for most people.
Antenna-mounted preamps are really not needed, when the band is open, it is
really open! A 1/4-wave whip is less than 5 feet high and makes a good mobile
antenna.
What about noise? External noise is fairly high at 50 MHz. It overrides the
front-end noise figure on about all the rigs on the market today unless you have
a LOT of cable loss or an extremely quiet location. See my notes at the bottom
for help on noise. -- (What about TVI problems?)
What's all this about "Grid Squares"? On VHF and up bands, the world
has been divided in 1-degree latitude x 2-degree longitude "squares"
which start at the South Pole and date line and "read right up". SSB
stations will always identify their grid square along with their call sign, i.e.
"AB7RG DM44aq". Each square is also divided into sub-squares. European
stations like the sub-squares; most US stations don't even know their own. In
any case, the "squares" and their VUCC awards have been a wonderful
interest builder, and have kept the QSL printers in business! Check the ARRL
Operating Manual for a map of the grid squares.
What type of radio do I need? The rig
selection has improved significantly in recent years. Today, several
manufacturers offer excellent six-meter rigs. Probably 50% of the active
stations have 80 to 150 W output, from solid-state (brick) amplifiers following
the many types of 10W rigs, such as the Yaesu FT-736R or the Kenwood TS-600. The
Icom 575H is very popular, as it has an excellent receiver and 100 watts (the
575A is 10 watts). HF rigs that add six meters such as
the Icom 706 series can be effective but
usually lack receiver sensitivity.
Perhaps 40% of the stations run just 10 to 20 W, but most serious
operators run higher power. Good six-meter radios tend to be expensive, even on
the used market. The kilowatt is rare on six meters; such high power sometimes
does not help and can cause terrible TVI. The average for serious stations is
100 to 150 watts, but you can have a lot of fun with a lot less power. Remember;
on VHF 10 watts is QRP! Even MFJ has joined the six-meter club with an
inexpensive SSB rig. I personally run my Yaesu FT-650 on six meters
pretty much exclusively. This keeps my Icom IC-756 free for the HF bands that I
work. My Yaesu FT-650 has the advantage of having 100 watts or a little more
output on CW, SSB, and FM, even at 100% duty cycle. And it puts out a healthy 50
watts or more on AM. Anyway, it is best to have a radio dedicated for six meters
if you're going to be a serious operator.
How can I get my feet wet and see if I like six meters without going broke? A
transverter is one way, and if you're wanting an HF mobile radio, you might
consider an older Icom 706 series, they are pretty
reasonably priced at most hamfests and on the 'net, although they are not that
sensitive on six meters, but at least you'll get your feet wet while
having a great mobile radio for the HF bands. MFJ sells a complete SSB six-meter
rig for around $250. No luxuries, but it will do the job for you.
How come I
never hear anyone? Openings on six meters are rare, especially
during low points in the sunspot cycle. For Amateurs in far northern latitudes
(say 50 degrees and above), aurora openings are common. The most common openings
in middle and southern latitudes are a result of sporadic E (Es), which occurs
most often in June. F2 openings occur only when the solar flux is high. The
frequency where you are most likely to hear someone is 50.125 USB. A brief
explanation of the many types of propagation on six meters follows.
What about F2 openings? F2 propagation, the kind that we know and love on 20
meters, occurs very rarely on six meters. Only at the peak times of the sunspot
cycle, a few years out of each eleven, does the band open up for F2. When it
does happen, the band becomes a frenzy of activity, and behaves similar to ten
meters. Openings occur most often in December/January during the daytime when
the solar flux is at least above 150, preferably 200. A few stations have worked
100 or more countries, but they have been patiently working the fleeting
openings for many years. The March, 1993 QST magazine has an excellent article
on six meter propagation that shows a correlation between solar flux and
openings. The December 1997 issue of QST has a very good article on when to
expect F2 openings. Start expecting peak sunspot conditions sometime this year.
What about Sporadic E (Es)? Es is the most common propagation mode on six
meters. The term "sporadic" is accurate: stations can pop in and out
and then fade quickly. Studies (see March, 1993 QST Magazine), have shown that
Es has nothing to do with the sunspot cycle; it is much more a function of the
time of year. Es can occur anytime, but is most common around the solstices
(June 21 and December 21). In the southern latitudes, the peak occurs around
Christmas with a minor peak in June. The northern latitudes find peak times in
June and July with a minor peak at Christmas. February is the low point. In
addition to the common single-hop range of 500 - 1500 miles, there are quite a
few double and more hop contacts on six meters. Now that a number of Europeans
are on six meters, we find that they can be worked from the US East Coast each
summer. Likewise the Caribbean stations work all over the US. The US West Coast
can work Hawaii, Alaska, and Mexico. You will also hear some hams on June
DXPedition trips to Mexico and the Caribbean; they are easy to work in the late
afternoon or early evening, even with 10W and a vertical. The VHF contest in the
middle of June is also a good time to work Es.
What about Sporadic E (Es)? Within two weeks of the Winter and Summer Solstice
(June 21 and December 21), you should be monitoring 50.125 as often as possible;
this is the most common time and frequency for Es. I would also check 50.110,
28.885 MHz, and CW beacons between 50.00 and 50.100. 10 meters and the 27 MHz
Citizen's Band (27.385 LSB is the most active frequency in the 11 meter band.)
These are good indicators of six-meter Es: If you hear Es on 10 meters and the
stations are less than 1000 miles away, it's time to check for Es on six meters.
If the stations on 10m are 500 miles away, you can be virtually certain that six
meters is open. Likewise, a station on six meters from 500 miles away means Es
on two meters is possible. I have noticed that Sporadic E propagation can happen
at anytime, from super brief, weak openings, to monster openings with stations
from all over appearing for hours at a time. Sporadic E propagation is probably
the most common type of propagation there is on six meters.
What about Tropo? The ordinary ground-wave Tropospheric ducting range on six
meters isn't quite as great as on two meters. There are a number of reasons.
Since there are so many other propagation modes on six meters, people don't try
very hard on tropo. Antenna gain often is higher on two meters. Noise is lower
on two meters.
What about meteor Propagation? Any area workable by meteors can be worked more
easily by Es or aurora. Even though meteor bursts are much stronger and longer
on six meters than on two meters, little use has been made of them. There has
been a very little meteor-burst packet work on six meters.
How about Aurora? It is much easier than on two meters. SSB is usually
intelligible, but CW is much easier to work. Point north about dusk, most
commonly in March an October/November. (In northern Europe, hams report Aurora
peaks around dusk and again around midnight.) Lots of people in the far northern
latitudes work this mode when it happens. Aurora can occur as far south as the
mid-U.S. during bad solar storms.
Is there any Moon-Bounce (EME)? There have been a few EME contacts on six, but
the required antenna size and high background noise makes it out of the reach of
most people.
Is
there any satellite activity? No. With the odd behavior of six-meter
propagation, and the relatively small size of high gain antennas on two-meters
and above, as well as having more local and other types of noise on six meters,
satellite operation is less feasible than EME!
What about TVI problems? There is no doubt about it, six meters has its fair
share of TVI troubles. You don't find a lot of people on six meters in channel 2
areas unless cable is widely used. VCRs are very prone to six-meter pickup. Some
cordless phones, baby monitors, and walkie-talkies operate on 49 MHz. Most
consumer electronic equipment has poor RFI shielding. The common connecting or
power cable is a quarter-wave antenna for six meters. The TV owners have their
revenge since the 13th harmonic of the color subcarrier, or something, of TV
sets and TV games puts out a birdie at 50.113 MHz to bother the six-meter
operators in return. There is also quite a bit of trouble from noisy power
distribution lines if they aren't buried (usually bad insulators or poor guy
bonding). I would get a book on curing TVI. The ARRL offers a couple of really
nice ones that I've found to be quite helpful for all of my Amateur operating
needs. Often, using snap-on ferrite filters on any cables (patch cords, power
cords) of home electronics equipment can help, these are inexpensive and readily
available at your local Radio Shack.
So is six meters really for me? Well after reading this article you should have
a pretty good idea about that, but your best way to find that out is to get on
the air and give it a try! See what happens, but be patient! You have to be one
who likes a good challenge to fully enjoy six meters and discover why it's
called the "Magic Band". After you've been on it for some time you
will see why it truly is. To quote former President John F. Kennedy, "We do
these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Sure,
he was talking about the space program, but I think that it applies. One thing
is for sure, on six meters anything can happen, at any given moment!
There are many great resources to be found on the Internet about six meters, all
sorts of different web sites, and several e-mail reflectors that you probably
will want to check into, as I've only touched a little bit on it with this
article. Goodness, many great books have been written and are readily available
about six meters. They give all sorts of operating tips and techniques, better
explain the different methods of propagation in some detail, offer a lot of
suggestions and ideas for antennas and station setups, and much much more. If
you like what you've read so far, just wait until you read some of the
professional's articles on six-meter operation! Not to mention what it's going
to be like when you get on the air and actually start making some QSO's,
snagging DX stations, and having a great time! Then you'll truly see why the
six-meter band is called the "Magic Band".
73 & Hope to meet you on six meters!
Clinton Herbert AB7RG
FROM KK9H on July 3, 2000 AB7RG's primer on 6M is an excellent introduction to this band. A couple
weeks ago I put up a 6M halo antenna on the roof of my house. Coincidentally, it
is up about 30 feet. I live in the Chicago area and the same afternoon I
installed the antenna, 6M happened to be open to ME, NH and VT. A few days
later, I worked stations in NM, CO, WY, MT and ID. During the Field Day weekend
6M was open quite a bit and I added FL, GA, NC, SC and TX to my growing list of
states and grid squares. At some point I may put up a yagi, but the halo seems
to be working very well for me. My radio is an Icom 706MkII which puts out about
80 watts. Since the band openings can occur all of a sudden and can disappear
quickly, I leave the 706 tuned to 50.125 when I am not using it for other bands.
Eventhough we have TV CH.2 in the Chicago area, most people around me use cable
so I have not had any TVI problems with my neighbors. Halo antennas are pretty
inexpensive and easy to put up so getting started shouldn't be too hard for most
people.
Re: The Magic Band
Reply
by W3GJD on July 3, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Check-Out: www.6mt.com
The Sunday morning coffee net (50.400 AM, 0900 Local) Washington, D.C. is the
oldest continuous 6-M net, started around 1925 as 5M net. Now run by: WA3GGO,
Bob 91 yrs old.
Very active:
RE: The magic band
Reply
by WA9PWP on July 3, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Yes, it is! Yesterday worked Hawaii for state #50!
I run 100 watts to 3 ele beam @ 30 ft. Location is
near Madison, Wi.
RE: The magic band
Reply
by WT3A on July 3, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Very well written article !!
I enjoy Six meters and have worked 26 countries with VERY casual operation.
Rig is 100w and a 1/4 verical (36" whip)on the roof of the house (12 ft).
Best DX was JY land (Jordan) from my qth in the south of Chile
73's BOB XQ6ET / WT3A
Great intro! Reply
by K3RXK on July 4, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
This is a great intro to six. Just what we need after buying a rig with six
inside! --73, Tony K3RXK
REPLY
Mail this to a friend!
Weak Signal Net
N. Nevada Night Patrol
Frequency: 50.145 Mhz/USB
Day: Friday
Time: 10:00PM Local Pacific
General Check in
Rag Chew/Swap.
Net Control: W9JCM/Reno NV.
This is a local net for anyone interested in weak signal modes of operation. I choose this time and day because there is no activity at all unless the band is open of course. And it is nice to have a late nite check in some people are unable to work nets because of work shifts and such. Any comments or questions can be sent to John C. McGrath (W9JCM)
w9jcm@reno.quik.com
Can I utilize 6 meters?
Reply
by KB9WOO on July 5, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
I have a YAESU VX-5R, Is there any potential for an HT on 6 Meters?
6 meters band
Reply
by KP2BH on July 6, 2000
I been having some fun on the six meter band.here in st croix are not to many
6 meters operators.i been working some states sides stations also south an
central america.i always qrx on 50.110. iam using a ts570 ,4 element yagi@30 ft
and 75 watts.hope to work some of you.de kp2bh
The Magic Band
Reply
by WL7M on July 6, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
A great overview article. Just got on 6 meters for the first time in 41 years as
a ham last month when I bought an IC-756Pro. Having listened for quite a while
and heard nothing, I thought I might have had an antenna problem. Then again,
living in a remote part of Alaska, there's not much activity to be heard, I
suppose, unless the band is wide open. Then, two weeks ago, I was astounded to
hear stations all over the band! Managed to work 6 states and three countries
real quick. The band was fairly strong, until it unexplicably just went
absolutely dead right in the middle of a QSO with an XE3 station vefore I could
get a signal report exchanged. Definitely well named, "The Magic Band"
is a sudden favorite! I'll be listening on 50.110/50.125.
73, Joe WL7M
Fritz Creek, Alaska
Fun fun fun band!!!
Reply
by K9AMZ on July 6, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Being a brand new ham (got my license after a 6 week wait beginning of June
and already have a "vanity" call ;), 6m is great. I have an
IC-706MKIIG and just build a dipole (resonant freq. 50.125MHz). I worked 20
states in one week, and then the band went 'dead' again :). Next on my purchase
list is a 6m Yagi...
Thanks a lot for this excellent introduction into 6m operation - your timing was
just perfect!
Hope to work you on 6m soon. 73 de Alain, K9amz/0 (in EN11xr, Mondamin, IA).
The Magic Band
Reply
by KD7WH on July 7, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Clints article is quite good and seems to sum up the basics of the 50 MHZ band.
I am a newcomer to 6 meters, having only been active on `The Magic Band' now for less than a year. It was by chance that I discovered this band on my own when buying a new TS-570S and a Cushcraft R6000 to replace my old, but still working well, TS-520.
I have had more fun with the challenges, and surprises this band has to offer
than with any other operating on H.F. in my 30 years as a ham.
73's to all,
Rob Whittenburg
KD7WH DN40
Re: The Magic Band
Reply
by VE2EQL on July 9, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
What is the best portable antenna to use on 6 when camping / vacationing? I will
be using a FT100D with the ATAS 100 while mobile. When i do a stopover, I want
to have something simple to put up and take down. Has any one used the 6 meter
LP by KMA antennas. Any ideas. Regards, John
Informative, well-written
Reply
by N4KZ on July 10, 2000
Mail this to a friend!
Nice piece on 6 meters. Very informative. It's great to see so much renewed
interest in six. The other day I was on HF and telling an old timer out west
about working Europe for the first time on 6 meters. His reply to my
accomplishment was why was I wasting my time on 6 meters? Didn't I know it was a
useless band that only generates bad TVI on TV channel 2? He went on and on
putting down 6 meters and anyone who operates on it. It was sad because he has a
closed mind, is operating from outdated information regarding TVI now that cable
TV is so common and certainly wasn't interested in anything new or different. In
my 31 years of ham radio, I find 6 meters to be one of the most interesting
operating activities I've ever done. The band's unpredictable nature makes it
quite fascinating. Give six a try if you're not already active. It's a blast.
Re: The Magic Band
Reply
by K4SUS on July 20, 2000
I am the originator of the term: "The Magic Band" and wrote many
articles/reports about it years ago. This is a very good review of 6 m. Another
excellent reference is the book "All About Six Meters, "The Magic
Band" by Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU. It is currently published by World Radio
Magazine in Ca. I have lots of input into that book and it's not expensive. I
have been working lots of real DX on 6m from here in S. Fla. during the past
several months. Good Luck to all on "The Magic Band"! 73 Tom K4SUS
EL95sq
THANK YOU WHO EVER IT WAS THAT SEND THIS TO ME.
6 METER 50.200 SSB NET TUESDAY 8 PM