SIX METERSSIX METERS

THE MAGIC BANDTHE MAGIC BAND

Amateur PrivilegesAmateur Privileges

• 6 Meters 50.0 to 54.0 MHz6 Meters 50.0 to 54.0 MHz

• All Amateurs except Novices: All Amateurs except Novices:

• 50.0-50.1 MHz: CW Only50.0-50.1 MHz: CW Only

• 50.1-54.0 MHz: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, 50.1-54.0 MHz: CW, Phone, Image, MCW, RTTY/DataRTTY/Data

Six Meter Band PlanSix Meter Band Plan

• 50.0 - 50.1 50.0 - 50.1 CWCW • 50.06 - 50.08 50.06 - 50.08 Beacon Sub bandBeacon Sub band• 50.1 - 50.3 50.1 - 50.3 SSB, CWSSB, CW• 50.10 - 50.125 50.10 - 50.125 DX WindowDX Window• 50.12550.125 SSB callingSSB calling• 50.3 - 50.6 50.3 - 50.6 All modesAll modes• 50.6 - 50.8 50.6 - 50.8 Non voice communicationsNon voice communications• 50.62 50.62 Digital (packet) callingDigital (packet) calling• 50.8 - 51.0 50.8 - 51.0 Remote control (20-kHz Remote control (20-kHz

channels)channels)• 51.0 - 51.1 51.0 - 51.1 Pacific DX windowPacific DX window• 51.24 – 53.18 51.24 – 53.18 Repeater inputsRepeater inputs• 51.74 – 53.68 51.74 – 53.68 Repeater outputs -500kHz Repeater outputs -500kHz

SplitSplit

Six Meter Band PlanSix Meter Band Plan• 51.62 - 51.68 51.62 - 51.68 Digital repeater Digital repeater

outputsoutputs• 51.12 - 51.18 51.12 - 51.18 Digital repeater inputsDigital repeater inputs• 52.02, 52.04 52.02, 52.04 FM simplexFM simplex• 52.2 52.2 Test Pair (input)Test Pair (input)• 52.525 52.525 Primary FM simplexPrimary FM simplex• 52.54 52.54 Secondary FM simplexSecondary FM simplex• 52.7 52.7 Test Pair (output)Test Pair (output)• 53.0 53.0 Remote base FM Remote base FM

simplexsimplex• 53.02 53.02 SimplexSimplex• 53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 53.4 53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 53.4 Radio remote controlRadio remote control• 53.5, 53.6, 53.7, 53.8 53.5, 53.6, 53.7, 53.8 Radio remote controlRadio remote control• 53.52, 53.9 53.52, 53.9 SimplexSimplex

Propagation Modes – 6 Propagation Modes – 6 MetersMeters

• Line-of-Sight Line-of-Sight • F2 layerF2 layer• Sporadic E – Single, Mult-Hop, Cloud To CloudSporadic E – Single, Mult-Hop, Cloud To Cloud• Aurora Aurora • Trans-Equatorial PropagationTrans-Equatorial Propagation• Tropospheric Bending (Ducting)Tropospheric Bending (Ducting)• TroposcatterTroposcatter• Ionoscatter. Ionoscatter. • Meteor scatterMeteor scatter• Rain, lightning, ice pellet, aircraft, ScatterRain, lightning, ice pellet, aircraft, Scatter• FAI (E-layer field-aligned irregularities)FAI (E-layer field-aligned irregularities)• TE (transequatorial field-aligned TE (transequatorial field-aligned

irregularities)irregularities)• Moon bounce (EME). Moon bounce (EME).

Line Of Sight OperationLine Of Sight Operation

• Line of sight (LOS) distance is Line of sight (LOS) distance is dependant on the height of the dependant on the height of the antennas, antenna gain and antennas, antenna gain and directivity, transmitter power, and directivity, transmitter power, and noise figure of the receivers.noise figure of the receivers.

• Sometimes called the optical Sometimes called the optical distance, LOS is about 30 to 100 distance, LOS is about 30 to 100 miles depending on the fore miles depending on the fore mentioned items.mentioned items.

F2 PropagationF2 Propagation• This is the other biggie for six meter This is the other biggie for six meter

operators but is only experienced at the operators but is only experienced at the solar cycle maximums (11 year cycles). It is solar cycle maximums (11 year cycles). It is the most common long distance the most common long distance propagation mode at HF and can also propagation mode at HF and can also result in some tremendous DX openings on result in some tremendous DX openings on six meters. Hops are typically over 2000 six meters. Hops are typically over 2000 miles in range. miles in range.

• Over the years, observations have shown Over the years, observations have shown that for the higher latitudes, with that for the higher latitudes, with conditions of very high MUF, the best conditions of very high MUF, the best months for 6M F2 skip centers around months for 6M F2 skip centers around December. December.

Sporadic-E Ionization Sporadic-E Ionization • Sporadic E patches occur ~ 60 to 70 miles above the Sporadic E patches occur ~ 60 to 70 miles above the

earth, at about the same height as the regular E layer.earth, at about the same height as the regular E layer.

• Cover a small geographical region, approximately 6 to Cover a small geographical region, approximately 6 to 100 miles in diameter. Can be fast moving.100 miles in diameter. Can be fast moving.

• Random relatively short in duration, dissipating within Random relatively short in duration, dissipating within a few hours. a few hours. 

  • Causes not fully known. Occurs more often during the Causes not fully known. Occurs more often during the

hours of daylight, ultra-violet radiation might play hours of daylight, ultra-violet radiation might play some role in its formation. some role in its formation.

• Some theories suggest that ionization might be Some theories suggest that ionization might be caused by wind shear forces associated with rapid caused by wind shear forces associated with rapid wind movements in the ionosphere. wind movements in the ionosphere.

Sporadic-E SeasonsSporadic-E Seasons

Sporadic-E VariationsSporadic-E Variations

SIX METER PROPAGATION SIX METER PROPAGATION MODESMODESModeMode TimesTimes EquipmentEquipment RangeRange

Line of sightLine of sight Any timeAny time 10W and 10W and small antennasmall antenna

0-30 miles0-30 miles

Sporadic ESporadic E Sporadic Sporadic but typical but typical seasonal seasonal timestimes

10W and 10W and small antennasmall antenna

600 to -1,500 600 to -1,500 miles single hop;miles single hop;

2500+ miles 2500+ miles double hop or double hop or multi hopmulti hop

F2 F2 Depends on Depends on SFI, A and K SFI, A and K solar solar indexesindexes

10W and 10W and small antennasmall antenna

at max sunspots at max sunspots up to 10,000 up to 10,000 milesmiles

Aurora Aurora SporadicSporadic 10-100 W and 10-100 W and a beama beam

250-1200 miles250-1200 miles

SIX METER PROPAGATION SIX METER PROPAGATION MODESMODESMeteor scatter Meteor scatter

WSJT, FSK441 WSJT, FSK441

JT43.JT43.

Any time, but Any time, but especially especially during the during the seasonal seasonal meteor meteor showersshowers

10-100 W and 10-100 W and a beama beam

500- 1500 500- 1500 miles, longer miles, longer during meteor during meteor showersshowers

IonoscatterIonoscatter Any timeAny time 500+ W and 500+ W and 12dB+ beam12dB+ beam

600 to 1200 600 to 1200 milesmiles

EMEEME Dependent on Dependent on moon transit moon transit timestimes

1+ kW 18 dB 1+ kW 18 dB beambeam

Up to 10,000 Up to 10,000 milesmiles

TROPOSPHERITROPOSPHERI

C BENDINGC BENDING Temperature Temperature

inversionsinversions 10W and 10W and small antennasmall antenna

2954 miles or 2954 miles or 4754 km ....a 4754 km ....a new world new world record on 2Mrecord on 2M

Grid SquaresGrid Squares

• The Maidenhead grid-square system, The Maidenhead grid-square system, formalized at a VHF meeting in formalized at a VHF meeting in Britain in 1980 and adopted world-Britain in 1980 and adopted world-wide by the International Amateur wide by the International Amateur Radio Union in 1985, is almost Radio Union in 1985, is almost universally used as a locator system universally used as a locator system by VHF, UHF and microwave by VHF, UHF and microwave operators operators

More On Grid SquaresMore On Grid Squares• An instrument of the Maidenhead Locator System An instrument of the Maidenhead Locator System

(named after the town outside London where it was (named after the town outside London where it was first conceived by a meeting of European VHF first conceived by a meeting of European VHF managers in 1980), a grid square measures 1° managers in 1980), a grid square measures 1° latitude by 2° longitude and measures latitude by 2° longitude and measures approximately 70 × 100 miles in the continental approximately 70 × 100 miles in the continental US. A grid square is indicated by two letters (the US. A grid square is indicated by two letters (the field) and two numbers (the square), as in FN31, field) and two numbers (the square), as in FN31, the grid square within which W1AW, ARRL's Maxim the grid square within which W1AW, ARRL's Maxim Memorial Station, resides. Memorial Station, resides.

• Each subsquare is designated by the addition of Each subsquare is designated by the addition of two letters after the grid square, as FN44IG. These two letters after the grid square, as FN44IG. These more precise locators are used as part of the more precise locators are used as part of the exchange in the 10-GHz contest. They measure 2.5 exchange in the 10-GHz contest. They measure 2.5 minutes latitude by 5 minutes longitude, roughly minutes latitude by 5 minutes longitude, roughly corresponding to 3 × 4 miles in the continental US. corresponding to 3 × 4 miles in the continental US.

When Do We Have When Do We Have PropagationPropagation

• Monitor the lower TV channels (not cable). Monitor the lower TV channels (not cable). Indications are bars and interference Indications are bars and interference patterns and even a complete take over of patterns and even a complete take over of the channel by a station hundreds of miles the channel by a station hundreds of miles away.away.

• Check the beacons - 50.06 to 50.08 MHzCheck the beacons - 50.06 to 50.08 MHz

• Check the DX packet clustersCheck the DX packet clusters

• Monitor 50.125 MHzMonitor 50.125 MHz

• Check the Propagation and Aurora reports. Check the Propagation and Aurora reports. High sun activity may signal openingsHigh sun activity may signal openings..

Six Meter BeaconsSix Meter Beacons

Six Meter EquipmentSix Meter Equipment

• Antennas can be small – 4.5 feet for a Antennas can be small – 4.5 feet for a quarter wave.quarter wave.

• Power is no way as critical on 6m as Power is no way as critical on 6m as HF. 25 Watts will do fine if you have HF. 25 Watts will do fine if you have propagationpropagation

• Lots of multi band rigs available – IC-Lots of multi band rigs available – IC-706, FT-100D, Kenwood TS-2000, TS-706, FT-100D, Kenwood TS-2000, TS-480 Series480 Series

PrefixesPrefixes• A (AA-AL), e.g., AC6V, AD6VIA (AA-AL), e.g., AC6V, AD6VI

K (KA-KZ), e.g., KM6MW, K6GO, KM6XAK (KA-KZ), e.g., KM6MW, K6GO, KM6XAN (NA-NZ), e.g., N6KI, NN6X, NN3VN (NA-NZ), e.g., N6KI, NN6X, NN3VW (WA-WZ), e.g., W6AM, W6ASP W (WA-WZ), e.g., W6AM, W6ASP

• KL, AL – Alaska KH6, AH6 - HawaiiKL, AL – Alaska KH6, AH6 - Hawaii

• VAA-VGZ Canada   (Also CF-CK, CY-CZ, VAA-VGZ Canada   (Also CF-CK, CY-CZ, VO, VX-VY, XJ-XO) VO, VX-VY, XJ-XO)

• XAA-XIZ Mexico  (Also 4A-4C, 6D-6J) XAA-XIZ Mexico  (Also 4A-4C, 6D-6J)

• 335 DX Entities on ARRL DXCC List335 DX Entities on ARRL DXCC List

AwardsAwards

• WAS 48 plus Alaska and HawaiiWAS 48 plus Alaska and Hawaii

• VUCC – Work 100 Grid SquaresVUCC – Work 100 Grid Squares

• DXCC DXCC

• Six Meter Clubs offer awardsSix Meter Clubs offer awards

• SMIRKSMIRK

• Worked all District SIX’esWorked all District SIX’es

Working The Six Meter BandWorking The Six Meter Band• Check The Packet ClustersCheck The Packet Clusters• Check the beacon sub bandCheck the beacon sub band• Tune receiver to 50.125 MHzTune receiver to 50.125 MHz• Lightly squelch the receiver to stop Lightly squelch the receiver to stop

noisenoise• If nothing heard on 50.125, tune If nothing heard on 50.125, tune

above and belowabove and below• Occasionally call CQ on 50.125 giving Occasionally call CQ on 50.125 giving

your QTH and Grid Squareyour QTH and Grid Square• Read a book surf the web, yak on 2M, Read a book surf the web, yak on 2M,

the band can be dead for long periods the band can be dead for long periods of time and magically spring to life.of time and magically spring to life.

Working The Six Meter BandWorking The Six Meter Band• When you make a contact – give your When you make a contact – give your

call, signal report, grid square, and call, signal report, grid square, and name.name.

• Log the contact, someone can ask for a Log the contact, someone can ask for a QSL, years after the fact.QSL, years after the fact.

• Quickly turn QSO back to the other Quickly turn QSO back to the other station to get these essentials, station to get these essentials, propagation can quickly change on 6M.propagation can quickly change on 6M.

• Ask and give QSL info i.e.; QSL NEVER, Ask and give QSL info i.e.; QSL NEVER, QSL Mutual, QSL SASE.QSL Mutual, QSL SASE.

• Carry on with the QSO if mutual.Carry on with the QSO if mutual.

Six Meter Signal ReportsSix Meter Signal Reports

• Given in the RST System e.g., 59(9) Given in the RST System e.g., 59(9) + your Grid Square e.g., DM13+ your Grid Square e.g., DM13

LoggingLogging• Date and Time (UTC)Date and Time (UTC)• Frequency or BandFrequency or Band• ModeMode• Time Off (UTC)Time Off (UTC)• Reports – sent and receivedReports – sent and received• QSL Via Direct __ Manager ___ E-Mail ____QSL Via Direct __ Manager ___ E-Mail ____• Contest Serial NumbersContest Serial Numbers• Optional Items are:Optional Items are:• PowerPower• QTH of Station WorkedQTH of Station Worked• DX Operator’s NameDX Operator’s Name

QSL Card FormatQSL Card Format• Your callsign, name, address, country, zip code, Your callsign, name, address, country, zip code,

and E-mail address.and E-mail address.• Use an E-mail address that is independent of Use an E-mail address that is independent of

your provider (e.g., amsat.org, arrl.net, hotmail, your provider (e.g., amsat.org, arrl.net, hotmail, yahoo mail, etc.), so that your card does not yahoo mail, etc.), so that your card does not become obsolete if you change providers.become obsolete if you change providers.

• Callsign of the Amateur Radio Station Callsign of the Amateur Radio Station contacted, callsign of the QSL Manager if contacted, callsign of the QSL Manager if applicable.applicable.

• Date and time of contact. This is the UTC date. Date and time of contact. This is the UTC date. Since various countries use different notations Since various countries use different notations (i.e., 10/1/99 or 1/10/99 for October 1, 1999) it (i.e., 10/1/99 or 1/10/99 for October 1, 1999) it is best to spell out the month followed by the is best to spell out the month followed by the day. Many use roman numerals for the month day. Many use roman numerals for the month e.g., March = III.e.g., March = III.

• Band or frequency of contact. Mode of Band or frequency of contact. Mode of operation, SSB, CW, RTTY, etc.operation, SSB, CW, RTTY, etc.

• Signal report exchange – in the RST system.Signal report exchange – in the RST system.

QSL Card FormatQSL Card Format• Contest name and contest exchange number if Contest name and contest exchange number if

applicable.applicable.• Check boxes for “Please QSL” or “Thanks for Check boxes for “Please QSL” or “Thanks for

your QSL”.your QSL”.• Your signature.Your signature.• For a general all purpose card you can add For a general all purpose card you can add

information used for awards, such as:information used for awards, such as:• 10/10 Number for 10-meter contacts.10/10 Number for 10-meter contacts.• County, province, prefecture, oblast, or parish.County, province, prefecture, oblast, or parish.• Grid squareGrid square• Zone – both CQ and ITUZone – both CQ and ITU• Your awards, especially those that count for Your awards, especially those that count for

reciprocal award workingreciprocal award working• DX Clubs you belong to. Many offer awards for DX Clubs you belong to. Many offer awards for

working a specified number of club members.working a specified number of club members.

QSLing – Getting The CardQSLing – Getting The Card

• Your QSL card should include, your Your QSL card should include, your callsign, QTH, Grid Square, Signal callsign, QTH, Grid Square, Signal Report, Freq/Band, Mode, Time in UTC Report, Freq/Band, Mode, Time in UTC (never local time)(never local time)

• Since a lot of Tech class operators are on Since a lot of Tech class operators are on 6M, they may not have QSl cards or even 6M, they may not have QSl cards or even care to collect them. Ask QSL Mutual.care to collect them. Ask QSL Mutual.

• Customary to include an SASE for rare Customary to include an SASE for rare states, RI, WY, and grid squares.states, RI, WY, and grid squares.

• In dire extreme, make up a QSL card for In dire extreme, make up a QSL card for the station that doesn’t have any, mail the station that doesn’t have any, mail with SASE and ask them to sign the card.with SASE and ask them to sign the card.

Going Mobile On Six MetersGoing Mobile On Six Meters

• Know what grid square you are in.Know what grid square you are in.

• The ArtSci Repeater Guide is a must The ArtSci Repeater Guide is a must for this – shows grid squares vs cities for this – shows grid squares vs cities and highways.and highways.

• A Rover is going from grid square to A Rover is going from grid square to grid square and can often give a very grid square and can often give a very rare grid square contactrare grid square contact