Get On Six Meters - Introduction

[mackycalderon]

Hi,

Which mode is regularly used on the 6 meter band? is it USB? any particular frequency mostly active for International QSOs? I did recently installed a 6 meter dipole and scanned the whole band for a weekend, but did not found any activity.

Thanks and 73's, Adrian - KP4AJC

[K7AGE]

@mackycalderon For SSB - USB 50.125 is the calling freq. For FM, 52.525 simplex is the place to listen. Set the radio squelched and wait. Watch one of the DX Cluster sites for 6 meter openings being posted. Check with your local clubs to see if they have any weekly 6M nets. You can wait a long time for the band to open. Enjoy the magic band.

[newsmaninla]

The simple solution to increasing activity on 6 meters. Simply call CQ on 50.125 at least once a day. If everyone with a 6 meter radio did this, there would eventually be lots of activity all up and down the band. I do my part every day. How about you?

[matthew2000tx]

what is the typical range when SE not open?? Could it be used reliably for 80 miles or so away or not? (I'm new taking my Tech class later this month). Thanks.

[K7AGE]

@matthew2000tx Not sure about 80 miles. This will depend on the path and the antennas at each end. In the high and clear, I would think so.

[MrRogueShark]

@K7AGE

If a person has a VHF marine radio, could he still communicate with other HAMs? Thanks for any info you can provide. Your videos are awesome!

[K7AGE]

@MrRogueShark Hi, hams are not licensed to operate on the VHF marine frequencies and also the other way around. The Marine VHF frequencies are around 156 MHz, right above our 144-148 MHz 2 meter band. Both radios are very similar, but do not cover each group of frequencies. It is fairly easy to get a Technician license to allow operating on 2 meters. Search for Gordon West Radio School and ARRL for license study materials.

[mungos92]

73 DE YT1BSK

[tonytonytee]

n0amy says thanks to k7age for the information ..

[JJdoglegg]

Thanks for the great videos Randy.

[denelson83]

K2NJ, not N2NJ.

[K7AGE]

@denelson83 sorry

[VA2ASF]

Beautiful video Randy, I am now amateur radio operator because your videos really inspired me to get my license ... also, I LOVE the subliminal messages at the beginning and the end "GET ON SIX METER" :P Please continue the nice work you are doing.

Is it a lot of CW station on SIX ? I plan to buy a ft-817 for QRP and hiking.

best 73

Loïc VA2ASF

[K7AGE]

@VA2ASF When the band opens you may find guys lower down in the CW area. They are always trying to dig out the weak ones. I have worked from Ca all over the east cost, Hawaii, and Kwajalein Island (look that up on a map) all with my 817, 5 watts, and a 3 element beam. I also worked a guy in NJ on 6 using the rubber duck from my driveway, 2500 miles. When six opens, grab on.

[Films4You]

May I ask what camera you are using, looks good 480 quality this end.

[K7AGE]

@Films4You Most my videos are shot with a $300 Panasonic DV-CAM on tape. The six meter videos were shot with my Panasonic DVX100A, also to tape. Firewire transfer into the computer and Sony Vegas for editing.

[Philovideo]

Hi Randy, I recently purchased a new Yaesu FT-950 transceiver which includes 6 meters. During the VHF QSO Party even though I was not in the contest, I decided to take a listen to 6 meters (I am here in Denver, Co) and heard K6JSV coming in with about an S9 plus signal on 50.140 calling CQ contest and using my 10 meter dipole (High SWR of course!) I answered K6JSV and he came right back to me with an S9 report and he told me that he was located in San Diego! This was my first 6 meter contact!

[K7AGE]

@Philovideo Now for a real antenna?

[Philovideo]

@K7AGE Ah Yes, I added a six meter dipole in a fanned arrangement on the same coax that the ten meter dipole is feed with that is installed on my apartment balcony wooden railing. (No outdoor antennas allowed here at this apartment complex.) I am surprised what I can work on six meters with a simple dipole! I worked stations down in Mexico as well as stations in the Pacific NW area and I normally run 30 watts or lower.

Keep up the great videos, Randy.

73m Bill, KI7F

Denver, Colorado

[vacuumtubeTV]

6 Meters is Magical, Kinda like A Hybrid Between HF and VHF; But 6 Meters is Unique in its own way. Great Video !!!!!

[stonesharve]

I wish I could find a mobile six meter antenna that works the whole band without tuning the antenna?

[tkdteen2]

hey randy we got a 6-meter am repeater out here on 50.500 input 50.400 output its near but not in st.louis,mo in its pretty powerful in its AM we have a net every sunday at 7:30 central time zone

[K7AGE]

AM repeater, neat!

[kf6dqu]

Randy, you know 6M FM is superior, I got the Banner setup with autopatch now.

Haven't seen you at the club lately.

73 -John KF6DQU

[K7AGE]

I will not be at the Oct meeting. Maybe Nov. Randy

[CBRADIOLOVER]

You need a real radio like a cobra 2000 or a ranger, thems big radios unlike them crappy icoms or yazuus, man my antrons got 60 dolby an talks rings around the best ham beam, it takes a professional to do cb

just go search a video called ' anti ham radio cbs are better ' by redneckmikesr and he shows yall why, hams are jealous cause they dont have fancy stuff like echo mikes

[tkdteen2]

during field day 2009 I was able to hit Canada

from the st.Louis area with a beam kinda facing the station so it can be do in is very fun

kc9mym a new general yes!!!! hope to catch some good dx soon 73

[sophiegromit]

There are several commercially available 6m loop antennas that are inexpensive and compact. Listen on 50.125 MHz USB for band openings, and turn on your rig's preamp. Between May and August, you WILL hear many openings!

[jssawyer1993]

Just a quicky Randy, are you going to be active on field day, and are you going to make a video on it?

73's

Jonathan

M3VJO

[K7AGE]

Hi, I have decided what I am doing this year.

[bossman380]

hey, got my tech in march......ive only talked on 2m but i want start on 6 as well. the only problem is finding something to talk about........have any suggestions? thanks

KB1SBR branden ct

[kekejojo1212]

Very imformative. Best ham radio videos on youtube! I just passed my license exam. I really liked your PSK31, 6 meter, and QSL card videos.

Keep it up!

[JamesJB32]

Hi Randy i was curious,as a Technician am i aloud to do FM also on 6m? Ive asked around and i didnt really get a clear answer. I did look at the frequency list and it seems that i can but im not 100% sure.

[kx9x]

Hi Randy-

A great introduction to the Magic Band. I've been licensed for 27 years, and 6 Meters is my favorite band of them all. There have been some excellent 6 Meter openings so far in 2009; the Western US has worked Japan, Eastern and Midwest US has worked into Europe, and Europe has worked into the Caribbean and South America. Of course, large openings have occurred within both the European and North American continents as well.

73 es hope to work you on 6!

Sean KX9X

Grid FN31 - CT, USA

[combatwombat71]

Hi Randy,

Great series of videos once again. Have never heard much on 6m down here, but I listen for the beacons. When it picks up again in a couple of years, it should be good - I've worked a fair bit of Es on 2m all over Europe (from G) with just 2.5W! That was great fun.

Keep up the great videos.

73 - Rob G0MOH / VK2GOM

[jichus1]

Hi Randy,

thanks for posting the video. Im a new Ham i think im going to try 6 meters. this summer

[180sxNISSAN]

Hi Randy , tahnk you for wonderful Introduction video.

I hope to see you on 6m. I've already contacted with many US station on 6m.

73 de JP1LRT

[vr2ung]

Hi Om ,

thanks for sharing 6m,

i will post on our local ham link,

let ham can enjoy 6 meters as well,

73

Farid/vr2ung

2009.5.29.HKT 0902

[matt5295]

Hi Randy, I really liked this video because you explain a lot about how to get on 6 Meter, But operating procedures as well. If you could do some more videos about other freqs. that would be nice....

[VKQLDHAM]

Another great Video Randy. Unfortunately from my location 6m is banned - TV channel. I think about 8 people in the are still use it - ha ha ha.

Andrew VK4HAM

[M6MOF]

I have just started using 6m also and made my first contact last Sunday using an FT897 and a V2000 from a portable station i setup on high ground. Looking forward to more contacts as we get further into summer. Keep up the good work Randy. 73's Caine M6MOF

[sq3nto]

Hi Randy, today i made my first QSO on 6m. 1351 km with 2.5W of power. Many thx for everything. 73!

[K7AGE]

Great news. It all works, when the band opens. What is your antenna?

[sq3nto]

I use Rybakov antenna (10m long wire with 4:1 transformer)

[wj2l]

Randy: Wonderful job. I am glad you like the video elmering. Since I do not usually

do 6 meters, your info is useful and inspiring. keep up the good work. 73

WJ4L/4

[ke7feh]

Hi Randy, Thanks again for the helpful information. 73!

[bratina501]

One other trick I found to work in the past was to monitor TV channel 2 for any television stations if there is not one in the area or if the nearest one is weak. Most of the time if I got a TV station fighting the one 65 miles away from me I heard strong SSB activity on 50.125 and in some cases FM. I suppose this might be a moot point after the DTV transition but it will still work in some cases since TV channel 2 is still going to be used for DTV/HDTV.

[bobmintern]

can't wait till you get the antenna video up! looking forward to it!

[WA2JSG]

Great video, Randy.... thanks.

Curt

[dl2pan]

Nice new 6m video. Nice. Greetings from Europe / Germany.

Your fan André DL2PAN.....

[n3tee]

OMG six meters is a BLAST... Love it i opperate 6m digital, Meteor Scatter, ssb and my fav. CW.

I got an award for delaware in a contest! operate mostly with up to 100 watts.

Its a great band!!

73 n3tee

[lordtapdoles]

Randy. Many thanks for this video. I have not yet gone near 6m because of the lack of activity around here, but this has really opened up some areas of experimentation for me.

Many thanks again,

Matt.

MW3YMY

[Froggy19510]

I just wanted to drop a note and let you know how I appreciate you making these videos. You are helping many people and promoting ham radio at the same time. Thank you.

KF0XO

[ei2ip]

Nice video Randy.

50Mhz is one of my favourite bands.

Robbie

Ei2iP

IO61CX

[zb3b]

Thanks Randy for this very well explained video clip reference the 6 mtr band .

We should see some good openings any moment now.

Hope we can meet some day via Es.

Well done.

73's.

.-.-.

[VA2SG]

Can't wait for these openings!

[micheldezanger]

the 6 meter 5-element yagi is up and turning.and waiting for the magic band to open...

73

ON3DCM

[iz8fav]

Hi Randy , i'm beaming for you from JN70ET, ciao

[k6tpl]

Thanks Randy! At this moment a 6 meter J pole is sitting in the back yard ready to put up! Now I am wondering two things 1 maybe the dipole you describe be better. Have plans for s simple extended double zepp that could be put up real high! and the second is my call sign changed. That gives me a problem with my channel name on You Tube!!!! Five star video 73 Jer W7KO

[N7COF]

Thanks for another great video de N7COF

[m0sjd]

Thanks for this video Randy, good to see you again de M0SJD