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1994-02-22
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50 MHZ PROPAGATION REPORT PETE LINDEN-P29CW, UKARUMPA, GRID LOC. QI23WQ
-------------------------5 February, 1994------------------------------
The TEP season has begun!
Beacons heard: VK4RIK was in with strong signals via Sporadic E when
I switched on at 0500z. It faded out at 0530z. The real surprise was later
on at 1038z when JA2IGY faded in via TEP! This was followed by JA6YBR at
1040z, and JA7ZMA much later at 1226z. JA7ZMA faded out again at about
1245z. JA6YBR faded out at 1130z, but JA2IGY was in for hours, finally
fading out very suddenly at 1305z. 48.250- nothing 49.750- weak with rapid
TE flutter during the entire JA opening. Faded out at about 1330z.
In the log:
During the Sporadic E opening to VK4, I didn't do any good at all.
I called CQ on 50.110 CW and SSB for the half hour that I could hear the
VK4RIK beacon, but couldn't raise anybody. Later on when I heard the JA
beacons starting to come in on TE, I turned the quad around to the north
and started calling again. At 1100z I had my first taker, Hat JA6RJK on
50.110 CW. It was over an hour and a half later before I got any more
answers... HI At 1235z on 50.110 SSB I worked Kazu JA3JTG, at 1240z Hiyo
JR2HCB, at 1245z Naito JF2IWW, and last one in the log was Hiddy JA2DDN at
1250z. We finished our QSO just as the band started fading out to JA from
here at about 1300z. During that hour and a half of calling CQ after CQ,
I determined that my next project is going to be a keyer unit that will do
that for me! I'm wearing my poor old bug out.... HI HI
See you on the magic band!
*****73/99, Pete P29CW*****
[ P29CW @ N0JN.EVIS.PHL.OC ]
* * * * * * * *
6 Meters...Yours to discover !
Hugh Duff VE3OYH
6 meters is a band that has always held some mistique with many
Amateurs. Once very widely used, it soon lost it's popularity due
to the establishment of the low band VHF television channels
directly above the 6 meter Amateur band. TVI became a major problem
which soon drove 6 meter enthusiasts to explore other less
vulnerable bands like 2 meters. A sad situation since 6 meters is
a "Pandora's Box" of interesting propogation. Located between 10
and 2 meters, it offers much of both worlds. Worldwide DXing is
possible when the sunspot cycle is high, very much like 10 meters.
Sporadic-E and Aurora activity also offers propogation around North
America. Temperature inversions and ducting as commonly heard on 2
meters can also affect 6 meters. Meteor showers although usually
brief, can produce interesting openings. There is an ever
increasing amount of local ground wave activity stirring on 6
meters. Moderately equipped 6 meter setups offer greater range than
comparable 2 meter stations.
The "TVI Phobia" virtually reduced 6 meter activity to
contesting only. For many years, radio manufacturers did not offer
very much in the way of 6 meter transceivers. Homebrewed equiment
and transverters were the only ways to get on 6. Many 6 meters
operators are of the experimenter type, perhaps as a result of that
lack of commercially available equipment. Lately however, radio
manufacturers have begun to offer HF transceivers with 6 meters
already included, some as an option. Examples are the Yaesu FT-690,
FT-767 / Kenwood TS-680, TS-690 / Icom IC-729. This availability of
6 meter amateur radios might be attributed to marketing such radios
towards No-Code licencees. Many of these radios are relatively low
to medium priced making them accessible as entry level transceivers
for new Hams. Such a radio could get a "Basic" Ham active on 6
while offering HF for the future when they upgrade their licence.
There is also a flood of commercial low band radios on the surplus
market as a result of the OPP changing their radio communications
to higher frequencies. Most of these surplus radios can be modified
to be used on 6 meter FM. Radios such as the Motorola Mitrek are of
the 110 watt, 4 channel variety. These work great as 6 meter FM
mobiles with their beefy output power. 4 channels may seem like a
limitation but there is seldom a need for more since most FM
operation takes place on one simplex frequency or one of the few
repeaters.
Basic 6 Meter Bandplan
50.0 - 50.1 Mhz CW & Beacons
50.1 - 51.0 Mhz SSB
51.0 - 54.0 Mhz FM
Most SSB activity occurs around 50.1 to 50.25 with 50.125 being
a common "hangout" or listening post. 52.525 is the FM calling
frequency (just like 146.52 on 2 meters) and repeater outputs can
be heard around 53.0 and up. The local convention for repeater
split is -1 Mhz for the input although this apparently varies by
region according to some U.S. sources. There are presently 2
operating repeaters that are accessible to the greater Toronto
area. One is VE3LSR, located just north of Barrie with frequencies
of 53.07 for the output and 52.07 input. The other is VE3SIX in
Uxbridge at 53.03 output and 52.03 input. There are a few more
repeaters expected to pop up in the coming months. As you can see,
6 meters is not overcrowded making it a refreshing "get away" from
some of the other amateur bands.
6 meters holds a lot of surprises. Chasing grid squares can be
just as exciting as DXing new countries on HF. Most 6 meter DXing
occurs on SSB and CW although FM activity is on the rise. Don't be
surprised if you're holding a local conversation on FM and someome
from Florida breaks in with a full quieting signal ! A degree of
patience is required on 6 though. With the sunspot cycle on it's
way down, weeks can go by without any openings and then suddenly,
it may open up to the south or several hours (sometimes minutes).
This unpredictability is what makes it exciting when the band does
open up. There's no telling how long the opening will last. Most
contacts are brief so both operators can move onto the next contact
before "the bottom drops out". Of course, ragchewing is uncommon
during these openings.
I hope that I have piqued your interest in 6 meters. Basic
licencees should take full advantage of their privledges and check
it out. Others may find that 6 meters offers renewed excitment in
the hobby.
See you on 6 ! .... 73 Hugh VE3OYH ....