The AM Forum

Hello,

Anyone in Sarasota on 50.4 AM?

Gil.

I'm just an hour and a half away in Sebring, FL.  I will be on 50.4 VERY, VERY soon (6 meter beam is going up next week).

Gil,

My six meter beam is up and I was calling CQ on 50.4 for an hour or so this afternoon and evening.  I didn't expect much and made no contacts... band was dead...

How often are you on six?  There seems to be a dearth of VHF activity in my area.

Chris, N4JOY

Chris,

Over the last 10 or so years I have tried to get something started on VHF AM.  I even purchased some pricey rigs (ICOM 746PRO).  No one locally showed up.

I am in Bradenton, about 75 miles West of you.  If I can find a good HF/6 radio, I may try VHF again.

Ed WA4NJY
Bradenton, Fl

Hi, Ed.

I hope I have better luck.  I similarly invested time and money to get involved in VHF AM.  I'm quickly leaning that Florida has minimal VHF AM activity.  In fact, VHF activity in general in my area is pitiful--the repeaters are always silent.  I'm going to remain persistent and hope I will make my first AM contact on 50.4 and/or 2 meter AM within the next year or two! :)

Chris, N4JOY

 

Your best bet to make an AM contact in the short time is to go down to the SSB area and call CQ a few times. Most likely you'll get a response(s) that you have too much carrier or to many sidebands. You can then respond that you're on AM and ask them if they can switch over. The bands aren't over run with signals so, most likely, no one will care that you're on AM. If you're going to just sit on 50.4 you'll probably have a very long wait unless the band opens up with some Sporadic E propagation.

That may be a good plan.  I'll dust off the VFO and give it a go!