Archived Posts

[AF9J]

6 is open.  So, after making a few QSOs on SSB, I am now on 50.4 MHz calling CQ.  There is also some double hop Es between New England and Colorado too.  Come and join the fun.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[AF9J]

Hi Mark,

Sorry, I called CQ on 50.4 for about 4 minutes or so, starting at 9:50 PM your time.    Nothing heard, except for possibly a fragment from somebody for a second.  I have an electrical storm entering the area. I'm going to stay off the air for a few, until it passes over me.

Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

6 M DX spots shows that further west, several JA's are trying to tickle the US mainland. NJ to 6 and 7 land is also open tonight. This weekend should be hopping.

[AF9J]

After an OK Sunday afternoon on 6m (but no AM to speak of after numerous CQs on 50.4 MHz) - nothing's been happening on that band around here.  <Sigh!>

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[AF9J]

That's a good idea Mark,

On Sunday, I finally just gave up going to 50.4, and concentrated on working them on SSB & CW.  It's too bad, because the way Colorado was coming in, AM would have been a slam dunk.

I'll listen for you guys during this weekend's fun.  Ar eyou going to be doing the 6, 2 & 432 stations?  I wish I had my 432 gear working, but I think the receiver front end on that ancient KLM Echo 70 I got to replace last year's FT-897D is blown.  Frankly, it's probably not worth it to repair it (there isn't even a service manual for the thing).  So, if I don't get it working tonight, it's headed for the dumpster.  I have a line on a Kenwood TM-455A to replace the Echo 70.  Let me know if you want to take a chance on trying 50.4 this weekend.

73,
Ellen - AF9J
Working away

[Carl WA1KPD]

[
I think what I'm going to do is try 50.4 on the quarter hour.   

Good to know

If I am in the radio room I usually have the rcvr on 50.4. I'll listen extra hard at the guater hours.
Simple dipole up in the attic, but ya never know.

[W9RAN]

Had a nice QSO with WA5NOU just north of Houston tonight, running the G-50 on my end and a modern rig on his.  But kudos to Larry, who started out with a Utica 650 and says he always puts out a CQ on 50.4 anytime the band is open.

73, Bob W9RAN

[AF9J]

Awwwww!

I worked 2 on CW, & 2 on SSB.  I went up to 50.4, and called CQ for 4 minutes, and had no takers.  You'e lucky Bob.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Japan's Band Plan:
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/6_Band_Plan/JAbandplan.pdf

And Japan's Class of Emissions:
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/2_Outline/A-2-2.htm

[AF9J]

THAT sounds intriguing.

73,
Ellen - AF9J
6m & 10m AMer

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Thanks for the links Pete; DSB AM max 6 KHz BW is OK for JA's on 50.4.

But don't read the IARU Region 3 Bandplan.

[Pete, WA2CWA]

June 16 - Europe has been popping into the East coast on CW all morning.

[AF9J]

Not only was 6 open yesterday, but I did hear a QSO in progress (and also call CQ), on 50.4 MHz AM.

Ellen - AF9J

[W9GT]

Six Meters was really hopping this weekend with the VHF QSO Party Festivities.  Heard hundreds of stations, but not a single AM QSO.  One can't help but wonder if the band isn't open a lot of the time, but it just takes activity and people listening (and transmitting) to reveal that propagation is there.  I listened quite a bit on 50.4, but didn't hear anything.

73,  Jack, W9GT

[AF9J]

I agree Jack,

I called CQ off and on during the contest. I had no takers.  The one QSO iZ heard, was almost down in the noise.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Although during a contest or band opening is probably not a great time to do this, but you might try calling CQ on AM, say around 50.17 MHz. Once you snag someone, if they're so equipped, you can get them to switch over to AM if they haven't do so already. During "dead band", I've called CQ on AM on 50.125 and normally get an answer. Initially, I generally get "you got too much carrier", "something wrong with your signal", and sometimes even more colorful phrases. Lots of 6 meter operators scan 50.1 to 50.130 during "dead band" time; AM carrier always stops their scan if you're within range. It's an attention getter. If they're willing to talk, you can then QSY. 50.4 is too high up the band  for many to even take notice if there's activity.

[AF9J]

No such luck Mark.  I just spent the last several minutes calling on 50.4.  I must be right under the E-cloud.  I'm going to go to 29.0 and call CQ for a few.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[AF9J]

No Biggie Mark,

10 was spotty at best in my neck of the woods.  To check propogation on both 6 & 10m, I tune the beacon subbands, and the portions where the SSB & CW ops hang out. If I hear activity, THEN I go to either 29.0 or 50.4, and start calling CQ on AM.  Since I'm also a VHF&UHF weak signal op, I always check 6 first.  Then 10m.  I heard nothing on 6, and only 1 QSO in progress in  8-land (in either OH or WV).  I called on both 50.4, and 29.0.  Nothing heard.  OH well.  But, when 6 & 10 are happening, you don't need much power or antenna to have fun.  I get out of work at 10 AM today.  I'll listen on 6 & 10 after work.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[AF9J]

Hi Mark,

Nah, no bass voice here (as you well know from the QSOs we've had).  Is there even much participation in the SMIRK QSO Party?  I've tried participating in it 3 or 4 times over the years, and it's been a real snooze-fest.

I just checked out 6 & 10 a little while ago, after finishing some post-work errands, and getting a bite to eat for lunch.  Nothing's happening at the present time.

Ellen - AF9J

[Pete, WA2CWA]

I didn't think Smurf contests were still around. I use to get the blues looking for contacts in that contest.

One year, many gathered during the late night in the parking lot at Hamvention:

[AF9J]

It figures,

I do my Monday night volunteering thing (I help with the cleaning) at the animal shelter, and 6m AM starts happening.  I just checked 6m.   I heard a weak signal on 50.125, so I gave a few calls on 50.4.  Nothing heard.  Oh well.

73,
Ellen - AF9J

[W9GT]

I got on later last night about 01:30 Z and worked a couple of SC stations and a couple of Florida stations.  Guess it was really open earlier.  I can't turn my beam right now....rotor stuck to the SE, so that limits my options.  Hopefully will get the antenna system, including the ol' prop pitch rotor refurbished and working properly this summer.  I run a home brew 5 element yagi at 86 ' on 6 M and it seems to work pretty well.  I have worked 43 countries and 49 states on 6.  Still need Utah.  Probably won't be working it soon though with the antenna pointing SE 

73,  Jack, W9GT

[Pete, WA2CWA]

ARRL reports on 6 meter "E" season:
http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/06/24/10176/?nc=1

[W9GT]

Band was open again last night.  Worked the locals on the 50.58 net, then worked into New Orleans and a couple of stations in Florida.  Still didn't hear any AM, but locals are also talking about reviving AM activity that was very popular here for many years on 50.4, 50.58, and 50.85.   Lots of old AM rigs around for cheap, so maybe a resurgeance is not too far fetched.  Everything from Sixers to big Clegg stuff is quite commonly available.   I plan to crank-up the G-50 soon and give it a try.

73,  Jack, W9GT

[W9GT]

Last night was quiet, didn't hear much on Six.  Will see what happens tonight.  Anyone want to try 50.4 AM?  my beam is stuck pointing SE, so options might be limited, however, when the band is really open it doesn't seem to matter much.

73,  Jack, W9GT