The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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By John Wendt, WA6BFH
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February 2, 2005
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
By John Wendt, WA6BFH
I was pleased to see my last article garnered many positive comments about Ham radio and the diversity of available activities. I read and kept up with the returned postings, and looked for trends in band choices, antenna types and installations relative to band, and the type and vintage of radio equipment used. I also enjoyed direct e-mailing many of you! Thanks to all who responded, and I look forward to hopefully running into you ‘on the bands’. While I am active on all bands presently from MF and up, my primary and favorite bands are 17, 10, and 6 Meters, as well as 135 centimeters. I operate SSB on all of these bands but, prefer FM simplex on 10 Meters. Some of you who want to work me on CW will have to cut me a little slack, as I’m pretty well max’ed out at about 16 words per minute.
Let me get into the meat of my next thoughts for your response. I certainly have made no bones about indicating that my favorite activities and interests lie in the VHF, UHF and SHF spectrum. These bands to this day have relatively little scientific data accumulated on their signal propagation characteristics but, at least some data is being accumulated by folks like WA6EXV, K6IBY, and a handful of others. These wavelength bands are also the most likely for re-allocation and removal as Ham radio allocations.
So, let me ask these specific questions of those of you that share my passion and concern for this top spectrum. Please respond to the questions in an outline manner, answering each of them, even if your answer for a given band is “not active on this band”.
6 Meters: What equipment, modes, power level and antennas do you use on this band?
What is the antenna height above ground, and what type of transmission line is used?
What DX standings do you have, relative to grid squares, states or countries?
2 Meters: Same question as above for equipment, modes, power, and antennas.
Same question about antenna height and transmission line.
Same question about DX standings.
135 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
70 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
33 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
23 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
13 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
9 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
5 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
3 centimeters: Same as all questions above.
1.25 cm: Same as all questions above.
4 millimeters: Same as all questions above.
2.5 mm: Same as all questions above.
2.1 mm: Same as all questions above.
1.2 mm: Same as all questions above.
If you can please also describe the conditions for some of the standings worked and contacts made. Try to describe the signal propagation conditions. Examples for this might be:
6 Meter 2400 mile path Sporadic E-layer contact, using SSB and 3 element portable beam at 30 feet. Or, 6 Meter meteor scatter from home QTH. QSO continued for 10 minutes on SSB with S9 signal, then had to go to iCW to complete QSO.
2 Meters: Tropospheric ducting contact of 300 mile path using SSB. Or, EME moon bounce using JT44
The same sort of descriptions will apply for all of the other bands, except that you may find that you have to include weather, thermal inversion, or ‘mountain bounces’ for the SHF spectrum.
Thanks for your responses! I’m looking forward to reading them!
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by AE1X on February 3, 2005
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Does 2mtr FM count here?
I have an old Clegg FM-27B running ~35W output feeding a discone antenna ~30' above ground on the top of my 2 story home. The feed line is ~35' of RG-8. My best DX has been between my home in Attleboro MA and a mobile station on a hill in Oceanside NJ during a ducting event. This system also permitted me to contact a western CT station that I have determined was 109mile path.
My major interests involve low power levels using minimal equipment and antennae. You can see my station list at: www.geocities.com/ae1x.
I operated:
2mtrs FM
70cm FM
I have equipment for 6mtr AM, but it is not active. I do have a plan to develop a minimal 6mtr CW station. That project is in the future.
Regards...
Ken
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N2KMF on February 3, 2005
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Ok, here we go.
6 Meters:
No gear yet.
2 Meters:
I have a Kenwood TS-700A as the main 2M rig at home, hooked up to a homebrew copper J-Pole up about 18 feet, and fed with about 50 feet of RG-8. Recently, it has developed a problem with the receive in CW, SSB, and AM modes, and I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. It still works fine on FM. I have made a couple of 200+ mile contacts with this setup on USB, but usually only with 'big guns'.
I have as a backup for the TS-700A a TS-700S, but it has a relay issue that needs to be addressed.
In the car I have a Radio Shack HTX-252, hooked up to a mag-mount 5/8ths wave. Got both cheap on close-out, and they are better than the handheld I was using as a mobile rig.
I have 3 2M only handhelds. I occasionally have one of them on packet/APRS.
70cm:
I have a dual-band handheld, which I sometimes hook up to a tri-band mag-mount antenna in the car. I also have a Motorola PMR-446 (basically, a European FRS radio) that operates just above 446 MHz, but it can only do simplex, and you can't hook up an external antenna to it.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K1VSR on February 3, 2005
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6 Meters:
All I have is a Yaesu VX-5 HT which doesn't work well on 6 meters since the body of the HT is all the rubber duck has for a counterpoise and that's not a big counterpoise on 6 meters.
2 Meters:
FM only. I have a 50W Alinco DR-605 running into a Diamond SG7500 antenna in the mobile. In the house, I use a 60W ADI AR-147 running into a larsen mag mount stuck to a piece of metal on my balcony. I do quite well with it. From my house in Cranston, RI I have worked some coastal tropo down to North Carolina and E-Skip to Arkansas!
1.25 Meters:
In the car, I have a 30W ADI AR-247 running into a Hustler MX-220 antenna. Mobile I've worked repeaters in New Jersey and Delaware during tropo. At home, I use my Alinco DJ-296 HT running into a homebrewed quarter-wave ground plane antenna. Haven't done much with that but it allows me to work my friends on simplex.
70 Centimeters:
In the car I use the same rig and antenna (Alinco DR-605/Diamond SG-7500) as I do for 2 meters. In the house, I have an ADI AR-447 which is currently getting fixed. I run that into the same larsen mag mount that I use for 2 meters. I've worked plenty of tropo DX on 440.
3 Centimeters:
I'm using a homebrewed transverter that interfaces with my ADI AR-147 2 meter rig. I haven't made any contacts yet since I don't have an antenna.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KI4CYB on February 3, 2005
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After playing on HF I decided to gear up to play on the upper parts of the bands... I have only
been on VHF for a few months, so I do not have tons of grid squares yet...
for 6M:
3 element steppir at 50ft with 6M add-on kit... I also work grids via meteor scatter when band is not open.
I currently have 35 grid squares.
for 2M:
M2 2m9SSB at 55ft with mast mount pre-amp.. I also work meteor scatter on this band...
I currently have 20 grid squares.
Little by little grid counts go up from my Miami, Florida EL95 grid square..
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by N3JBH on February 3, 2005
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hello all well i have a ft 847(yaesu) i use on 6'2 and 440 i do all most 95% of my work as ssb. on 6 i use a delta loop only 25 feet up in air. but i live along top of chestnut ridge so i dont have any higher hills except to my direct south and then only a very narrow section is blocked. on 2 & 440 i use combo of vertical and horizontal antenna's located 35 feet up.
all cables are lmr 400 and 50 feet long as far as states i am missing califorina aand rhode island on 6mtr and worked many over sea's station's
2 and 440 well have sevral grids and states but only canada as foregion contry.
my most exciting contact was either alaska of finland as my 6 meter contacts hawaii was cool but i made 3 there so kinda lost it's thril.
hope that answered some of the questions thanks jeff/n3jbh oh p.s. i also use my heathkit sb-110-a on 6 meters when i feel old hi hi
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by W3NRL on February 3, 2005
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On the magic band i use a homebrew 3 element beam up at 40 feet and i also use stacked 6 meter loops up also at 40 feet, most of the time i transmit at 100 watts although i have a 6 meter amp rarely use the amp.
When the band was opened several years ago i worked all over the world. When the band is opened you can work anywhere with one watt and a trash can lid!
On 2 meters (ssb) i use 13 element beam up at 40 feet and worked station south to florida ( iam in PA )and west to Nebraska and up north to Canada. Thats using 100 watts. Also worked FM mode with good results to many sourronding states.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KI4CYB on February 3, 2005
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OPPS: -->Please respond to the questions in an outline manner, answering each of them
band: 6M
Equipment: Icom 746Pro
modes: 6M SSB
power level: 100W
antennas: steppir 3 element w/6M add-on kit
antenna height above ground: 50ft
transmission line used: buryflex low loss
grid squares: 35
states: 16
band: 2M
Equipment: Icom 746Pro, mast mounted ssb pre-amp, approx system NF of .9db
mode: 2M SSB
power level: 100W
antenna: MS 2M9SSB yagi
antenna height above ground: 55ft
transmission line used: buryflex low loss
grid squares: 20
states: 7
for 2M FM I have a UVS-300 17.5ft vertical at 56ft (8.3db gain) Net control for Miami-Dade Simplex net every WED 7:pm-7:30pm on 146.520FM
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6M and up....
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by KG4GSC on February 3, 2005
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We have a pretty good group on Yahoo, as well as locally. During the contest, EM96 always seems to have lots of stations active on 6M.
That said, I'm active on:
6M ssb/cw/FM
2M ssb/cw/fm
1.25m ssb/cw/fm
70 cm ssb/cw/fm
and am working on a 900 mhz FM unit..
Grids? Lost count. NA, SA, Central America, Caribbean, but still looking NE towards Europe.
I try monitoring 6M calling freq. daily if I'm at the house or at the office (rig parked beside the coffeepot....!) and have had many fine QSOs on 6m. With the plethora of all-band rigs, more folks should try 6 & 2 m sideband. I run mostly homebrew antennas, but PAR makes a neat MOXON for 6m and their Omniangles are great on 6/2/70cm, others make good antennas which you can buy, and lots of plans out there for homebrew antennas! For Tech class licencees, 6M is the "DX" band....a GOOD antenna and a simple rig will let you literally work the world. Patience is needed, tho....
Hope to hear you on 6m!
Andrew
N4ABA
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by W1VT on February 3, 2005
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I've been operating 10GHz from Hammonasset Beach on the Connecticut side of the Long Island Sound. I can drive there in about an hour without having to get on a crowded Interstate. Not much height (15 ft ASL?) but the tropo can be outstanding. Best DX is K4EFD on Reddish Knob, about 404 miles away, via tropo. Signals were 579 both ways. Not bad for 3 watts to an 18 inch DSS dish mounted on top my Saturn sedan's roof rack. Range seems to be all the popular mountaintops out to 220 miles--Mansfield, Washington, Equinox, Kearsarge, Camelback, and Wachusett come to mind.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by SFD301 on February 3, 2005
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6m, ic - 706 mkIIG with loop antenna @26' with LMR 400. As a new ham working SSB during the recent few openings I've worked 21 states, with an aprox. 1300 mile hop to TX.
I've learned quickly to hang in there against the big guns, and have operated with patience which I have learned a great deal with.
kc2nmx
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by K3AN on February 3, 2005
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About 15 years ago, I went to a hilltop location with a friend from work and we operated the January VHF contest, using his equipment and my newly-developed contest logging program. We had soon worked all the locals on 6, 2, and 432. After that, it was mostly fruitless calling and tuning. My friend remarked that we didn't need the computer, we could have logged the contacts using a hammer and chisel on a stone tablet!
About 8 years ago, I bought the Yaesu 690 and 290 single band, multimode transceivers for 6 and 2 Meters, along with some short yagis. I rigged up a portable mast arrangement and drove to nearby hilltops to participate in various VHF contest weekends. Again, with no enhanced propagation, the rate declined to the single digit range after the locals were worked. I didn't hear any of the locals working stations I couldn't hear, either.
I contrast that to my current HF setup, which is a random wire lying on the roof of my single-story house. Unless a solar storm is in progress, I can always work someone, somewhere. Running QRP, I worked around 400 contacts in the last CW SS, and even had fun for a couple of hours in the CQWW phone event (at 50 Watts).
Except for the mostly-idle 2 Meter FM rig in the car, I no longer have any VHF equipment.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KG4PVX on February 3, 2005
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Most of my DX operations are done portable.
6M - Rig: Icom 706MKIIG – Antenna: Vertical - Best DX: PA to PY
2M - Rig: Yeasu FT209 R II with PA – Antenna: 9el Tonna @ 40Ft - Best DX: PA (JO22) to HB9 (JN37)
70cm - Rig: Icom 706MKIIG – Antenna: Vertical – Best DX: only several miles in FM
23cm - Rig: Homebrew ATV TRX 5 Watt – Antenna: 15el Tonna @ 40 Ft – Best DX: 40 Miles
13cm - Rig: Homebrew ATV TRX 2 Watt – Antenna: 20el homebrew @ 40 Ft – Best DX: 40 Miles
3cm - Rig Homebrew ATV TRX 0.05 Watt – Antenna: Horn @ 10 Ft – Best DX: 15 Miles
73 de Sjaak
W4RIS ex-KG4PVX ex-PA3GVR
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by W1QWT on February 3, 2005
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6 meters is a very interesting band which I enjoy.
On 6 meter SSB I use a TS690 for SSB and on the AM calling frequency of 50.4 I use a Heath Seneca 6 and 2 transmitter with a HQ-110 receiver. I also have a Benton Harbor 6'er Lunchbox which I put on the air now and again during our local 50.4 net.
On 2 meters I use a TS780 for SSB.
Antennas used on 6 meters is a 75 meter dipole fed with open wire line and a homebrew balanced tuner or a 3 element beam up 25 feet fed with low loss coax (9913).
On 2 meters I have 3 element beam up 25 feet fed with low loss coax (9913).
For contacts on 6 meters SSB I have worked Scotland and a ship in the Pacific (I'm near Boston) when the band was open. ALso worked about 15 states with the farthest state being Michigan. On 6 meters AM I have worked Florida, Ohio, South Carolina and most of New England.
On 2 meter SSB I have worked most of New England, and out to Ohio and down to Virginia.
I usually get on 6 meter AM once a week as we have a Saturday night net on 50.4 at 8 PM.
I have a gunnplexor for 10 GHZ but only used it once many years ago from a mountain top. Wasn't spontaneous enough for me as you had to make an appointment for a contact.
My use of the 70 cm band is mostly FM on the local repeaters. Did try a little 439 Mhz ATV once.
Regards
Bob W1QWT
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KR4WM on February 3, 2005
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6M = Yaesu FT-847, 100 watts into a 5 element Cushcraft Yagi at 40 feet. 70 grids confirmed, WINNER 2003 ARRL VHF June QSO party 6 Meters for South Carolina. January propagation is awful here, so did not participate in last month's contest.
2M = Yaesu FT-847 and AM-6154 FAA amp running 160 watts (max because of an in-line ARR preamp) into a 10 element Cushcraft Yagi at 50 feet. Around 50 grids confirmed, no awards.
220MHz = DEMI transverter (not hooked up yet), into a Gulf-Alpha 12 element Yagi (no space on the tower yet).
Hopefully will be active in time for the June ARRL VHF QSO party.
70Cm = Yaesu FT-847 with Mirage 100 watt brick into a 10 element KLM yagi at 20 feet. Two confirmed DX contacts (near Wilmington, NC, I'm in Myrtle Beach, SC)
1296 = DEMI transverter (just bought it this past week, not here yet) into ??? (have no antenna yet, looking for recommendations!).
Higher bands? Who am I going to talk to? There's nobody in my neck of the country with bands any higher than 70Cm, so I'm probably wasting my money on the 1296 stuff. If it produces a single contact, I'd be happy! There is one guy nearby with 1296 in his Kenwood TS-2000, but he has no antennas up, and little prospects that it will occur in the near future.
I don't count FM contacts, only SSB. The first year I was licensed (1991) I made one contact on FM using a Yaesu FT-208r handheld at 5 watts into an AR-270B Cushcraft vertical at 15 feet into Oklahoma on 146.52 simplex! What a fluke!
I'm in FM03, in case anyone wants to set up a sked. I'm heavily saturated with contacts in the northeast, a few from Florida and Louisiana, Texas, two or three from Georgia, but hardly any through the center of the U.S. My CW speed is around 8WPM, so if you want a CW contact, please be patient with me. I want to learn about WSJT, but there are no nearby mentors to learn from, and most of the websites I've seen don't cater to beginners, they assume you know something about certain nuances of meteor scatter and QSO timing, and I don't. I'd like to just set up my system to monitor and see if anything comes over the screen without any interaction from me, but with no received signals to test with, I have no idea if my system is operational or not!
-KR4WM
(843) 251-4728 for skeds
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KD7KXT on February 3, 2005
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Currently I can only operate 2m FM. I have a Yaesu FT-1500 connected to a twin lead J-Pole that hangs in the corner of the kitchen. I normally run only 5 watts and can work all the local area simplex and can hit all the repeaters within a 75 to 80 mile radius.
Val
KD7KXT
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KD7KXT on February 3, 2005
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Currently I can only operate 2m FM. I have a Yaesu FT-1500 connected to a twin lead J-Pole that hangs in the corner of the kitchen. I normally run only 5 watts and can work all the local area simplex and can hit all the repeaters within a 75 to 80 mile radius.
Val
KD7KXT
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N5JYZ on February 3, 2005
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ON 6m M2 7 el Yagi
2m M2 8 wavelength Yagi (58 feet long)
220 M2 7 Wavelength Yagi
432 M2 13 wavelength Yagi
903 M2 33 element Yagi
1296 M2 (KLM) 44 el. Yagi
5.760 24 inch Andrew Dish
10.368 24 inch waveguide feed Dish
Benn on weak sig since the late 70's and in those days all mode radio were not that prevalant but there was always someone on at least 6m and 2mssb.
Today allmode radios are almost exclusive and yet there are less people on the weak signal person as ever. And I wonder why that is as I would have expected with the equipment so easily available as never before the bands would be chock full of the curious but nada they are on Echolink and elsewhere so what is one to do but sit up there day in and day listening to solar noise because that is just about all there is. How about instead of wondering what it's
like get those IC-706 MKIIG and some yagi and get up and running we are waiting for you.
Bob
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by WA4MJF on February 3, 2005
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6 Meters FM voice with Alico MO-6 into
a military whip at 30 feet
WFM with a RT-524 on 53.30
for RACES with a military
whip at 20 feet
WFM on 51.00 and 51.60 using
a RT-841 for talking with other
"green radio" users. Whip at
20 feet.
2 Meters FM voice and packet 1K2 with various
rigs and antennas.
1 1/4 Meters 9K6 Packet with a gain vertical
at 35 feet.
70 cm FM voice, 9K6 packet and ATV
with various rigs and antennas
highest at 60 feet.
33 cm ATV Various rigs and antenna
at 60 feet.
23 cm ATV various rigs and antenna
at 60 feet.
13 cm ATV various rigs and antenna
at 50 feet.
73 de Ronnie
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by W8KQE on February 3, 2005
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Been licensed since 1977, and only recently (last 4 years) have I tried 'weak signal' work on 6 meters, and it has quickly become my favorite band. I have managed to leverage my excellent overall results on 6, mainly by exercising tons of patience (I monitor 50.125 MHz a lot, especially during the E-skip seasons), and using CW as well as USB. A few years ago during the sunspot max, I worked tons of European, Caribbean, and South American 'F layer' DX during some awesome MUF peaks, and of course a lot of single and double hop E-skip, as well as some excellent Aurora propagation over the years. The interesting thing is that I run very basic equipment on 6. Mainly, an Icom 756 (original model) at about 50-75 watts out, 50 feet of RG-8/U and a simple single PAR 'Omniangle' loop at only 24 feet high on the roof!!! I've worked 48 states, 34 DX entities, and my total grid count is at 274. About 40% of my contacts have been on CW, and the rest on USB. 6 has been a total blast, and it's amazing how well one can do running lower power and a simple halo or loop antenna!!!
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KE6OUD on February 3, 2005
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Well, just acquired a 1KW 2 meter amp. This should prove interesting come field day.
2 meter:
Kenwood TS-711A & Yaesu FT-726R
Antennas:
13 element Cushcraft
20 element homebrew Boomer
Amplifiers:
Mirage 160 watt
K2ITW 1 KW
Height:
70' & 50'
6 Meter:
RCI 5054
Antennas:
6 meter loop
6 element 30' boom beam
Amplifier:
Mirage 160 watt
Height:
50'
Working on my upgrade now in preperation for my Kenwood TS-430S with a Yaesu 101E for backup. Antenna going up in 2 weeks is a KLM KT34XA. Amplifier is a FL-2100B. A Hustler 6BTV is being installed this weekend.
73 & hope to work you on 6.....Charlie KE6OUD
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by WB2WIK on February 3, 2005
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6m: FT-736R and homebrew 4-1000A grid-driven PA, 1200W PEP, 7L M2 at 60'; 104 countries; all continents; 50 states
2m: FT-736R and homebrew 2 x 4CX250B PA, 1000W PEP, 12L M2 at 65'; 6 countries; 37 states
Higher bands: Haven't kept track since moving to CA in 1988 -- but not much. Back in NJ pre-1988, I had...
135cm: TS-830S/MMT220/28 and homebrew 2 x 4CX250B PA, 750W PEP, 19L F9FT @ 70'; 6 countries, 29 states
70cm: TS-830S/MMT432/28 and homebrew 2 x 4CX250B PA, 600W PEP, 2 x 21L F9FT @ 75'; 6 countries, 31 states
33cm: TS-830S/LT33S and homebrew 2 x 7289 PA, 200W PEP, 2 x 23L loop yagis @ 65'; 3 countries, 16 states,
23cm: TS-830S/LT23S and homebrew 2 x 7289 PA, 150W PEP, 4 x 23L loop yagis @ 60'; 4 countries, 24 states
That doesn't count stuff worked during "portable" operations :)
Best memory of portable work: June 1987 VHF QSO Party, as WB2WIK/4, Chincoteague Island, grid FM27: In 36 hours, made WAS on 50 MHz, worked and confirmed all 50 states in one weekend, 204 grids on six. Same weekend completed two Es contacts on 220.1 MHz from VA into TX, including a good 2-way with W5LUA on 220.1 SSB: Those were my first-ever sporadic-E contacts on 220, and this is extremely rare...I think they were LUA's first Es QSOs on 220, also.
WB2WIK/6
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KB1GMX on February 3, 2005
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band: 6M
Equipment: Tentec 526 (6n2) (also 4 HB SSB rigs QRP)
modes: 6M SSB/FM/CW
power level: 20W
antennas:
4element Arrow Beam, Vertical dipole, 24ft EDZ
antenna height above ground:
31ft beam, 20ft dipole, 26ft wire.
transmission line used: buryflex low loss
grid squares: >100
states: 40+
band: 2M
Equipment: Tentec 526 sometime Icom IC245 (10W)
modes: 2M SSB/FM
power level: 20W
antennas:
beam cc215WB, Arrow OSJ146/440(vertical)
antenna height above ground: 36ft
transmission line used: buryflex low loss
grid squares: 30+
states: 16+
band: 70CM
Equipment: RS HTX245 ht
modes: FM
power level: 1.5W
antennas:
OSJ146/440 vertical, Arrow 5element beam
antenna height above ground:
36ft (vertical), 34ft beam
transmission line used: buryflex low loss
grid squares:
states: 6
Antennas, all seven of them for VHF hang off of 27ft of Rohn-25 bracketed to the house.
Favorite band 6m, mode SSB weak signal. Often found on the band running QRP (less than 10w pep).
RF complaints, noise from pt-15 rf junk and wideband noise from the Needham TV/FM tower complex.
Allison
KB1GMX FN42
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA1RNE on February 3, 2005
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6 is one of my favorite bands.
Gear and antennas for 6 and 2, SSB, CW, FM:
IC-740 HF xceiver
Halicrafters HA-6 6 meter transverter; about 60 watts out with an outboard Ameco preamp, modified with 2N4416 FET instead of 6CW4 nuvistor;
HA-410 10 meter AM xceiver w/ 50 ohm T-pad to allow driving HA-6;
Clegg 66'er AM xceiver, currently off the air, adding a solid state plate modulator.
Halicrafters HA-2 2 meter transverter; 60 watts out; (I believe these transverters are rare finds these days)
2 FM; Alinco DR-110, 50 watts, Yaesu FT-227R, 12 watts out;
Antennas:
6 meters: homebrew 5 element yagi, 16 ft boom; halo
2 meters: 6 element yagi, ARX-2 modified w/ decoupling radials.
Suppressed Desire; to see another sunspot cycle like the one that occurred during 1958-59 and work 6 meters.
I have friends who said they could throw a piece of wire on the kitchen table and work across the country on 6 AM. What a time that must have been.....
73, Chris
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WB2WIK on February 3, 2005
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Chris WA1RNE, Cycle 19 was spectacular and I missed it, too, being only 7-8 years old and not a ham at the time.
But Cycle 23 peaked in late November 2001 and was equally as spectacular, if you were there. The weekend of Nov 17-18, 2001, almost anyone who was on six meters worked the world for two days. I remember Saturday morning first QSO from my home in CA was with the Czech Republic; Sunday evening, last QSO from my home was with the Philippines; and in between, filled a log book with contacts...literally. What a weekend.
I feel really badly for anybody who missed that one, it was the first time in 3 decades that I heard the band equally open for everyone, all over the world, pretty much no matter where they were located. The MUF was above 52 MHz the entire weekend.
WB2WIK/6
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N3AIU on February 3, 2005
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I have a 2m handheld and mobile for local work. I also have an Icom IC-706MkIIG that I use 99% of the time for HF DXing, mostly on CW.
But, early last summer I was listening around 6m and found a nice Es opening. I worked stations from Hawaii to North Carolina and from Manitoba to Mexico running 100W into my crappy HF longwire. There were many other openings during the summer, and in no time I got my basic VUCC certificate for 6m. Loads of fun! It was almost the same as getting my first QSOs as a novice 30 years ago ...
73, Nick N3AIU
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KG4RUL on February 3, 2005
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6 Meters: Using an MFJ 3 Element Yagi with RS rotator at 20 feet - Kenwood TS2000X @ 100 Watts - I operate on FM and SSB - Best DX was Charlston, SC to Canary Islands on SSB - 67 grid squares & three countries
2 Meters: Using an M2 Eggbeaer with reflector kit at 20 feet - Kenwood TS2000X @ 100 Watts - I operate on FM and SSB - Best DX was Charlston, SC to Macon, GA on SSB - Five grid squares
135 centimeters: Receive only capabilities.
70 centimeters: Using an M2 Eggbeaer with reflector kit at 20 feet - Kenwood TS2000X @ 50 Watts - I operate on FM and SSB - Best DX was Charlston, SC to Macon, GA on SSB - Two grid squares
33 centimeters: Using a pair of M2, 23 Element yagis with a phasing harness for RHCP - Kenwood TS2000X @ 10 Watts - I operate on SSB - Only used for satellite uplink operation so far
23 centimeters: Using a Barbeque Grill antenna with downconverter to 2 M - Receive capabilities only - Only used for satellite downlink operation so far
Higher Bands: No capabilities at this time
Dennis / KG4RUL
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KG6WLS on February 3, 2005
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I'm only a TECH right now and I'm enjoying my IC 746 PRO for 6 & 2 meters. My CC&R antenna farm consist of a 2 meter Ventenna and Comet GP-15 for repeaters, and homebrew 2 & 6 meter square copper dipoles for SSB. Made many contacts here locally and some further on SSB, just can't hit the band openings just right. So, until I can fine tune my code, I'm enjoying it and not getting discouraged. For the most part; good people and good contacts.
By the way John, I did not take your responce personal on the last article. Hope you didn't as well. So is "D" ..- or --. ?
73
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K2WH on February 3, 2005
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I worked New Jersey once in 1968. I was 18 and watching Leave it to Beaver at the time. Does that count or are you looking for a certain time in this century.
I think it very unscientific to ask such questions using this forum. How do you know all respondents are telling the truth or embellishing a little bit? What is the information for and where will the results be published. Currently there is plenty of current day literature on VHF/UFH/SHF propagation modes and anomalies. The web is loaded with statistics and analysis on propagation.
Sorry, but this is not the place to take a propagation poll especially when asking respondents to describe conditions when their best DX may have occured in 1958.
K2WH
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N3AIU on February 3, 2005
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K2WH: I don't think that anyone is assuming that this is a scientific poll. It's just a bunch of guys talking about their experiences, no different from talking at a club meeting, a hamfest, or on the air. From what I've read, I don't think that anyone is embelleshing their stories too much.
73, Nick N3AIU
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WB2WIK on February 3, 2005
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I doubt that, too, and feel sorry for anyone who'd bother.
Everything I've ever done on VHF-UHF has been in QST, anyway. And, as the VHF column editor for CQ Magazine for 4+ years (1984-1988), every detail of my own station was published with up-close photographs.
I don't think it's very important what anyone uses or has accomplished, as much as it is important to convince others to try weak-signal work on VHF-UHF, because it's really fun and the more, the merrier!
WB2WIK/6
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA1RNE on February 3, 2005
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Hey Steve;
I missed hat 2001 opening for sure because at the time, my station was disassembled with the exception of a 2 meter rig.
I think these types of articles are very appropriate because they drum up the old "spirit" of amateur radio.
6 meters and its funky propogation IS amateur radio and it doen't get much better.
No offense to the authors, but in comparison, some articles are in the "off the wall" class but seem to fit right in and get equal billing. Everyone knows which ones I'm referring to ......and this is obviously not one of them.
73.....
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KE4KVW on February 3, 2005
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I only operate TWO bands here 6 & 2 meters with 99% of that on SSB.I have been running 100 watts from an ICOM 756 PROII & ICOM 746 into an M2 6M5X at 55 ft.Use desk top PT-3 preamp on the PROII for the weak ones(working on amp with(2)572B's for the Magic band now).I have worked New Zealand,Italy,France,Northern Africa,Canary Is.,Ukraine, South & Central Americas,as well as over 200 grids confirmed LOTS more not and 49 states confirmed(NO Alaska)with just the 100 watts and single M2.I do work some 6 meter AM when band is open and also work 6 meter SSB & FM from my mobile with 100 watts from an ICOM 706 MII.On 2 meters I run the 746 at 100 watts through a Cushcraft 215WB at 61 ft.and have around 125 grids on 2 meters confirmed. I have worked as far west from my grid EM80 into Colorado and Mexico,North into Canada,South into Cuba and west into Bermuda.I work SSB & FM(13B2 Verticle at 51 ft.)from home and my mobile.I use a PAR OA-144 on SSB from the mobile and 100 watt Mirage amp.I also own a few Antique VHF rigs(Gonset Communicator with the VFO for 2,6,& 220 mhz AM as well as a Heathkit TWOER).I will be running the Gonset on 6 meter AM with Antique HI-PAR Halo on AM at 50 ft.in a few weeks.VHF band is a lot of FUN but the bands have been VERY "POOR" this winter E Season.Have seen BOTH bands open into Texas for several weeks at the time in early 90's but NOT at this time.73's & God bless,ClaytonKE4KVWEM80
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by NJ6F on February 3, 2005
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Hey guys....6 meters is not threatened.... at least not in Southern California. On Friday we have a net at 8AM on a linking FM repeater out of San Diego and have over 55 check-ins every Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!
Due to the use of VX7's, FT100's and some 706's and others. Verticals are used and we have them come in from Bakersfield, LA, and even 900MHZ links from Vegas. Then on Monday evenings 8PM on 50.200 we have over 30 people on USB mostly San Diego and as far away as Riverside. We work both Vertical and Horizontal on SSB, anything goes. No one said USB needs horizontal...thats bull. I use my GP`15 triband vertical to work them all as well as DX from the Carribean, Hawaii, CO, WA and OR. I use a deck mounted horizontal Spider dipole pictured in Review section under portable not mobile antennas for the horizontal diehards. What is interesting is I tie both the horizontal and vertical into my MFJ1025 noise cancelling signal enhancer so I dont care how what polorization they come in on and I eliminate the noise as the same time in the SSB mode. We have tons of repeaters on 220 which I work all with a 11 element beam and a VX7 with 300mw.... thats right 300mw. Full quieting from San Diego into Catalina Island off LA... what a haul or link in to some of the repeater networks here. 2 meter same thing goes using GP15 Comet vertical for 6, ,440 and 2 meters. By the way I use that 440/2 satallite beam by Arrow for satallite work with VX7, a Mirage BD35 440/2 auto amp and a 20ah jump start battery on my deck....lots of fun on the VX7 with just 5 preset freq for each sat due to doppler. Check out the www.sdsixshooters.com 6 meter web site under N6SIX with link from QRZ...Lots of good info on horzontal square loops for 2 or 6 etc... Working the satallite's are fun if your stuck on the flats with no mountains around you for repeaters....Hey try echolink and link into/ listen in to our FM 6 meter rolecalls. Get a VX7 and experience the fun for yourself. 6, 2, 220, and 440 all in one waterproof pack of cigarettes. Even AM out on 6.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N0XMZ on February 3, 2005
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2 m: A home-made j-pole in the attic of my 2nd-story apt. works very well, providing coverage to most of the DFW area (roughly 800-1000 sq. mi.?)
70 cm: A home-made 5/8-wave copper antenna with 4 radials bent downward about 45 deg. This antenna hangs in the attic also. I have so far logged 30+ miles with this antenna on FM at only 2 watts.
Under construction: My satellite work will certainly improve once I get my home-made 8-element beam working correctly. After that, I'm making plans for a 2m yagi.
Both antennas are fed with about 30 feet of RG8/U, Not to be confused with junk like RG8X, this is good coax for short runs. Stranded center conductor and foam dialectric make this an excellant choice when RG8 just isn't practical.
I use an HTX-202 that sits permanently on my desk for FM simplex, satellites, and repeater operation. An excellant radio with a tight front-end.
70 cm FM is provided by the Icom IC-T7H dual-band handheld. I have worked AO-51 with the rubber duck on this radio. I normally keep it connected to the vertical in the attic when I'm at home. Otherwise, this radio goes with me everywhere.
I plan to get an SSB rig for 2m after I get the HF rig bought and paid for. Hopefully that day isn't very far off.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KC5ZRQ on February 3, 2005
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6 Meters: Kenwood TS-2000, USB, 100 watts, 1/4 wave vertical, 30' AGL, RG-8. Last May I worked XE2MX in DM11, Ensenada, Mexico and VE1YX in FN74, Bridwater, NS from DM93, Lubbock, TX.
2 Meters: Kenwood TS-2000, USB, 100 Watts, 4 element Yagi, 35' AGL, RG-8. From Lubbock, DM93, I can regularly work Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Ft Stockton and Clovis, NM. Have worked Austin, San Antonio and Spring, TX.
2 Meters: Icom IC-2200H, D-Star, 65 watts, 5/8 wave, mobile, RG-58. DX so far is 22 miles to W5LCC using vertical antenna at 100' AGL.
70 centimeters: Kenwood TS-2000, USB, 50 Watts, 5 element Yagi, 30' AGL, RG-8. When tropo conditions are good on 2-meters, then 70cm works great with little noise level.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KE6OUD on February 3, 2005
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Sorry bout my earlier post but I've been swamped with emails on the 1 KW amp I have for 2 meters. I made a mistake on the call sign of the ham who built it. (Tired & fat-fingerd the keys, hihi)
It is a K2RIW 1KW amp.
Thanks for the emails & you can look up his call for more info, 73
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K0RGR on February 4, 2005
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I'm not currently very active on VHF/UHF, but get on occasionally for contests and band openings.
6 Meters - 100 W SSB, CW, WSJT - I'm guessing at a states total, but with Eskip, aurora and MS, I would say >30. I have a 3 element yagi at 30 feet. I also have various pieces of FM portable gear for this band, but no local FM repeaters.
2 meters - 100 W SSB, CW, WSJT - about 20 states. I have a 15 element yagi at 40 feet.
222 - 100W SSB, CW - no longer on this band - 8 states
432 - 40 W SSB, CW - 8 states
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KG6GMT on February 4, 2005
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Band 6 meters
Equipment FT-847 and FT-817
Mode SSB some FM
Power 100 or 5
Antenna 6 meter Log
Hight 25 Feet
Transmission line LIM400
Grid squares 200 VCC # 1295
Best DX JA on 5 watts.
Band 2 Meters
Equipment FT-847 and FT-817
Mode Mostly SSB
Power 50 or 5
Antenna Home Brew 8 element or ELK Log
Hight 35 feet
Transmission Line LIM400
Grid Squares 35
States 7
Band 430
Equipment FT-847 and FT-817
Mode SSB and FM Satellite
Power 50 or 5
antenna home brew 13 element and elk log
tranmission line LIM400
Grid squares 5
States 3
Band Mode J Satellite 145/435
Equipment FT-847 and FT-817
Power most of the time 5 watts
Antenna 8 element beam on 144 and a 11 element beam
on 432 home brewed and a home made AZ,EL
Grid Squares 150 VUCC # 141
States 50
I work from 2 QTH's winter in CA (DM05) Summer in MN(EN37) Project this year is to work on my VUCC on 144.
I rove most VHf Contests.
Brock
W6GMT
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K7NG on February 4, 2005
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I have done some 'mountaintopping' on 6M, 2M, and 70cm (and 222 MHz, if you want to consider using my mobile FM transceiver while on the mountain). I had a 3-el Cushcraft yagi for 6M, a 7el Yagi on 2M, and an 11el Yagi for 70cm. From N. Calif and again from SE Arizona I consider working Canadian maritime provinces and the US Northeast my best on 6M (I heard an Argentine station once but couldn't work him)all with 10W PEP SSB. I worked KS and MO from Arizona on 2M, as well as WA and I heard N6CA once while he was portable in Mexico, from my pickup truck. Colorado and KS on 70CM, from N. Calif. These QSO's have made me feel every bit the thrill that working a rare DX station on 20M does, maybe more.
It is my fear that the VHF and UHF bands will be lost or truncated (the same way that 220 MHz was) by FCC's professed ignorance that there is any sort of activity (read: bandwidth)other than FM / repeaters.
Anyone who has had a successful mountaintopping event would probably get hooked on the weak-signal adventures possible on VHF and UHF, so let's have a few of those adventures! Save out bands by using them!
73, Dave K7NG
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KA5DWI on February 4, 2005
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I operate from 160 Meters thru 70 CM, but I especially enjoy VHF/UHF. I have had fairly good results with a very modest setup.
6 Meters:
I use a Yaesu FT726R w/150W Mirage brick, loading a 3-Ele CC50-3 fed with low-loss RG8X @ 40ft. I have 470+ grid squares, 49 states (can't work RI !!) and 57 countries in 17 years. Best DX was 7Q7XX (Malawi) with 10 watts. I forgot to turn the amp on!!
The November 2001 opening was fun here too!!!
2 Meters:
I use the Yaesu FT726R plus a FT290R w/170W RFC brick into a KLM16LBX (28' boom) fed with low-loss RG8 sized feedline @ 35'. I have worked 193 grids, 41 states in 22 years. My best DX and claim to fame, is one half of the N.American "Overland" Tropo record. K1WHS in Maine and I completed a tropo QSO just short of 1600 miles in September 2003.
STILL, THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXCITING THAN A 2 METER E OPENING. I ENJOY IT MUCH MORE THAN HF.
70 Centimenters (whats 440??):
Also the FT726R plus a Tokyo Hi-Power 90 watt brick fed into a CC424B with Belden 9913 betwwen the 6 and 2 Meter Yagis. I have only worked 43 grids and 11 states in 17 years. I just don't spent enough time on it.
As you can see, I don't spend a lot of money on it. Only a minute number of these were scheduled Meteor Scatter QSO's. I prefer being at the right place at the right time. I am a student of propagation and that has always given me a leg up. A better station will help, but is not necessary to have great results.
I invite you all to visit the Sidewinders on Two RC(SWOT)Homepage: www.swotrc.net .
We promote 2 Meter Sideband and Digital operations on 2 Meters & up. We have Nets throughout the USA and have about 3500 registered members. Come visit us. Look over our past bulletins and join in the fun. Join SWOT as well.
73's
Art KA5DWI
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA6BFH on February 4, 2005
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WLS, I fike it fine! Just kiidi'n too dude, not a big thing! We are all Ham's, trying to do GUD stuff, and having a good time!
73! de John WA6BFH
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K4AHO on February 5, 2005
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6 Meters:
Down East Microwave 50 Mhz Transverter / TS850 with Mirage A1015G AMP 150 watts
Current Antenna is 5 element Directive systems at 50 feet fed with 55ft 9013F1.
Grid Squares: 180 worked, 83 confirmed all SSB, Best DX Germany and Argentina by F1 skip
Best DX and most squares worked on PAR Omni at 50 feet, also worked the west coast double eskip
2 Meters:
Down East Microwave 144 Mhz Transverter / TS450 with Mirage B215G AMP 160 watts
Current Antenna is 12 element Directive system at 60 Feet fed with 65ft 9013F1
Grid Squares: 34 worked, 23 confirmed, Best DX 1527 Miles from EL98 to FN93
during the Eskip event in July 2004
70 CM.
Down East Microwave 432 Mhz Transverter / HTX-100 with Mirage D3010N 50 Watts at Antenna
Current Antenna is 25 element Directive Systems at 55 Feet fed with 60ft 9013F1 with SSB preamp at Antenna
Grid Squares worked 14 worked, 11 confirmed, Best DX 953 Miles from EL98 to EM10 by tropo.
The tower is on the ground right now, no hurricane damage, just a small problem with footing structure. Hope to have it repaired by April this year… Most of my contacts were done with PAR Omni’s at 50 feet… Beams went up in April 2004 and down in Sept. 2004, I miss them… Still working but close to retirement…
Also operate Beacon on 50.077 K4AHO/B, hope to add 2 Meter and 70 CM beacons.
Future expansion plans included 23CM and 3 CM on the tower… Have a Par at 25 feet to monitor beacon and local activity.. Also work a little cw on 40 meters and enjoy checking into SouthCars 40 meter SSB net.
Jim Diggs
K4AHO
K4AHO(at)arrl.net
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KT4XF on February 5, 2005
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6 mtrs; AEA DX Handy (MX-6) 1 wt PEP USB.
During the summer of '89 (the year of the
disturbed sun) I worked the western states
from the coast of S Carolina using a quarter
wave magmount on the roof of a '73 Pinto.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA2JJH on February 6, 2005
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For me it was 23GHZ. When hamest were good(before 1988)
A CHUM and I chipped in $1000 each at DAYTON!
What did we Blow 2k on you ask? A FREQUENCY AGILE 24 GIG
200mw full duplex microwave link.
Practically NIB from MA-COM. Each unit was a complete transceiver. The 250mhz TX/RX SPLIT made TX AND RX FULLY USABLE-NO DESENSE!!! HI-HI.
The dish and radome(wind breaker) had the Gunnplexer
L.O. LNA, AND 1ST IF AMP BUILT INTO THE DISH!
The silly F CONNECTOR WAS USED FOR 70 MHz base band.
SO TX, RX, LO. CONTROL.
The impressive 19" rack mount MOD/DEMOD BOX had 2 tracks of CD QUALITY AUDIO, AND 4 MHZ FM MODULATED VIDEO.
The 1 foot dish had about 25dbi of gain. So that is
50dbi or 100k of gain. 250mw (300)=75W ERP!
We bought a small TV STATIONS STL LINK WITH LINK BACK TO STUDIO.
Some mail order Minister had his own UHF STATION.
DUDE GOT BUSTED. THE dude we purchased IT, from paid 500 BUX AT THE IRS liquidation!
We tried the ham frqs......NOTHING!
24 GIG UNLIKE 2.4 AND 5GIG IS LINE OF SITE PERIOD!
I CALCULATED 33 MILES RANGE for 50 db s/n video.
That’s broadcast spec.
We sold the sucker for $5000. Yes we could have held out for 10G's. $1500 each in 1986 profit was nice.
Now you can buy systems like that new for surveillance use on the 1.2 GHz ham band with 1 W TX out for $300!!!!
I have to add that 2.4 gig and 5 gig Ham band are being used for the new cell phones and nanny cams!!!!
10 gig is next.
USE IT OR LOOSE IT.....INDEED!!!!!!!!!! 73 MIKE WA2JJH
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KB8VXH on February 6, 2005
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six, ic 746 pro 100w six element recut homebrew ant at 65 feet 87 grids confirmed 36 states and canada uk mexico panama jamaca us virgin ille. worked to date two 13b2 at 72 feet ic 746 pro 100w 41 states worked and cofirmed.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA2DYA on February 7, 2005
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Threatened? Is this fact or just more paranoia?
We do find our microwave frequencies begining to be shared with Part 15 devices but who out there has actually been experiencing harmful interference from these devices?
Portions of UHF and microwave, are really not ours as primary allocations but are shared with the Government. For instance, I can hear UHF search radars in the 435 Mhz region.
What bands have we actually lost? In my time (since 1959), I have witnessed the loss of 11 Meters and 2 Mhz
of the 220 Mhz band. Any others?
Loosing 11 Meters was not all that tramatic from an operational viewpoint, although its fate will forever be a source of bitter contention. I do wish 220-222 could have be saved.
But, I have seen the addition of the WARC, 900Mhz and, recently, the 5 Mhz channels. There is even some movement to remove international broadcasting from 40M.
I think we are coming out ahead.
--- CHAS
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K5WTA on February 7, 2005
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Here is the list of gear from the station here in North Florida, with it I have worked 27 states on 2 meters and have VUCC, WAS and WAC on six along with about 60 countries
FT-726R 150 watt Marage brick on six, with four element homebrew antenna at 40 feet.
FT-726R and 140 Watt KLM amp with bias mod, for class AB operation with seven element beam at 43 feet
So you do not need the latest gear to work VHF DX, just listen to a lot of white noise until the band opens. the FT-726R is turned on when I am in the shack.
Jake EM90dc
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by K5WTA on February 7, 2005
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Here is the list of gear from the station here in North Florida, with it I have worked 27 states on 2 meters and have VUCC, WAS and WAC on six along with about 60 countries
FT-726R 150 watt Marage brick on six, with four element homebrew antenna at 40 feet.
FT-726R and 140 Watt KLM amp with bias mod, for class AB operation with seven element beam at 43 feet
So you do not need the latest gear to work VHF DX, just listen to a lot of white noise until the band opens. the FT-726R is turned on when I am in the shack.
Jake EM90dc
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RE: The Southeastern VHF Society
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by K4JSR on February 7, 2005
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John, BFH, I sent you an email, shown below.
I am posting it here for general info for all who may be interested.
John, you will find the 2005 info at the below URL:
http://www.svhfs.org/
The article on Eham was indeed for the year 2000.
These guys have interests into the millimeter wavelengths.
A lot of them are microwave engineers, some of whom I worked
with at Electromagnetic Sciences, Inc. for many years.
So power up your Maggie and get the main bang at the above URL.
Hope this helps.
73, Cal K4JSR
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N1OFZ on February 8, 2005
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My VHF gear is as follows:
6 Meters
FT-847 drives a Mirage amplifier (150W) into a Yaesu YS-60 SWR meter to a 3 element beam fed with LMR-400
2 Meters
FT-847 drives a Diawa amplifier (180W) into a Yaesu YS-500 SWR meter to a 13 element beam fed with LMR-400. Working on an AM-6154 for 300+W on 2m
1.25 Meters
FT-847 via the HF port (10M) drives my DEMI 222 transverter to a AM-6155 amplifier (300W) to a 14 element beam fed with 1/2 inch Heliax
.70 Meters
FT-847 goes into a ARR GaAsFET RF switched preamp then to a KLM amplifier (100W) into a Yaesu YS-500 SWR meter to a 22 element beam fed with 1/2 inch Heliax
1296
FT-726 drives DEMI 1296 transverter to a DEMI 35W PA into a Bird Wattmeter to a pair of 55 element looprs fed witht 1/2 inch Heliax.
I don't really track grids and such but I have worked down to Cuba and out to Texas on 6m and to the Carolinas and Midwest on 2m. The other bands have been pretty much limited to 4/5 grids away.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA6BFH on February 8, 2005
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For WB2DYA, in 1960's, our 23 cm band used to extend down to 1220 MHz. We recently made a deal with the FCC to give us Primary Status on a remaining portion of 2.3 GHz. The bands of 5.6 GHz are continually threatened, and 2.3 and 3.2 always have outstanding NPRM's.
Now I grant you, I have only mentioned 3 potentially trheatened bands here (off the top of my head). That constitutes a mere 60 MHz of spectrum removed. Now thats not much, only enough to fit the HF spectrum into just about 18 times over!
Do you remember that 60 MHz loss now? It has all occurred since the 1970's but, seems to pick up more urgency and outstanding NPRM’s.
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KC2KIS on February 9, 2005
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Mail this to a friend!
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6 Meter : IC-726 10 Watts to a temporary Dipole at 15ft
Ft-736r 10 Watts to same Dipole
60 Watt amplifier
Work SSB when I get the antenna up.
2 Meter : Yeasu CPU-2500r 25 Watts to a homebrew groundplane from the ARRL book.
FT-736r 25 watts to a loop for SSB
150 Watt amplifier
220 Mhz : Yeasu FT-736r at 25 Watts
440 Mhz : Yeasu FT-736r at 25 watts to a diplole (Yes a dipole on 440)
100 Watt amplifier.
All antennas are at 15 feet outside my apartment window. Thus I don't run the amplifiers. They are used when I set up the temp. station in a park. Additional equipment is 2 VX5's and 2 FT1500's for mobile. MY XYL is also licensed.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by KC0LOD on February 10, 2005
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In the Aurora
6m-I use a Motorola X9000 Low band on 52.525 with a base load 1/4 wave, few contacts but a great radio
2m-I use a Motorola Spectra 45 watt with a 1/4 wave
70cm/2m-There is Yaesu 7800 with a Diamond antenna
In the apartment
I use a Kenwoo TM-G707A for Voice on 2/70cm
For packet I have a Yaesu 2800 with KPC-2
Portable
VX-150, and FT-60R
Have a good day. Steven
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N1VLQ on February 10, 2005
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Though the desire is there, my experience is lacking. The one instance I have for you is from Field Day, 2002.
Equipment - Icom 706MK II, home brew 4-element quad at 35 feet, 50'RG-8 cable.
Played with 6 meters off and on for most of Field Day, and was getting ready to give it a rest at about 7AM on Sunday. Made "one last call", got a response. Then another called out to me, and another. As the station was almost an afterthought, we didn't have a computer for logging, so I logged them all by hand. Soon, word got out around the site that I was running some on 6, and one of the guys came over and suggested that I also include the grid square on my contacts. I guess folks don't often get 6 meter contacts on FN64 (Washington County, Maine), the farthest North and East you can get in the US, with a relativley small ham population! Soon I was as busy as I had ever been on the radio, logging contacts all up and down the East coast, and as far west as Texas, Missouri, and Illinois.
It was quite a thrill for me, being my first "real" Field Day. I had visited a few over the years, but never had the time to stay. After about 90 minutes, the band closed up, and I found that I had made over 60 contacts, logging by hand, by myself. Pretty neat.
Since then that quad has gotten put up at each Field Day, with no such luck. Last year, I added a 7-element quad for 2-meters on the same boom, and used an Icom 706 MK II G. First attempt at 2 Meter SSB on Field Day, with similar results as 6 meters, meaning none! But we'll try again this June!
73
Bruce, N1VLQ
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N1VLQ on February 10, 2005
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Sorry, I forgot to note that was 6 meter SSB.
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RE: The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by WA6BFH on February 10, 2005
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For N1VLQ, look at any of the articles on the Tech Bench Elmers web page that discuss 6 Meters (I will provide the link below). On this web page you will learn of the different types of signal propagation that can be found and 'worked' on 6 Meters. You will also learn when are the best times to listen for it!
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2775/
73, and I hope to work you this E-season! de John
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N8LGL on February 11, 2005
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6 Meter...700w, 7 element M2 @ 75',7/8" hardline, 22,000kms plus (Ohio-> S. Pole -> N. Pole to Japan,) muti- F2
Not for the faint at heart.
2 Meters Ohio to Cuba, Texas, Colo. not too shabby.
Won't go on with the brag list, but it takes Money to work Dx, not for the Cheap typical Ham.
Ham Radio is what you make it ------- $$$$$$$$
N8LGL ex KC8LGL
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The Upper and Threatened Wavelength Bands
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by N1LEU on February 14, 2005
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I love 2m and 6m ssb and have used a TS890 from another ham to operate on these bands. also 70 cm (440 Mhz) Field day is where I got bitten by the VHF sideband bug. save 2 meter and 6 meter sideband operation! This is a terrific operating area for hams between HF and UHF when these bands are open.
Dave
N1LEU
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