LB5KE
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« on: March 04, 2012, 03:06:50 PM » |
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Whats the best way to detect openings on 10 and 6 meter, other than using the Internet?
I have tried to use a small Yaesu VX2 set to 28.400 MHz AM, but the sensitivity with the small antenna
is so low. I have heard some have used their CB radio.
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G8YMW
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« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2012, 03:24:54 PM » |
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The most reliable for 10 metres is not the beacons or repeaters, its 27.555 MHz USB. I suppose its the one advantage of having the "Jolly Roger" crew in one band
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KG4NEL
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« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2012, 08:29:35 PM » |
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Whats the best way to detect openings on 10 and 6 meter, other than using the Internet?
I have tried to use a small Yaesu VX2 set to 28.400 MHz AM, but the sensitivity with the small antenna
is so low. I have heard some have used their CB radio.
Find what frequencies are being used as SSB calling frequencies, and park your receiver there with the volume turned up and the squelch set just over the background noise. If you're in the house and you hear voices, the band might be opening up  |
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K9KJM
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« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2012, 09:40:51 PM » |
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The very best way I have found is to tune one side of your TS2000 to the call channel of either 6 or 10 meters (Or any band for that matter), And cross band repeat on the UHF side so as you walk or ride around your neighborhood you will hear the activity on your scanning hand held.
(I have used the little micro size Yaesu VX3 for years now with great results, And am now starting to switch over to the super low cost Baofeng UV 3R)
One of the many reasons to have a radio that is capable of cross band repeat like the TS 2000. You are not "stuck" in front of the radio waiting for the band to open.
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K8AC
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« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2012, 04:42:18 AM » |
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Use good panadaptor software that has a trace or peak memory function. Signals received at your location since the panadaptor was started will be visible on the display. Even signals that appear in quick bursts on 6M will be visible. One product that works well is the SDR-IQ receiver with SpectraVue software. There are others depending upon whether or not your transceiver or receiver has an IF output.
73, K8AC
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K8GU
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« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2012, 04:45:09 AM » |
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Any kind of panadapter/bandscope/etc as K8AC mentions works wonderfully in this application. Plus, if you're clever with software, you can feed it to your phone and have it anywhere.
Another tried and true method is to call CQ...
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AD4U
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« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2012, 05:43:10 AM » |
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If everybody just listened on the "call channel", nobody would ever hear anything. Somebody has to transmit in order for somebody else to hear something.
The bands are "open" a whole lot more often than most HAMs realize. The reason nobody hears anything, is because everybody listens and nobody transmits.
Ever wonder why 10 meters and even 6 meters seem to magically open on big contest weekends? There is no magic, it is because lots of HAMs are transmitting.
All that being said, one of the best indicators of 10 meter band openings is to listen for signals on CB channel 19 - 27.185. CB'ers usually transmit a whole lot more often than HAMs. If you hear signals on 27.185 there is a good chance that 10 meters is open.
Dick AD4U
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WB6BYU
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« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2012, 06:31:49 AM » |
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For 6m, monitoring a distant Channel 2 TV station used to be a good method to detect openings.
You might find some VHF-LO users in distant cities that can serve a similar purpose.
Certainly scanning the beacon sub-bands is a good place to start.
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NO2A
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« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2012, 09:44:11 AM » |
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When you`re in your car set one of your fm memories to a frequency with no local station. If there`s an opening chances are you`ll hear a station or two there. I listen to a freq. that actually has three stations with a great opening.
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WB2WIK
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« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2012, 10:16:03 AM » |
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I set the rig to scan the beacon frequencies.
There's a lot of them.
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ONAIR
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« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2012, 10:13:02 PM » |
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Just an old $10 CB radio from Ebay with the squelch just above the noise level, will always let you know!
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KE3WD
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« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2012, 05:37:25 AM » |
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Just an old $10 CB radio from Ebay with the squelch just above the noise level, will always let you know!
Agreed. And you don't have to go whole hog with this, at one time we used a 23 channel CB Walkie Talkie here like that. When the band is open, the CB'ers WILL break the squelch, just using the rubber duckie on the walkie talkie. 73 |
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LB5KE
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« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2012, 06:14:26 AM » |
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I have a handheld scanner that covers from 25MHz, but only has AM, but tuning it in to 27.555 it should react when the band opens?
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K1WJ
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« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2012, 10:06:04 AM » |
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For 10M openings - listen to CH. 6 or 11 on a cb - fruitcakes going crazy - 10m is open - chance of 6M open too. 10M for sure.
Cb good for something...........73 K1WJ David
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KE3WD
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« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2012, 10:37:56 AM » |
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I have a handheld scanner that covers from 25MHz, but only has AM, but tuning it in to 27.555 it should react when the band opens?
Certainly. AM is the most widely used mode on 11 meters in the USA. Also try 27.025 as well. Lots of overpowered CB DXers on that freq (CB ch. 6). When 27.025 is open, generally speaking, so is 10 meters. 73 |
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