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Do you work the 6 metre Band?
  Posted: Dec 17, 2006   (2221 votes, 64 comments) by VK5LA

  Yes! the Magic Band...
  No, no interest...
  No Antenna/Radio for 6 metres
  Not licenced for 6 metres
    (2221 votes, 64 comments)

Survey Results
Yes! the Magic Band... 55% (1215)
No, no interest... 18% (398)
No Antenna/Radio for 6 metres 26% (582)
Not licenced for 6 metres 1% (26)

Survey Comments
6m
During Cycle 22, in addition to the ubiquitous deuce, i ran 10m and 6m. The 6m radio was an Azden 6m tuned to 52.525 MHz. It was installed in a 1987 Ford Taurus. Here is the scoop: I drove that car over ONE MILLION KILOMETRES (636,000 miles). I had more good 10m QSOs that i would want to attempt to count. During that time the 6m FM was also ON the entire time the ignition was on. I drove that car all over the US and Canada. How many QSOs did i have on 6m? Less than a dozen!

Posted by RADIOWEENIE on April 23, 2007

THIS IS THE FUN BAND
been operating it for 48 years since the AM DAYS DURING THE GOOD AND BAD SUN SPOT CYCKES AND I HAVE MET A LOT OF INTERESTING PEOPLE AND A LOT OF NICE PEOPLE THAT DO QSL NOT LIKE THE OTHER BANDS CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT OPENING CU IN THE PILEUPS 73'S AND 88'S DE RAY/WA2SEI

Posted by WA2SEI on March 7, 2007

Got the rig, now need an antenna....
Been licensed 22 years, and I have yet to work a QSO on 6 meters...Now that I own a brand new Yaesu FT 857D, I have the rig capability to do so...All I need is an antenna, and I will be ready to experience 6 meters for the first time!....Can't wait!....

Vince P
KA3NRX

Posted by KA3NRX on February 8, 2007

Got the rig, now need and antenna....
Been licensed 22 years, and I have yet to work a QSO on 6 meters...Now that I own a brand new Yaesu FT 857D, I have the rig capability to do so...All I need is an antenna, and I will be ready to experience 6 meters for the first time!....Can't wait!....

Vince P
KA3NRX

Posted by KA3NRX on February 8, 2007

The Fun Band
I was introduced to 6 meters in the 1960's when there was a lot of local activity all day and evening on AM. Almost always someone to talk to, and when the band was open it was like 20 meter DX.

During the l977-1981 peak sunspot years, I was able to bag WAS and WAC, and 27 confirmed DXCC countries, including Japan, Iceland, Christmas and De Secheo Islands. All on SSB with 10 watts. I hope to have a good antenna and more power for the next cycle in a few years. Right now I am running 8 watts to a(1960's) halo antenna in the attic. I can operate any band, but six will always be my first choice.

Posted by K9DY on February 3, 2007

OK, you got me. Where to RX?
Seems like the only 2 bands I get decent performance are 70cm and 20M.
40M....Too many 50KW BROADCAST STATIONS
10-12-15..Where is everybody.
80M-lets not go their.

OK. I do have 6M on my FT-100D. Where and what times. I live in the east coast.

Posted by WA2JJH on January 21, 2007

Standard C5608DA
I found this to be a verry good radio and enjoy it a lot.But I am have a lot of trouble finding any one that will work on it (I'M haveing Mike trouble) or where I can find a spair mike for it. I would like to hear from any one that can help me solve this problem. John ke5dch@arrl.net

Posted by KE5DCH on January 16, 2007

FUN WHEN OPEN
Got a Ten Tec 6n2 and a small 3 el beam and gave six a try last year. Lots of fun when open, but not open much. Had fun working cw on 6. Finally got tired of listening for an opening and went back to 40/30 cw. When will propagation be good again on six?? -jim, K4CFA

Posted by K4CFA on January 15, 2007

6 meter band
ONLYON6METERS! should say it all.

Posted by ONLYON6METERS on January 13, 2007

Beacons Galore !!!!!!
I love the Beacon network on six!

Please ATTEMPT check-in to the Sunday morning AM net on 50.400 Mhz at 10 am pacific. Net control is AA6DD located in Riverside, California

Posted by WB9YCJ on January 12, 2007

FUN BAND!
I have been on the Magic Band almost 13 years & it's GREAT when it's open "BUT" boring when it's dead for months at the time.I keep my backup rig(746 PRO)locked on 50.125 while using my 756 PROII on HF so I know when the band opens.I also have a 900 mhz baby monitor next to my Lazy Boy in the living room for band openings I may have missed while watching the boob tube(My wife bought me the baby monitor for fathers day 3 years ago)(she's the BEST)Give it a try & you'll LOVE it when it's open!I worked 11 countries in Europe in 2006 at the bottom of the cycle so it's only going to get BETTER!

73's,
Clayton
W4KVW
Wanted 4 Kissing Vanna White

Posted by W4KVW on January 11, 2007

6Ms
Love the band. Have been on since moving to Ia. in 1970. When it is open it is the only band to work, but as some have said you have to have patience to be a 6M operator. Hoping for an opening for the ARRL VHF contest the weekend of Jan 20-22. If you want to have some real fun wait until the prop. cycle peaks and then 6 is wild!

Posted by WB0CQO on January 11, 2007

6 meter's, the great one.
I have been working 6 meters since I recieved my tech ticket. Kenwood TS600, with a dipole then to a homebrew 4 element. Have logged several states, from operators just wanting grids. Talked with several that wanted to ragchew for a while. This band has it all. You just have to be patiant and tune up and down the band during an openning. Hope to see you on 6

Posted by KC0MLS on January 11, 2007

6M Band
Have been licensed 48 years and just got on the band a week ago. Just have an HT now and can't wait to get my SIX CONTACTS for my SMIRK number.

73,
Ken, N6YE

Posted by N6YE on January 8, 2007

6M BAND
I have enjoyed the many contacts I have made via 6 meter SSB.I use a scanner tuned to a 6 meter 50.125 fm with the sql tight, when I hear that sql break I know the band is opening and I get right on 50.125 usb and call CQ.

Posted by K4UUG on January 4, 2007

Six meters
Thankfully, we have many bands to choose from. I would like 6 much more if it wasn't for the grid square collection mania. I love to observe the waxing/waning of propagation, but since my heart is currently into ragchewing, I can't enjoy 6 when it opens to areas around the USA. If I can't find a ragchewer, off I go to other bands. Aw the beauty of it all. Something, somewhere for everyone in this great hobby.

Posted by W5LXG on January 1, 2007

Da Man?
> You make WAC here, you da man!

Then, I'm da' Man. Finally worked JA this Summer on (gosh, who knows how many hops) Es!

6m can be tough. That's why it's fun.

Next goal -- WAS/QRP.

Peter, N4LI

Posted by N4LI on December 30, 2006

6M
It's Magic

Posted by W6MAV on December 30, 2006

""As of my reading of this, 13 said "not licensed". Wonderful, just wonderful!!
David, K6DMA ""

David, since the original question said "metres" rather than our way; "meters", it is quite possible the fellow was from a jurisdiction where 6 may not be available to all classes.

Just a thought.............Bob

Posted by K0CBA on December 30, 2006

6M can be a lot of fun
I've been active on 6 since I got licensed in April 06. yes, the band is not always open, but when it is, it's wild. I'm strictly weak signal using a vintage Sixer putting a watt and a half into a wire dipole on 50.4 AM. Even so, I make QSOs. Looking forward to an HF rig with 6 and a beam. See you around 50.4. 73 -- Ray KE5ICG

Posted by KE5ICG on December 29, 2006

6m magic
This spring I put up horizontal loop at 25', and have worked ~80 grids and 5 countries on SSB.

6m is a blast, and this year's openings have accounted for a lot of deferred chores on spring / summer weekends.

Future goals:
- Put up a 40' tower (pieces are on the ground right now).
- Build a 4 or 5 el. yagi using a salvaged 10m beam as a start.
- Resurrect a Swan 250C that I have been tinkering with for a while (just for grins).

I love the band, and enjoy the folks that I meet there.

Mostly on 17m and 60m in the winter.

73 and Happy New Year,
Charles
K5QED

Posted by K5QED on December 29, 2006

Ya, You Betcha
I work 6 when I can. Great place for a little excitement when the band opens up. It ought to be winter ESkip season right now - haven't caught any openings yet.

I hope the new license changes won't diminish 6 meters. They could help if people learn to monitor 10 meters for openings - they can help alert people to 6 meter openings, too. Now, everybody will be able to listen to 28.4 Mhz. for 10 to open up, and all but the Novices can swing up to 50.125 when it pops open.

Posted by K0RGR on December 29, 2006

6 METERS "MAGIC BAND"
CQ, CQ, 6 Meters de KG6TCV ,I have been working 6 meters since I got my Tech Ticket, and no you do not have to have a Beam but it helps and may be dependent on where you live I personaly Perfer BEAMS, YAGI'S for there is much more directional Gain I have a 50-52-11 KLM 11 Element Beam for Horz. and an Arrow 4 Element these two antennas are up at 70' on my tower, check-em out on QRZ.com by looking me up " KG6TCV " and Yes I also have a Diamond DP-GH62 6 Meter Vert. Antenna.
Here on the West Coast we also use 50.300 FM for QSO's and some DXing as well.
73's KG6TCV Steven in Nuevo CA.

Posted by KG6TCV on December 29, 2006

SIX METER BAND SSB
The 6M band causing interference to tv's has not been a problem for about 20 years now. Only the very old tv's and VERY close neighbor's using rabbit ears will have a problem. 99% of the time you won't have any complaints. 6M SSB works REALLY well for ground wave rag chews. Better than 2M SSB most of the time. As far as antennas go, I need only four States for WAS and I just talk with a wire loop I built. A "wet noodle" will work on the 6M band. Don't believe this "ya gotta have a beam" junk.

Posted by N4VNV on December 28, 2006

6m Operation
I have been a ham for 13 years now, but with both of my parents having licenses I have been around Ham Radio since 1957. They were only techs when I was young and 6m was their band stacked 3 elements @ 45' running an old Gonset on AM. I have seen a lot of changes since then but still love this band. I have seen openings to Europe, Austrailia, & Asia in the black hole of the midwest. And seen the band dead as door nail. When it is open you can work the world with 1watt and a shoe string. So what is not to love about this band. Currently run a FT-897 with 3 elements @ 35' and seem to work everything I hear. Gotta Love It...

Posted by N9XBG on December 28, 2006

No middle ground on poll
One "Yes! the Magic Band" and three "no's" in the poll?

I work it sometimes but I'm not a huge enthusiast about it.

Posted by N7BUI on December 26, 2006

6 meters
why talk anywhere else small antennas

dx

the thinking mans(or womans) band

Posted by N2MLP on December 26, 2006

My loss... I suppose
For years and still, I've have never used 6 meters, as I was always told by my Mentors that if I wanted to cause a hanging party from interference to neighbors TV's that 6 meters... would do it! You just Never know, until you try.

Posted by N5JFJ on December 26, 2006

Unlicensed 6 Mtr Ops
As of my reading of this, 13 said "not licensed". Wonderful, just wonderful!!

David, K6DMA

Posted by K6DMA on December 25, 2006

Nope
Could care less about it.

Posted by KI4EYO on December 25, 2006

6M DX
For 6 months every 11 years, DX on this band is great- There's grids, then there is DX- You make WAC here, you da man!

Posted by N0AH on December 25, 2006

6 M Everyday
When the band is open it's like fishing in a barrel. Otherwise there are hams ota mornings and evenings within a couple of hundred miles for a chat. We get on 50.125 and then move up a little to visit.

Please keep 50.125 OPEN - last opening into the East Coast from TX - couldn't use the calling channel for local chit chat. Steve NU5D, South Mountain, Texas

Posted by NU5D on December 25, 2006

HOT-DOG 6Meters!!!
I have been on the band since 1970, never run more than 100 watts.
Six is TRULY the magic band and so are the people.
Don't chase grids, don't ask for grids,Of course I am in the RARE EM-12!!! I just like to talk, sometimes the talking is short lived!!!!! sometimes it can last a
good while.
By the way, I will give a Plug to UKSMG.org while here, since I am the USA Country Manager !!!!! Have a happy and successful 2007. Alex K5uny

Posted by K5UNY on December 24, 2006

Would like to use 6m because I don't have much space for antennas.But I can't use it because of massive TVI.
73,
Pete vk2xdz

Posted by VK2XDZ on December 23, 2006

6 Meters
I have the rig (Yaesu FT897D) to work 50mHz, but no antenna for that band. Looking for an good all band antenna to work 6M to 40M.

Posted by KE7FHL on December 23, 2006

6m Rocks, DX, Es, Aurora, Meteor Scatter, has it all. Been active on 6m for almost 3 years, have 46 DXCC, and need only Wyoming and Hawaii fo WAS.

CU on the band, Kevin
VE3EN (VE3GIB)

Posted by VE3EN on December 23, 2006

6m Rocks, DX, Es, Aurora, Meteor Scatter, has it all. Been active on 6m for almost 3 years, have 46 DXCC, and need only Wyoming and Hawaii fo WAS.

CU on the band, Kevin
VE3EN (VE3GIB)

Posted by VE3EN on December 23, 2006

6 meters, done right!
My favorite rig for six meters is the Rock-Mite-20 QRP CW transceiver, coupled with a Ten-Tec 1208 transverter. The antenna is an endfed wire, 80 meters long and 5 meters above ground and tuned by an AH-4.
When the band is open, you can 'get out' using a tin can and a wet noodle.

72.

Posted by N4QA on December 22, 2006

Here comes the cycle!!
Hey...Im the 1000th vote...hooray, ill grab a cookie to celebrate! Anyway, I really want to try 6 meters, right now, at the bottom of the cycle, one must be very dedicated to 6 to get much out of it i am guessing.

But with the advancing new cycle, I hear that 6 will be amazing and i really want to get some gear and hop up in there and join you "6 gunners"...look for me in a couple of years.

Hmmm, maybe even sooner if i can find some good 6 meter capable gear.

Posted by N7YA on December 22, 2006

2 meter 6 meter and HF
I love 2 meter and 6 meter. I have a nice cubex quad at my home station with 8 elements on 2 and 4 elements on 6. It works well. I often get home and catch just the tail end of a nice opening. I didn't want to miss the 6 meter action when I was at work so I installed an 857D with a High Sierra 1800 antenna in my truck. I ordered the optional 6 meter shortie whip for it. not installed in time for the summer openings so looking forward to 6 meter mobile next spring. Hope to talk with some of you. 73 ... Mike EN34

Posted by KC0UIJ on December 21, 2006

Need to keeps other on VHF
"sadly the time I spend on is likely to drop in about a month or so it is an interesting band but it will be hard to justify the effort and time wating for band opening when HF become avalble to soon"

This is going to be a big challenge we face when the license requirements are restructured. I am worried that the VHF/UHF bands will take a hit when many people upgrade and go to HF. After having run HF for 26 years now, I can tell you that it soons get boring compared to 6 meters.

And it is great to get on 2 meters, catch a tropo or Eskip opening, and work 800 miles on a band that is limited to "line of sight".

We definitely need to keep elmering newcomers into getting on the VHF bands since many of them will go from no license straight to general and get on HF without ever exploring VHF.

And these are the bands most at risk. Commercial interests could care less about our HF bands, but they have their eyes all over our UHF and microwave bands.

73s John W5TD
6 meter and CW addict

Posted by W5TD on December 21, 2006

MAGIC BAND
I worked many station all over the world from my home QTH and mobile.
when the band is open it's the magic band, with very little power and any type of antenna you would be amazed at what you can do on 6 meters.
Have fun on 6 when the band opens.
Oh by the way when the band is not open well you do better watching the grass grow, unless you do DIGITAL stuff.

Posted by W3NRL on December 21, 2006

PHOENIX TO BAY AREA
I had a contact fom phoenix to the bay area about 800 miles ,that was about a week ago. K7VIN

Posted by KLEMM on December 20, 2006

6M
I have been on 6M SSB only a few weeks. I have experienced a few openings, and can work ground wave out to about 200 miles. Equipment is a TS 2000 and a 3 el yagi at 50' I look forward to the spring season, and the contest activity.

Posted by K1AF on December 19, 2006

6M Band Operation
Love the band, when its up it up. Have worked Hawaii to Alaska in the west and worked Puerto Rico and Cuba from Dallas Texas. In the South, Mexico City and in Europe I worked Belgium. It has beeen outstanding.

Posted by KD5HUS on December 18, 2006

6m = FUN!
The 6m band is like a drug! Listening for openings on 50.125 MHz is addicting. I love 'gridchasing' on 6m CW/SSB, especially during the 'peak season' for Sporadic-E propagation. Working Aurora is a blast as well, especially since you get to work the closer grids this way. And i'll never forget 'the mother of all openings' (at least in my lifetime), during the last cycle peak, when F-layer propagation allowed strong daily openings into Europe, Africa, and South America as if it were the 10m band! I must have worked 25 Europeans one day running only a PAR 'loop' antenna at about 25 feet and 50 watts!

Posted by W8KQE on December 18, 2006

^m
I love 6m and use it often when there are openings. WSJT meteor stuff too..I worked all states in one day on a great F2 opening! CYA on the band!

Posted by KL7FH on December 18, 2006

You'd be amazed...
I have been licensed since 1972 and did not start operating 6m till I got my newest HF rig (IC-756ProII)in the fall of 2002. I never had a rig capable of 6m operation prior to the 756ProII. I operate most VHF/UHF contests now and have not worked any HF contests since 2002.
Since I moved last summer I do not have a 6m antenna up yet but my Alpha-Delta DX-LB dipole (160/80/40)also operates on 6m with the built in tuner in my ProII. Works OK. If I can hear them I can work them. I love the Magic Band!

Posted by NT9E on December 18, 2006

6 meters if fantastic
I began operating 6m SSB/CW in the early 1980s but didn't get serious about it until the late 1990s. When the band is open, any modest antenna will work fine, including dipoles and verticals. I worked a guy once who was running a 2m 5/8-wave mag-mount on the side of his refrigerator in his NYC apartment.

I also made numerous 6m contacts during E-skip openings using my FT-817 on its rubber duckie antenna. There's something surreal about talking to people 1,500 miles away while using an antennas less than 12 inches long attached to the back of the rig.

By now, I have all 50 states worked and 50 countries. I worked 3 new European and two new African countries this summer on double- and triple-hop E-skip. I run 100 watts and a 4-element beam.

If you are fascinated by propagation, this is THE band to operate. If offers every type of propagation there is at one time or another.

Lots of fun, fascinating but at times frustrating, the nickname "Magic Band" is so very appropriate.

73, Dave, N4KZ

Posted by N4KZ on December 18, 2006

6M...needs a REAL antenna...
Love 6M, worked South American stations all day long one day last summer while mobile and with 8W; favorite band second only to 17m. However, to do 6M justice, a good antenna system is necessary. When the band is "dead" you can still work other stations, IF you have a good antenna system & coax. Worth it.

Andrew/N4ABA

Posted by N4ABA on December 18, 2006

6 meters
I enjoyed 6 m, while operating a converted CB and a homebrew 5 element yagi, didn't work any DX outside Southern Africa, but is was fun! Now sit with a broken FT690 and damaged antenna. MISSING the 6 m action.

73
Johan
ZS1XJ

Posted by ZS1XJ on December 17, 2006

6M Fun
I was told by an Elmer that "Anything below 50 MHz is DC!"
Operate SSB, WSJT Meteor Scatter, PSK31, Olivia, and other digital modes on 6M. VUCC endorsed for 200 Grids, 46 States, 24 Countries.

Les, W4FRA

Posted by W4FRA on December 17, 2006

6M Band/Magic Band
This my basic hangout 50.125 and 52.525
EM47 every day at dusk.

Posted by INCOGNITO on December 17, 2006

6M Band operation
I have 6 meter FM capability but don't use it very much.
After I got balled out over the air by a repeater owner I lost interest. This was simply for using "his" repeater. Seems he owns the frequency as well as the repeater.
Just a poor man's cell phone system.
Haven't tried SSB or AM as neighborhood too crowded and TVI might be an issue.
73, AE6RO

Posted by AE6RO on December 17, 2006

Now that most of the new HF rigs coming out offer 6M
I operated 6 meters at the top of the cycle in the 80's with a Swan 250. I quickly found out it makes a big difference if you are running 10 watts or 100+ the few HF rigs that offered 6m at the time were only 10 watts were hard to hear.
Now that most of the new HF rigs coming out offer 6M with 100 watts. And the new cycle to start soon I believe 6 will be a popular band for a couple of years either side of the peak. So with about 4 years of good radio and more hams exposed to 6M it will stay active. The big boost for 6M will come from HF rigs offering 6 with them as part of the package. The same can be said for 2m & 70CM SSB. Once the cycle goes back down 6 and 2 offer good 250+ mile reliable ground wave. for those in bigger cites it will be a fun place to hang out once the cycle hits bottom again..

Posted by KA5ROW on December 17, 2006

HF here I come!
I have operated some on the 6 meter band. But now I am going to convert my 2 meter Mag Mount for 10 meter operation since I will soon have HF privileges.

Posted by IAMAHAM on December 17, 2006

sadly
sadly the time I spend on is likely to drop in about a month or so it is an interesting band but it will be hard to justify the effort and time wating for band opening when HF become avalble to soon

Posted by KB9RQZ on December 17, 2006

Since 1966
Not my primary band by any means, but I've used the band 40 years. First 6m QSO made with a Gonset Communicator III on AM. Last one was made yesterday on SSB.

I've worked all States, all continents and 112 DXCC entities on six but that sure didn't happen overnight. However, one thing that *did* happen overnight was working all 50 States and 204 grid squares in a 24 hour period during the June VHF QSO Party, 1987 as WB2WIK/4 (in FM27). Now, that was one for the books. And indeed, it made the books.

WB2WIK/6

Posted by WB2WIK on December 17, 2006

6 Meter Band
I love 6 meters its fun when the band opens up.I started a group called RCI-5054DX for the Radio.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RCI5054DX/
This is a very good 6 meter allmode radio and for the price you can not beat it too.

Posted by N2BR on December 17, 2006

Missing Category
There really should be a category for people like me. That would be those who say occasionally. Your Yes choice is phrased in such a manner that it really only represents those who are enthusiasts of the band.

Posted by N8UZE on December 17, 2006

6 METER
I been operation 6 meter since 2001 when went over my friend house (kg4qrm) qth,he got me into. it was fun talk one in japan,that was jaw droping ! i was like wow never that far.but it the weather what make it so far ,you never know when weahter will throw to us.we will be there when band is open,this will be fun.

73
Jackie
KG4ORX
Website http://webpages.charter.net/kg4orx/

Posted by N4MJG on December 17, 2006

A Fun Band!
I have three 6 meter rigs. One is FM only, and I use that only for routine mobile communication. The other two really show off the magic of 6 meter sideband or CW operation. The 25 watt one goes camping along with a gel cell. The 100 watt one serves as a handy six meter base station.
It is very easy to throw up a six meter dipole with a slingshot and you are in business.

Posted by AI2IA on December 17, 2006

Do You Believe In Magic?
Then operate on 6 Meters for a while.

I had just purchased a 6M Hamstick and finished tuning it up on the mobile. I put out a quick CQ and got two responses from Novs Scotia in quick succession. This from my driveway in Ladson which is about 18 Miles NW of Charleston, SC. Both signals were armchair copy, so to speak.

I was waiting for a local 2M net to start one evening and decided to give a listen on 6M. Up pops a signal with a decidely Spanish sounding accent. A quick listen revealed that the operator was in the Canary Islands. I cam back to him at a break and he responded. Once again, armchair copy.

When 6M is open, it is Magic! When it is not, a vast wasteland.

Dennis KG4RUL

Posted by KG4RUL on December 17, 2006

6M BAND OPERATION
I've been active on 6M since 1987. Monitor 50.125 and 50.150 USB. Only need 4 States for WAS. Two of those are Alaska and Hawaii. I'm not really a grid square chaser, prefer to ragchew.

Posted by N4VNV on December 17, 2006

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