| Several Coastal Plains ARC members have been active on six
meters for a number of years. Some have completed the worked all states
award, and big accomplishment in the hobby. WA4NTF or W4IO Fuzz tutored
these members on this fun mode.
The big operating season is here and there have been several great
band openings on 6 meters. If some members disappear from VHF in the
evenings, it just may be there is a band opening on 6 meters.
Are you active on 6 meters? Have you joined SMIRK? Six Meter
International Radio Club is a six meter group where you get a
certificate with you lifetime membership number. Members exchange these
SMIRK numbers during contest. To get your own SMIRK number you need 6
number collected from current SMIRK members. Go to the
SMIRK
page to learn more. |
Tropospheric Ducting provides
favorable propagation for vhf and uhf frequencies. There is a great web
page to get this information each day. William Hepburn provides a
Tropospheric
Ducting Forecast Chart to help you be ready for that band opening.
With internet access you can access a web page to see the
latest
activity reported on all different bands. I have used this link to
see when there is reported 6 meter activity. Keep an eye on this page
for information on homebrew and commercial antennas. Getting on six
meters doesn't have to be expensive. |
The six meter band has started
the season with several good openings. There have been openings to the
Caribbean. Remember to monitor 52 where our active hf operators are
letting the group know about dx as well as six meter openings. Here is
a six meter operators secret weapon to see real time propagation. It is
an excellent tool for knowing about six meter activity.
When the band is open stations can be worked with a G5RV or other
dipole. With so many hf rigs having the six meter band these days, there
is no reason not to enjoy six meters. If you are not on six meters, and
this season just starting, contact one of our group on 146.52 simplex
for suggestions on affordable new and used equipment. A six meter
antenna is not so big and if you have a license you can operate six
meters. |
