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On 2023-01-30 13:00, lbakely wrote:

I’ve been a ham “forever”, but I’ve never done anything on 6
meters. My FT-817 is the only radio I have with 6M capability, so
I’m eyeing it as a way to try out 6M.
For the past few weeks I’ve been occasionally tuning around looking
for CW or SSB signals between 50.0 – 50.3. Other than a beacon,
I’m not hearing anything. I listen at various times during the day.
Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places, or maybe the band is dead
(where are we in the sunspot cycle?).
Anyway, question: Is anyone using their FT-817 on 6M? What
frequencies are you using? What modes? Are you having any success,
or is it just unreasonable to expect to work anything on 6M using QRP?
Tnx,
Larry (WA2VKG)

Hi Larry,

Welcome to The Magic Band. Sometimes it's magic that one gets a contact, any contact, however the times it "opens" are truly Magic. It has the LOS features other VHF+ frequencies do, with a bit of the somewhat extended ground wave (compared to High Band VHF) that keeps military land mobile there however a wee book I have on it has about seven kinds of funky propagation beyond simple Skywave.

Sad to say, however you _just_ missed the winter hotbed of activity for the band -- the ARRL January VHF Contest. There are three of these hosted by the Big A, the others being June and Sept. There are Sprints (single band, mini-contests), Spring and Fall. These often draw out a number of folks. Other hosted contests, say those by CQ Magazine, are good draws for ops. Check out Bruce's


I started a local 50 MHz activity group about 18 mo. back. We have played on the local repeater, on FM direct ("simplex") and on SSB / Fone. A number of my mates use the FT-817 as their 6 m rig. I hit up the Sprints and Contests, often as a Rover in the latter.

It sounds like you've worked out it isn't like FM at all in a number of ways.

Speaking of FM, sometimes it is useful. I had a look at RepeaterBook to see if you had any 6 m rptrs in your area. I didn't see one in Pitman, however there are about a half dozen reported as serviceable in the state. Perhaps you might reach one. At least you'd find someone to play on the band with.

I left a rig on 52.525 MHz FM when living in another city and was super surprised one day when the band opened south a number of states away. One fellow reportedly achieved WAS on 50 MHz -- all FM. Left it on and worked anyone who showed up over several years.

When one is not on the FM band plan we tend to call it Weak Signal work, even if folks are running, 100 W, 300 W, or a KW. No matter the amount, one is invariably trying to reach to the edge of what is seemingly possible, so the received signal is often (technically) weak.

Have a look for a local, regional or larger Weak Signal group. This gives one people and resources, information.

I'm lucky to have both the
Western Canada Weak Signal Association
and the
Pacific Northwest VHF Society
in the area, to lean on or look to for information, advice, encouragement, contacts.

I'd heartily encourage some local-ish contact, on or off air or on-line, with enthusiasts. Even following along on a mailing list can help.

I'm unsure of how distances are regarded in your locale, and these may or may not seem regional if not local, however they may know of folks closer to you:

Mt Airy VHF Radio Club Warminster, PA
North East Weak Signal [N.E.W.S.] Group, Longmeadow, MA
W3HZU Keystone VHF Club, York, PA

Signals _are_ up. The MUF climbs. 10 m has been wide open the last few days. Reports exist of 6 m activity and some fun has been reported on "8 m" (40 MHz experiments in progress.)

52.525 MHz FM NA Calling. Might be treated as a Watering Hole in your area, or some may treat it as strictly for calling. If no activity, call out! Hang out!
50.125 MHz USB is generally NA Calling. If one leaves the frequency, Tune Up! That is, Up The Band. CW and I think an Int'l DX Window is "below."

Re the contests. Some are single band -- if so, hang out, trade off calling out CQ. Most will work a new op on the air in an unofficial round robin. If the band opens then it feels more like HF and folks spread out.

Looking for contacts/points? Try out FM every now and again. Many folks have 50 MHz bolted on to their MF/HF rig. Some models of HT have 50 MHz. So encourage a local activity.

Some 'tests are multi-band. Manys the time that folks meet on 144 MHz, and the question is asked, "Do you have ____?" Other ops may follow that pair to that band (inc. 6 m) and another round robin ensues, then other bands are visited, many ops/stations returning to 144.2 MHz, or what have you, as a mix of watering hole, contact puddle, and coordinating frequency.

Try a dipole as minimum. The portability of the rig allows for getting out to local high ground which acts in lieu of a tower or other structure. Still one's antenna needs to be a helpful distance above ground.

Have fun. Weak Signal Work is sometimes a bit about listening to white noise. Also remember, if no one is calling a band looks dead. Don't be shy. <grin>

73, John

Some events:


for Fall Sprints, have to check out all the links sometimes to find your prey


--
J. D. Erskine
VA7OTC CN88hk
VE7MHI VA7RCN
Victoria, BC