| Author |
Message |
    
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7045
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 1:14 am: | 
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This Topic has been moved here from the Open Area of the Copper Forum.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 182
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 11:32 am: |
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Well thinking about trying out another hobby related to this one...this lack of skip combined with bottom of a long cycle is killing me. Local ragchew is great but feeling DX fever. Been going through the Tech sample tests and see no reason not to take it...seems mostly common sense.
If I understand correctly I can operate 6meter with this lower class licence?
Been trying to find info FIRST on 6meter as far as rigs / antennas and whatnot. I wanna do my homework first then know what I want BEFORE I spend the money. Like CB I wanna start with the basics and learn how to upgrade from there. Can anyone shed a little light on what I should be looking at say in the way of used radios and/or anything I should know first? Auction site lists some but don't really know what I'm looking at. I may be throwing my money away on less than disirable equipment?
Kind of like the newbie CBer who blows his load on a PC-78 when he could have shopped around and bought a SSB Grant XL for almost the same money...if he knew better! Now he wants to sell the 78 to upgrade...would like to skip that expensive part of the learning process. 
Wondering if my A-99 will work if used with my tuner? Perhaps bal line or dipole? I can put 2 different antennas + bal line or wire through my MFJ so either way I'm good there.
Anyone else try 6 meter yet? What are you doing?
Should I be looking into a radio that does more than 6meter for the future? Feel like such a newbie here! PLEASE ADVISE?
Hank '905
CEF 559 |
Slugo4449
Member
Username: Slugo4449
Post Number: 57
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 9:37 pm: |
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Hank:
First off, getting your ham ticket is a great thing to do!
At the Technician level you can work all Ham frequencies from 50 mhz on up That means 6 meters up through the gigahertz bands.
First, 6 meters is "almost" twice as high in frequency as CB(11 meters). Your MFJ-941 will not work there for an antenna tuner. It only goes to 30 mhz.
Second, six meters is not all that busy nowadays. We are basically at the bottom of our sun spot cycle. This year we already had an opening for about a month in the spring and should have an opening this fall. So six meters is not open to skip like the HF bands are. You should hear mostly locals talking there.
2 meters and 70 cm are fun bands and there are people that use sideband and CW. Kinda fun for the new ham to practice your SSB skills and Morse code too.
The "skinny" of it all is:
Most newly licensed Hams buy a mono bander, 2 meter FM radio first. Then they migrate to a dual bander (2 meters and 70 cm) also on FM. Then you will start thinking about 6 meters because you will hear the term "the magic band". Around here, nobody is on 6 meters FM. All are on SSB or CW. So you will want a multimode tranciever.
On and on and on!
My advice to you would be, get your license. Buy a dual band FM HT(walkie Talkie)(approx $250.00) sometimes a lot cheaper when they are closing out a product. Learn the ropes with that.
After you have gotten used to all this new stuff then look for a multiband all mode tranciever. One that has HF, VHF, UHF. 160-10 meters, 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 centimeters. They run new for about $700.00 to over $1000.00.
OR if you want to do what most of us did, buy a 2 meter FM radio (approx. $150.00), then buy a dual band FM radio (approx $350.00), then go out and get a monoband 6 meter all mode (approx $400.00). Then sell all of those radios at a loss and buy an all band all mode radio.
As for your antennas for CB. I doubt if they would be efficient on any other band cept 10 meters or 12 meters.
Good luck,
Marty
KG6QKJ |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6978
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 05, 2005 - 11:21 pm: |
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Vanillagorilla,
You can also get your Technician License and Download Echo Link (100% FREE) and learn all of the ropes thru it by logging into Repeaters all across the US and Around the World and talking direct with other hams and never have to spend 1 cent on radios or antennas or extra equipment.
You already have a computer and all you need is a Computer Speaker and a computer mic.
Then you can decide what kind or type of equipment you may want or need.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 189
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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How did you know I had a computer? Thats erie!
Sounds like a plan Lon. Don't know a thing about echo link but I'll look into it.
Marty thanks for the lowdown here. I see what you mean. Like I said..now I know how all the new CB'ers feel asking questions! I know they look like easy answers to the people who have been doing it but like visiting France for me. (not that I ever would)
Thanks again~ Hank
CEF 559 |
Karatebutcher
Senior Member
Username: Karatebutcher
Post Number: 2055
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 3:40 pm: |
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ok |
Keithinatlanta
Advanced Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 681
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:00 pm: |
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Lon, can you download the echo link and just
"listen" to the six meter activity across America? If so, how do you do it? Thanks.
Keith |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7005
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:54 pm: |
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Keithatlanta,
If you are a Licensed Ham then yes you can Click on a 2/6/10/12 Meter Repeaters Callsign and listen or talk to whoever is on that Repeater anywhere in the world.
Not all 2/6/10/12 Meter repeaters are connected to Echo Link.
It is up to the person who owns the repeater if they choose to have a link to Echo Link for the people.
We just added our Local 146.940 Club Repeater to Echo Link in the last year.
Otherwise you will need to CLICK on a Callsign to Contact people Direct to talk to them or hear them.
Our Local CIRC (Central Illinois Radio Club) 2 Meter Repeater is connected to Echo Lik with the call sign KB9LNS-R.
This allows Yankee/CEF357 (OK), Karatebutcher / CEF104 (CA), Rosebud / CEF222 & Moderator136 / CEF136(IA) and others to check into our Tuesday Night Local Club Nets to talk with other Locals on the Repeater and they use Echo Link and I use our radio to talk with them.
Then after the Nets I turn the radio off and keep talking with them through Echo Link so we do not tie the repeater up.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 388
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 6:31 pm: |
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All great answers. My personal advice would be to go ahead and spring for the perfect radio now. My choice is the Yaesu FT-857. It's all mode and covers everything, including stuff you won't be allowed to operate on with just a Tech ticket.
OR
If 2 meters turns out to be your thing, Yaesu Ft-1500m. Great little radio and fairly cheap @ 150.00.
Ranger has a fair deal going on there 5054 right now (wonder why and how I know). For 350 bucks you get it shipped to your door. No tax unless you're in CA and NO shipping period. This is for the DX 100 watt version too!!!
Personally, I would just spring for the Yaesu FT-857 or another brand All Mode radio. I personally think Yaesu builds wonderful products.
As for an antenna, for 6 meters you could use a dipole. For 2 meters only you could build a beam yourself, 7dB for 7 bucks. I actually built mine for 3 bucks and it works great!!
Chop |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 194
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 7:01 pm: |
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Good stuff here....thanks. I was looking at a AlincoDX 6 meter but I think maybe you guys are right. Get as much of an ALL mode as I can afford. Thanks for the model #'s guys. It'll help me research.
Now its back to the practice tests for a little while. Starting to look forward to the winter down time.
Hank '905 |
Troublemaker
Intermediate Member
Username: Troublemaker
Post Number: 172
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 6:21 pm: |
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That's what I did Porkchop,but I chose the ICOM 706MKIIG along with the ALINCO DM-330MV power supply when I went to the Dayton Ham Convention. I did look seriously at the FT-857 though. |
Kb9umt_don_123
Junior Member
Username: Kb9umt_don_123
Post Number: 43
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 12:34 am: |
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Hank,
Some good questions about 6 meters and you got some good responses. First, I think you adding Ham Radio to your 'radio' hobbies of interest would be a great choice. The first test is the Tech (element2) test and only 35 questions that with your current 'radio' experience you might already know 50% or more without little study. You are correct the Tech license offers lots for an entry class license...6 (or 50mhz) and above. Your statement "lower class license" is one that really is NOT true, some Hams prefer NOT to have HF and like the uhf/vhf challenge and just don't upgrade....there are no lower class and if you really get into things on Ham Radio you will find that some of the sharpest Hams are those on vhf/uhf experimenting and you will not find just Techs there but most likely more Extra class Hams working DX on vhf/uhf weak signal work...it is a real challenge!
For you questions and most already answered...no the A99 will not work on 6 meters well at all, a simple dipole cut for 6 meters will make the A99 look very bad...no your hf tuner will not work for 6 meters...yes you should think about a good rig to 'grow' into that you might use for all bands if you were to upgrade in Ham Radio. I think an ICOM IC-706 original would be a great choice, on the used marked from $400 to $500 and it has ALL HF bands ALL MODE 160 to 10 meters 100w, has ALL MODE on 6 meters 100w, and even has ALL MODE on 2 meters at 20w....very good value and what you might pay just for a mono band vhf or uhf or even hf rig alone but this has it all in one. I would recommend good low loss feedline and there are hundreds of online 6 meter antennas that can be made..6 meter antennas are not large so a simple 3 element yagi or horz loop can be built easy.
I will add that 6 meters is not for everyone and there is hardly a middle ground for 6 meters..either you like and work the band or you don't like the band and just don't work it. It's called the 'Magic Band' because it has about most every propagation possible at anytime on this band...you could go for weeks with no activity then in one hour work 100 stations then dead again...then there are those that might work aurora or wait for those Es or weather changes or the big contests....for some of us like myself I like working DX on 6 meters most any day using Meteor Scatter and 6 works good for that from about 500 to 1200 miles out for me. Anyway hope you get interested in all this and best of luck to you. I will try to post some links but so far my links are not 'Copper' friendly I guess and don't always get approved (I say that but I actually like Copper and have bought things but most my links are Ham related and I guess contain other links to other places).
Here is a good link that I will start with and it's 'How to work DX on 6 meters'...a very good read.
http://www.ham-radio.com/n6ca/50MHz/6mtrdx.html
If this one gets in..I will try to post more. Thanks for letting me post here.
de kb9umt Don
http://www.HamRadioHelp.com
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Kb9umt_don_123
Junior Member
Username: Kb9umt_don_123
Post Number: 44
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 12:38 am: |
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Hank,
Like in CBing or Scanning (other 'radio' hobbies) knowing where to find the action is key for success...one way to find the action is to know the band plan of the band you are going to work (below are a few band plans for 6 meters...another big one is knowing propagation signs)...here are some 6 meter band plans:
- What is the band plan for 6 meters?
*********************************************************
ARRL 6 Meter Wavelength Band Plan, 50.0-54.0 MHz
50.000-50.100 CW and beacons
50.060-50.080 Automatically controlled beacons
50.100-50.600 SSB 50.125 SSB DX calling frequency 50.200 SSB domestic calling frequency (Note: Suggest QSY up for local & down for long-distance QSOs)
50.600-51.000 Experimental and special modes 50.700 RTTY calling frequency
50.800-50.980 Radio Control (R/C) channels, 10 channels spaced 20 kHz apart (new)
51.000-51.100 Pacific DX window
51.000-52.000 Newly authorized FM repeater allocation
51.100-52.000 FM simplex
52.000-52.050 Pacific DX window
52.000-53.000 FM repeater and simplex
53.000-54.000 Present radio control (R/C) channels, 10 channels spaced 100 kHz apart
*********************************************************
DIGITAL BAND(guide..not official) PLAN FOR VHF/UHF
This is NOT an official band plan but a guide for most "normal" digital activity and areas will vary in different places so please use common courtesy and if you are unsure ask local operators and or listen.....but never run digital on the SSB/CW calling frequencies or the EME subbands
6 Meters CW/SSB/Digital
50.060-50.080 CW Beacons (unattended sub-band)
see: <http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm>
50.080-50.100 CW QSO's
50.100-50.125 DX Window
50.110 DX Calling Frequency
50.125 North American SSB Calling Frequency
50.133-50.430 Voice Nets see: <http://6mt.com/nets.htm>
<http://www.google.com>
50.255 FSK441 lower practical limit for most QSO's
50.260 FSK441 Calling Frequency
50.285 FSK441 upper practical limit for most QSO's
50.290 SSB PSK31
50.291 BEACONet^31 (with +1500hz PSK audio)
50.300 or 50.700 RTTY?
6 Meters
50.680 SSTV
*********************************************************
SIX METER FREQUENCIES
50.06-50.09 Beacons
50.0-50.1 CW
50.058 FISTS <http://www.fists.org/>Calling frequency
50.090 CW Calling Freq
50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here For Local and Across Country
50.1-50.6 Weak Signal, AM
50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)
50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Frequency
51.910 FM Internet Linking
52.525 National FM Simplex Calling Frequency
6 Meter Simplex Frequencies --51.500 51.520 51.540 51.560 51.580 51.600 52.490 52.510 52.525* 52.540 52.550 52.570 52.590
A Typical 6 Meter Band Plan.
(May Vary From Region to Region)
50.000 - 50.100 CW, Beacons 50.100 - 50.300 SSB, CW 50.100 - 50.125 DX Window 50.125 SSB Calling Frequency 50.270 FSK Meteorscatter 50.290 PSK31 (SSB)50.300 - 50.600 All Modes 50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast) 50.400 AM Calling Frequency50.600 - 50.800 Digital 50.680 SSTV 50.800 - 51.000 Remote Control 51.000 - 51.100 Pacific DX Window 51.120 - 51.180 Digital 51.120 PSK31 (FM)51.200 - 51.480FM Repeater Inputs 51.500 - 51.600FM Simplex 51.620 - 51.680 Digital 51.700 - 51.980 FM Repeater Outputs52.020 - 52.040 FM Simplex 52.060 - 52.480 FM Repeater Inputs 52.525 FM Simplex Calling Frequency 52.540 FM Simplex52.560 - 52.980 FM Repeater Outputs 53.000 - 53.020 FM Simplex 53.040 - 53.480 FM Repeater Inputs53.100 Remote Control 53.200 Remote Control 53.300 Remote Control 53.400 Remote Control53.500 Remote Control 53.520 FM Simplex 53.540 - 53.980 FM Repeater Outputs53.600 Remote Control 53.700 Remote Control 53.800 Remote Control 53.900 FM Simplex
*********************************************************
SIX METER FREQUENCIES
50.06-50.09 Beacons
50.0-50.1 CW
50.090 CW Calling Freq
50.7 RTTY Calling Frequency
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB)
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here.
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here For Local and Across Country
50.1-50.6 Weak Signal, AM
50.385 USB PSK31
50.4 National AM Simplex Freq
6 Meter Simplex Frequencies --51.500 51.520 51.540 51.560 51.580 51.600 52.490 52.510 52.525* 52.550 52.570 52.590uency
51.910 FM Internet Linking
52.525 National FM Simplex Frequency
*********************************************************
6 Meters (50-54 MHz):
50.0-50.1CW, beacons50.060-50.080beacon subband50.1-50.3SSB, CW50.10-50.125DX window50.125SSB calling50.3-50.6All modes50.6-50.8Nonvoice communications50.62Digital (packet) calling50.8-51.0Radio remote control (20-kHz channels)51.0-51.1Pacific DX window51.12-51.48Repeater inputs (19 channels)51.12-51.18Digital repeater inputs51.62-51.98Repeater outputs (19 channels)51.62-51.68Digital repeater outputs52.0-52.48Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels)52.02, 52.04FM simplex52.2TEST PAIR (input)52.5-52.98Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels)52.525Primary FM simplex52.54Secondary FM simplex52.7TEST PAIR (output)53.0-53.48Repeater inputs (except as noted; 19 channels)53.0Remote base FM simplex53.02Simplex53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 53.4Radio remote control53.5-53.98Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels)53.5, 53.6, 53.7, 53.8Radio remote control53.52, 53.9Simplex
- What are the 'call' frequencies?
see band plans above..............
de kb9umt Don/123
http://www.HamRadioHelp.com
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1436
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 9:13 am: |
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'six meters-a guide to the magic band' by ken neubeck, wb2amu gives 99.9% of the info needed to have fun on 6 meters, and gave me the incentive to get my ticket & find a home on 6 meters-where i do 100% of my amateur radio activity! QUIET most of the time when NO dx is running, but when it is-!!! tried a vertical, then went to a 'loop'. roughly 30" x 30" x 30" x 30" up 15' off my roof & when Es is running, 60 watts on my rci5054dx100 gets me RIGHT IN THERE WITH THE BIG BOYS! 1 of my 1st BIG days, got in there with a local with 100 watts on 52' beam-he was NO STRONGER THEN ME according to our contact in michigan! 95% of contacts have been 50.120-50.250, with several AM contacts in 50.400 area. have no use for FM, & no desire to get into the 'repeater mayhem' of 2m around here. FM simplex-maybe-if i get my 706, and/or 2m dx! used an alinco dx77th for a couple weeks, was NOT happy with it. get better signal reports from my rci then my friends alinco. i believe the original ic706 had only 50 watts on 6, the 2nd gen upped it to 100. the 706mkIIg is my dream radio. have a 101e & have had a 757 & 767, much prefer my ic735, the 745 i had & am SURE the 706 will be just as good! $100 more then the ft897 & $250 more then the ft857, but for the time being will hold my breath & see if icom does like last year & lower price into yaesu territory! |
Therealporkchop
Intermediate Member
Username: Therealporkchop
Post Number: 395
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 11:03 am: |
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Well some people are Ford guys and others are Chevy guys.
I guess the radio thing is just like that, some are Yaesu guys and others Icom. I personally like them both. Maybe I suggest Yaesu because I have one already and everyone I know has them as well. But that doesn't mean I won't buy an Icom. |
Sonny
Member
Username: Sonny
Post Number: 69
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 1:12 am: |
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And some are dodge guys with Alinco DX70t allbander plus 6 meters |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1448
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 1:41 pm: |
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i'm a chevy guy driving a dodge with a uniden in it & an icom & yaesu at home. help me...i'm confused |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 207
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 2:37 pm: |
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I'm a Pontiac guy driving a Jeep with a Dodge engine eyeballing a Quiqley 4x4 coversion van made by Ford! Co you say "co-phase 10k?"
Aaaaaaaanyway...glad this thread is getting some attention...learning a lot referring back to it.
Must study harder!
Thanks a lot guys....gotta look for that 6mtr book!
NINE ZERO FIVE we back quiet |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1466
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 11:08 pm: |
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a new one or a used one? there's a white 1, a blue 1, & a red 1 one floating around suffolk with for sale signs. white 1 is real new, like 2002 or newer, the others, early 90's & late 80's i think. with a van, though you have PLENTY of room for ALL KINDS of antennas! |
Goat373
Intermediate Member
Username: Goat373
Post Number: 194
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:24 pm: |
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i know im slow and lagging behind...but the mfj-941d does indeed work on 6 meters...i use mine daily |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3715
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 10:41 pm: |
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my mfj-945e does too |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2648
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 4:22 pm: |
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my loop don't need no stinkin' tuner on 50.130
spring is here...bring on the Es |
Slugo4449
Member
Username: Slugo4449
Post Number: 77
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 12:48 am: |
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The 941 specs show it as a 1.8 - 30 mhz tuner. That is what I based my statements on.
73
Marty
KG6QKJ |
