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KU0DM
06-20-2010, 11:10 AM
Believe it or not, my entire Ham career I've never had 6m capability from the house. Always put HF first and never put a whole lot of thought into 6 other than tuning up whatever I had in the air. However last night I had a hankering to try the magic band, and remembered that I had a VHF/UHF vertical in the attic with a run of RG-213 to my shack. I hardly get on VHF/UHF anymore so I took the vertical down and replaced it with a dipole. Since I've put it up, I have heard at least 5-10 stations on CW constantly. Made 8 CW contacts since I put it up last night around 9! :dance:

Now that I can finally play on 6, I'm ready for a big opening!
suddenseer
06-20-2010, 11:56 AM
A few hours ago, I made about 18 ssb contacts NY, NJ, CT, Mn, SD, WA, OR, KS, IA, Ws, Neb, and others. I could hear both sides of the qso's as well. Im EM89 near Dayton. 10FM is hot as well. Central Mex, and Canary Islands coming into the NYC repeaters.
PA5COR
06-20-2010, 03:25 PM
6 meter open here in Europe for days now, as is 10/12 etc.
Contest going on so quite busy..
WØTKX
06-20-2010, 06:10 PM
Dug out the transverter... worked a few contacts QRP with a poopy little vertical antenna. Band is wild with signal. Neato!
KU0DM
06-20-2010, 07:27 PM
Dayum! Just sat on 50.092 for about 20 minutes and made 17 contacts, calling CQ with my dipole. Most gave me pretty solid signal reports, I guess my piss-weak set-up isn't so weak!
WØTKX
06-20-2010, 07:28 PM
This is why it's called the magic band. :)
suddenseer
06-20-2010, 08:18 PM
Dayum! Just sat on 50.092 for about 20 minutes and made 17 contacts, calling CQ with my dipole. Most gave me pretty solid signal reports, I guess my piss-weak set-up isn't so weak!The way to cool part of the magic band is that when open, all you need is qrp and a wet noodle for ant. I operate qrp on 6. The noise floor is much less than the HF bands. Since analog tv signals went qrt, the noise threshold is even lower.
w3bny
06-29-2010, 12:20 PM
This is why it's called the magic band. :)

Yeah... Now you see it...now you dont!
kb1jcy
06-29-2010, 05:39 PM
What kind of of antenna can I build with 14 gauge wire for 6m that has gain characteristics?
WØTKX
06-29-2010, 06:46 PM
EDZ doublet, Moxon, Lazy H? Stacked loops work well.

PVC pipe is quite useful for smaller antennas.
KA5PIU
07-03-2010, 08:06 AM
Hello.

52.525 MHz has special appeal.
Not only is it an excellent place to find other hams, it drives some car stereos crazy!
I do not run anything but FM in this band, usually military radios.