You may have heard the expression "the magic band" in reference to the 6 Meter Amateur Radio wavelength band. It is often called this because of the unique forms of DX (distant) signal propagation that is available at this wavelength. In fact this VHF band will support DX communication when the lower frequency "HF" bands are dead!

This is because at 50 MegaHertz (MHz.) the "MUF" or Maximum Usable Frequency is often obtained or available to support signal propagation in this range for a variety of reasons. When the MUF reaches 50 MHz, DX is just as "workable" on 6 Meters as it would be on 10 or 20 Meters. In fact at times when these lower frequency HF bands are shut down because of solar flares, 6 Meters may be open to auroal DX because of that same solar flare!

Other regular and predictable forms of DX that occur on 6 Meters are Meteor Scatter and E-layer "skip". The first of these is one form of DX propagation that only occurs on the VHF bands, and it is most easily done on 6 Meters. I have always best enjoyed the Ursids meteor shower on the 22^nd or 23^rd of December, and the Perseids shower around August 10^th through the 14^th. Another form of more general 6 Meter DX can be worked in what is often called "E Season". E season occurs around April throughout June and often July. It occurs because of the heavy spring rains that occur at this time, and stir or roil the upper atmosphere. This violent air movement causes ionization of the atmosphere at around 150,000 feet elevation and higher. If this ionization is strong enough, DX will be workable at even two or three skip zones away. This can be 2400 to 3600 miles away. Even mild E cloud events will support DX out to 1200 miles. I have previously worked many states in our country, as well as DX to South America via sporadic E layer DX !

So, with all of this great potential on this band, why is it that probably most of the Hams you know aren't active at this wavelength? Here are some of the reasons, or excuses, I have heard. Let me dispel them one by one!

     1) I can't get on 6 Meters, I only have a Technician class license.

Technician licensee's (even No-Code Tech's) have access to all bands above 30 MHz. That gives the \"Tech" access to about 23,468.15 MHz., including the 6 Meter band! If you would otherwise like to learn of these other thousands of MegaHertz of radio spectrum, take a look at my article, "Considering Our RF Spectrum" on the "Tech Bench Elmer's" web page at www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2775/

     2) Six meters causes way too much television interference or TVI.

Actually, any TVI that you will experience on 6 Meters is more easily controlled than the harmonically related TVI that you would experience from bands such as 20, 15, or 10 Meters. This is because the usual way TVI occurs from 6 Meters is "front-end overload" of the television receiver. To prevent this merely lower your power output as you move up in frequency on the band. I typically can use 100 Watts output when down near 50.125 MHz., as I move up higher into the repeater sub-bands near 51, or 52 MHz., I progressively lower my power just to insure peace in the neighborhood. You can though sincerely tell your neighbors that they are obligated to use a High Pass filter on their TV if they are experiencing such problems. The FCC even puts this in writing in an interference manual that they publish!

     3) Six meter equipment is too expensive!

Well, it is probably true that you will want to have a Single Sideband (SSB) or even "multi-mode" capable transceiver to take full advantage of all that can be done on this band. Such radios are more expensive because they have to be; they are built better, and have to adhere to more stringent frequency stability and are better engineered. That's not a bad kind of radio to own! I will at the end of this article however give you some ideas about good SSB radios for 6 Meters that won't cause you a great deal of financial stress!

     4) I never hear any activity on 6 Meters, and the band is never open to DX!

Well, the band is often quiet; this is because often times everyone is listening for DX, and nobody is talking. This may sound funny but it is often true! Many Hams monitor 50.125 MHz. listening for DX. Sometimes they should transmit, and try to stir up activity! Another reason is that new Hams to this band are often not knowledgeable of the Band Plan for 6 Meters! I will list it at the end of this article; this will help you to find where the action is, and where you can pretty much instantly find someone to talk to.

     5) Antennas are too big on this band!

Oh yeah? I have worked all of the United States and some foreign countries on a multi-band "J" (J-pole) antenna that works on 6, 2, and 1.35, Meters, as well as 70 centimeters; and its pretty much not noticeable above my TV antenna! It was even cheap and easy to build!

So, have I perhaps made you think you should give this band a try? I will on the next page provide you with some thoughts on good radios for this band with a variety of price ranges. I hope you will become as strong a supporter of this band as am I!

Terms used in this article

MUF or Maximum Usable Frequency. The "MUF" is that portion of radio spectrum that will support extended (DX) communication. The MUF increases on the HF spectrum largely proportionate to solar radiation. On the VHF spectrum other mechanisms will provide similar ionization!

Auroral DX: A function of increases in ionization because of solar flares. These flares also usually ionize the atmospheric "D layer", which shuts down the HF bands.

E-Skip or E-layer (cloud) DX: High altitude storms cause ionization in the ionospheric E layer of the atmosphere. These are sometimes called E patches, or E clouds.

Inexpensive 6 Meter Radios

There are many prospects for used or older radios for 6 Meters. In particular there are many options for FM only radios. I highly recommend a radio or "transverter" that is capable of all modes. Six meter FM can be fun but; the real hot ticket is Single Sideband [always Upper Sideband (USB) on 6 Meters]. Here are three inexpensive pieces of six meter hardware that I can highly recommend!

Ranger's RCI5054DX This radio sells for about $329.00 and is a pretty nice SSB,AM,FM, and CW capable radio. It's a bit stingy for power output but at 25 Watts on SSB, or 10 Watts for the other modes; but it will drive a linear power amplifier nicely. Sometimes you will even be able to work DX without such an amplifier!

Tentec Company has a real nice radio in their Model 526 "6N2". It's about twice the money of the above radio from RCI but it's a real nice multi-mode true DSP radio for both the 6 and also the 2 Meter wavelength bands. I think that when you consider that the radio is a very well engineered transceiver, that will operate on SSB, as well as FM on both 6 and 2 Meters; its well worth the money!

For the builder and experimenter Tentec offers a nice little 8-Watt output transverter for use with an HF transceiver. Any 20 Meter transceiver that will provide 3 watts of drive for the transverter will work. This transverter can drive a power amplifier for some better serious output! The model 1208 is a kit selling for $109.00, and the model 1208A is wired and tested and sells for $159.00

Six Meter Band Plan

50.0 to 50.1 MHz. CW Only! This spectrum is largely used for DX beacons

50.110 MHz. SSB/CW International DX Activities' or "Calling Frequency"

50.125 MHz SSB/CW Stateside DX activities frequency (best place for new comers)

50.1 to 50.300 CW or SSB Most folks using this part of the band are oriented toward DX

50.300 to 50.600 MHz. Any mode but, FM is prominent (AM activity on 50.400 MHz)

50.300 MHz. is a commonly used FM chitchat frequency (Courtesy and good engineering practice suggests 20 KHz. channels for FM operation)

50.6 to 50.8 MHz. Packet radio (9600 Baud maximum)

51.700 up to the top of the band is for FM repeaters. Channel frequencies are on 20 KHz. raster (51.70, .72, .74, .76 etc.) inputs are 500 KHz. below. Most repeaters use CTCSS.

R/C modelers also sometimes use 53 MHz. frequencies, and also 50.8 to 51.0 MHz.