Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Ken McGuire]

Partially because of this thread, I got on 6M a bit Saturday when there was
an obvious 10M opening.

While most of my qso's since 2002 have been CW, I had yet to make a 6M CW
qso.  Instead I had just used SSB and FM.  But in the opening Saturday, I
found out a few things.

1)  I was frustrated at how slow the chats were on SSB (FM was even worse) -
it seemed like they were wasting a perfectly good band opening ragchewing. 
I don't mind ragchewing and will do a bit of it myself, but usually on 30,
40, or 80.

2)  When I turned down to the CW portion of the band, it almost sounded like
a CW contest weekend.  Very efficent operating and the band was FULL of
signals.  The receiver I had been using for 6M was not really up to this.  I
eventually dug out the TT 1208 and attached it to my K2.  MUCH better for
me, even if less power going out.

Ken McGuire
KC8LTL en72
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Bob Stevens]

I think you already have the fever Joe.

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W8JH
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 3:08 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie


Many thanks to all who responded.  I just heard my first signal on 6m CW!  I
copied a CQ from KE4PT who according to QRZ.com is in Florida.  It was
marginal copy at best so I didn't try to call him but it was exciting for me
anyway.  I have no idea why I have never found a station before today
despite listening and checking DX spots for quite some time.  I guess I have
been on at the wrong times.

FWIW, I could only hear KE4PT on the 80m loop fed with 600ohm ladder line
through the BT-1500.  The dipole (only at about 20 feet admittedly) was
noise.  Althougth the Palstar is not spec'd on 6m I have read multiple
reports of hams having good luck there.

Now I have to think about the PR-6 and a better antenna!  I'm sure one good
opening would give me the fever.

73,

Joe,  W8JH
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Alan Bloom]

On Fri, 2010-07-02 at 13:08 -0700, W8JH wrote:

> Now I have to think about the PR-6 and a better antenna!

You don't need anything fancy.  Once, for a Field-Day-type operation in
a VHF contest, I kludged together a temporary 3-el, 6 meter beam out of
scraps of steel electrical conduit.  It worked great!

Al N1AL


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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[W8JH]

Many thanks to all who responded.  I just heard my first signal on 6m CW!  I
copied a CQ from KE4PT who according to QRZ.com is in Florida.  It was
marginal copy at best so I didn't try to call him but it was exciting for me
anyway.  I have no idea why I have never found a station before today
despite listening and checking DX spots for quite some time.  I guess I have
been on at the wrong times.

FWIW, I could only hear KE4PT on the 80m loop fed with 600ohm ladder line
through the BT-1500.  The dipole (only at about 20 feet admittedly) was
noise.  Althougth the Palstar is not spec'd on 6m I have read multiple
reports of hams having good luck there.

Now I have to think about the PR-6 and a better antenna!  I'm sure one good
opening would give me the fever.

73,

Joe,  W8JH
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[W8JH]

Thanks Lew, I appreciate the info.

 

I don't have the FM filter but I can set up my FT100 on the mobile for 6m
and see if that hits one of the repeaters.  From there I might be able to
set up a sked on 6m SSB for the K3.  Thanks for the idea!

 

73,

 

Joe  W8JH

 

From: K6LMP [via Elecraft]
[mailto:ml-node+5248232-1737588253-162...@n2.nabble.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:55 AM
To: W8JH
Subject: Re: 6 meters Newbie

 

Joe, given where you live, in northern Ohio, you could go for days without
hearing anything on 6 meters.  I live in the Los Angeles area, and I
sometimes just tune the K3 to 50.125 (the SSB calling frequency) and listen
for activity while I'm working from home.  There are three or four guys (in
a metropolitan area of 8 million) who pop up on the band every day calling
QRZ to look for sporadic-E contacts, and on some days, that's about it.
When Sporadic-E opens up, it can get real lively. 

You can check your rig's performance if you have any 6 meter repeaters in
your area, but you'll need a vertical antenna (I use a 6 meter J-pole),
since all the FM activity on 6 meters is vertically polarized, whereas most
SSB activity is horizontally polarized. (However, some LA area ops work SSB
with vertical polarization).  The 6 meter FM calling frequency for simplex
is 53.600 mHz. 

there is a 6 meter repeater in Detroit (53.94 output, 131.8 PL), and one in
Toledo at 53.65, 103.5 PL). 6 meter repeaters are -.5 mhz offset for input.
I don't see any listed in the repeater guides for Cleveland.  You might try
to hit those machines to test your rig, if you have the wide filter
necessary for FM transmission with the K3 and can put together a vertical 6
meter antenna. If the "custom" in northern Ohio and Michigan is to use
vertical polarization for SSB (as some ops do here in LA), then you REALLY
need a vertical antenna, since polarization really makes a difference on 6
meters. Cross polarization can result in a loss of as much as 20 dB in
signal strength, which could pretty much explain why you're not hearing
anyone with a horizontal antenna (if the local ops are working SSB with
vertical polarization).  If you can hit one of the local 6 meter repeaters,
ask any operator you reach what the local practice is for SSB. 

If you want to get serious about 6 meters weak signal (SSB), invest in the
Elecraft PR-6 pre-amp designed for that band. It's worth the cost for its
performance. 

Lew K6LMP 




On Jul 2, 2010, at 6:01 AM, W8JH wrote: 


> 
> I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening 
> with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR
on 
> 6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything
I 
> built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck. 
> 
> I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely 
> check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck. 
> 
> I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on

> the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft
(about 
> 6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I 
> thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I 
> didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig. 
> 
> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No 
> problems noted on any other band. 
> 


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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[W8JH]

I checked the Rx ant. again today, that's not the problem.

 

I have the 80m loop tuned for 6m on ANT 1 and the 6m dipole on ANT 2 with no
luck despite trying to listen when I see lots of spots on for 6m.

 

I know what you are talking about regarding beams etc.  I worked Italy from
my car on a FT100 and an ATAS antenna.

 

Thanks for the thought Joe, I was glad to meet you at Dayton this year and
tell you how much your stuff on the reflector (along with Don, W8JI etc.)
has been a help to me.  No doubt I will get this sorted out eventually.

 

73,

 

Joe  W8JH

 

From: Joe Subich, W4TV-4 [via Elecraft]
[mailto:ml-node+5248243-1883897432-162...@n2.nabble.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 12:00 PM
To: W8JH
Subject: Re: 6 meters Newbie

 


> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band? 
> No problems noted on any other band. 

Do you have the RX Ant selected (or ANT 2 if you have the KANT3 
installed)?   Antenna/Receive antenna status is stored per band 
so you might have the wrong antenna selected on just one band. 

My K3 is certainly sensitive enough - without the PR-6 - that I 
can hear/work some of the stronger DX (55 countries in the band) 
on a HF windom (since that's my only antenna that will take power 
on six).  The noise about needing a beam on six meters does a 
big disservice to anyone who wants to try the band. 

73, 

... Joe, W4TV 

On 7/2/2010 9:01 AM, W8JH wrote: 


> 
> I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening 
> with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR
on 
> 6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything
I 
> built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck. 
> 
> I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely 
> check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck. 
> 
> I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on

> the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft
(about 
> 6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I 
> thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I 
> didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig. 
> 
> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No 
> problems noted on any other band. 
> 
> Joe- another 6m newbie 

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Ken McGuire]

I am a very casual 6M operator, but, living in Michigan with a sister in
Columbus, OH, I can give a bit of ground truth.

I have a FT8900 (and sometimes FT100) in my car and have yet to get into the
Toledo 6M repeater even when driving right through Toledo.  The Lima, Ohio
repeater is good, but would probably be out of range for you.  Unfortunately
6M has many conficting band plans.  In Ohio, repeaters are -1.0 MHz.  In
Michigan they are -0.500 MHz.  There are also states where they are 1.7 MHz.

With a Yagi at 25 ft, you should be able to make contacts when the band is
open and there is someone at the other end of the open band.  Most of my 6M
contacts have been using just a mobile whip.  This is enough for some
contacts when the band is open.  Last summer I repaired the antenna for
someone who does much more 6M than I.  She just used a coax fed 160M dipole
about 40 feet up.  That is admittedly higher than you, but when you figure
in the coax loss, I would think you have better.

Big towers and mast mounted preamps do help in marginal openings, yes.  But
some of the magic of 6M is that sometimes you get really GOOD openings where
you don't need any fancy equipment.  The thing is that there will often be
days when you hear nothing.

The most important thing is to listen for the openings.  Of course, if
everyone is listening and no one calls CQ, nothing happens, so give that a
try sometimes too.  Other than that, if you want to do something else, the
first thing I would check is your coax...  But now 6 should open to Florida
or Texas for you fairly often.

Ken McGuire
KC8LTL
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?
> No problems noted on any other band.

Do you have the RX Ant selected (or ANT 2 if you have the KANT3 
installed)?   Antenna/Receive antenna status is stored per band
so you might have the wrong antenna selected on just one band.

My K3 is certainly sensitive enough - without the PR-6 - that I
can hear/work some of the stronger DX (55 countries in the band)
on a HF windom (since that's my only antenna that will take power
on six).  The noise about needing a beam on six meters does a
big disservice to anyone who wants to try the band.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 7/2/2010 9:01 AM, W8JH wrote:
>
> I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening
> with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR on
> 6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything I
> built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck.
>
> I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely
> check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck.
>
> I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on
> the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft (about
> 6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I
> thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I
> didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig.
>
> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No
> problems noted on any other band.
>
> Joe- another 6m newbie
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Lew Phelps K6LMP]

Joe, given where you live, in northern Ohio, you could go for days without 
hearing anything on 6 meters.  I live in the Los Angeles area, and I sometimes 
just tune the K3 to 50.125 (the SSB calling frequency) and listen for activity 
while I'm working from home.  There are three or four guys (in a metropolitan 
area of 8 million) who pop up on the band every day calling QRZ to look for 
sporadic-E contacts, and on some days, that's about it.  When Sporadic-E opens 
up, it can get real lively.

You can check your rig's performance if you have any 6 meter repeaters in your 
area, but you'll need a vertical antenna (I use a 6 meter J-pole), since all 
the FM activity on 6 meters is vertically polarized, whereas most SSB activity 
is horizontally polarized. (However, some LA area ops work SSB with vertical 
polarization).  The 6 meter FM calling frequency for simplex is 53.600 mHz.

there is a 6 meter repeater in Detroit (53.94 output, 131.8 PL), and one in 
Toledo at 53.65, 103.5 PL). 6 meter repeaters are -.5 mhz offset for input. I 
don't see any listed in the repeater guides for Cleveland.  You might try to 
hit those machines to test your rig, if you have the wide filter necessary for 
FM transmission with the K3 and can put together a vertical 6 meter antenna. If 
the "custom" in northern Ohio and Michigan is to use vertical polarization for 
SSB (as some ops do here in LA), then you REALLY need a vertical antenna, since 
polarization really makes a difference on 6 meters. Cross polarization can 
result in a loss of as much as 20 dB in signal strength, which could pretty 
much explain why you're not hearing anyone with a horizontal antenna (if the 
local ops are working SSB with vertical polarization).  If you can hit one of 
the local 6 meter repeaters, ask any operator you reach what the local practice 
is for SSB.

If you want to get serious about 6 meters weak signal (SSB), invest in the 
Elecraft PR-6 pre-amp designed for that band. It's worth the cost for its 
performance.

Lew K6LMP




On Jul 2, 2010, at 6:01 AM, W8JH wrote:

> 
> I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening
> with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR on
> 6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything I
> built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck.
> 
> I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely
> check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck.
> 
> I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on
> the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft (about
> 6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I
> thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I
> didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig.
> 
> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No
> problems noted on any other band.
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[WILLIS COOKE]

Joe, you need a better antenna.  Try a 3 to 5 element Yagi on a 30 or 40 ft 
pole or maybe a Quad.  You need to be above the trees, buildings and other 
absorbing structures in the area.  The signals are mostly weak on 6 meters, but 
occasionally they will be stronger.  The clusters and maps are good to give you 
an indication, but Sporadic E is very sporadic and you may not hear what is 
strong in the next county, or maybe even the next block.  It requires a lot of 
listening to catch openings.  When there is an opening to somewhere, you will 
start by hearing a rise in the background noise.  Then someone has to transmit 
and you have to be tuned to their frequency when they do.  Six is called the 
'Magic Band' because after hours of listening a signal will pop up like magic 
and a few minutes later it will disappear like magic.  That is why it is 
typical for a station to give you his call and grid number and not take the 
time to give you his name or
 state.  It is not called the 'Easy Band'.  
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ 





From: W8JH 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Fri, July 2, 2010 8:01:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie


I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening
with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR on
6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything I
built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck.

I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely
check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck.

I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on
the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft (about
6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I
thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I
didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig.

Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No
problems noted on any other band.

Joe- another 6m newbie
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Augie "Gus" Hansen]

On 7/2/2010 7:01 AM, W8JH wrote:
> I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening
> with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR on
> 6m.

I also have a BT1500A, but do not use it on 6m because it is specified 
for 1.8-29.5 MHz. You're are trying to use it at nearly twice it's 
effective highest frequency. Getting a low loss match will be difficult 
if not impossible.

> Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything I
> built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck.
>

You might try turning the dipole into a vertical position and working 
some local 6m ops on 50.125MHz, which is the de facto calling frequency. 
If you're putting out any signal at all a few pleas for assistance with 
a radio check in your area will likely result in some helpful replies.

> Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No
> problems noted on any other band.
>

Have you verified that you have the correct antenna selected? Or is 
there a low-pass filter in line that is putting an 80 dB stopband above 
42 MHz or some other cutoff frequency below the 6m band?

By the way, 6m has been open quite often during this peak season, which 
typically runs May through July. In fact, right now (1527Z) the band is 
well open between Europe and eastern USA.

Regards,
Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[W8JH]

I have not had ANY luck on 6 meters with K3 # 1713.  I had been listening
with my 80m horizontal loop, which my Palstar BT-1500 tunes to a flat SWR on
6m.  Nothing heard over a full year.  Since I still couldn't hear anything I
built a 6m dipole a couple days ago and still no luck.

I can hear continuous carriers sometimes but nothing else.  I routinely
check DX spots sent by hams near me (Ohio by Lake Erie) and have no luck.

I do use the internal preamp.  Carriers on the 80m loop are louder than on
the 6m dipole.  I had the subreceiver installed last year by Elecraft (about
6 weeks turnaround) and did not notice any difference.  Unfortunately I
thought 6m was a dead band or my antenna was the problem at the time so I
didn't think to ask Elecraft to check it out while they had the rig.

Anything I could have screwed up on the rig to make 6m a dead band?  No
problems noted on any other band.

Joe- another 6m newbie
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Rich - K1HTV]

Lee,
   Don't worry about your beam being up 25 feet. At 6 Meters, that is almost a
wavelength high. If you have a relatively quiet QTH, the PR6 preamp for you K3
will help pull out the weak ones on 6 Meters. Check out the Elecraft Archives
for other info on this topic. 

The key to working DX on 6 Meters is to BE ON THE AIR when the band is open to
your QTH. If you are around when it does open, you will work plenty of DX with
your K3 and low yagi. The majority of the 6M DX that I have worked as been with
a single yagi at 30 feet or less. It worked great during the peak of the sunspot
cycle when the higher F2 layers were ionized as the MUF climbed above 50 MHz.
>From my old MD QTH, DX was worked from great distances (FR, ZS, ZL, VK, JA, 
>KH2,
V7, etc.) with the beam on the roof at 30 feet. Now that we have E-Skip as the
primary means of propagating signals, it is still possible to work plenty of DX
with a low yagi and 100 Watts. 

My friend N4QQ, living in a VERY noisey suburban lot, last summer, worked over
40 countries with his K3 and a 3 element homebrew yagi at 20 feet. Yes, being in
the east helps, but there is plenty of DX to be worked from the west, but you
must be there when the band opens. You will find that some openings can be very
short, lasting only a minute or so to your QTH before the propagation favors
another QTH. 

>From my new VA QTH, using my barefoot K3 and the 20' high yagi, I've already
worked almost 40 countries including 2 new ones (HA & E7) bringing the K1HTV
DXCC total to 150 DX countries on 50 MHz.

As far as a good web site which will let you know what what is happening to help
you work 6M (and 2M) DX, check out this great site, which is maintained by
EA6VQ:

 http://www.vhfdx.net/ 

Click on the "DX-Sherlock 1.97" bullet
http://www.vhfdx.info/spots/map.php?Lan=E

Clicking on the various tabs will give you a graphical depiction of who is
working whom in the world or on NA, SA, EU, etc. continents. Click on one of the
maps will produce a new window which will list the details of each QSO,
including calls, distances, propagation mode, etc.. I think that you will find
this site to be most helpful in catching band openings to your area.

Have fun with your K3 and low yagi on the 'Magic Band'.

73,
Rich - K1HTV
http://www.k1htv.us

= = =

Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 09:28:57 -0700 (PDT)
From:  Lee Buller 
Subject: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie
To: Elecraft Reflector 

Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet. ?I know it is not
high. ?Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more about 6
meters? ?Watch for openings? ?Etc. ?Also, is the pre-amp a good investment if I
am going to do more 6 meters>
Lee - K0WA

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[N1JM]

Go to configuration-port/logging program and down in the lower right you will
see enable K3 with a comport to select. After that just click on the
frequency in the DX window. It changes only frequency not mode.



ab2tc wrote:
> 
> I love the VE7CC cluster and cluster client. Wouldn't exchange it for
> anything, the filtering is wonderful. I use it with HRD via a localhost
> telnet connection so I have point and click to qsy with HRD's cluster
> window. But there is a significant delay between spots showing in the
> VE7CC client and them popping up in HRD, sometimes several minutes. I'd
> love to point and click to qsy directly in the cluster client, but haven't
> figured out how. I do have LP-Bridge between the K3 and HRD. Where do I
> look for the K3 setup in the CC software?
> 
> AB2TC - Knut
> 
> 
> Greg - AB7R wrote:
>> 
>> You can also google the VE7CC dx cluster.  There is CC software there
>> that is VERY 
>> configurable to your own personal requirements and one of the setup
>> screens has a 
>> button that will have the software work with the K3.  I controled it
>> using LPBridge 
>> and it worked fine.  Click on the freq and the K3 freq changes, but not
>> the mode.
>> 
>> You can also send the spots to other loggers like N1MM.  There's also
>> operation 
>> with Skimmer though I have not tried it yet.  Oh...it's free too!
>> 
>> 
>> -
>> 73,
>> Greg - AB7R
>> Whidbey Island WA
>> NA-065
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[ab2tc]

I love the VE7CC cluster and cluster client. Wouldn't exchange it for
anything, the filtering is wonderful. I use it with HRD via a localhost
telnet connection so I have point and click to qsy with HRD's cluster
window. But there is a significant delay between spots showing in the VE7CC
client and them popping up in HRD, sometimes several minutes. I'd love to
point and click to qsy directly in the cluster client, but haven't figured
out how. I do have LP-Bridge between the K3 and HRD. Where do I look for the
K3 setup in the CC software?

AB2TC - Knut


Greg - AB7R wrote:
> 
> You can also google the VE7CC dx cluster.  There is CC software there that
> is VERY 
> configurable to your own personal requirements and one of the setup
> screens has a 
> button that will have the software work with the K3.  I controled it using
> LPBridge 
> and it worked fine.  Click on the freq and the K3 freq changes, but not
> the mode.
> 
> You can also send the spots to other loggers like N1MM.  There's also
> operation 
> with Skimmer though I have not tried it yet.  Oh...it's free too!
> 
> 
> -
> 73,
> Greg - AB7R
> Whidbey Island WA
> NA-065
> 
> 
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[GD0TEP]

Some interesting sites shared here for the 50mhz enthusiast, but perhaps one
of the best sites hasn't had a mention.

www.on4kst.com

Real time chat with other like minded people, plus separate web pages for
region 1 or region 2 (although when the band is open, you'll see 'users'
logged onto both) It'll cost you nothing to check it out, I'm confident
you'd find it useful. It's great as FS/W6JKV is currently working into EU
and Jimmy is passing real time data on to users right now... 

73,
Andy
http://gd0tep.com


-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lee Buller
Sent: 01 July 2010 16:29
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie


Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet.  I know it is
not high.  Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more
about 6 meters?  Watch for openings?  Etc.  Also, is the pre-amp a good
investment if I am going to do more 6 meters> Lee - K0WA

Ham Radio Operators:  Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29, 2010.  See
www.ksqsoparty.org for details

In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you
don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you
can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my
mind. -  J. Wolf

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Greg - AB7R]

You can also google the VE7CC dx cluster.  There is CC software there that is 
VERY 
configurable to your own personal requirements and one of the setup screens has 
a 
button that will have the software work with the K3.  I controled it using 
LPBridge 
and it worked fine.  Click on the freq and the K3 freq changes, but not the 
mode.

You can also send the spots to other loggers like N1MM.  There's also operation 
with Skimmer though I have not tried it yet.  Oh...it's free too!


-
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065


On Thu Jul  1  9:42 , "Phil LaMarche"  sent:

> 
>I highly recommend down loading CommCat, the DX advantage by W6HN.  You not
>only will set it up to monitor what you want, but it is configured with the
>K3 to click on the station shown and it will take your K3 there along with
>any special changes such as off set.  It's a winner.  Google Commsoft.
>
>Phil
>
>Philip LaMarche
> 
>LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>p...@lamarcheenterprises.com
>www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com 
> 
>727-944-3226
>727-937-8834 Fax
>727-510-5038 Cell 
> 
>www.w9dvm.com
> 
>K3 #1605
> 
>CCA 98-00827
>CRA 1701
>W9DVM
> 
>
>
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>Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Larry Godek]

I use both the VE7CC cluster and the VHFDX.net as well but the VHFDX.net page 
has some drawbacks.  Yes it does show you where the band is open to but those 
lines may be out of date, excessive time displayed.  I've made postings to it 
and came back half an hour later and they were still shown.  So that's where 
the DX cluster by VE7CC comes in.  You can quickly jump to that page and see 
what is actually happening on 6 whether in the USA, Europe, Africa, ASIA or 
wherever.  And you can also look at what's happening on 10, 2, 432 and others.  
But, only if people are entering what they are hearing/working on the bands.  

By all means don't just trust the VHFDX.net display but do use the two 
together.  

You can "spot" what you hear and work on either of the two resource pages but 
if you spot a station on the VE7CC page it won't show up on the VHFDX.net page 
as a line from your qth (call sign displayed) to the station you either hear or 
worked.  But if you post the same info on the VHFDX.NET page, you will need to 
know your grid square, then it will show up on both VE7CC and VHFDX.net

Have fun.  It's a different world and lots of fun, especially when the band is 
up and running.

Larry
W0OGH
DM43ci


--- On Thu, 7/1/10, Donald Butler  wrote:

From: Donald Butler 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie
To: "Lee Buller" , "Elecraft Reflector" 

Date: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 9:47 AM

Lee, DX Sherlock is great for keeping tabs on 6M openings:

http://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&ML=M&Map=NA

great maps created from current posts ... worldwide info, etc.

Others may differ, but IMHO I think you're likely to need the PR6 if you 
become serious about 6M, and you may also want a P3..   I have two K3s, but 
always choose my 756ProIII when I get on 6M.  Right out of the box, with the 
same antenna, etc., it hears better than either of my K3s (which do not have 
PR6s). but I use the ProIII for other reasons, too (there's a KW amp 
behind it, and it has the built-in bandscope which is always helpful during 
6M openings).

Don, N5LZ



- Original Message - 
From: "Lee Buller" 
To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 10:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie



Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet. I know it is not 
high. Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more about 6 
meters? Watch for openings? Etc. Also, is the pre-amp a good investment if I 
am going to do more 6 meters>
Lee - K0WA

Ham Radio Operators: Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29, 2010. See 
www.ksqsoparty.org for details

In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you 
don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you 
can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common 
Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my 
mind. - J. Wolf

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Donald Butler]

Lee, DX Sherlock is great for keeping tabs on 6M openings:

http://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&ML=M&Map=NA

great maps created from current posts ... worldwide info, etc.

Others may differ, but IMHO I think you're likely to need the PR6 if you 
become serious about 6M, and you may also want a P3..   I have two K3s, but 
always choose my 756ProIII when I get on 6M.  Right out of the box, with the 
same antenna, etc., it hears better than either of my K3s (which do not have 
PR6s). but I use the ProIII for other reasons, too (there's a KW amp 
behind it, and it has the built-in bandscope which is always helpful during 
6M openings).

Don, N5LZ



- Original Message - 
From: "Lee Buller" 
To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 10:28 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie



Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet. I know it is not 
high. Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more about 6 
meters? Watch for openings? Etc. Also, is the pre-amp a good investment if I 
am going to do more 6 meters>
Lee - K0WA

Ham Radio Operators: Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29, 2010. See 
www.ksqsoparty.org for details

In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you 
don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you 
can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common 
Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my 
mind. - J. Wolf

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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Phil LaMarche]

 
I highly recommend down loading CommCat, the DX advantage by W6HN.  You not
only will set it up to monitor what you want, but it is configured with the
K3 to click on the station shown and it will take your K3 there along with
any special changes such as off set.  It's a winner.  Google Commsoft.

Phil

Philip LaMarche
 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
p...@lamarcheenterprises.com
www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com 
 
727-944-3226
727-937-8834 Fax
727-510-5038 Cell 
 
www.w9dvm.com
 
K3 #1605
 
CCA 98-00827
CRA 1701
W9DVM
 


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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Ken Roberson]

Lee,

Hello, The Elecraft 6M preamp is worth the money,
It works very well.
6M is a blast , you will like it.
June 20,2010 I worked KL7/KB7Q for my number 50 state.
(WAS) on 6M , and already have his QSL card .
Also worked 8 EU stations so far this year on 6M
Don't hear EU very often here in Oklahoma.
GL and 73 Ken K5DNL

PS we worked 160M CW 12/05/09

-


--- On Thu, 7/1/10, Lee Buller  wrote:

> From: Lee Buller 
> Subject: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie
> To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
> Date: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 11:28 AM
> 
> Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet.
>  I know it is not high.  Could someone tell me a good web
> site to access to learn more about 6 meters?  Watch for
> openings?  Etc.  Also, is the pre-amp a good investment if
> I am going to do more 6 meters>
> Lee - K0WA
> 
> Ham Radio Operators:  Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29,
> 2010.  See www.ksqsoparty.org for details
> 
> In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short
> supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some
> Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common
> Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common
> Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?
> 
> Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing
> revealed truth in my mind. -  J. Wolf
> 
> __
> Elecraft mailing list
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> 


  
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Jim McDonald]

Lee,

I connect to a CC Cluster, specifically VE7CC-1, which allows me to filter
spots by band.  I have my filter for 6M set to give me spots only from IL
and WI. His user program can be downloaded at http://ve7cc.net/. 

A very interesting web site is
http://vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&Map=NA&mycall=&myloc=&freq=&pro
p 

Jim N7US



-Original Message-



Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet.  I know it is
not high.  Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more
about 6 meters?  Watch for openings?  Etc.  Also, is the pre-amp a good
investment if I am going to do more 6 meters>
Lee - K0WA


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[Elecraft] 6 meters Newbie

[Lee Buller]

Just got up my three element 6 meter beam at about 25 feet.  I know it is not 
high.  Could someone tell me a good web site to access to learn more about 6 
meters?  Watch for openings?  Etc.  Also, is the pre-amp a good investment if I 
am going to do more 6 meters>
Lee - K0WA

Ham Radio Operators:  Kansas QSO Party is August 28-29, 2010.  See 
www.ksqsoparty.org for details

In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't 
have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find 
any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is 
Common Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. 
-  J. Wolf

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