OK. So it might be tough, but that shouldn’t deter general all-around grid chasers, particularly those like me who are addicted to chasing grids. It forms one more goal along the way to adding stickers to your VUCC certificate. Although it is a very, very challenging goal.

The good news is that there are several hundred other hams chasing the award, and they are all highly motivated. That means they urge or pester, as the case may be, other ham radio operators to get on the air from rare grids. Or, in grids where nearly no one has gone before, they encourage rovers to make it happen for the needy.

That’s where a great deal of excitement can come into play. There are several legendary rovers that operate in extremely remote locations, using four-wheel drive or boats and lightweight equipment, or they travel thousands of miles, activating multiple rare grids along the way. They usually bring big antennas and large amounts of power. You often see photos and even videos of the places and the incredible rover operations.

Sign Me Up

So how do you get started? First, work all the six-meter grids you can. All grids in the U.S.A. count, so start with the ones you hear.

Second, start monitoring DX Maps and other online resources to catch Sporadic E openings as they occur. If you’re alert and available, you can really add to your list of grids when the band opens.

Another very useful online resource is Gridzilla.us. After you sign up and upload your current logbook, it highlights needed grids as they come on the air. It’s also a great place to track rover operations. I’ll note that in my own FFMA journey, 23 rovers provided 90 grids to my logbook!

Third, become familiar with making meteor scatter contacts using WSJT-X MSK144. This mode can be relied upon year-round, especially during seasonal meteor showers. It can be very important when trying to work rovers who are within 1,000 to 1,200 miles.

Another mode gaining popularity is WSJT-X Q65. It’s achieving excellent results when no other modes are working at all. So get up to speed so that you’re ready when that mode is needed.

Finally, start a ham shack continuous improvement program. You can do great things on six meters with a vertical or dipole, but probably not achieve FFMA with that setup. So look at your antenna first. How can it be improved? Then look at your receiver. For example, many people use a separate SDR receiver and software to optimize their station. And, finally, consider more power, which should be the last thing to consider on a long list of possible improvements.

FFMA Resources

Here’s an opening listing of FFMA resources, all of which also apply to chasing six meter VUCC grids.

General Information

• DX Maps — This is my personal favorite. You can see the openings and get a sense of where to point your antenna.
• FFMA@Groups.io  — This is a mailing list that highlights upcoming grid activations and general chatter on six meters. It also has archives on FFMA history and more. There’s a Wiki for further information.
• FrontRange6meter@groups.io — This group does a good job of keeping up with techniques and what’s happening in general for six meters. They also provide online Zoom technical and how-to presentations with top-level speakers.
• VHF Slack — This is a channel on Slack dedicated to VHF. It covers rover activations, often in real time, including “you’re in the log” type of information. It’s extremely valuable. You’ll probably need to request an invitation.
• PingJockey — This online chat system can be helpful in coordinating meteor scatter contacts.

Helpful Software

• GridTracker — This bit of software can help you not only keep up with your own grids but also monitor DX spotting systems to find grids that are currently on the air.
• JTAlert — This software will monitor your decodes from WSJT-X and alert you for any needed grids that it finds.
• VE7CC — This is a DX cluster with spots on all the ham bands. There are others you can monitor. Usually your logging program will help with this type of monitoring for new grids.
• DX Lab Suite Spot Collector and DX Lab Suite — Another helpful bit of software to keep on top of grids that are on the air.
• JTDX — This is an FT4, FT8, JT65, and JT9 decoding and transmitting software. It’s been found to catch more weak signals than WSJT-X. Your mileage may vary. But it’s worth investigating.
• WSJT-X Improved — This software package provides a number of features before they debut in the regular versions of WSJT-X. It’s well worth downloading.

Rover Information

• https://www.coilgun.info/rover-us/home.htm — Documented rover locations by K7BWH that can be helpful in guiding other rovers.
• So you wanna to be a 6 m Rover eh?  — This is a well-written article by Dave, KG5CCI, one of those legendary rovers on six meters.
• You can find a bit of information on this website about VHF roving as well. Start with the articles I’ve written for the National Contest Journal.

FFMA Leaderboard moved to Gridzilla

The FFMA Leaderboard has been the go-to resource for tracking progress toward the FFMA and for identifying the most needed grids within the 488. It was also extremely valuable for rovers to decide which grids to visit and who needs them.

Bill, ND0B, started this effort and generally kept it updated once a year. After he earned FFMA #10, he found Francis, KV5W, to run the system. Since Francis earned FFMA #47, Ed, N7PHY, maintained the listing.

The Leaderboard has now moved to Gridzilla.us, where much more functionality has been added, including real-time updates and alerts for active grids. So be sure to sign up for this excellent resource.

Even with the move to Gridzilla, I recommend signing up for the FFMA Groups.io for updates and timely information on six meters and FFMA.

On a historical note, nearby you’ll see Fred Fish, W5FF, in his ham shack. The Swan amplifier near the top left-hand corner is still in operation. Dan, W5AFY, purchased the amplifier from Fred’s estate and used it to earn FFMA #26. A close-up photo is below. What an amazing journey and a wonderful background story.

Online Videos

You can find several video recordings on YouTube:  FFMA Getting Started by Francis KV5W, plus, Jay N1AV FFMA under 1500 days

You Can Do This

It is the Magic Band. Several operators have earned the award using low power and simple antennas. And it’s all about the journey rather than the destination.

This is a fun journey. Join us in getting on the air.