The past two days have been simply amazing on 6 meters. If you’re not yet set up for 6, it’s time you got started. The Sporadic E season is upon us.
Pacific North West
Two nights ago, May 23, DXmaps was showing strong openings into the Pacific North West. Since most of the grids I need are to the west, I thought it would be a good idea to point the antenna that way.
Working FT8 on 50.313 over the course of the next few hours I managed to work four new grids – CN97, DM27, DM96, and DN51. I’m now up to 402 grids worked on the Fred Fish Memorial Award listing of 488 in the continental USA. That was fun.
Caribbean
Yesterday afternoon, the Caribbean was coming in strong. I saw a number of DX stations that I’d worked before including PZ4RA. So I didn’t want to clog up the airwaves with an additional signal.
Then a few new DXCC entities started showing up. Using the new 5-element Yagi along with the new TE Systems amplifier, I managed to work PJ4DX and PJ4NX, PJ2BR, and J79WTA for three new DXCC.
My favorite QSO was with J79WTA who I had called quite a few times over the course of about an hour. Just as he replied a local fired up right on top of him. Geez. I sent a few more times and then waited. As soon as the local shutdown, a few minutes later, there was J79WTA. We relatively quickly completed the QSO. Fun stuff.
Other Options — 50.323 and 50.110 MHz
While working 50.313 and wading through the crowds, I noticed a few signals showing up on the SDR Console display at 50.323. So I tuned there and worked PV8DX who seemed to be lonely. There were only a few other signals there, mostly U.S. stations.
I also spotted some signals at 50.110 on SSB. It was again PV8DX with a loud signal along with YV5IUA. So it’s possible to work these stations on SSB during an opening — provided they are using SSB.
Try Out 6 Meters
As you can tell, 6 meters is the Magic Band. Of course, most of the time it’s also very, very quiet. But when it opens up, take advantage of it to have some fun. Find a few new grids or even DXCC entities.
To help you get started, or to suggest improvements for the next stage of your station or operating practices, try out my short eBook Capture the Magic of Six Meters. It’s free.
See you on the air.
