SIX NEWS - UK Six Metre Group

Transcription

SIX
NEWS
Issue 124
Aug 2015
Journal of the
UK Six metre
Group
Dedicated to
promoting
50MHz activity
around the
Six News 1
world
2 Six News
Contents
Editorial
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
5
Chairman’s Corner
Chris Deacon, G4IFX
6
Secretary’s Page
Tim Hugill, G4FJK
7
C6AUX Bahamas DXpedition
Pete Csanky, VE3IKV
8
70 MHz International Allocations
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
9
VU4KV Dxpedition
Krish Kanakasapapathi, W4VKU
10
What’s on Six
Chris Patterson, W3CMP
16
What’s on Six – Late News
45
Shure Headset and Interface Review
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
47
Experiences with a 5 ele LFA Antenna
Ron Williams, G6ZJN
48
UK Six Metre Group
42
FRONT COVER
The UKSMG has attended a few rallies this year.
The photos on the front cover show Trev G3ZYY, Chris G4IFX, Fred G4BWP, and Kerry
G8VR hard at work at the Eastbourne Rally.
Six News is published by the UK Six Metre Group four times a year.
For the latest news visit our website at http://www.uksmg.org
Six News 3
UKSMG Committee
Chairman
Chris Deacon
G4IFX
Vice Chairman
Trevor Day
G3ZYY
Treasurer
Mike Wills
G3OIL
[email protected]
Secretary
Tim Hugill
G4FJK
[email protected]
Editor
Peter Bacon
G3ZSS
[email protected]
Awards Manager
Dave Toombs
G8FXM
[email protected]
Webmaster
Dave Toombs
G8FXM
[email protected]
Contests Manager*
Dave Edwards
G7RAU
[email protected]
G3ZYY
[email protected]
Sponsorship Manager Trevor Day
[email protected]
Member #1
Robin Burrows-Ellis M1DUD [email protected]
Member #2
Matt Madsen
OZ6OM [email protected]
Member #3
Chris Patterson
W3CMP [email protected]
*G7RAU is a Corresponding Member of the Committee
.
Please send all membership
subscriptions to:
Tim Hugill, G4FJK
Swandhams House
Sampford Peverell, Tiverton
Devon, EX16 7ED
[email protected]
Please send all award
applications to:
Dave Toombs, G8FXM
1 Chalgrove
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire AL7 2QJ
[email protected]
Please send all items
for Six News to:
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
High View, 18 Monks Well,
Farnham,
Surrey GU10 1RH
[email protected]
Please send all
DX information to:
590 Valley Road
Lancaster
PA 17601, USA
[email protected]
Please note that all address changes should be sent to the
Secretary and not the Editor
Deadline for the next issue is 4 October 2015
4 Six News
Editorial
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
Well let me start by making the
understatement that Six Metres has been a
little quiet this Summer in G-land. Yes there
has been the usual Sporadic Es around
Europe, but transcontinental DX has been
a bit lacking. No sign of SSSP to Japan this
year, and only a few openings to the Caribbean,
with even fewer openings to North America.
Fingers crossed for what TEP might bring us this
Autumn. By the time you read this, some of us
will have gathered at the G3WOS BBQ, and
exchanged tales of woe. Or if you are heading off
to the infamous Jimmy and Dicks BBQ in Austin
– enjoy yourselves and don’t drown in your
sorrows!
Late last year the UKSMG sponsored the
VU4KV dxpedition so they could take a 6m
antenna with them. We are grateful to Krish for
his write up on the dxpedition and to learn of
their success in working into Japan.
Unfortunately the propagation gods did not let
them work any Europeans.
In June Pete VE3IKV went to the Bahamas
and operated as C6AUX. Pete provided a short
write up of his experiences from the Bahamas,
but unfortunately as his report says, he only had
limited openings to Europe.
In this edition, we are once again grateful to
Chris, W3CMP for compiling What’s on Six.
Some of you may have received an email from
Chris soliciting any reports of 4m activity. While
the UKSMG is primarily focused on promoting
6m, we decided at a recent committee meeting to
see if there was any interest in including some
4m activity reports as they are both the lower
VHF bands. Since many members also operate
on 4m and there is no real voice for 4m activity
we would like some feedback from members if
they would like to see this included.
Earlier this year the UKSMG sponsored the
I2YSB dxpedition to 5Z0L, and we hope to have
a full write up in the next issue of Six News.
Kenya had just announced 6m licence privileges,
and our Italian friends made a special trip with
their emphasis this time on 6m instead of the
usual HF.
While on the subject of sponsorships
following an initial approach by Neil, GØJHC,
the UKSMG together with Innov Antennas
decided to send an antenna down to Robert,
3B9FR. Previously Robert was using a wire
dipole and having some limited success working
into Japan. The shipment of the antenna took a
while to get to Rodriguez as there is no direct
route to the island. But some of us in Europe
were lucky enough to work Robert in early May
for an all-time new one. If you do know of any
station in a rare part of the world that is interested
in getting on 6m, then please let the UKSMG
Sponsorship Manager know, and we’ll see if we
should provide an antenna to improve their signal.
Six News 5
Chairman’s Corner
Chris Deacon, G4IFX
You’re probably getting bored with me telling you about
the improvements we’ve been making in the last year to our
website, to our contests and to our magazine. So I won’t
repeat all that again but there is one more new thing that you
may see evidence of in this issue of Six News, one which may
prove a little more controversial.
We’ve decided to test the water on adding a certain amount
of 70MHz coverage to Six News. I’m not on 4m
we’re so interconnected these days that we all
myself, but with the increased availability of the
get to hear about it.
band in Europe you can see on the ON4KST
Actually I think it’s true that this year’s
chat that many of the 50MHz operators are on
northern Es season is not one of the best ever and
70MHz as well; there is a lot in common between
that’s hardly surprising because we’re in what is
the two, much more than with (say) 10m or 2m,
sometimes called the ‘post-maximum auroral
but there is no functioning 4m group or magazine
phase’. The level of magnetic disturbances
and although there is a useful website
typically reaches a maximum a year or two after
(www.70mhz.org) it’s not anything like as
the sunspots have peaked, i.e. where we are now,
comprehensive as ours.
and that leads to more auroras and a disturbed
We’re keeping this trial very low key at the
ionosphere. It certainly isn’t the case that an
moment. 50MHz is still the primary focus of
aurora destroys all the Es, in fact there can be
UKSMG and will remain so (and no, we’re not
some very interesting auroral E and/or Es in
going to change the name of the group in the
conjunction with quite significant magnetic
foreseeable future) but I hope you agree that a bit
storms, but on average, over a period of weeks, a
of 70MHz news might add something to the
disturbed magnetic field does tend to damp down
operating enjoyment of our members.
the Es and I think that’s been happening this
On other matters, one thing I’ve learned in
year. The paths from the UK to North and Central
my thirty years (cough) on 50MHz is that every
America have certainly been pretty poor by
year someone, somewhere announces that “the
normal standards and I haven’t heard of any UK
sporadic-E is rubbish this year”, or even “this is
to JA openings at all. But on the other hand
the worst Es season ever”. Although there are
some paths have been remarkably consistent –
(almost) predictable contributing factors like the
Europe to the Middle East and Central Asia, for
movements of the jet stream and the incidence of
instance so there’s always hope of something
thunderstorms, Es is still inherently unpredictable
better.
and this applies both over time and around the
By the time you read this we’ll know pretty
world. So it’s perfectly possible that somewhere
much how it turned out – I hope it was good for
in the world it really is the worst ever season and
you and you worked some fantastic DX!
Disclaimer / Copyright
The views expressed in ‘Six News’ are not necessarily those of the Editor or those of the committee
of the UK Six Metre Group.
Most items in ‘Six News’ may be freely quoted provided credit is given, but articles marked as
copyright may not be reprinted without the owner’s permission.
6 Six News
Secretary’s Page
Tim Hugill, G4FJK
After many complaints that this Es season
was rather quiet, Six Metres eventually woke up
in June and has been lively for us in Northern
Europe over the past few weeks. It has been
good to hear many new callsigns on the band,
trying Six it would seem for the first time.
With the seasonal peak in interest in the band,
I am happy to report a total of 27 new members
joining the UKSMG for the first time. Welcome
to 2E1IDC, 5R8UI, AC2NR, DH9DX, DJ7ZZ,
EA3GCT, EA8DBM, GØBUX, G1BTV,
G3MWV, G4AYU, G4EZV, G4FGJ, G4JUR,
HB9FKF, HSØZIL, K4MM, LA1NG,
MØHVC, MØOSA, MØWAF, MØXTA,
Tim is a leading member of the GW2OP
Contest team. The photo shows GWØGEI
and GW4VRO operating the 50MHz station
at GW2OP/p during the RSGB VHF NFD.
MM6BJJ, NZ1I, OK2IT, PA4MSA and
SM6CVX.
In addition, Welcome-Back to eight returning
members, CT1HZE, EA6VQ, EI4GOB,
GØUJD, G1BHR, G8GAJ, GM7UXH and
M1MBZ.
As part of the development of the UKSMG
website, we have introduced a new feature as
part of the Membership Sign-up and Renewal
pages.
When a visitor completes either of the online
forms and pays for their membership via credit
card or PayPal, they now receive an automatic
email from UKSMG, confirming the details that
they sent via the form, and also giving them an
opportunity to register on the website if they
have not done so already.
This feature has been introduced to help both
new and existing members, and it also helps us
manage your membership information better.
If you have any suggestions for the UKSMG
committee, or any contributions for Six News,
please do send an email to me at secretary@
uksmg.org or to any of the committee.
Best 73 and good DX on Six.
Six News Needs Your Contributions!
We hope you enjoy Six News, but please remember the success of the magazine depends on our
members contributing articles for publication. We are always interested in your;
Articles
Reviews
News Items
Letters
Photos
… on any aspect of 6m operation, propagation, reviews or techniques.
Please send your DX news items to Chris, W3CMP via email [email protected]
Please send all other items to Peter, G3ZSS via email [email protected]
Do not worry if your English is not perfect as we can help tidy up any submitted article. If you
have any good photos relevant to 6m, then please email them to [email protected]. Please remember
that for use in a printed magazine the photos should be in high resolution.
Whatever you can contribute will be gratefully received.
Six News 7
C6AUX Bahamas DXpedition
Pete Csanky, VE3IKV
Bill VE3MMQ and I arrived at the Baycaner
Beach Resort, Pirate’s Well, Mayaguana Island
FL32 on Monday 22nd June and set up the bigboy eight element, 43 foot long W7GJ
DXpedition yagi. Mayaguana is one of the
Bahamas Out-islands. Owner Earnell “Shorty”
Brown allowed us to set up the antenna on the
beach in front of the resort which gave a great salt
water horizon to North America and Europe.
Island 110V ac power was off due to
construction of new water system.
to W7 Utah and Arizona, and triple hop 4733
km to W6 California DM06.
Wednesday 24th June – Band opened for
single hop Es to US Midwest and double hop
3500 km to W0 Colorado.
Thursday 25th June – Band opened for single
hop Es to US East coast and double hop 2400
km to Maine and New Hampshire.
Friday 26th June – The band was closed. We
had only one meteor scatter QSO to K7BV
in North Carolina, about 1500 km. Bill went
fishing and saw a 10 foot reef shark close to the
boat! We had fresh Bahamian grouper for dinner.
Saturday 27th June Band opened for single
hop Es to Florida; in afternoon we had a multihop opening to Europe from 19.30z. We worked
9A, PA, CT, F, DL, SM, OZ, LA, GM, and G.
Pirate’s Well, Mayaguana Island Bahamas.
C6AUX QSL card showing eight element M 2
yagi at the Baycaner Resort on Mayaguana
Island, Bahamas.
Tuesday 23rd June – The band opened for
single hop Es to US East coast, VE1, VE2, VE3,
double hop 2650 km to W9 Illinois and 4100 km
8 Six News
Pete VE3IKV/C6AUX with conch shell
collected when six metre band was closed.
Sunday 28th June – Band was again open
single hop Es to US east coast. At 11.00z there
was a brief opening to EI and GM followed by
double hop 3800 km to DN86 North Dakota and
DN74 Wyoming.
Monday 29th June – Band opened for single
hop Es to US East coast, Midwest, and VE2
andVE3.
Tuesday 30th June – We had single hop Es to
W8, VE3, and US East coast. At 16.10z band
opened to JW7QIA in Svalbard, 1300 km from
the North Pole, for the first ever C6 Bahamas to
JW7 Svalbard six metre QSO! Distance was 7550
km. The band was open to JW7 until 18.17z.
No other European or North American stations
were heard were heard by us during that time.
Wednesday 1st July - Band closed; no QSOs.
Thursday 2nd July – Band closed, no QSOs.
Friday 3rd July – Band opened with open
single hop Es to US East coast, VE3, then US
Midwest
Saturday 4th July - Band closed, no QSOs.
Pete VE3IKV and his wife Jojo did a 12 km hike
at low tide to see the flamingos on the reef.
Sunday 5th July – Band was open with single
hop Es to US East coast, VE3, W8 and W9.
Flamingos feeding on reef at low tide,
Mayaguana Island.
Summary: 875 total Six metre QSOs in 23
DXCCs: W/K, VE, FG, CO, YV, CT, 9A, PA, F,
DL, SM, OZ, LA, GM, G, EI, XE, 9Y4, JW7,
PJ5, J79, J69, and 6Y5. Conditions to Europe
were bad. Almost 100% of all QSOs were on cw.
Anyway, we left the six metre antenna down
there and we’re heading back there again with the
XYLs in June next year. The place and people
are fantastic and the pictures don’t do it justice.
Rig was the Yaesu FT-650 barefoot at 100 watts
output on six metres.
70 MHz International Allocations
Your Editor has recently got on 4m and found
that one of the first quirks on the band for DX
chasers are the frequency allocations. There is
no point leaving the receiver on, for example,
70.200 MHz and listening for activity, when not
70.000 MHz
70.100
70.200
all of Europe can use this frequency! A SDR
receiver with a good waterfall display is invaluable
for watching the band, and noticing the beacons
pop up all over the band. I made up this table as
a useful tool to keep beside the rig.
70.300
70.400
70.500
3A, 9H, LZ, OY, ZB,
OX, HA, PA
G/GD/GI/GM/GJ
GU/GW
4O
CT + islands
DL (Temporary)
EA
EI
LA
LX
LY
OK (Temporary)
ON
OM (Temporary)
OZ
ES, OH, YO
S5, 9A
SP
SV
A92
V5, ZS
Six News 9
VU4KV Dxpedition
Krish Kanakasapapathi, W4VKU
Prelude
After our expedition to Lakshadweep Islands
in 2013 (VU7AG), which was well received by
the fraternity, we received many requests to
consider putting the Andaman Islands back on
air. There had been an expedition to the Andamans
in 2011 (VU4PB) and yet VU4 hadn’t really
fallen low enough in the Most Wanted rankings.
In fact, a quick look at Clublog and N4AA’s Most
Wanted List showed it had managed to sneak
back up in the Top 50, residing smugly at 34! We
were still catching up with post-expedition
activities and settling back into our routine lives
when Krish suggested that we should look at
VU4 in the coming months. The answer was a
rather unanimous “No!” J
If one looks at the VU7AG team, barring one
retired member, all others have regular, full time
jobs and families with dependents. So rationing
time for an expedition is always a challenge. But
the addiction of a DXpedition pileup is hard to
get away from and no amount of familial rehab
would change that. When Krish communicated
his plans to do a solo trip to Port Blair in March,
the team went into reconsideration mode.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
The islands are a Union Territory of India
and are closer to Sumatra than the Indian mainland.
Out of the 572 islands in the group, only 34 are
inhabited. A few of the islands have indigenous
tribes that are protected and access to those areas
is prohibited. The islands are rich in flora and
fauna and there is even an active volcano (Barren
Island), the only one in South Asia. These islands
were born out of seismic activity in the East
Asian- Indian Ocean region and still experience
tremors on a frequent basis. While no serious
seismic events have been reported in the last 10
years, the memories of the 9.1 magnitude
earthquake of December 2004 and the ensuing
Tsunami which caused incomprehensible damage
are still fresh in the minds of the island residents.
From a DXCC perspective, both the Andaman
and Nicobar group of islands constitute a single
10 Six News
DXCC entity but different IOTA groups; the
Nicobar Islands being amongst the rarest in the
world, having been activated only once back in
the 1980s.
VU4K - March 2014
Krish W4VKU travelled to Port Blair in
March 2014 and was fortunate to be granted the
call VU4K. This was a scouting trip for the
planned bigger operation and also explore the
possibility of putting Nicobar Islands on the air.
In fact, the requests from the IOTA community
were too many to ignore even though getting
Nicobar on air would mean a significant logistical
challenge with too many uncertainties. While
VU4K did manage to put over 7,500 QSOs in the
log, the primary purpose of the trip was achieved.
Krish managed to build contacts with various
important personnel in the Andaman & Nicobar
administration as well as Defence (A & N
Command) who later proved instrumental. A
recce trip to Nicobar couldn’t materialise due to
the unpredictable schedule of the boat services,
and equally unreliable and excessively steep
helicopter services. But liaisons were established
who would help getting the whole project off the
ground.
VU4K was QRV in the last week of March,
2014 from the same QTH which was used
for VU4PB in 2011.
hex-beam was put up quickly along with the
CrankIR vertical with elevated radials. VU4CB
went on air on November 3, 2014 around 16:38z
with VU2NKS who answered VU2PAI on 17m
ssb and the pileup was instantaneous.
VU4CB – Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar
Island
Great Nicobar is the largest and southernmost of the Nicobar Islands, and is home to the
Shompen tribe. The island is primarily a biosphere
reserve and the population largely resides in
Campbell Bay, which is a natural harbour on the
south-eastern side of the island. Campbell Bay is
connected with Port Blair by a government-run
boat service which plies alternate days. However,
the schedules are erratic and published only a
few days in advance of departure.
Tickets can be booked only a week in advance
and priority is given to native islanders, officials,
and medical cases over visitors from the mainland.
Nicobar islands are off-limits for foreigners so
only Indian citizens are allowed access after
purpose of visit, duration and place of stay are
communicated. Permits are issued only for the
island one wishes to visit and one cannot get off
the boat on any of the islands where the boat
docks.
Our local liaison in Port Blair had managed to
get us a confirmed stay in the guest house of the
Public Works Department of Great Nicobar. This
was subject to change if any PWD officials
decided to visit during the same time as our trip,
in which case we would have to make alternate
arrangements. Thankfully, no officials visited
Campbell Bay and we could use the guest house
as our QTH.
The guest house was a 15 minute walk from
the jetty and was a run-down place with only
basic facilities. At least it had working air
conditioning unlike the boat from Port Blair,
which was only had air-con fixtures and was a
floating tin-can with temperatures hitting 40C
during the day! Add to it the sweltering humidity
because of rain showers on all days, both Krish
and Pai VU2PAI, were glad to set foot in
Campbell Bay. The QTH had a flat roof and a
Pictures of QTH.
We had published our operating policy before
departure and since this was an IOTA trip, the
operation would be restricted to a few bands only.
The larger VU4KV operation was to follow that
would cover all HF bands. One of the things the
team had considered in the planning stages was
to have the IOTA activation after the bigger
activation. But the challenges on the ground with
equipment shipping to Nicobar on time and
uncertainty on the dates of travel were too large
to ignore. It was therefore decided that the focus
would be the bigger expedition since we need to
firm up the accommodation and make advance
payments. There was more certainty in going to
Andaman than going to Nicobar. This worked
out perfectly in the end as FT4TA was on the
bands in early November and over-lapping
pileups would have been a night-mare for DXers.
While in Campbell Bay, we had to report our
arrival at the local police station and it was the
first time anyone there had heard of amateur radio.
Needless to say, word of our arrival got around
quickly and we were nothing short of celebrities.
This is good because any items like food or ropes
for securing antennas can be made available to
Six News 11
you anytime. The down-side is the constant
interruption from visitors who have a knack of
dropping in unannounced and want to spend time
with you. Even make you pose for pictures! But
we kept chugging away despite these
distractions.
There were many meetings scheduled during
the day with island officials who wanted to know
more about amateur radio and its usefulness,
especially since Great Nicobar had borne a
significant brunt of the tsunami. It was cut-off
with the main-land for over 2 days and there had
been a significant number of deaths. The grim
reminders of the devastation still abound even 10
years after the incident. Land lost to the sea,
broken houses which haven’t been torn down,
and islanders who suffered loss of limbs and other
grievous injuries including loss of loved ones, still
recall the fateful day their lives changed
completely. We were humbled by the courage
shown by these very simple island folk who
soldier on despite hardships. The least we could
do for them was to give away some of our
operating time to listen to their stories and talk
about life in the mainland and overseas. We would
also go off-air routinely because of the instability
of the power supply. Electricity is supplied by
diesel gen-sets but it is not 100% reliable. Log
uploads too became an issue as the only place
which offered connectivity was the Governmentowned telco office that was still using dial-up
modems. The modems were notorious for
working only a few days in a month and their
off-days perfectly coincided with our stay!
Indira Point – southern-most tip of
India
The Indira Point lighthouse (renamed from
Pygmalion Point after the late Prime Minister of
India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi) is a beacon to the
shipping lanes of South East Asia. It is located at
the southern-most tip of Great Nicobar. Indira
Point suffered heavy casualties as the tsunami
hit with the light-keeper’s quarters, a police
station, and other military establishments got
wiped out by the deluge taking away the
personnel and their families residing there. Today,
the light house juts out eerily out of the sea as the
sea has encroached inland. We could not manage
to land near the lighthouse because of the breakers
but we consider ourselves lucky enough to have
seen the lighthouse from close quarters. A rather
ghostly structure with remnants of the destruction
around it.
Picture of Indira Point Lighthouse and
Activation trip.
VU4CB ended with a net of 8849 QSOs.
Not a large effort by any means but importantly
we made many friends during our stay. Our
presentation to the island administration and local
high school were well received and we were
assured of future cooperation if we ever visited
again. We were glad to have put the rare AS-033
IOTA group on the air finally.
VU4KV Neil Island
Temples inundated and submerged due to
land subjugation.
12 Six News
Neil Island was chosen as the proposed QTH
because of two reasons. Previous experiences of
operating from Port Blair had shown that low
bands suffered due to the topography which
prevented putting up decent low band antennas,
and local QRN which is synonymous with
townships. Secondly, the hotels in Port Blair can
no longer be termed economical as the Andamans
are a favourite holiday destination with tourists
from all over the world, especially from Europe.
The prices are absurdly steep especially during
months that see a good flow of tourists. On the
other hand, Neil Island is a quaint ‘town’ located
across another popular holiday spot – Havelock
Island. There was a resort on Neil which offered
a large space for putting up antennas with a northfacing beach and a sparse tourist flow. It has stable
electricity supply and the resort had backup
power arrangements with a tariff that wouldn’t
impact our budget. Perfect!
Unloading Dxpedition Cargo at Neil Island.
First row rooms at the Tango Beach Resort.
The plan was to have a total of 15 days
operating time and look at surpassing the QSO
figure of VU7AG (55k QSOs). Modest goals
yet only one could be met. The licence permitted
12 operators but as has been our story with a
team of individuals having limited free time and
other responsibilities, we had drop outs. When
part of the team assembled in Port Blair on the
13th of November, the team size was down to
nine. Some members were to join a bit later but
that was not an issue.
Upon landing in Port Blair, VU2PAI got news
that he had to be back home to attend to a workrelated exigency. This was a big loss as Pai had
contributed a significant number of CW and SSB
QSOs from VU7. The team travelled to Neil
Island on a ferry and awaited arrival of the cargo
which was being shipped separately. Over 2.5
tonnes of cargo was held back in Port Blair and
required hiring a separate boat as the passenger
ferry refused to take our cargo, even in multiple
trips. Thankfully, all this was arranged without
any significant loss of time. Though one of the
ops had his personal baggage misplaced by the
airline and that caused him some discomfort.
A antennas along the waterline and they went
up in no time. By sun-down on the 16th of
November, VU4KV was QRV and already
running big pileups into NA and EU. The
following days saw a 2element phased array for
80 and 30m, a 4-square for 40m and a top loaded
vertical for 160m. Pileups were huge but
thankfully there weren’t too many occasions
where the callers were unruly. Most callers
respected the ops instructions when calling for a
particular area. This was also a good thing for
the ops since they had had a few forgettable
experiences earlier from VU7 when the pileups
had spun out of control. Four days into the
operation and another op – A45WH (VU2WH)
had to return back home to the mainland to attend
to a family matter. The team was down to 7
members and this meant extra workload for
everyone. Especially since Krish had other
commitments like liaison with local government
Antenna farm at Neil Island (VU4KV).
Six News 13
agencies, making presentations to schools in the
Islands, which meant a trip back and forth in the
middle of the operation.
The reduction in team-size meant the goals
had to be relooked. We had intended to do 6m,
where the operation was to be only on RTTY
and FM, since the existing rules do not allow CW
or SSB on VHF (possibly due to a clerical error
while drafting. Yeah, possible!). We had clarified
the use of modes with the licencing authority in
New Delhi and were told to go by what is
published, no exceptions would be made.
At the same time, the demand for low bands
was still quite high and efforts were diverted
between making QSOs on HF as well as on Top
Band. Kumar VU2BGS had been tasked with the
responsibility of operating 80 and 160m and he
split time between both bands, apart from stints
on higher bands during the day and the
troubleshooting of equipment or antennas.
Nandu VU2NKS continued plugging away
on RTTY and managed over 7000 RTTY QSOs
in the end. A very respectable effort. SSB
operation was largely divided between Chetan
VU3DMP, Kiran VU3KPL and Krish W4VKU
(VU2VKU). VU3KPL was an expedition rookie
but improved by leaps and bounds and was soon
running pileups very efficiently. Any newcomer
who can keep his cool while working a raging EU
pileup on phone and then have the energy to go
on putting NA in the log without showing the
slightest amount of stress deserves praise. CW
responsibilities were largely shared between
Prasad VU2PTT and Deepak VU2CDP, and
VU2BGS would help them take a break when
not operating the low bands. VU2CDP noted
that very often callers would send ‘161’ to him
and he would reply with a 73. He would
occasionally QLF to drop a hint that it wasn’t
VU2PTT on the key all the time.
VU4KV ended SSB operations on 28th
November as most of the ops returned home on
that Friday. This was the weekend before CQWW
CW and the CW ops decided to operate MultiMulti and continue giving out a new one or a
multiplier in the contest. RTTY operation
continued on the WARC band till the very end.
The permit expired on 30th November and
VU4KV went QRT at local midnight (18:30z)
with a total of 49.8k QSOs in the log, some 270
on 6m but all with JA on RTTY and FM.
Final thoughts
We believe that VU4KV gave many a new
one on a particular band or mode. Our operating
was well distributed on the higher bands with an
average 16% of QSOs made on 15, 12 and 10m.
There was also focus on 30m where many still
needed VU4. A healthy new band percentage of
over 40 (as per Clublog) ratifies this, even though
the number is reflective of only Clublog users. 80
and 160m continue to be areas for improvement.
There is a dearth of LF operating experience in
our part of the world, but we believe this will
change as some of us intend making improvements
in our stations as we head out of Cycle 24.
The VU4KV operators (top left clockwise) VU2WH Sangeeth, VU3KPL Kiran, VU2BGS
Kumar, VU2PTT Prasad, VU3DMP Chetan operating from his bed due to back problems and
VU2CDP Deepak.
14 Six News
QSL Image of VU4K.
6m operation from Neil Island
The veteran in our team, VU2BGS has
considerable experience on 6m where a homebrew
yagi was planned. The team also had 2 Rohn
push-up masts from DX-engineering to install
the yagi. However, things took a different turn at
the island; we only had 50ft of low loss heliax
and the yagi had a 40ft boom. Looking at the size
of the antenna, and our prime goal of public safety,
we had concerns that if the antenna fell and someone was hurt, that could be the end of amateur
radio from this location for the foreseeable future.
There was a spot near the beach, where the
mast could be secured to a large tree stump, but
the 300ft run of LMR400 would have done no
good on 6m due to the cable loss. The other option
was to rebuild the yagi with fewer elements, thus
reducing the boom size. Kumar, VU2BGS got to
work and reconstructed the yagi to come up with
a shorter version. The yagi was pointed to look
over the water towards Japan. Long story short,
Kumar was unsatisfied with the performance of
the shortened yagi and the 150ft of LMR400.
Finally, something had to be done and
unwilling to give up, VU2NKS (Nandu) and
VU2BGS (Kumar) used a spider pole and build a
J-pole for 6m. They hoisted this antenna over
the station’s building and ran the shortest piece
of the coax cable they could find. This setup
worked well to log several stations in Japan on
6m. They were deeply disappointed that they
could not work anyone in Europe. As the leader
of the expedition Krish says, “ I need to take
some responsibility for their disappointment. I
discouraged them from installing the full size yagi
anywhere closer to the building with the 50ft of
heliax, since it was a heavily trafficked spot. My
first goal was to run a safe operation without
hurting anyone”.
The shortened 6m yagi on test.
We have never done 6m in the past. This is a
learning experience and we will plan to do a much
better 6m operating plan for the next one. The
40ft boom 6m yagi was originally rigged up for
EME work, but it turned out that the timing and
location for EME work did not coincide well.
J-pole 6m antenna right near Station-1.
We gratefully acknowledge the support
granted to us, and at the same time offer our
apologies to the UKSMG who supported us
unconditionally despite our inability to make any
6m QSOs outside of JA.
We hope you enjoyed chasing VU4KV on
the HF bands nonetheless.
Six News 15
What’s on Six
The world of six metres with band
reports, DX News, propagation
and topical information for every
operator, compiled by
590 Valley Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601, USA
Opening Remarks
Hello again from wet and warm southeastern
Pennsylvania. Summer came here after almost
no spring, and I am still trying to catch up on
jobs that should have been done in May. In much
of the U.S., six metres has tracked the weather.
The E season was late in starting; the first
transatlantic E opening of any substance didn’t
occur until 4th June. Since then, with a few
hiccups, the band has been at almost full throttle.
When the band has been open, it’s been very
good. When it hasn’t been good, it’s been dead.
As of the end of June, the VP2MTT and FS/
K9EL DXpeditions have finished their
operations. The C6AUX and PJ5A efforts are in
full swing. Pete VE3IKV is doing a great job
from Mayaguana Island in FL32. He’s given a
new grid to many, and today, 30th June, he worked
JW5QIA. Dick K5AND and Terry K4RX
seemed to be into Europe endlessly from Statia
until the band went completely dead for them a
couple days ago. I was expecting to join them
but a couple family matters intervened and I had
to beg off. I hope to be able to return to the
DXpedition trail next year.
In this column you will see several changes
in the roster of high-profile six metre operators.
Bob ZL1RS, who for many years has been a
stalwart on six from the South Pacific, has
announced that he is taking a hiatus from the
band. Nicolas TJ3SN is leaving Cameroon for
another as yet unannounced African location.
Nicolas has given many of us a new DXCC from
central Africa; I regret that I was not one of the
fortunate. Fred K6IJ, formerly KH7Y, has moved
back to California from the big island of Hawaii.
For 11 years Fred was one of the regulars on the
band from the central Pacific.
In last issue’s column I posted an incorrect
picture of T3ØD’s QSL card. I also omitted
16 Six News
e-mail [email protected]
ZD8D’s report. I apologize for the foul ups.
When I sent out request for reports a few
days ago, a number of you in Europe noticed a
request for reports about four metre activity.
Even though 70MHz is not an authorized amateur
band in many parts of the world, the Committee
believes the band deserves more recognition and
regular coverage. As a result, you will see a new
item in this column – “Four Metre happenings.”
If you have propagation reports, equipment or
antenna evaluations or items related to four metres
that you believe may be of interest to the readers,
please send them in.
Plans are firming up for the G3WOS and
W6JKV/K5AND BBQs; I hope to see you at
one or both of them.
This evening, 3rd July local time, I caught a
bit of an opening to Europe. The bulk of the
opening centered on New England. K1SIX,
K1TOL, K1WHS and others in the Northeastern
US described the band as “20 metres.”
MDØCCE, MMØAMW, GM4WJA and Tom
EI4DQ made it into the log here.
In this issue there are more than 40 reports
from six metre enthusiasts around the world.
These reports give a great idea of what the band
has been doing and a lot of insight into our common
affliction. Enjoy!
July 2015 Solar Report to Six
News
KH6/K6MIO
07/03/15 Solar Cycle 24
While it actually has nothing to do with
whether propagation will get better or worse, in
the sunspot world, at least, a major technical
milestone was very recently achieved.
In the current “modern” era, high-precision
cameras and computers can be used to calculate
the areas of sunspot features, their brightness,
magnetic intensity, and so forth, all in reliably
calibrated ways. On the other hand, the older
historical data, going back to 1700s and before,
were gathered by individual human beings, looking
at the Sun’s filtered image with their eyes, and
assigning subjective a number to what they saw.
Different people got different answers;
different telescopes located in different locations
also had different characteristics and weather. As
a result, there were well known systematic
differences between different datasets. Generally,
the trends in the different data tracked pretty
well, but not the values themselves. That is to
say, different databases were likely to more or
less agree on when solar maximum occurred, but
disagree greatly on the index value of the
maximum.
On 1 st July the Royal Observatory of
Belgium, in Brussels, whose data I frequently
present, announced that they have completed the
monumental task of going through their own data,
back to 1749, and systematically recalibrating it
to remove these systematic variations their solar
R indices. By and large, they have rescaled the
values upward significantly. During the period
from 1992 to the present, it has resulted about a
61% average retroactive upward change in R
indices values.
For the readers of my reports, these rescaled
plots now show much higher index values, but
unfortunately that doesn’t change the reality of
the propagation impact. One likely outcome is
that the revised values will correspond much more
closely with the NOAA Boulder index values,
even though their computational algorithms are
somewhat different.
Figure 1shows the most recent, newly scaled
data. Note that previous presentations have used
an R scale to about 100; now the same information
is on a scale of 130. The northern solar hemisphere Rn continues to hang out around 40, as it
has for nearly three years. At the same time,
southern solar hemisphere continues its steady
decline. There is no current evidence for either of
these patterns changing over the next few months.
Looking forward to the future, in the next
report I plan to discuss what some of the solar
experts are speculating about Cycle 25.
Recent Pacific Propagation
The Pacific northern Spring TEP and related
propagation, which was rather good, has since
undergone its normal seasonal decline. So far,
the Summer Es season here in KH6 has been
very thin indeed. One must bear in mind that the
nearest inhabited land is at least a double-hop
distance away. Nevertheless, the last two
summers have so far been unusually poor. That
just happens sometimes, and it probably isn’t
connected to the solar cycle.
For example, I note that there seems to have
been a fair amount of Es single-hop and greater
activity going on over land paths, both in the
eastern and western hemispheres, including northsouth paths that suggest TEP-like assistance.
73, Jim KH6/K6MIO
DXpedition News
FS St. Martin
If you missed John K9EL’s activity this June,
he will once again be active as FS/K9EL from St.
Martin FK88 between 21st and 28th October.
Activity will probably be on 80-6 metres using
CW, SSB and RTTY. He will be running 500 watts
into a three element yagi on six metres, dipoles
for 10-30 metres and a vertical for 40-80 metres.
John usually will operate on 60metres if there is
interest. There will be daily uploads to ClubLog
and LoTW. QSL is via his home call sign or on
ClubLog’s OQRS. His operating frequencies will
be announced.
KH5 Palmyra
Overall Solar Activity Ri and indices of
northern solar hemisphere Rn and
southern solar hemisphere Rs.
Craig K9CT and Lou N2TU are proud to
announce a DXpedition to Palmyra Atoll. After
many months of negotiations with US Fish and
Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy, the
Palmyra Island DXpedition Group has been
Six News 17
awarded permission to activate Cooper Island in
the Palmyra Atoll during January 2016. A team
of 12 highly experienced operators and veterans
of many DXpeditions has been formed. Team
members include Craig K9CT, Lou N2TU, Jerry
WB9Z, Tom ND2T, Mike K9NW, Ralph KØIR,
John K6MM, Bob K4UEE, Hal W8HC, Dick
W3OA, Jim N9TK, and Glenn WØGJ. They
plan to operate five stations over a 14 day period,
160 to six metres on all modes. A call sign will be
announced at a later date. The website,
Palmyra2016.org, developed by team member
John, K6MM, will provide updates as they
become available.
KH9 Wake Island
will be active as T2GC from the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel
in Funafuti between 24th September and 14th
October 2015. Activity will be on 160 - 6 metres
using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested six metre
frequencies
are
50.097MHz
CW
and 50.120MHz SSB. QSL is via LZ1GC, direct,
by the bureau or LoTW. The preferred method
for a QSL or LoTW requests is via his PayPal
account. For more details and updates, watch
http://www.c21gc.com.
T8 Palau
BM2JCC/JP1RIW, will once again active as
T88KH from the West Plaza Hotel by the Sea,
grid PJ77FI, on Koror Island between September
12th -16th 2015. Activity will be on 80 - 6 metres,
including 17 and 12 metre bands. He will be
most active on SSB. Power is 500 watts on HF
and 100 watts on six metres. His antennas are: 80
metre vertical, 40/30 metre dipole, three element
tribander for 20/15/10 metres, two element
HB9CV for 17/12 metres and five element beam
for six metres. QSL via BM2JCC, by the bureau
or direct.
Mike AG6IP is in the planning stages for a
DXpedition to Wake Island in September 2015
for two weeks. He states [edited], “I plan to be
there sometime in early September to
commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of
Battle of Wake along with a group of World War
II vets. I have reserved a special call sign K6W
from September 4th to 19th, 2015. I am seeking
monetary donations and sponsors that would like
to help to put Wake Island back on the air in
2015. I will be operating 80 - 6 metres using
digital (PSK, RTTY and JT65) and SSB.
Donations will offset a small portion of my outof-pocket equipment shipping, transportation,
lodging, operating and postage expenses while
there.
Wake Island is currently number 46 on DXCC
most wanted in ClubLog and currently restricted
to the public. There are no commercial flights in
to the island. I have also operated out of ZC4
land UK bases in Cyprus twice in 2007 and 2014
as ZC4MIS. Please share link to other amateur
radio operators around the world. Thanks.....
Mike.” For more details and updates, watch:
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/bvqHd?
psid=691bff52b5b94c36b264224fc67df05b
Oliver W6NV will be active as ZD7N from
Helena Island during the CQWW DX SSB
Contest 24th -25th October, 2015. Look for
activity outside of the contest on the HF bands
and 6 metres. QSL via W6NV.
SV5 Dodecanese
G3WOS BBQ Update
Volker DL1ZB will once again be active as
SV5/DL1ZB from Kos Island between 12th
August and 29th September, 2015. Activity will
be on 20 - 6 metres using SSB, RTTY, SSTV and
PSK63. QSL is via DL1ZB, by the bureau, LoTW
and eQSL.
Hi all!
We are now getting near the time of the BBQ
so I have attached maps of Farnborough showing
the location of The Falcon hotel, my house and
the Wings Cottage restaurant for the Friday Night
DXers’ dinner. In regard to payments, I would
prefer to receive payment before the day if
possible as it will save me from spending time at
the BBQ collecting cash. However, if you are
T2 Tuvalu
Operators Stan LZ1GC and Lubo OM5ZW
18 Six News
ZD7 St. Helena
General News
5Z4 Kenya Receives Six Metre
Authorization
On 22nd April Nick G3RWF/5Z4LS reported:
Hi. Thought you might be interested to know
that six metres has just been authorised for 5Z4
Kenya. This is after long years of asking by the
Amateur Radio Society of Kenya.
73, Nick G3RWF/5Z4LS
travelling from outside of the UK, I am happy to
collect on the day. Just please let me know that
you will be doing this.
My preferred method of collection is through
PayPal using the address [email protected];
however I’m happy with cheques or even bank
transfer. Again let me know when and how you
have transferred monies and I will confirm receipt.
This year’s fee is 30 UK Pounds.
You can catch up with arrangements at http:/
/www.gare.co.uk/bbq2015.htm. My address is:
Old White Lodge, 183 Sycamore Road,
Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6RF.
73 Chris G3WOS
California. On 13 March, 2015 KH7Y went QRT.
Here are some pictures of the antenna and tower
removal from Fred’s location on the south side of
the Big Island of Hawaii.
HSØ Thailand National
Telecommunications Commission
Rejects Six Metre Amateur
Allocation
On 27th April, Karsten HSØZIL/DL2LAH
reported from OK16BQ Thailand:
Hello from Thailand,
I want to ask if I can use the UKSMG-Logo
on my Website http://www.moonbouncing.net.
All countries around Thailand are already
QRV on six metres, so we have to be very careful
in our talks with the NBTC and not too hot
emotion. We will hope the best for six metres
from Thailand.
73 from Thailand, Karsten, HSØZIL
Trev UKSMG Vice Chair responded:
Hi Karsten,
Many thanks for your mail and the
information from NBTC. I am very sad to hear
that and hope that something can be arranged. A
few years ago we (UKSMG) were asked to write
a letter in support of six metres in Thailand; I
have included a copy of that letter at the
attachment for your information. I understand
the difficulty talking with the authorities but
hopefully they will relent.
Separately, yes of course please go ahead and
use our logo; thank you for asking. I have
attached a transparent .gif version and a standard
jpg version for your use if you need them.
Again, good luck with NBTC, if you think
there is anything we can do to help please ask.
73, Trev G3ZYY, Vice Chairman UKSMG
KH7Y QRT
Late last year, Fred K6IJ ex KH7Y announced
that he and his wife were moving back to
Crane removing tower at KH7Y.
M 2 log periodic antenna coming down at
KH7Y.
Fred noted: We removed 140 feet of tower
and removed 11 antennas, four being six metre
antennas. The large log periodic is an M2 skip
log which covers 7MHz to 30MHz. The 11 or
so years of operation from Hawaii was a highlight
of my 59 years of hamming. No way to work
that rare DX from northern California.
A total of 305 K QSOs were made over that
period, including HF, six and two metres, when
you add in all the contest scores. I am very
Six News 19
Antenna and tower removal crew at KH7Y.
From left to right are Fred KH7Y/K6IJ,
Lloyd KH6LC, crane owner Bud, Andy and
Dave. Not shown but taking the picture is
Dan KH6AFJ.
humbled about last year’s five long path openings
to Europe and the Far East. There is a secret to
all this, besides the sun working for us. You
cannot rely on 100 watt beacons for these very
marginal openings. You need to be making noise
and networking all the time or these very rare
openings go by unnoticed.
Aloha, Fred K6IJ ex KH7Y
W6JKV/K5AND BBQ Update
On 22nd June, 2015 Dick K5AND wrote:
Howdy all….
Hope everyone is doing well and got in on
the great opening yesterday on six metres.
A few updates are in order to help you with
your trip plans.
1) The new Sonesta hotel ‘deal’ for the BBQ
ends on 17th July, so be sure to make reservations
before then.
2) If you’d like to join the Thursday night
dinner group, please rsvp to me to say that you’d
like a spot at one of the tables. The dinner will be
at same spot we’ve been doing it for past 3-4
years - Mandola’s Italian Market. It is located at
12815 Shops Pkwy in Bee Cave, across from
Hill Country Galleria. Phone number is 512600-8500.
3) If you’ve not yet registered or paid for the
event, now would be a good time to do so.
4) We could still use a few more “volunteers”
for the margarita machine; the job is low pay but
has excellent benefits. Stay thirsty my friends.
Please check www.w6jkvk5andbbq.com for
other announcements.
73 Dick and Jimmy
Member Band and Other
Activity Reports
Europe
CT1FJC (Mark reports from IM57PC)
Hello Chris
Sorry I am late with this, due to move of
QTH etc. Six metre log is attached. All contacts
up to the end of April were from the old QTH
IM57OC. No contacts in May due to QTH
move. Contacts from June onward are from the
new QTH IM57PC, and were worked using only
a two element 28 ohm to a DK7ZB design,
mounted 1.2 metres above the Penthouse east
facing terrace, pointed in a north east direction.
It’s not a good arrangement but all I can do for the
time being. Condos are a pain! Still it’s interesting
to see what you can work with a small antenna
and low power on JT65A.
I do think that ISCAT is more suited to band
conditions on six metres than JT65A, but people
seem to want to stick to JT65A.
Thanks and trust you enjoyed your
Caribbean trip.
73 Mark CT1FJC IM57PC
QSO worked by CT1FJC on 50MHz. From 01/04/2015 to 31/12/2015
Date Time UTC Callsign
Locator
TX
RX
Mode
Prop.
02/04
03/04
03/04
04/04
04/04
04/04
05/04
05/04
05/04
05/04
KG47
GD18BH
GF15
IJ39DM
FK9Ø
GF15
FE49
GF27VP
GF15
GF15
599
59
599
539
53
55
539
579
599
55
599
59
579
599
53
55
429
559
599
55
CW
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
CW
SSB
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
16.32
16.13
18.21
15.21
15.48
17.54
16.49
18.31
18.38
18.46
20 Six News
ZS4TX/6
VP8LP
CX7CO
3XY5M
9Y4D
CX4AAJ
LU1YT
CX6VM
CX9AU
CX5BL
QRB
7713+10964
9390+3107
5984+9390+10701+9049
9390+9390+-
05/04
13/04
13/04
13/04
13/04
13/04
18/04
18/04
18/04
23/04
23/04
24/04
25/04
25/04
14/06
14/06
14/06
15/06
15/06
15/06
15/06
20/06
20/06
20/06
20/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
22/06
25/06
25/06
26/06
26/06
29/06
29/06
29/06
29/06
29/06
30/06
18.49
15.18
16.15
16.19
16.52
19.33
15.47
16.58
18:40
19.45
19.49
19.13
11.46
15.00
14.52
15.27
15.35
18.20
20.29
21.33
21.56
08.43
09.28
10.28
12.21
09.01
15.41
16.52
17.23
17.54
21.51
22.04
15.53
23.20
23.38
09.42
09.50
16.10
16.27
17.35
17.49
18.02
18.58
Locator
CX7BL
GF25LQ
FR4NT
LG79PA
V51DM
JG77II
IG9/I2ADN JM65KU
ISØAFM JM49NF
ZP6CW
GG14LM
V51WW
JH81OC
CX9ØIARU GF15
CX2CC
GF15WC
Z81D
KJ54SU
SX15ØITU KM18
OE9ICI
JN47VN
CU1EZ
HM76
CN8LI
IM63
GØHFY
IO81
GW4MBN IO71PR
GØJEI
IO93IC
S59C
JN66WA
T77C
JN63FW
DF1TL
JN49
PE1MXP JO32GH
EA6AM
JM29DV
OP7V
JO1ØWU
CT1FBK IM58
9H1KR
r-11
9H1SS
JM75
HVØA
JN61
SP3AMZ JO81JT
SM6XVI
JO66QM
ES1JA
KO29HK
LY2VM
KO14
DH3FBI
JN49
LX1JX
JO3ØAB
9A5CW
JN65XF
EI4DQ
IO51WU
GJ7DNI
IN89WE
UT9LC
KN89GM
YO9BLY
KN24RW
LZ2WO
KN23AL
SV2BBO
KN1ØNO
UY7CA
KN59
SV8RHR
r-9
CN8KD
IM63
CU1EZ (Antonio reports from HM76KX)
Good morning.
Activity in 50MHz
24 QSOs - OG2, GM4,
26th June 2015
MIØ, GI4, OH2, ES2, SM4, F1, OH3, UX1,
OK2, US7, M5 and G4.
TX
RX
53
55
59
59
599
559
59
599
599
55
559
559
55
26
-14
r-21
r-6
59
579
559
R-12
59
59
r-13
-19
r-13
59
r-9
r-7
r-8
r-8
-9
59
559
559
r-3
r-7
559
559
r-11
-9
-21
599
59
55
59
59
599
559
59
599
599
53
599
449
55
37
-9
-7
-12
59
559
539
-9
59
59
-19
JT65
-11
59
-5
-2
-7
-11
r-19
59
599
599
-13
-7
559
599
-5
-9
JT65
599
Mode
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
JT6M
JT65
JT65
JT65
SSB
CW
CW
JT65
SSB
SSB
JT65
ES
JT65
SSB
JT65
JT65
JT65
JT65
JT65
SSB
CW
CW
JT65
JT65
CW
CW
JT65
JT65
ES
CW
Prop.
TEP
TEP
TEP
ES
ES
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
2071+ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
2836+ES
QRB
9272
9299
7080
1930
1574
8597
6792
9390+9382
5434
2779+1906
1446+429+1665+1656
1869
2113
1936
1982+2067
1172
1825
159+2129+1928+2578
2710
3432
3086+1982+1860
2091
1640
1444
3844
2970
2846
2768
3449+429+-
29th June 70 QSOs - North American
GRID EL93, 98 EM12, CM95, FM04, DM67,
EN80, EL97; N4, WD5, NT2, W3, KY4,
UT1FG/MM grid GM02, K4, WA3, NØ, NEØ,
WØ, W6, W8, KØ.
73 António José Costa CU1EZ
Six News 21
DL7VEE (Rolf reports on T3ØD from
JO62SM in Berlin)
Hi Chris,
Thanks a lot for this copy [of Six News].
Interesting to read. By the way, the photo is not
the T3ØD QSL. I attach one.
T3ØD QSL card.
Here in Berlin we are very high in the North.
JO62SM is like FO in North America. So we
look with envy to South Europe with its nearly
daily DX-openings on six metres. Here the band
is mostly quiet. But yesterday 25th April a few
Berlin people could work 3B9FR on six metres.
I worked 3B9 at 15.34z CW both 559. This was
a new one for me. Reports were 559 in CW.
No one signal from USA or Japan this year
until now. Two very poor openings from my
QTH to Caribbean area, only maximum S1-2.
From southern Europe it is much easier.
73 Rolf DL7VEE
DL8YHR (Frank reports from JO41GV)
Hi Chris,
Corry I’m a bit late. Well it’s been a poor
season here; just one moderate opening last week
of June to W 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. ODX was
W6TOD. Worked 5ZØI for a new DXCC. It
was last country needed from Afrika. I loved to
read about CY9 plans for summer 2016, very
nice.
I’m now up and running four 6M5X. Now
just need DX conditions. Believe me or not; not
even a single JA this season.
In plans is a six metre EME trip late this
year; but not fixed yet because too much stress
in QRL. I just found an interesting link here:
http://www.vpa-systems.pl/yagi-dk7zb-50mhz-8el-2850-1230cm-141dbi-p-119.html.
Best wishes, Frank dl8yhr.de
EA6VQ (Gabriel reports from JM19MP)
Hello Chris,
Quite a lot of interesting DX on six
metres…here. I attach the most outstanding
contacts made between April, 1st and today.
I’m sorry I can’t do a more detailed report,
but really do not have the time.
Gabriel – EA6VQ
QSO worked by EA6VQ on 50MHz. From 01/04/2015 to 26/06/2015 Distance over: 4000 km
02/04
01/04
04/04
04/04
04/04
04/04
05/04
05/04
09/05
09/05
16/05
23/05
08/06
08/06
08/06
16/06
16/06
21/06
21/06
16.32
18.46
16.48
16.56
17.06
18.56
11.49
18.50
16.39
18.54
18.20
15.39
16.40
17.06
17.15
20.21
20.49
17.14
17.17
22 Six News
ZS4TX/6
PY2XB
LU9DO
TJ3SN
LU9DO
PY2OI
ZS6A
PY2BW
PU5BOY
PY1RO
5R8UI
5ZØL
9K2OD
9K2GS
9K2HN
NP4A
FS/K9EL
XE2X
K6EID
Locator
TX
RX
Mode
KG47
599
559
57
599
599
59
599
57
55
599
59
599
59
59
599
59
599
599
599
599
599
59
599
599
59
599
59
55
599
59
599
59
59
599
59
599
599
599
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
SSB
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
GFØ5
GG66
KG43EU
GG65
GG53
GG87
LH46CQ
LL49AI
LL39XG
LL39XI
FK68
FK88LC
ELØ6UC
EM73
Prop. QRB
7713+TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
TEP
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
8723+10407+4070+10407+8723+7771
8812+9111+8393+7512
5701+4231
4228
4224
7015+6706
9079
7558+-
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
17.17
17.18
17.21
17.22
17.23
17.24
17.25
17.26
17.27
17.28
17.29
17.30
17.33
17.33
17.35
17.36
17.37
17.39
17.40
17.41
17.42
17.43
17.43
17.44
17.44
17.47
17.48
17.49
17.50
17.50
17.52
17.53
17.54
17.55
17.58
17.59
18.01
18.02
18.02
18.04
18.04
18.07
18.08
18.08
18.10
N4GG
WA2VYA
W4MW
N2NL
N4OV
N4OX
K5VWW
K4CN
W4CCS
WD5K
KA1R
AB4B
W3UUM
N5DG
KN5O
W5TM
W5HNK
WX4G
KI2JA
W4ETN
W5PR
W5ZG
N5CQ
K4EJQ
K4RWP
KZ4RR
KS4OT
KQ5U
K5MC
W5PF
KJ4E
K5NZ
N4TB
N4RJ
N2TU
K4MQG
WO4O
K5UR
W4BCU
K5EJ
W4IR
K2BLA
N3LL
W5ADD
N5PN
Locator
EM43
FN2ØVI
EM96
EL88
EL96
EM6ØIR
EL29
EM65SX
EM81CG
EM12
FN42NE
EL29
EM2ØAB
EM4ØXL
EM15XL
EL29IO
FMØ6QA
EM83
EL29HM
EM2ØDE
EM1ØAF
EM86TM
EM86MM
EM9ØGE
EM2ØHB
EM32VM
EM2Ø
EL98IT
EM2ØAS
EL97FP
EM91HK
EM95NN
EM96
EM66OJ
EM35
EM86TM
EM45MA
EL97HG
EL99IA
EL86TX
EM4ØWL
EM82
EI7BMB (Tony reports from IO63TH)
Hi Chris,
I’m finally getting to grips with the Anan
100 and having it working the way it should be.
Just now I am hearing EX9T which I’ve not heard
TX
RX
Mode Prop.
QRB
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
8013+6351
7072+7714+7680+7915
8584+7520
7607
8525+6012
6635+8584+8622
8144
8254
8604
6921
6635+7403+8616
8594
8759
7179
7224
7490
6635+8578
8173
8515+7562
8573
7656
7406
7121
7072+7519
8029+7179
7915
7666
7549
7766
8151
7464+-
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
since 2011. OJØB was worked on 14th June.
Thanks to the guys for that activation. ZS4TX
was a nice surprise via linked TEP on 13th May
but the big prize was 3B9FR on the 11th May. I
think this is an EI first on six metres. CE3SX was
Six News 23
another new one on the 14th May.
A few days ago just before an AU event we
had a long period of short skip which was unusual
as normally this lasts only a short period. IO91
was the shortest hop to my QTH in IO63.
Best of luck on your DXpedition.
Tony
G6TGO (Ian reports from IO83UJ)
Hi Chris.
This was my first sporadic E Season using a
dual band 4 x 4 6m/4m yagi. The antenna is fed
with one length of 90 metre unbroken Ecoflex 10
coax and the aerial is five metres off the ground.
It is pitched one degree up from horizontal. The
aerial was not performing at six metres as expected
from day one; I thought it was conditions using
beacons as a guide over a few months.
A study on the yagi behaviour once activity
started on six metres highlighted a problem and
after a lot of thought I thought it may be where
the aerial mount had been located (centre of the
boom) was interfering with the overall
performance on six metres but not on four metres.
I moved the bracket further back towards the
rear of the boom between elements two and three,
and what a difference it made on six metres.
Moving the bracket back had to be carefully
thought about, because of the weight shift of the
aerial and uneven weight distribution on the
support pole and the stress on the rotator bearing.
I tested the yagi in its new configuration and
it was quickly established that now I could even
hear EIØSIX. I continue to do so, whereas I had
never heard this beacon on six metres ever since I
first started on our wonderful band back in 2003,
unless either the beacon keeper has changed the
aerial or increased the power out in the meantime.
But I can hear it now +519 24/7.
Since I moved the bracket I then carried out a
test on four metres and the antenna was down on
performance using EI4RF and GM8RBR beacons
as a reference point. So I brought the tilt mast
down and checked again that the element lengths
were correct. It was discovered that element four
for 70MHz was 1mm longer at each end than
element three. This was corrected and this turned
out to be my mistake when I first constructed
the yagi. A quick tweak resolved the four metre
performance issues without compromising the
six metre performance. As a result, I have had
some nice openings on six metres but on four
metres even nicer.
24 Six News
Six Metres
No real triple hop highlights on with the
normal European stations being worked but at
very nice signals most of the time.
2nd May 12.35z-12.39z was the first minor
E opening for me for the year, with no stations
received but IØJX beacon 529.
7th May 13.00z heard ESØSIX 589 followed
by working several 59+ OH stations KO20 until
13.42z when I worked SM stations again 59+.
9th May 13.34z I worked EA5DIT IM95.
Also worked OH/SM stations centering on KO20
and KP10 squares with signals in excess of 59+
on the TS2000.
14th May I was encouraged by working
SV1BYR KM49. He gave me 5/5; he was 5/8. I
then worked SV1DTD KM39EA later in the day.
Other prefixes worked include HA, OM, YO,
YL, SP, HB9, and IZ.
15th May From 0632 Open to HA, YO, IZ,
HB9 F6, DL. The highlight was working
5B4AAB KM64 at 07.50z who was a genuine
59 and I was 56-8 with QSB. What was amazing
about this is normally 5B4 would be normally 5/
6 on my mono bander based on the last five year’s
data. We chatted for quite a while after he called
me after I had been talking to HB9ACA.
June was a little better with daily openings
with me averaging OH and ES.
26th-27th June. From 22.00z-23.59z and
00.00z-01.00z the band was open but with no
humans.
Beacons heard included OH2SIX, OHØSIX,
ESØSIX, IØJX/B, IK5ZUL, IQ4FE/B, and
1Z3EPM /B.
No South American or US/Canadian stations
heard when expected which is a disappointment this is up to the 28th June.
Here in IO83 six metres has appeared to have
been worse in particular May than at any time in
the last five years; however it would be interesting
to see if other contributors to Six News have
noticed similar experiences of a poor May. TEP
and Transatlantic contacts have been non-existent
for me so far, but more and more I wonder if July
will be the best month we will report next time.
73, Ian
G8BCG (Peter reports from IO70 and
IL39)
Hi Chris,
It’s been an interesting and sometimes
frustrating period here in IO70.
April
4th Nice early opening from 11.30z to ZS and
V5. 3B9 was also on, but not heard here. At
13.00z EA8DBM worked KG6DX and Jas.
13th The usual afternoon into South Africa.
3B9 was also into the Mediterranean but didn’t
make it here despite some Es. IG9/I2ADN
worked 59+. During evening TEP to South
America PY1RO and ZP5SNA were in at low
level around 19.30z.
16th ON4IQ worked 3B9 at 15.00z. I was
working.
17th Nice easy EME QSO with Bob N7IP
for initial #136. Also copied ZS4TX working
various North American stations. I hope to catch
Bernie when he is less busy. 3B9 was in briefly
at 15.50z; I can’t wait until he gets his LFA.
Band was open to FD field from 15.30z. I heard
on CE8EO on SSB – wall.
24th Never give up. Afternoon and evening
TEP to South Africa but on the edge with 3B9
again. I copied him but only briefly. Heard many
PY LU CE CX during evening TEP to South
America. LU5FF worked on JT6M for an ODX
on that mode. New EME initial # 137 with K4PI.
25th Another day on the edge with 3B9. I
heard two 30 second periods of brief copy but
599 sigs from Europe.
EA8/G8BCG 29th April – 14th May
29th I was in EA8; another world in IL39.
From 17.15z onwards band was full of TEP LU
and PY beacons plus D4C/b on tropo. At 21.10z
I worked TJ3SN/9 JJ42 for a new square.
ZD8VHF beacon heard loudly.
30th Ran EME on my moonset – 02.30z –
04.30z and worked three initials KB8RQ, K4PI
and KG7H, plus incomplete QSO with ZL3NW.
I ran out of moon.
May EA8/G8BCG
1st From 18.30z onwards heard loud beacons
YV1AB, FM1ZAC, and YV5LIX. Then YV4NN
worked 59+ SSB and 599+ CW. Also heard
V44KAI/B loud for about an hour. Not much
TEP; it was an early night.
2nd - 14th The band was pretty much dead
apart from bits of weak TEP and usual tropo to
EA/CT. DX was elsewhere.
12th At least the moon still works. I made
two new initials W5ADD and N8JX.
15th First day back home in IO70 as G8BCG.
All day European-wide Es but mainly single hop.
There was no trace of 3B9 etc. Again there was
strong and early TEP to South America. PY, LU,
and CE were loud; Jack OA4TT was in for 30
minutes or so but never above 439.
16th Widespread Es across Europe but no
TEP.
17th It was a very poor day for Es in Europe
and beyond. No trace of 3B9. Excellent evening
TEP with many PYs, ZP and LU5FF heard.
Heard an interesting CQ just as the band was
closing at 21.25z - VK3DF? I made a nice
recording of what is almost certainly a pirate.
After the fake HL and PYØ last year, which I
suspect were both in IO80, I was a little
suspicious. But there is what sounds like F2
type QSB.
18th Poor day - nothing much.
19th Band was dead.
20th There were mainly single hop Es around
Europe plus an intense N/S Es and evening TEP
opening to PY and ZP with very localized
footprints.
21st Afternoon Es and 3B9 was briefly into
the Mediterranean around 15.00z. Insufficient
linkage to work him. There was no evening TEP
linkage this far North.
22nd Afternoon Es and 3B9 was again briefly
into the Mediterranean around 15.00z. Again
insufficient linkage. New EME Initial # 138
W5ADD; I’ve now worked Parker from EA8
and G. Thanks. Spotty but loud TEP to PY and
ZP. Heard LU5FF all alone for 20 minutes at
579. There was a late opening to NP4A; he was
weak here but loud into Mediterranean.
23rd Mainly single hop Es around Europe;
5ZØL was in briefly around 16.30z.
24th Mainly single hop Es. Had a good
evening of EME with many big signals and two
new EME initials: #139 ZS4TX and #140
LA9DFA.
25th At 08.30z had first SSSP of the season,
JE1BMJ - OZ1DJJ. Otherwise band was dead
all day. No significant Es.
26th SSSP into DL at 07.00z. There were signs
here but no QSO. I was on the edge with 5ZØL
again. Station had a small signal and there was a
big wall. Heard from 15.30z. Then, just as they
were building, they went to SSB. They came
back to CW about 15 minutes later but never
really peaked again. In again at 19.15z with
possible skew over EA.
27th Double hop Es across Europe at 06.15z;
things were looking good. Nice JA to Southern
Six News 25
Europe opening from 08.30z to 11.00z. 5ZØL
was again into Europe as far as PA at 10.00z. I
heard just pings here. There was lots of early
evening excitement as “5ZØL” was 599 here and
across Northern Europe. It was a pirate of course.
Had some nice Tropo to EA and CT3 on
144MHz
28th Big single hop Es across Europe and
virtually nothing else.
29th Another day of intense single hop Es
and nothing else.
30th More intense single hop and some double
hop Es across Europe, but nothing else.
31st Nice SSSP opening to JA, and another
day of intense single hop and some double hop
Es across Europe. There were the beginnings of
some trans-Atlantic stuff from CT /EA8 at least.
G8BCG 50099.1MHz
7 dB
G8BCG 50095.1MHz
3dB
G8BCG 50095.1MHz
3dB
G8BCG 50093.7MHz
6 dB
G8BCG 50099.1MHz
12dB
June
1st SSSP opening between Mediterranean and
JA, and some east-west multi Es across Southern
Europe. I locked down antennas because
of100km/h winds so I didn’t hear 5V7MI who
was into Northern France in early evening.
2nd There were Es again plus a one man
opening from 9M2TO to pretty much all of
Europe. Later in the evening 4X4DK was in for a
long time on a dead band with lots of F2 type
backscatter from Northern European callers. No
intermediate hops heard. 9K2OD also working
many, but he was very weak here.
3rd At last some afternoon multi Es including
KP4 etc. Sadly no North south Es so still waiting
for 5V
4th Good USA - SV opening. It was very
narrow; heard only backscatter from SV stations
here.
5th-6th I was not QRV.
7th Got on for last 40 minutes of UKSMG
Contest. There were one Es to south but nothing
else.
8th Good European Es but nothing else.
9th Strong multi-hop Es around Europe but
nothing else.
11th Multi-hop Es around Europe plus a long
one man opening to UK8OM.
13th There were good European Es and finally
I had a nice evening opening to Caribbean and
northern South America. I worked YV, 8P, KP4,
9Y, PV8, FM5, etc. even on my vertical at home
in the valley. (CW skimmer):
G8BCG 50104.2MHzCT1HZE CW CQ
14dB
19 wpm 00.46z 16th June
26 Six News
PV8ADI
33 wpm
FM5WD
26 wpm
FM5WD
26 wpm
G4FJK
19 wpm
PV8ADI
33 wpm
CW CQ [LoTW]
21.12z 13th June
CW DX
21.08z 13th June
CW DX
21.07z 13th June
CW CQ [LoTW]
21.03z 13th June
CW CQ [LoTW]
20.56z 13th June
14th Widespread multi-hop Es in Europe plus
another small evening opening to Caribbean with
YV, 9Y, and KP4 heard/worked.
15th Widespread multi- hop European Es.
Finally there was an afternoon and evening
opening to North America. It was patchy and
weak. C6ATA worked in FL15. Band was still
open in Europe 01.00a on 16th June.
16th Widespread strong multi hop Es in
Europe. 4L1AN had a good signal on SSB at
18.45z. There was also an evening opening to
Caribbean and North America. FS/K9EL was in
with a good signal for over one hour. I did not
work anyone as every time I called CQ NA or
CQ DX in the DX window or below 50.1MHz
half of Europe called me.
17th Was a quiet day followed by Elton John
at the Eden Project for a nostalgia fix.
18th Widespread Es in Europe and another
night opening to the Caribbean with FS/K9EL,
VP2MTT, and KP4s. Nice evening Es to Italy
on 144MHz and a big signal across the Channel
from F1NUM on 432MHz
19th YV4NN was loud at 16.15z. One CQ
and I received an “agn” from 5V7 at around
17.15z. Had nice tropo on 144MHz. I worked a
string of EAs plus EA8TX. CS3 beacon was 59+
for over an hour.
20th Worked JE1BMJ 419/539 08.20z QTF
25. Also had an evening CW QSO with Jack
OA4TT despite constant IMI and call signs from
ignorant contest stations.
21st European contest mayhem but also an
amazing opening for 5V7MI whom I worked for
DXCC#233. Michal has 100 watts and a dipole.
Sylwia Michalak are on an amazing journey - see
rainbow truck and give them support if you can.
Late afternoon saw an extensive opening to North
America and I worked some new squares in DM
and DN grids. Then an opening to the Caribbean
for several hours. I worked 8P2K, 9Y4D, PV8,
YV, FM5, J69, etc., plus HC5 on JT65.
22nd Good opening to North America and
followed by a big Aurora and AuE after CME hit.
There were big Es and aurora on 144MHz also.
23rd Aurora was still running in the morning.
Wide single hop Es but nothing else.
24th Very quiet in Northern Europe. Good
path to BV from Mediterranean. A second CME
hit didn’t produce anything significant.
25th Intense Es across Europe and out to MN
grid. There was a small evening opening to US
and intense backscatter from QTF 130 degrees
around 20.30z
26th Some JA SSSP into Southern Europe.
Intense Es across Europe and out to MN grid
and A71, etc. In evening there was a late opening
to FM5. Caught PV8 on my vertical/skimmer:
G8BCG50102.8MHz PV8AD
8dB
33 wpm
G8BCG 50061.0MHz ED4YBA
4dB
13 wpm
G8BCG50.098.4MHz FM5WD
11dB
23 wpm
G8BCG50.098.4MHz FM5WD
10dB
24 wpm
G8BCG 50.100.4MHz EA8DBM
24dB
24 wpm
CW CQ [LoTW]
21.29z 26th June
CW DX
21.23z 26th June
CW CQ
21.14z 26th June
CW DX
21.13z 26th June
CW CQ [LoTW]
20.31z 26th June
My skimmer never sleeps:
G8BCG 50.097.3MHz MMØBSM CW CQ [LoTW]
14dB
G8BCG 50.097.3MHz MMØBSM CW DX [LoTW]
10dB
G8BCG 50.098.4MHz PAØO
CW CQ [LoTW]
27dB
G8BCG 50.100.2MHz LA5YJ
CW CQ [LoTW]
8dB
G8BCG 50.098.8MHz SMØKAK CW CQ
16dB
16wpm
23.28z 26th June
27th PJ5A was in from about 15.20z; he was
still in 22.30z – amazing. Then there was a
Caribbean opening with PJ5A, KP4, KP2, VP2E,
9Y, YV, PV8, HI3, C6 etc., heard/worked. My
skimmer also had a great night including YV4NN
50095.1 CW CQ [LoTW] 7dB 23 wpm 21.47z.
Not bad for a vertical in a valley.
28th It was a very quiet day here in the West.
Nice evening opening to Caribbean again. I
worked CO8LY, PJ5A, and 9Y4D. My skimmer
reported:
G8BCG 50.101.3MHz HI3TEJ CW CQ [LoTW]
5dB
G8BCG 50.083.3MHz CT1HZE CW CQ
8dB
20 wpm
G8BCG 50.100.3MHz CO8LY
5dB
21 wpm
G8BCG 50.100.1MHz HI3TEJ
5dB
22 wpm
G8BCG50.097.0MHz ZB2CW
18db
26 wpm
19.40z 28th June
CW CQ
193.3z 28th June
CW CQ [LoTW]
19.19z 28th June
CW CQ
13.56z 28th June
That’s it for no. See you at the BBQ.
73, Peter
On 30th June Peter added:
Hi Chris,
Some “stop press” from yesterday. I like
sending you reports; it always seems to result in
an opening the day after. Lots of fun on six metres
but by far the most exciting for me was a 144MHz
tropo QSO with D44TS at 4400 km / 2734 miles.
The D4C/B was in for 10 hours on a stable duct.
The weather here was also stable at 30C today –
VERY unusual.
29th June A solid tropo duct on 144MHz to
D44 from mid-day until at least 22.00z. D44TS
worked plus a string of EA8s. It was a fairly
quiet day on six metres; then from 17.50z the
PJ5A show was 599 / 59 all evening. Plus UT1FG/
MM worked for a new field and grid GM03, and
a string of DX heard or worked included 9Y4,
VP2ETE, FG8OJ, PJ5A, KJ4E, J69DS, HC5K,
HC6F, YV4NN, HK4SAN, FG5GP, FM5WD,
YV5IUA, and YV4NN. My skimmer didn’t do
so well.
G8BCG 50.101.2MHz YV4NN
9dB
23 wpm
CW CQ [LoTW]
19.16z 29th June
30 Jun 30th A quiet day so far as I could see
- not QRV. Whilst we were having an evening
swim and picnic at Palace Cove my skimmer was
quite busy.–
EA9PY 50103.4MHz
25 wpm
EA7AIN 50101.5MHz
18 wpm
CN8KD 50098.3MHz
32 wpm
CW DX
1924z 30th June
CW CQ
19.15z 30th June
CW CQ [LoTW]
18.59z 30th June
13dB
16dB
23 dB
73, Peter G8BCG.
G8VR (Kerry reports from IO91WP)
Hi Chris
I look forward to seeing you at Chris’s BBQ
too. As for six metres, well yes of course things
are much improved. On 24th April I listened to a
Six News 27
long, at least 45 minute, opening to South Africa.
ZS4TX/6 was over 559 for 30 minutes, being
audible here between 15.46z and 16.30z. 9J2BO
was also in that day. That was on my single five
element Innov OWL yagi, which got swapped
out for a six element Innov OWL on 20th May. I
had intended to put up two antennas, but time
did not allow and the other one is still in the shed.
The band has seen good propagation to the Middle
East and 9K stations have been in on many days
through June. For me the highlight of June was
Nicolas, TJ3SN whom I worked on the 9th after
years of chasing. In the past he never quite seemed
to make it here. G4BWP has returned to the UK
from working in Dubai, so I guess we will spend
a lot more time on our joint EME activities now.
Best 73 Kerry
that I sent to Dave G8FXM. Dave (or ‘Dai’
being originally a Welshman) and I go back a long
way; he was my Best Man when I got married to
XYL Mandy back in 1977. Dave moved out of
Wales, and although we exchanged Christmas
greetings we kind of lost contact for a few years.
Roll forward to around 2012 or so and it was
through Dai that I joined UKSMG. I’ve operated
a couple of UKSMG contests with The Three
As Contest Group where we used the special
contest call MW5A. See GØAAA.com.
As you see from the email exchange you were
copied on, in the last few weeks I’ve actually got
on six metres from home, albeit with a somewhat
restricted antenna. See attached photo.
GMØEWX (Calum reports from
IO76UL)
Hi Chris
Last Sunday 21st June I worked PY and 9Y
on six metres after hours of hearing Europe on
back scatter working Ws. Then Italy on 2m the
following day
73 Calum GMØEWX.
GM8IEM (Martin reports from IO78HF)
Hi Chris,
Here’s a brief report for your What’s on Six
column in Six News – always a good read.
The shack re-build is nearly complete and
back to full capability, though with an improved
layout and system interconnect.
April
4th: In the period 10.10z to 13.15z heard
ZS4TX/6 and V51YJ calling CQ in CW, but too
poor to work either; heard and called ZS4TX/6
and ZS6A in Iscat-B, but without success.
However, I did manage a fairly quick Iscat-B QSO
with ZS6WAB, completing at 10.38z.
5th: Caught ZS6A calling CQ in CW at around
11.50z on CW Skimmer while I was out of the
shack, then gone, so tried an Iscat-B QSO from
11.57z to 12.15z, but nil at both ends.
25th: Z81D came up out of the noise at
22.08z, working Europeans, and we had a quick
exchange at 22.13z.
73, Martin
GW4BLE (Steve reports from IO81LO)
Hello Chris,
Well, there’s not that much to add to the email
28 Six News
GW4BLE five element six metre beam
mounted at 7 ½ feet above ground and fixed
at 270 degrees.
My main interest is in HF Contesting where
I enjoy SO2R with a pair of FT5000s to a TH111,
two element 40 metre antenna and wires.
73, Steve
Here is Steve’s email to Dave:
“Hi Dai,
Thought I’d send you a photo of my 5
element six metre beam - it finally got fixed to the
tower (at the massive height of around 7-and-ahalf feet) and went up on the 19th June. It’s fixed
pointing at 270 degrees. There’s a long story
why it isn’t any higher.....! Anyway, it’ll do for
what’s left of this Es season (I told Mandy it
would be up ‘for a couple of weeks’!).
Results ? Well, not bad actually - worked
KP4, FG, YV, J8, PJ5 etc yesterday, and last
week 9Y4, 8P & FM.Currently 50 countries in
the bag :-). Prior to this all the stuff, mostly
around Europe, was worked on the 40m antenna).
Anyway, was going to send the photo into
SIX NEWS (if they are desperate for stuff it
might get printed, hi), but couldn’t see who I’d
need to send it to ? P’raps you could?
73 Steve”.
On 1st July Steve added:
At my main PC now, so for completeness,
can tell you of stations worked outside Europe
since June 20th.
20th NP4A SSB
21 st CN8HD, FM5WD, K4MM CW;
EA9PY, TF3ML/P, 8P2K SSB
27th PJ5A CW
29 th FG8OJ, YV4NN CW; FG5GP,
FM5WD, J69DS, KP4EIT, PJ5A, UT1FG/MM,
YV4NN SSB
That’s it, 73, Steve.
HA5KI (Gyuri reports from JN79KN)
Hi Chris,
First, please correct errors because my
English is poor. Here is my report from near
Budapest in a valley:
May
11th 5R8UI 59 strong
15th PY2VA, PY2WS, PY2YP 599. I never
heard such strong Brazilian stations.
16th PP1CZ 599
17th C5YK, PY2XB, PY2VA, PY2OC all 599
June
1st UN7AM 599
15th C6ATA 449, 4L8A 599
16th First U.S. opening this year, only 3 QSOs
– 17.33z K1HTV 559, 17.35z W3LPL 599,
18.25z N3DB 579
17th 08.31z DU7/PAØHIP 589 never heard
before, 08.37z EX8M 599
21st 09:11z D4C 599 very strong, 10.47z
5V7MI 449 very weak with his dipole antenna,
17.27z- 20.04z 31 QSOs with North America
16.56z NA4RR, 17.17Z N5DG
22nd
only two QSOs
23rd 18.35z OY9JD 599 very strong alone
in the band
24th 07.43z UN7TW 599, 13.49z A75GG 59,
13.52z 9K2WA 59
Best 73 Gyuri HA5JI.
HAØDU (Steve reports from KN07VN)
Dear Chris,
I work at home as a technical translator, so I
am able to monitor six metres about 14-16 hours
a day. But even that is not quite enough
sometimes.
This year started very slowly on six for me.
First contact was V51WW on 2 nd March,
followed by 9J2HN on 15th March. On 22nd
March I had a two-minute opening to A25GF,
but I forgot my amp was in standby so I missed
him. Then on 24th March FO4BM on EME, and
ZS4N on 30th March.
Nothing until 16th April when I made a CW
contact with 3B9FR for a first 3B9-HA.
Next DX was 5R8UI on 11th May; then
another new one given by ZP5SNA on 1th May.
Another two weeks of noise, when on 27th May
I had a 25 second opening to 5ZØL. Very
fortunately it was enough to make a QSO.
Again, several weeks of silence. I spent
countless hours monitoring C6 and VP2M. On
21st June, my 59th birthday brought D4C a new
grid, and 5V7MI a new DXCC. The same day
my radio went tits up. I replaced it with a
borrowed FT-857, but later the blower of my
amp also went wrong. In the amazing USA
opening I only worked two US stations,
W3UUM, a new state and N2NL. I heard another
20 stations, mostly W4s. I heard PJ5A on 29th
June, but other HAs called them for a new one,
so I stepped back and did not even call once.
Currently I am monitoring the frequency on
C6AUX, but not one peep in about ten days or
so. I do hope he does not leave the island without
me logged.
Oh, I forgot, my rig at home is an FT-897,
the antenna is a seven element homemade DK7ZB
at 12 metres.
73 Steve HAØDU
P.S. By the way, some years ago I heard you
for about a minute from HH4/W3CMP, but
HA3UU was in a better position, and he made
the contact. I still need HH. Are you planning to
go back again?
MMØAMW (David reports from
IO75EJ)
Hi Chris,
Not an awful lot to report I’m afraid, at least
so far this season. First DX of note was ZS4TX/
6 on 2nd May for a new grid. Then 14th May
brought CE, LU and CX contacts. CE3SX was a
Six News 29
new DXCC for me on six metres. Having never
even heard a CE before I was very surprised to
hear him so loud and easily workable on SSB for
what we believe is a CE - GM first. Apart from
the odd fleeting European openings, six metres
went into the doldrums again until late June, when
on the 21st I worked 8P, PV8 and a W4 for my
first North Americans of the season. Lots of other
Caribbean stations were also heard. The 25th June
saw a short, spotty opening to W4 and W1, but
only five stations worked. June 26th saw VE1PZ
and VE1YX in the log and next day UT1FG/
MM. HI, KP4, PJ5 and C6 were all worked
which added a couple of new grids for me.
Then on the 28th I had C6 in by mid-morning
which is very early for that part of the world.
QSOs followed with CO8DM, W4 and VO1.
UT1FG/MM was heard again but I couldn’t grab
his attention for another new grid as he was
working loud North Americans. Just as things
were finally looking up for the season, it all fell
flat on its face again. A solitary QSO with
VY2ZM on the 29th was the last trace of DX for
June as we returned to endless hours of white
noise. Although the path across the Atlantic has
been poor, the path to my east has been virtually
non-existent, with very little video from the usual
sources either. Fingers crossed for July is about
all I can say.
73, David.
ON4IQ (Johan reports from JO20AR)
Hi Chris,
It has been pretty poor year but I managed
to get a few good ones in the log.
Warming up in February, I managed to work
ZS4TX/6 for new grid KG47UR. I heard him
several times the weeks that followed.
Caught an aurora opening on 17th March. SP,
LY, UR, SM, ES, GM, F were logged followed
by short F2 to D4C. Later that month there were
several openings into ZS6 via TEP.
In April the TEP continued, with ZS6 and
V51YJ on the 4th of April as well as TJ3SN via
F2 .
Highlight of the month was 16th April. While
doing some jobs in shack heard 3B9FR CQing. A
new DXCC was in the log a few minutes later.
There were some spotty openings. On 23rd April
Z81D KJ54RL was logged; on 24th April FR4NT,
and EA6TT, were worked via Es +TEP opening.
On 25th
April C5YK was in for over an hour.
30 Six News
Band was quiet for some weeks until 16th
May. I worked 5R8UI in LH46 for new grid. On
23rd May, 5ZØL was worked in spotty opening
but #262 in the log. At end of May I worked
several Europeans via E skip.
First weeks operation in June there was poor
propagation, but I managed 9K2GS on the 2nd,
9K2HN on the 7th, KP4EIT and NP3CW on the
18th of June, and 9Y4D on the 19th. On 20th June
there was E skip to the US and KØGU was
logged.
The 21st was a day to remember. The USA
was in. East Coast was weak but Midwest and
West Coast were in. I heard no VEs. Opening
started at 16.12 UTC with weak QSO with
KØGU, and lasted to 19.59 UTC. I worked a
total of 23 states and a handful of new grids. I
worked some old time friends, AC4TO, K4RX,
K7BV, and W5OZI, and made some new friends
on the air N7KA, W7UT, AA7A, W6TOD, and
K7JA - I’ve met Chip a few times back in states
but we never made it on the air until the 21st also N6KDP, N6ED, WA6TLA, WB6RSE,
N6CA, NWØW, W9RM, and KØTPP. States
worked were CO, FL, NM, UT, AZ, CA, MD,
TX, MO, GA, LA, MI, AL, NC SC, TN, WI, IL,
PA, OH, NH, WV, and VA.
I have attached a picture of this month’s
repairs on the array. Weather has been very poor
last winter and Geert ON4GG had to do some
repairs on the array. The picture gives a pretty
good idea about the size of these 4 x 6M9KHW.
73, Johan.
Geert ON4GG performing repairs on 4 X
6M9KHW array at ON4IQ QTH.
Africa
TJ3SN (Nicolas reports JJ53SU)
Hello Chris,
This is a few words. You know my English is
poor. You must do something on it....
This is the end of my six metre radio activity
from Cameroon. This weekend, the antennas will
be dismantled. I’ll be in France for holiday all
August and back to a new Africa country, but not
a wanted one, for September.
Not sure today, need to be at my next
home before purchasing a new setup on six metres.
Got house photos. Normally I could try to have
2 x five element LFA Yagi. I’m in contact with
GOKSC Justin from InnovAntennas.
At TJ home the noise level was a big problem
with my seven element yagi. I hope to have a
better low noise floor with same antenna gain.
EME QSOs were hard from TJ house. I just
worked W7GJ Lance but I hope to be QRV on
JT65 soon from there.
I don’t know but I worked more than 35004000 QSOs on six metres and more than
100 DXCC. My best QSO was with VK4MA
via long path and FK8CP. The least far was
TR8CA, oops TJ3AY at yep, 50 metres.
Thank you. See you soon again.
Regards, Nicolas now ex TJ3SN.
ZD8D (Werner DK9KH reports on the
ZD8D Ascension Island DXpedition in
late February and early March 2015.)
Hi Chris,
We have been on Ascension Island from 24th
February to 6th March, 2015. Our bungalow was
around 800 metres above sea level. There was a
free view from NW to NE. We had a three element
DK7ZB design, 12.5 ohm technique antenna and
a 100 watt transceiver for six metres. The antenna
was pointing straight north all the time, since we
realized already last year that there was not any
change to observe when turning the antenna. We
were observing the beacon stations from Portugal
and Spain almost every night and found like last
year, that usable propagations normally occurred
at around 21.00z and lasted about two hours. As
I wrote earlier in my e-mail to Tim we managed
to work into 29 countries and had almost
200 QSOs. It could have been much more, but
we had a delay of 24 hours caused by the airplane.
On the other hand we had promised to have a
focus on the low bands so we spent most of the
evening hours on the low bands. Looking on the
locators we found again, that under normal
conditions from there (the daily QSOs), you
won’t be able to work stations further north than
45°. We didn’t hear any; we didn’t work any. We
worked stations from Israel and the whole
Mediterranean area- Spain, Portugal, Azores and
almost the whole Caribbean. We also had no
problems to work into South America CX, PY,
YV, etc.; from Africa we had EA8, TJ and 9G in
the log. We also worked a very few W stations.
Generally speaking we can say that we worked
every station we heard, all almost with the same
signal strength.
PJ4VHF asked us a few times to come on
two metres; unfortunately we had no equipment
with us. He told us, that conditions would allow
also contacts on two metres.
As I wrote Tim G4FJK we left a six metre
antenna and cable on the Island with ZD8S and
told him the hows and wheres. So I am sure that
there will be a steady activity on six metres very
soon. Stedson ZD8S will take care about the
beacon there in the future. It’s the person you
see on the picture. Another ham is Ray ZD8RY,
who frequently shows up on six metres with a
vertical antenna.
Last year I had the chance to visit ZD7VC
Bruce, who is on six metres from time to time.
He is working on stacking his antennas for six
metres and will show up soon with a bigger signal.
From time to time his beacon is also heard.
So far so good for today.
Greetings Werner DJ9KH.
Report from ZS (Paul reports on all ZS
in KG46, KG47, KG55, KG44, KG43,
KG30 and JF96).
April
01 Band open 16.05z to 18.30z. Stations
active: ZS6AYE, ZS6BTE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/
6.
DXCC worked: YU, I, 4X, 4L, EA, DL, CT,
ISØ.
active :ZS6A, ZS6AYE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: YU, I, 4X, 4L, EA, DL, CT,
and ISØ.
03 Band open from 1150 to 2052. Stations
active: ZS6AYE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: I, CT, F, V5, 4X, EA8, SV5,
TJ, 9K, EA, 9H, DL.
active: ZR1ADI, ZS6A, ZS6AYE, ZS6DX,
Six News 31
ZS6GJG, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: OK, OE, F, I, DL, SM, 9A,
YU, YO ,G, EA, SV, EA8, 9K,TJ, CT, S5, EI,
GM, LZ, OM, SP, UR.
active: ZS6A, ZS6AYE, ZS6BTE, ZS6DX and
ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: I, EA, EA8, 9K ,TJ, A7,
I,Z3, SV, 4X, E7, EA6, HA, BY, BV, OK, LZ. OE
and UR.
Active: ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: YU, SV, I.
Active: ZS6AYE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC
worked:
YU,SV,I,8Q,9K,SV5,4X,EA6,EA,A4.
active: ZS6AYE and ZS4TX/6
DXCC worked: 4X, SV5, EA9, EA, I, CT3,
F, 9K, EI, SV, TK, A7, CT, ISØ.
15 Station active : ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked : ES by EME
active: ZS6AYE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: W, I, 9H, CT, SV5, and SV.
N7IP worked by ZS6NK by EME.
17 Station active: ZS4TX.
DXCC worked: W by EME.
18 Band open 12.31Z to 19.52Z. Stations
active: ZS6AYE, ZS6BTE, ZS6BUN, ZS6GJG,
ZS6ME and ZSTX/6.
DXCC worked: S5, YU, I, EA, SV, SV5, YO,
ISØ, F, CT, 9H, EA6, HB9, HA, TK, Z3, 9A
,OE.
19 Station active : ZS4TX
DXCC worked : W by EME.
23 Band open 12.24Z to 20.19Z. Stations
active : ZS6AYE, ZS6BTE, ZS6NK, ZS6WN
and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: Z3, I, YO, SV, 9K, EA6, 9A,
5B4, LZ, S5, Z8, UR, DL, 4X, TA, TK, 9H, EA,
OK, CT, F, SP, SV5, HA.
24 Band open 1339 to 1915 Stations
active:ZS6A, ZS6AYE, ZS6BTE, ZS6DX,
ZS6GJG, ZS6NK, ZS6ME and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: Z3, F, SV,YT, SV5, EA, EA6,
SP, 5B4, F, OK, CT, G, LA, DL, LZ, PA.
25 Band open 12.58Z to 18.32z. Stations
active: ZS6A, ZS6AYE, ZS6NK, ZS6WN and
ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: Z3, YU, HA, SV5, SV,
5B4,S5, SV9, SP, UR, OK, OE, 9H, TK, 4X, I.
32 Six News
26 Band open 11.43z to 19.21z Stations
Active: ZS6AYE, ZS6NK, ZS6WN and ZS4TX/
6.
DXCC worked: YU, I, OK, OE, F, DL, G,
9A, GM, OM, EA, EA6, CT, SV9, S5, 4X, 3A,
SV, ON, PA.
active: ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: 4X, I, VK and W. ZS4TX
worked VK by EME and ZS6NK worked W by
EME.
active : ZS6AYE, ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: DL, SP,OZ, UR, PA, SM,
SV, Z3, LA, SV9, LZ, OZ, YT, SV5.
May
active : ZS6WN and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked:OZ ,LA, SP, DL, PA, G, GM,
EA, I, LZ, OE, UR, 4X, I, F, ISØ,YU, EA8, SM,
YO, S5.
active: ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked : SV, LZ, G, DL, GI, EI, GM,
4X, UR, 9A, GW, GD, SV5, YT.
active ZS6NK and ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked : SP ,I, YU, S5, YO, EA, PA,
9H, 5B4, EA, SV.
09 Band open 16.37z to 19.03z. Station
active ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked:4X, OZ, DL, F, LA, SM, G,S
V and I.
DXCC worked : I, YU,SP, SV, 4O and I.
ZS6NK worked I by EME.
11 Band open 16.35z to 17.43z. DXCC
worked : DXCC worked: OM, W, SP, UR, ES,
SV, OH, 9A, SM, I, PA, 9H, 4O, OZ, W.
ZS6NK worked W on EME.
active ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: I, SV, EI, F, PA.
active ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked : I, OK, CT, 9H, 4X, SV,
EA6, HB9, PA, DL, G, UR, GW, F and EA.
14 Band open 16.49z to 2016. Station active
ZS4TX/6.
DXCC worked: G, GM, EA, EA6, I, PA,
HA, OZ, SM, LA, OH, OK, UR, SP, DL, YO,
OK, S5, ON, HB9, OM, YU and LZ.
DXCC worked: W, I, 9H, ER, and SV.
ZS6NK worked W by EME.
17 Station active ZS4TX.
DXCC worked: W worked by ZS4TX on
EME.
24 Station active : ZS4TX
DXCC worked : W, S5 and G by EME.
June
20 Station Active: ZS4TX
DXCC worked: ZL3NW by EME
21 Station active: ZS4TX.
DXCC worked : ZL2DX by EME.
Here is an email exchange between Paul,
ZS4TX and me in which Paul answers questions
raised by your columnist about his recent activity
report. Paul’s answers are in italics.
Paul:While reviewing the list of DXCC
worked from Zs during the last few months a
thought occurred to me. It seems like there are
virtually no contacts from ZS to the northeast Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, India,
Sri Lanka, northern Indian Ocean entities, Malay
Peninsula, etc.
During Cycle 23 several stations in ZS
worked AP, A4, HZ, 9K,VU, YI, AF, YK, JA, BV
and VR2. This cycle only 9K, A7, A6, A4, A9 ,AF,
YI, BV and BY were worked. Nothing was heard
from 4S7. 8Q7 was worked on back scatter. DU7
was worked by a few ZS stations by scatter path
with the area above HZ as reflection point. The
CW sounded like “keyed white noise”. Some
claims for QSOs with YB, JA, HL, 3B9, ZL and
VK were made but I cannot confirm the validity of
these. There were no openings to South America
other than a few Back Scatter QSOs were reported
both for cycle 23 and 24.Openings to KH were
reported, while there were at least four reported
openings in Cycle 23. Only one opening to VK by
scatter path was reported with none on the
traditional direct path.We need a prolonged high
SFI at the right time of the year for the East and
West F2 paths, i.e., to VK and JA and to W/VE and
South America and this did not occur this cycle.
Is this just a function of no activity from
these areas or is it that there is no propagation in
these directions. If it is a question of propagation,
has anyone done any studies to determine why
there is so little propagation to these areas?
Thanks.
I think both low activity but mostly poor
propagation due to low SFI are to blame. Many
DXpeditions go during the Northern
Hemisphere’s Es season which is a dead period
for us. If you look at the DX-map on the ON4KST
site, you see many lines from FR, 3B8, 9J and
3B9 to both Europe and the Far East but Zip
from here, not because we are not on the air but
because the propagation does not reach us.
Besides my noise problem, ZS4TZ’s remote site
in KG47, about 130 km North of me, hears things
at S9 level that I don’t hear at all so it’s all about
location, location, location! To give you an idea
about how poor conditions were for ZS, take a
look at 9J2HN’s activity. He is about 1100 km
north of me and 1000 km north of ZS4TX’s remote
site. He [ZS4TX] too heard none of the Far East
stations the 9J was working.73, Paul.
North America
K1HTV (Rich reports from FM18AP)
Here in the Mid-Atlantic at the K1HTV
Amissville, VA QTH, the magic band came alive
just before 16.00z on Father’s Day, 21st June.
The first of 13 countries that I worked were all
from a southerly direction. NP3CW was first in
the log, followed by Yuri, UT1FG/MM in EL59
off the Cuban coast, CO3JA, 6Y5WJ, YV4NN
and XE2CQ in DM12 northwestern Mexico.
From 16.50z to 17.50z I worked 17 stations
in W6 and 7 land. During that same hour, stations
from GA and FL to as far west as NM and XE2
were working into HA, S5, YT, ISØ, 9A and DL,
but all I heard to the east during that hour was
F2DX calling XE2X.
It wasn’t until 18.45z that European DX was
heard here. In the next 65 minutes I worked IØJX,
IK5MEJ, IZ5BRW & IK5PWJ, HA8CE,
ON7BG, OK1DO, G4DBL, S59A, HA8FK,
PA2M and ON4IQ. That was it for DX to the
east for the day.
Local late afternoon to early evening produced
many more double hop QSOs to the West Coast,
15 stations in AZ, 15 in CA, three in NM and
one in NV.
It was a memorable Father’s Day.
73, Rich - K1HTV.
K5QE (Marshall reports from EM31CJ)
Hello Chris,
Although Arliss is really a six metre kind of a
guy, we did not take any six metre gear to the
Falklands. Arliss was worried about offending
Six News 33
the local six metre ops by us coming down there
and stealing their thunder. On VHF, we only did
two metres. Arliss and Holly did a lot of HF on
several different bands.
We ran the ARRL June VHF contest, as usual.
Conditions were really poor, pretty much
everywhere, but specifically here. We only
worked 445 contacts on six metres. The entire
northern tier of states and down in to southern
CA were lit up on the propagation maps. All we
got were one here and one there. Our record score
of 1836 contacts on six metres, made in 2010,
was in no danger of falling.
So, not much here.
73 Marshall K5QE
K6IJ (Fred reports from CM98PJ)
Hi Chris,
Not much here in California. Last, last few
days there have been Es to most of the states and
HI3THJ. No real antenna up yet so not many
QSOs.
I know K6QXY and a few other California
stations have worked JA. We are waiting on the
permit process at this time. Maybe more next
quarter.
73, Fred K6IJ
K6QXY (Bob reports from CM88QL)
Hi Chris:
April
2nd FK8CP23.27z
2.25z
9th CE2AWW
11th FK8CP21.32z
13th FK8CP 00.41z
17th FK8CP23.12z, CE2AWW 22.57z,
CE3RR 23.08z
19th FK8CP23.07z
00.13z, FK8CP 23.23z
20th VK4MA
May
16th LZ2CC 15.04z JT65A EME
June
22.10z
1st JE1BMJ
23.08z heard
2nd EA8DBM
23.42z heard
3rd KH6SX
6th NP4A 19.41z, JE1BMJ 22.12z, JM1IGJ
22.38z
18th VP2MTT 17.44z, K6WDE/KH6 18.58z,
KH6HI 19.24z
01.50z heard, CT1HZE
19th KH6HI/B
16.37z, JE1BMJ 23.30z, JA7QVI 23.42z
34 Six News
21st JEBMJ, JA7QVI, JA5FDJ, JM1IGJ,
JQ1ITV, JA3EGE, and JR1LZK all between
04.30z – 05.37z; this was during 2nd diurnal peak
to JA. KP4EIT 15.08z, NP4A 15.11z, ZF1EJ
15.12z, and 6Y5WJ 15.15z;
IZ5EKV 16.54z, S57RR 17.29z, 9A5CW
17.38z and SV1DH 18.02z. This was first
California contact for Costas; distance
was10,845km. KP4EIT 15.08z, NP4A 15.11z,
ZF1EJ 15.12z, 6Y5WJ 15.15z
23rd C6AUX 22.48z, HI3TEJ 23.28z,
CO8LY 23.34z
27th JE1BMJ 21.15z, JL8GFB 21.18z,
JAØMVW 21.35z, JAØRUG 21.43z, JF8QNF
22.20z, JH7XRZ 23.07z
Bob
Costas was very excited. I had already
worked Leo SV2DCD via EME several years
ago. Here is his email:
“From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: 6/22/2015 12:11:54 P.M. Pacific
Daylight Time
Subj: 6m QSO
GM Bob.
Many tnx for my first QSO with CA and
CM field.
My second dream of working CA on 6m came
now true (my first one was to work Alaska,
accomplished last year, hi).
Pse note that during the 6m excellent previous
three cycles, I NEVER even hrd CA via F2 but
amazingly was wkd via Es!!
Your sig was weak to me, max 519 by ear and
below noise floor of my RX.
I had S5 line noise at my remote KM27 QTH
and so I was lsn from KM18 with just a single
7el CL6DXX instead the 2X7el CL6DXX at
KM27.
Also EUs were calling me all the time, in
spite was calling NA only.
So, I missed you at your first attempt, but
QSO was OK a little later...
No other W6, 7s were hrd ydy, opening was
mostly directed to W5s.
Bob, my QSL+SASE is already in post to
you and looking forward to get back yours.
73 Costas SV1DH”.
That’s it so far I’ll update if any more
happens. 73, Bob.
K7CW (Paul reports from CN87LJ)
Simone, my loving wife of 35 years passed
away at the end of January from cancer. I got
back on the air for the 17th March aurora and
made 19 contacts. It was refreshing to get on the
radio and exchange reports with my friends.
Here are six metre contacts of note that I’ve
made since my last report from the northwestern
corner of the US:
17/3/15
18/3/15
16/5/15
27/5/15
3/6/15
6/6/15
17/6/15
18/6/15
21/6/15
CE2AWW
CE2AWW
CE3RR
LU4FPZ
SP3RNZ
CW
CW and SSB
CW
CW
EME JT54 initial
number 62
CW
XE2HWB
XE2CQCW
NP4A SSB
VP9/WA4PGM CW DXCC 109
VP2MTT
CW DXCC 110
KP4EIT
SSB
KH6HI CW
XE2MVY
CW
ZF1IE SSB
9Y4DSSB
YV1KK
SSB DXCC 111
6Y5WJ CW
NP4A SSB
NP3CW
HVØA CW
CW
DXCC 112 - rare
and very exciting!
CW
IZ5BRW
WP3C CW
So, it took until the summer solstice for us to
really get any sporadic E propagation going.
Despite this, I did manage to work four new
DXCC entities so far this year, one of them being
unbelievably rare for us, anyway.
Well, it didn’t last for long, as the sun has
now begun a cavalcade of coronal mass ejections
which have subdued long-haul propagation again.
As I write this on the local morning of 25th June,
I note that the ions from the latest CME have
just arrived and E propagation continues to suffer.
73, Paul K7CW
KØGU (Jay reports from DN70MQ)
Hi Chris,
Six metres was pretty slow until June arrived.
Even then I think the geomagnetic active mostly
kept me out of Europe. Good opening to Asia +
KL7 on 21st June. I worked my second Chinese
station in a new grid block. It was unusual to get
KL7s in my JA runs.
73, Jay
QSOs worked by KØGU on 50MHz. From 04/01/2015 to 07/01/2015
4/17
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/18
04/24
04/25
05/08
05/08
05/08
05/08
05/08
05/09
05/09
05/09
05/13
05/23
06/01
06/03
06/03
06/04
20.28
19.58
20.12
20.21
22.36
23.06
20.15
20.32
20.54
20.55
22.05
22.12
20.36
21.32
21.41
21.37
16.34
22.17
14.41
14.42
16.27
CE2AWW
LW3EX
CX9ØIARU
CE6SAX
CE2AWW
CE2AWW
CE2AWW
LU4FPZ
CX7BL
OA4TT
CE2AWW
LU5FF
CX7CO
LW6DG
OA4TT
LU9AEA
CT1HZE
JE1BMJ
HI8LAM
NP4A
LZ2WO
Locator
FF47
GFØ5
GF15
FF31
FF47
FF47
FF47
FF97QA
GF25
FH16
FF47
FF99
GF15XF
FF95
FH16
GFØ5
IM57NH
QMØ5BR
FK58AL
FK68
KN23AL
TX
599
559
559
559
599
559
559
57
55
55
599
599
599
579
449
55
529
559
599
59
559
RX
Mode
599
559
559
559
599
579
579
57
55
55
599
599
599
579
559
55
529
559
599
59
599
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
QRB
8850+9589+9796+9381+8850+8850+8850+9366
9796+6676+8850+9114+9765
9491+6676+9589+7854
9230
4143
4370+9352
Six News 35
06/04/
06/13
06/15
06/17
06/17
06/18
06/19
06/19
06/19
06/20
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/21
06/22
06/23
06/23
06/24
06/27
06/28
06/29
06/29
06/30
06/30
06/30
06/30
06/30
06/30/
07/01
07/01
07/01
07/01
20.39
18.49
18.10
02.08
15.58
21.45
16.30
16.34
16.50
17.05
15.42
16.12
22.57
22.58
23.01
23.02
23.03
23.04
23.04
23.06
23.07
23.08
23.12
23.13
23.14
23.15
23.16
23.18
04.11
03.49
22.55
15.05
17.13
15.29
18.29
23.23
00.28
21.52
22.26
22.31
23.09
23.12
01.32
01.37
01.43
01.44
Locator
FS/K9EL
FK88LC
ZF1EJ
EK99
CT1HZE
IM57NH
VP9/WA4PGM FM72
VP2MTT
FK86VS
YV4NN
FK5Ø
CT1HZE
IM57NH
EA7RM
IM87CS
EA7KW
IM67XI
ON4IQ
JO2ØAR
6Y5WJ
FK17
ON4IQ
JO2ØAR
JA3JTG
PM75PC
JA7BXS
QNØØIT
KL7RA
BP4Ø
JA7DYN
QMØ7LT
JH7MSB
QMØ8
JAØFSB
PM97EG
JH4IUO
PM64
JL8GFB
QNØ3QG
JA4DND
PM65NK
BA4SI
PMØ1HD
KL7HBK
BO49
JA8JRC
QNØ2TT
JR8AMF
QNØ3
JA8JEP
QNØ3
JH8HWL
BG6CJR
OM9ØLO
JE1BMJ
QMØ5BR
KL7NO
BP54
C6AUX
FL32
CO8LY
FL2Ø
HI3TEJ
FK49
PJ5A
FK87
UT1FG/MM GMØ2
JG1TSG
UT1FG/MM GM13
JL8GFB
QNØ3QG
JAØMVW
PM97OX
JAØRUG
PM97
JE1BMJ
QMØ5BR
JHØINP
PM96
JF3DRI
PM74UO
JM1IGJ
PM95
JK1AFI
PM96
JA3TJA
PM74PR
N5DG (Ed reports fromEM20AB)
Hi Chris
Here six metres got off to a slow start with
2nd, 3rrd, and 4th June being the first DX to Europe
36 Six News
TX
RX
Mode
559
59
529
599
599
559
519
599
529
519
599
559
539
539
539
539
539
559
559
559
559
559
519
559
559
559
559
559
559
529
579
579
599
599
55
529
59
559
579
559
559
559
529
559
559
559
579
59
529
599
599
559
419
599
529
519
599
559
559
559
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
559
559
559
559
579
559
579
559
559
559
599
599
559
559
529
579
599
599
599
55
559
59
579
579
599
559
559
529
559
559
559
QRB
4709
3274+7854
3649+4874
4865+7854
8175
8050
7738
3714+7738
9577
8789
3805+9012
8950+9213
9760+8557
9677
10751
3780+8579
8557+8557+9259+10888
9230
3846+3609+3611+3987+4759+4155+9259+4275+8557
9105
9152+9230
9233+9593
9314+9233+9608
from EM20. with SV1DH and LZ2WO were
the long haul contacts . Then there was Father’s
Day 21st June with 48 European contacts in 23
countries. I worked HVØA for a new one.
4X4KD was also worked on the 21st
I have to say HVØA is one of those contact
you remember for a life time. Between searching
and pouncing on European QSOs I checked
50.137MHz SSB , QRM was horrific. Between
the QRM I heard Sergio IKØFTA, the op at
HVØA working a GM???? I called Sergio two
time and received a 59. Sergio then told Europe
that he would be calling North America only on
CW. I switched to CW and our tones were spot
on for a quick CW QSO.
On 23rd June BA4SI had a big signal. This
was the best I’ve heard Li .
Everyone try to come to the W6JKV/
K5AND BBQ in Austin Texas. You will have
the time of your life.
Ed N5DG
checked in. I asked him if he would listen for me
on 50.117MHz he said he would. I called for
about 10 minutes on CW without any callers. I
then noticed from a post on the European page
that he was calling on 50.117MHz SSB. I
switched to SSB and began to listen. After about
15 minutes I heard weak SSB. It took a while but
I was pretty sure it was him. I let him know on
the European page I thought I was hearing his
SSB. He told me he heard nothing. At that time
Mario K2ZD, who was also listening asked him
if he could switch to CW. He said he would. As
soon as he switched I could hear him 539 to 559.
I called and he came right back. We exchanged
signal reports and 73. I know it’s very hard for
TK stations to work North America because of
the mountains. I was very surprised later when
he told me he was only running 100 watts. TK
was a new DXCC for me; the first one in over
two yrs.
73, Mick W1JJ.
W6JKV (Jimmy reports from EM00AH)
Chris howdy. I will not be making any trips
this summer as my sons activities in late June
and early July make it impossible. Hope to
resume again next year. Hope that you are doing
ok.
Jimmy.
VE2XK (Michel reports from FN07PJ)
YU7EF model EF0610 yagi built by N5DG.
NZ3M (Dave reports from FN10PD)
Hi Chris,
Really nothing worth reporting for me. Work
and other things getting in the way. I missed this
whole week of strong Es. Before that it was just
a couple days to CT and EA.
73, Dave NZ3M.
W1JJ (Mick reports from FN41GP)
Hi Chris,
I was not going to send in a report as it’s been
very poor here this Es season. There have been
just a couple of weak openings to EA and CT and
one QSO with GOJHC. Today 27th June it
improved. I worked CT, EA and one I station,
then five French stations that were very strong. I
went and checked the ON4KST European page
to see if there were any other stations that would
listen for my CQ. I noticed that TK4LS was
Bonjour Chris,
All everything here is well; just sic metre
conditions are really not good this season.
This Es season is the worst I ever had of the
past 10 years or since I started on six metres.
On this date of 1st July I have only worked
two stations from Europe. That’s terrible bad
after two months.
On 15th June I worked Joseph EA6SA as the
first European station of the season. Then on
22nd June I worked Joe CT1HZE. Even those
QSOs were on the limit on signal to be workable.
Absolutely no deep South Americas stations
worked this spring from May to June on E-TEP.
In the night of 22nd to 23rd June there were
some great mixed conditions of Es, aurora and
AUE and AU mixed. That was my annual and
traditional Alaskan night like I always say. The
AK night was one month early this year. I worked
KL7NO, KL7HBK, WL7X and KL7KY, and
VE7DAY, VA6EME, VE6SV, VE5UF, VE4XC.
A little earlier the band was open on Es into
Six News 37
California, Arizona, Washington and
Montana and Idaho. I worked KB7Q, WA7JTM,
KE7V, K7JA, N6KK, and W7OUU.
On 39th June I had a super opening into west
coast and British Columbia on double hop. Band
was open for more hours. At 14.19z Steve
VE7SL called me , then I worked K7CW, W7FI ,
KE7V, N7NW, VE7XF, VE7DAY, KF7PG,
NN7J, K7ZS, K6TW, K7OFT, and VE7PS.
Other than this opening I had a few short
openings into West Coast and Caribbean but that’s
it so far after two months of our Es season.
73 Michel VE2XK
On 1st July Michel added:
Chris
Please add also that I work my DXCC #100
today with Peter JW7QIA at 20.00z. That
was the Canada celebration day of course .
XE2OR (Rafa reports from DL98OK)
Hello Chris,
Here is my 50Mhz log for May and June
2015. There was very good tropo last week on
144 MHz to Illinois and Michigan from North
Mexico. Distance on SSB QSOs was more than
2230km.
73, Rafa XE2OR.
Date
UTC Freq. Station Mode RS(T)
3rd May 20.28
21.01
4th May 13.22
8th May 19.47
19.47
9th May 02.25
02.27
02.27
02.33
02.33
16.48
16.54
17.00
17.03
17.20
17.10
17.16
17.18
17.18
17.24
17.34
16th May 15.50
16.38
16.45
nd
22 May 18.19
38 Six News
50.125
50.125
50.246
50.125
50.125
50.140
50.140
50.140
50.160
50.133
50.091
50.091
50.097
50.094
50.094
50.094
50.094
50.094
50.094
50.094
50.100
50.125
50.096
50.092
50.125
K4IMD
K4ZIN
WA5TKU
K9KHW
K9PPY
KCØCF
AK4WO
K2DRH
NØTIB
AB4B
N4PN
WA8FTA
W9SE
N4DB
K1BO
W9EWZ
WC4N
NWØW
K4EJQ
N4GG
KX4R
WZ8D
WA8FTA
KCØCF
KJ4E
59
26
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
59
SSB
FSK
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
Date
22nd May 19.31
28th May 15.00
3rd June 13.33
13.35
4th June 16.41
th
5 June 14.56
14.59
6th June 12.30
16.23
9th June 18.39
18.40
18.45
18.50
th
11 June 16.13
13th June 14.11
14.14
14.21
14.25
16.01
16.01
16.01
16.41
17.28
18.15
18.25
19.54
th
14 June 14.17
14.54
17.22
18.13
18.27
18.27
18.31
18.31
18.34
19.35
th
15 June 01.20
01.29
01.29
01.30
01.34
01.34
01.46
01.54
01.59
02.00
02.09
16th June 00.07
20th June 17.47
21st June 13.58
14.11
14.11
14.43
14.46
14.46
14.47
14.49
14.49
14.50
50.125 K4MM
N4TB
50.120 K5AIH
50.120 K5VH
50.090 K2DRH
50.095 K4EJQ
50.095 K4ZIN
50.000 N2SG
50.090 NP3CW
50.098 W4EFB
50.098 N4LT
50.098 K1BO
50.098 KR4AE
50.125 KP4EIT
50.125 KFØUR
50.125 N6LEE
50.125 WB9KPT
50.125 WØGMO
50.125 KP4KD
50.125 W4ABC
50.125 W5YI
50.145 KS5H/7
50.102 VP2MTT
50.135 WC4H
50.098 KV1E
50.095 K9IMM
50.099 KU8I
50.096 N4PB
50.096 K9CT
50.096 WØUC
50.146 KØJQA
50.146 W3XO/5
50.146 K5TR
50.146 AD5A
50.140 AB5EB
50.125 K2DRH
50.139 W5ZN
50.124 N8XA
50.124 WB8YOK
50.124 K8TQK
50.140 AF1T
50.099 K9IL
50.099 KE7V
50.098 KB3ILC
50.127 NØSZ
50.127 N7HYF
50.098 N5LZ
50.104 CT1HZE
50.092 K2SX
50.091 N4RJ
50.100 N4TB
50.115 ZF1EJ
50.019 XE2CQ
50.119 K6GXO
50.119 NP4LY
50.119 K6FG
50.119 N6HD
50.119 K6KY
50.119 NP3CW
59
599
59
59
599
599
59
599
59
599
599
599
599
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
559
59
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
59
59
59
59
59
59
599
599
599
599
59
599
599
559
599
599
599
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
59
SSB
CW
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
Date
21st June 14.51
14.52
14.53
14.54
14.54
14.55
14.57
14.57
14.57
14.58
14.48
14.59
14.59
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.01
15.01
15.01
15.05
15.07
15.08
15.08
15.05
15.07
15.07
15.08
15.08
15.08
15.23
16.52
16.47
17.08
17.08
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.119
50.113
50.125
50.103
50.103
NP3LY
59
KP2/N5PV 5 9
KK6DDC 5 9
K6SSS
59
WA6QMQ 5 9
WØPE
59
N6VI
59
AE4WG
59
NP4A
59
K7SP
59
KD2JA
59
W7DXW 5 9
WA4II
59
WB6DJI
59
W7RTX
59
W7TY
59
WP3EF
59
WP4EJH 5 9
WP4NIX 5 9
KP4YI
59
XE1ZOZ 5 9
N7WS
59
KF4A
59
KP4YI
59
XE1ZOZ 5 9
N7WS
59
N7EL
59
KF4A
59
W6YLZ
59
FG8OJ
599
EA7AKY 559
UT1FG/MM 5 9
K1TO
599
WX4G
599
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
CW
CW
SSB
CW
CW
South America
CX8DS (Oscar reports from GF15VG)
Dear Chris,
It is a pleasure to greet you again. I mention
here that the propagation on 50 MHz is void for
me.
My last contacts in the band were the 21st
April 2015. For now the winter has come to the
Southern Hemisphere and will have to wait until
spring. I enclose a short list of my latest contacts.
A big hello.
Oscar
LU5FF (Javi reports from FF99RF)
Hi Chris:
I hope all is well with you. Unfortunately I
have no conditions since April.
In April I had two openings for Europe. Both
were very short, with very weak signals.
May, the first day I could only work two
stations USA and from then on the band has been
dead.
We see end of August or September when the
band begins to move.
A big hug and we contact Chris
Javi - LU5FF
OA4TT (Jack reports from FH16TW)
Hi Chris
We didn’t have a lot of openings this E’s
season. I CQd frequently to EU but only had 3
QSO’s.
My log shows the following.
21.00z KX4G, KØGU,
8th May 2015
WX4G, K4MM, W9DR, NØKE, AI2S, AC4TO,
W4IHI, WB4TH, W4ABC, KZ4RR, and K4TR
9th May 21.35z KØGU, CP6UA
11th May 02.42z KH6HI/B, OA4DKI,
KH6HI, KH6U
13th May 21.18z HC5K
2nd June 19.15z CT1HZE
8P6SH,
19th June 20.30z OE9ICI,
FM5WE
20th June 18.0z G8BCG
This is a sad showing for many hours on the
air. I still think living here on the magnetic equator
that the high flux levels screw up my Es
propagation, especially east/west. I am away
from Peru but will return in October.
73 Jack
8R1WD (Peter reports from GJ06WT)
Hello Chris,
Likewise, I hope all is well with you as well
as the other guys. I haven’t heard from or about
any of them for the longest while. I hope they
also are all going well.
Thank you for your invitation to contribute
to your six metre column.
Unfortunately my over the line internet was
either down or not working well for quite a long
while. Apparently both my land line and the
modem were malfunctioning. I hope I have got
things working well again as of last night. I am
now going through all my missed mail.
Generally I have not worked much six metres
for this year, 2015. My contacts were made
mostly between February and March.
They were as follows:
4th Feb
01.24z
01.30z
25 Feb 02.02z
02.05z
02.07z
th
50.120MHz
50.110MHz
50.110MHz
50.110MHz
50.110 MHz
HC5VF
HC5K
YV4DYJ
YV4NN
HC5K
5/7
5/7
5/9
5/9
5/6
5/7
5/8
5/7
9/9
5/8
Six News 39
22nd Mar 17.34z
17.44z
17. 45z
17.57z
18.11z
20.21z
50:115MHz
50.110MHz
50.110MHz
50.150MHz
50.110MHz
50:110MHz
K4CKS
KD5M
EA8TX
CN8LI
EA8DED
LU5XP
5/9
5/9
5/8
5/7
5/8
5/5
5/9
5/9
5/9
5/3
5/8
5/9
I do hope that the info is still useful in some
way. All the very best.
73 de Peter 8R1WD
Asia
UN8GC (Mike reports from MN83KF)
Hi Chris,
Here’s the info on my six metre activity to
date:
Even though the Es season has started in
Almaty around 14th May this year my first QSO
are dated 27th May with JA stations. Being busy
with work during the day and absent from the rig
I cannot attest to Es performance this season
though it seems to me a bit worse than the one in
the previous year.
I have about 40 QSOs to date in the log. On
25 th June we had a good opening to the
Philippines. I managed to log two QSOs with
very good signals. Southeast Asia is somewhat a
difficult path from Almaty.
On 26th June again we had an opening to
Southeast Asia. I was able to work half a dozen
Taiwanese stations and was again heard into the
Philippines.
I am very pleased to see the increasing six
metre activity from Central Asia this season. In
particular EX9T is very active from Tamga, Issyk
Kul lake. [Yuri] EX8M is being heard often during
openings. He operates from the town near
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Also, UN7TW and UN6T
from Taraz, South Kazakhstan, being new
appearances on the band from Kazakhstan which
is heart-warming.
That’s it for the time being.
Regards, Mike.
Pacific/Oceania
DU7/PAØHIP (Willem reports from
PK10XH)
Hello Chris,
Here’s my contribution to “What’s on Six”.
Since the last report, the equinox conditions
dragged on with the daily single hop openings to
JA; sometimes also some HL and BY stations
joined in.
On 1st April FW5JJ, F5MYK/MM and
KG6DX were worked and FK8CP heard.
40 Six News
Conditions were slowly going down. Openings
to the Arabian Peninsula happened only
sporadically with mostly only the A47RB beacon
coming in, but far fewer times then previous
equinoxes. F5MYK/MM was QRV every day
on his way to the Suez Canal and I worked him
from many grids. Often they were all water.
A71AM and A71EM showed up at times
with good signals, as did a couple of 9K2 stations.
6th April was also a good day with VU2GSM
MK82, YB2TJV OK42, XV4Y OK2Ø and
F5MYK/MM LK63 showing up.
On 7th April I worked 8Q7SA MJ64 559559 for a new one. This was entity #101.
On 8th April he was also worked, but with a
much weaker signal.
Then the magic band showed his true face
again. On 19th April, just when I was planning to
go to bed, I heard a weak signal of the ZD8VHF
beacon. This rarely happens and I decided to
stay up, because I had worked South America on
these occasions. But the band was playing tricks
again and decided to open up to a completely
different place. Around my local 02.00 a.m. I
worked TI5XP and TI5/N5BEK, entity #102,
beaming approximately to West Africa. The path
was skewed. They had good readable sigs but
with deep QSB, both peaked shortly to 559.
Then YS1AG showed up with a nice 529-559
signal. Not a new one but Andy is the second
station I have worked both to the east and to the
west after LU5FF. The long path distance to
him is my longest DX so far at 24, 527 km. The
real distance must be more than that because of
the skewed path. I also heard a weak signal from
TG9AVR, but unfortunately he didn’t hear me.
On 21st April I could hear the weak signal of
TI3/W7RI, who was running 80 watts into a
vertical, but unfortunately he had too much noise
and we could not QSO. The noise here was
extremely low.
At 17.09 UTC, 1.09 a.m. here, I worked with
CE2AWW over the same skewed path over West
Africa. The ZD8VHF beacon was again audible.
For most of us the disappointing spring
Equinox looked over, but it had one more trick in
the hat for me.
On 3rd May I was dialing over the band around
09.30 UTC and more or less blundered into a CQ
call from A52ARJ in Bhutan, NL47VL and a
quick 59 -59 was exchanged. This was entity
#103. Later on, when there was a change of
operators, I also worked A52AEF.
After that day equinox conditions collapsed
and everybody anxiously awaited the beginning
of the northern Es season. How disappointing
these first weeks were for everybody.
Even here I had very few one hop openings
and the band was dead for a long time. This was
probably because of the high solar activity. High
solar activity and Es seem to bite each other; that
is certain here, being 1º North of the Geomagnetic
Equator.
Then on 17th June the magic came back for
me anyway. That day I had a nice opening to
Europe. I worked I6WJB, YU6MM, YT1Q,
YT9ØIARU, OK1JR, IK8EVE, IZ5EKV,
IK5YJY, I6FLD, IK4WMA, US7VF, HA5JI,
UN8GC, S59A, SM6CVX, UR5LAK and so on.
I heard many more, but the deep QSB got them.
All in all I worked three new grids. Highlight of
the opening was the moment I heard EA8DBM
calling me. We exchanged 599 -599 reports. I
worked him before but never that strong; he was
10 dB over S9 on the S meter. Distance was
13,996 km, my best Es DX.
On 28th June there was a second long haul
opening, but much shorter length. I could only
work EA8DBM, who was weaker now 549 –
559, DK2EA and OM5XX. Om was a new one
, entity #104.
Since then, the band seemed to be closed again.
In spite of listening extensively for North
America in my mornings from 22.00Z on, no
stations were heard, not even a trace. Well we
still have a month of Es to go, so who knows
what will happen.
OK that’s it Chris.
73 to you, yours and the readers, Willem.
JE1BMJ (Han reports from QM05BR)
Hi Chris
On 26th June I worked with Fabien TK5MH.
At first European videos were good around
06.00z, I called CQ EU on 50083.0MHz. Then
worked with DK8NE, DL1YM, and DK3WG.
After a while TK5MH called me and worked
with 559/559. The TK was a new entity for me
and also for him. Fabien told me that it was an
ever-first JA-TK QSO on six metres after formal
license of 50MHz in Corsica on May 2013. I am
just happy to get a new entity on six meter but
also another prize.
Additionally I have made a home page about
European openings on 2015. The first half of the
2015 summer solstice condition was the worst
ever since 2009 but I am expecting an improvement
on the second half: http://equina.web.fc2.com/
open_to_eu_2015.html.
I am just happy to get new and first ever
QSO with TK.
de Han JE1BMJ.
VK4CZ (Scott reports from QG62LP)
Winter approaches us in the Southern
Hemisphere, and with it the six metre DX
doldrums. But truth be told, the DX doldrums
set in around the equinox, with little DX worked
or reported over the last three months.
For me the DX period ended in April, with
no DX, i.e., non VK, stations worked since 18th
April, 2015. The DX haul period April to June
comprises of just:
11/04/15 03.47z JA1RJU 50.276MHz
three other JAs worked
13/04/15 04.18z JF3DIN 50.276MHz
14/04/15 09.23z JA3IVV 50.276MHz
two other JAs worked
18/04/15 03.08z JM1VWQ 50.276MHz
JT65
JT65
JT65
JT65
It wouldn’t take too much nous for the casual
observer to realise from the reports above that
with conditions becoming increasingly marginal
and signals as result more often than not weak,
I’ve shifted some of my activity to the digital
modes JT65 and FSK which have producing
QSOs that otherwise would have been missed.
Reports of typical daytime 1,500km –
2,000km Winter Sporadic E paths between VK4
to VK3, 5 and 7 have been seen on VKLogger.com,
but as these have predominantly been weekday
events QRL has made me a casual observer and
disinterested participant.
The positive side to six metre operating in
VK has been the rapid increase in the number of
stations participating in meteor scatter over the
period April to June.
Whilst the 50.200MHz SSB MS skeds
between VK4, VK3 and VK7 that have been
running for years continue, the establishment of
FSK operations around sunrise on Saturday and
Sunday mornings has produced some great
contacts. Most weekend mornings attract about
seven operators -two in VK4 and the balance in
VK3, 5 and 7. We have been able to complete
with stations in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5
and VK7 with distances extending out to around
1,600km. Now… hopefully can we get a ZL or
two to participate.
73, Scott.
Six News 41
VK4MA (Paul reports from QG64KB)
Virtually a nil return for me this time Chris.
Conditions on six have been very poor for us. I
worked W7GJ and K6QXY on 20th April around
00.15z. These are my only six metre QSOs for
this quarter. My QSO with Lance was my first
with him and my first with Montana on six metres.
Cheers, Paul.
Frequency is 50.009MHz. Beacon transmitter is
running 25 watts to a ground plane antenna at 70
feet ASL and is located at the club shack. The
beacon is a joint project of Radio Society of Sri
Lanka (RSSL) and Six Meter Beacon Project, Inc.
Special thanks go to David N3DB. Your signal
reports are most welcome.
73, 4S7JL
ZL1RS (Bob reports from RF64VS)
Hi Chris,
I am not on six metres any more…I found
another wall to bang my head against.
73, Bob.
ZL3NW (Rod reports from RE66HO)
The only six metre DX contact for me during
the month of April was with Hiyo san JR2HCB
on the 18th at 05.27 UTC. Signals were 539 both
ways. He is often the first six metre station heard
from Japan.
I had EME contacts with Matteo IW5DHN
on the 25th April and Bert S57RR on the 4th May.
A new active local station just north of
Dunedin is Mike ZL4OL with a good view to the
east over the ocean. Hec puts out a good signal
on six, and all bands up to 23cm, into my QTH.
The only station worked on six metres during
May was a local Geoff ZL3KQ.
June was more interesting with an EME
contact with Bernie ZS4TX on the 20th and again
on the 21st. Chris ZL2DX also had an EME
contact with Bernie on the 21st. On the 23rd there
was quite a strong aurora and I worked Mark
ZL2WHO with true S4 aurora signals when I
was beaming south west. We could also read each
others call sign on two metres via aurora as well.
There were openings via winter Es to VK on
the 26th, 27th, 28th 29th and to a lesser degree on
the 30th of June. What was interesting was the
length of the openings up to five hours on one
day and several hours on other days. Signals
varied, typical Sporadic E S9 + at times to into
the noise. Sometimes this variation occurred all
within the one QSO. Contacts were made into
VK2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
73, Rod ZL3NW.
Beacon News
4S7B/B Sri Lanka Beacon Back on
Air
On 29th April Jaliya 4S7JL reported: The Sri
Lankan six metre beacon is back on the air.
42 Six News
Jaliya 4S7JL with 4S7B/B beacon
transmitter in background.
ZB2SIX/B Frequency Changed
Forwarded from ZB2B 23 April, 2015:
I would like to inform you that it has been
decided by several members of our local club, the
Gibraltar Amateur Radio Society and me as
President of G.A.R.S. that our local six metre
beacon will no longer be transmitting on
50.012.8MHz. Sometime during the course of
this week it will begin transmitting on a new
frequency of 50.412.8MHz, as soon as our
beacon keeper John ZB2JK gets the chance to
make the change. This change is being made to
avoid local QRM problems when monitoring
other DX beacons on the lower usual frequencies
between 50.000MHz and 50.080MHz.
This will be on a trial basis and if it does not
cause any problems this will become the
permanent frequency for ZB2SIX/ beacon.
I hope you can add this frequency to your
latest European beacons frequency list.
73 and best regards.
Ronald Pincho ZB2B G.A.R.S. President.
Four Metre Happenings
27th June Crossband TransAtlantic 50/
70MHz QSOs
On 27th June at 20.00z Bob K1SIX FN43
worked Joe CT1HZE cross band 50/70MHz.
Joe’s signal was 59+. Shortly afterwards Joe
was also worked cross band by Emil W3EP in
FN31. At 23.25z Joe also heard the WG2XPN
beacon in FM07FM.
K1SIX received Joe on a Downeast
Microwave four metre transverter with 28Mhz
IF and an FT-857 receiver. Bob’s antenna was a
Vine six element yagi about 14 metres above
ground level on a hill with elevation of 407 metres
above sea level.
More information about the K1SIX four
metre transatlantic tests can be seen at: http://
w w w. k 1 s i x . c o m / K 1 S I X _ 4 M _ T E S T _
RESULTS.pdf.
EA6VQ (Gabriel reports from JM19MP)
JN58, and DK5YA for a new country on four
metres. They have the small segment to operate
in until 15th August.
I also worked two SP, two OM, two HA and
two S51 stations. At 19.45z the HG9BVC beacon
was heard on 70.081MHz and HG8BVC on
70.029MHz followed by CS5BFM on
70.163MHz. Radio broadcast WFM were all 59
as well. For those who have never heard this if
you are on SSB it sounds like splatter.
26th June I worked CT and for a new country;
three YL/YT followed by five OH and one DL.
This was followed by the best contact on four
metres, a CW contact with 589 signal from
EA8DBM IL18 at 19.34z.
QSO worked by EA6VQ on 70MHz. Type of propagation: All. Mode: All.
From 01/04/2015 to 26/06/2015 Distance over: 2500 km
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
21/06
16.28
18.45
18.46
18.48
18.49
18.51
18.52
18.53
19.06
19.07
19.07
19.10
19.11
19.12
ES1CW
OH3CT
OH1XT
OH1UM
OH1LEU
OG2M
OH1ND
OH3DP
OH1UM
OH1XT
OH1LEU
OG2M
OH2FNR
OH1AXT
Locator
KO29HK
KP21
KPØ1
KPØ1UL
KPØ1VF
KP21TD
KPØØ
KP1Ø
KPØ1UL
KPØ1
KPØ1VF
KP21TD
KP2ØIL
KP1Ø
G6TGO (Ian reports from IO83UJ)
Four Metres 2015
I continued to test the InnovAntenna dual
band 4X4 aerial; this time I switched to the FT847
and 45 watt stand-alone amplifier. I have had
more fun on there.
15th March PAØO JO33 worked.
17th March major auroral opening previously
mentioned in Six News.
15th May I heard beacon SR2FHG at 16.39z;
then worked SP2HMR at a full deflection signal
with the band closing five minutes later.
15th June I worked two 9A, OM, one CT,
and 21 HA stations between 14.24z-14.51z and
a second opening 14.57z-15.21z. Beacons
received were HG7BVC and CS5BAL.
21st June From 18.04z I worked DKØMN
JN58, DK6CQ JN58, DL2OM JO30, DL5RDI
TX
RX
Mode
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
59
59
59
59
59
59
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
599
59
59
59
59
59
59
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
CW
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
SSB
Prop. QRB
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
ES
2669
2854+2722+2739
2720
2844
2632+2700+2739
2722+2720
2844
2756
2700+-
GMØEWX (Calum reports from
IO76UL)
Last Sunday (21st June) I worked some good
DX on four metres, including HA, EA8, EA6
and other European stations.
73 Calum.
TE Systems Amplifiers for 70MHz
As of April 2015, TE Systems, a manufacturer of commercial and amateur solid state
amplifiers, was upon request, building solid state
amplifiers for 70MHz.
The model discussed was the 0610G, price
was about $525, and build time was about two
weeks.
More information about TE Systems can be
found on their website at: http://www.tesystems.
com/
Six News 43
Equipment News
Transverters-Store
While trolling my favorite used equipment
site QTH.com the other day I saw an ad for the
Transverters Store http://transverters-store.com/
index.html. The site lists relatively inexpensive
transverters for 50MHz and 70MHz, as well as
144MHZ and 222MHz. According to the site,
the transverters are assembled and tested before
delivery, and the price is $80 shipped. Input of
one to 100 millawatts produces 10 to 15 watts
output on the six and four metre bands. There is
a potentiometer on the transverter board to adjust
the input power. Size of the transverter board is
80mm x 45mm (3.2” x 1.77”).
Transverter Store LNA with bypass relays
rated at 100 watts. Four metre unit is
shown.
Receive specifications are:
RX gain - typical. 20 dB
Noise figure – 1.0 dB typical
Image rejection - 70 dB typical
For rigs running 100 watts a 30db attenuator
board is available. Relays on the attenuator board
bypass the transverter when the radio is being
operated on HF; when the rig is used to drive the
transverter, output power of the radio must be
reduced to 10-15 watts. The transverter appear
to uses solid state switching; no antenna relay is
required.
Transverter-Store 50MHz high power LNA
with bypass relays.
The transverters are manufactured in the
Ukraine and Serge UT5JCW is listed on the site.
Full specifications for the transverters and LNAs
can be found on the Transverters-USA site.
Parting Remarks
Attenuator/transverter board.
The Transverters-Store site also lists low
noise preamplifier for 50MHz and 70MHz.
There are three models for each band. One model
comes without bypass relays; a second has
bypass relays rated at 100 watts and the third
has relays rated at 1500 watts. The LNAs
without bypass relays use a low noise monolithic
amplifier PGA-103+ MMIC; the LNAs with
relays use a SPF5122Z GaAs pHEMT MMIC.
Prices for the LNAs are $120 for the bare LNA;
$130 for the 100 watt rated switching LNA, and
$240 for the 1.5kW rated unit.
44 Six News
That’s all there is as of 4th July, 2015. W7GJ
has been in from his mountain top DXpedition
to rare grid DN24, and KØGU has apparently
just worked Sergy UT3UA on an otherwise quiet
band.
I’m looking forward to reporting on a better
second half of the E season, the summer
DXpeditions, and the G3WOS and W6JKV/
K5AND BBQs in the next column. For now it’s
time to finish the spring jobs that were delayed,
finish picking cherries in the orchard, and try to
fit in some band monitoring in my spare time.
Thanks go to the following for their
contributions: 4S7JL, CT1FJC, CU1EZ,
DL7VEE, DU7/PAØHIP, CX8DS, DL8YHR,
EA6VQ, EI7BMB, G6TGO, G8BCG, G8VR,
GMØEWX, GW4BLE, GM8IEM, HA5KI,
HAØDU, JE1BMJ, KH6/K6MIO, K1HTV,
K5AND, K5QE, K6IJ, K7CW, KA9FCD,
KØGU, LU5FF, MMMonVHF, OZ6OM,
MMØAMW, N5DG, NZ3M, OA4TT, ON4IQ,
OZ6OM, SixItalia Weekly, TJ3SN, UN8GC,
VE2XK, VK4CZ, VK4MA, W1JJ, W6JKV,
XE2OR, ZD8D, ZL1RS, ZL3NW, ZS6NK, CQ
Six 50MHZ DX News, and everyone else who
contributed to this column. If I forgot anyone,
please excuse the omission.
Since it is Independence Day here in the USA,
I thought I’d change up the usual quote a bit.
Two of my favorites, with no disrespect intended
to our UK friends, are:”There, I guess King
George will be able to read that.” - John Hancock
when signing the Declaration of Independence.
“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most
assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Benjamin Franklin in the Continental Congress
just before signing the Declaration of
Independence.
If you have anything you would like to see in
upcoming columns, or anything to submit, please
contact me at [email protected], or
[email protected].
This is your column, and your comments,
ideas, and reports are welcome.
What’s on Six – Late News
W7GJ (Lance reports form DN27UB on
grid DXpeditions to DN24 and DN24)
Sorry this is so late. I got side tracked putting
together six metre DXpeditions to grids DN34
and DN24. The DN34 operation was above
Lemhi Pass, Idaho during the last week end in
June and the DN24 operation was at Twin Peaks
Lookout in Custer County Idaho the first weekend
in July. Lemhi Pass, elevation 7550 feet, was
chosen for the DN34 site because it is high and
has a clear shot pretty much in all directions
except due north, with the lowest horizons to
the east and west. Susanna K7SGP also
participated in the DN34 operation. The DN24
operation was at Twin Peaks Lookout in Custer
County, Idaho, with an elevation of 10,350 feet.
It seems like the two operations both pretty well
W7GJ/P near Lemhi Pass, Idaho DN34.
spanned the peak of Es season out here in the
northern Rocky Mountains. I haven’t seen much
activity since returning from the DN24 trip. I
have photos and summaries from both of those
operations on my website.
Close up of M2 6M5HG yagi at W7GJ/P
DN34 with continental divide in
background.
Six News 45
Susanna K7SGP operating W7GJ/P. Station
consisted of Elecraft KX3 and M2 6M-1000
amplifier.
Lance W7GJ mounting 6M5HG on mast at
Twin Peaks Lookout in Custer County
Idaho DN24.
Summary of results from DN34
W7GJ logged 184 stations, and K7SGP
logged around 45 stations on six metres. Although
we did have HF capability with the IC706 and
hamstick whips for 75 and 20m, we dedicated
our efforts to six metres. We both operated JT65A
mode on during moonrise, FSK441 for meteors
in the mornings, and USB during the Es openings
later in the day.
With respect to the DN24 DXpedition, Lance
also noted: I sure was lucky to have such a rare
double hop opening back to the northeast on 4th
July. After that, the band has been virtually dead.
It really would have been a shame to drive seven
hours down there and go through all the trouble
to set everything up if there were no propagation.
I think part of what contributed to the success
was:
1. I was over 150 miles further south. It
always seems to help to be more southerly.
2. From 10,350', I had a very low horizon to
the east, despite the large mountains out that
direction. That gave me an edge working marginal
Es and meteors.
I never thought I would ever be able to operate
from that spot during the peak of the Es season
because the very marginal road up there is usually
blocked until late July, but I wanted to take
advantage of this unusually low snow year. It
may never be possible again during my life.
Summary of results from DN24:
I worked 153 stations in the computer log
and 23 more on FSK441 on site. While leaving I
46 Six News
W7GJ/P station DN24. Antenna is mounted
on 24 foot homebrew mast and is pointing
east.
worked six more stations from DN24 for a total
of 182. I also worked two more stations from
DN34 and five from DN35. I didn’t have
propagation from DN25 or DN26 on the way
home. I was quite happy with that, since there
were a number of stations who specifically
requested DN24, and a number of double hop
contacts were made with East coast stations who
seldom have a chance to work such rare grids
here in the Rocky Mountains.
As far as EME is concerned, during April, I
worked ZS4TX/6, G3SOA, F6ECI, IT9TYR,
ZS4TX, YO8RHI, ZS6AYE, K4PI, UT7QF,
W5ADD, and W9JN. In May, I completed with
G8VYK, G4BWP, OZ2KEC, OZ1RDP, PC5C,
and G4FJK. In June, I worked G4IGO, W7JW,
and S59A.
The big news on EME this month is that
V55EME is handing out a new DXCC to stations
on his moonset, and so far has worked N7IP,
KG7H and W7JW. N7IP also reports adding
four new DXCC on EME yesterday.
Most of June here was spent working Es,
and putting on the high elevation grid
DXpeditions. Those DXpeditions proved that
the gear I will be taking with me on the next 6m
EME operation - a KX3 driving the M2 6M-
1000 amplifier - works well. The big effort for
the V6M DXpedition is underway, and I am
looking forward to many contacts in North
America NA during their moonset and Europe
during their moonrise.
I have also been very busy working on the
next six metre DXpedition, which will be to a
very rare place in October, if I can finalize a
license. Watch my web page for late breaking
developments.
Shure Headset and Interface Review
Peter Bacon, G3ZSS
Last October I decided that I needed a new
headset and after searching the market on the
web I came across a company called The RF
Connection run by Joel, W3RFC. The RFC
manufactures a small desktop box called the
Mike-Link which will interface the Shure
BRH440M headset to your rig. The total cost
for the Shure headset, Mike-Link and a Yaesu
cable came to US$ 249.00.
Mike-Link
You can purchase the Mike-Link separately
from the Shure headset which may be useful for
people outside the USA looking to save shipping
costs and taxes. I purchased the complete
solution directly from The RFC. The Mike-Link
has an integral cable with a micro XLR cable that
fits into the headset. On the opposite side of the
Mike-Link are 3 jack sockets for connection to
your rig’s headphone output and microphone
input. The third socket takes an optional
footswitch. Along the side are switches for mono/
stereo, reverse/in phase. Looking inside the box
The Mike-Link box next to the rig – Note
the useful PTT button.
there are lots of ferrites for RF suppression, and
I have never had any problems in use. One of the
nicest and most useful features is a single PTT
button on the top of the box.
In use
The headset was very easy to hook up to my
Flex 6700 and the Shure headset must be one of
the most comfortable headsets I have ever worn.
I wear them nearly all of the time I am operating
the rig as I find it helps me dig out the weaker
signals while cutting out any external noise. As
you would expect from Shure, the sound quality
is excellent. The Shure boom microphone only
works when it is lowered in front of your mouth.
With the boom microphone raised above your
head in a vertical position the actual microphone
is automatically switched off. This is a very
useful feature if you like to operate with VOX
control as you can tune the bands and then pull
down the boom microphone when you want to
talk.
On the Air
This headset combination works superbly
combining comfort with ease of use. I have a
Heil footswitch connected to the Mike-Link and
find that I regularly switch between use of the
footswitch and the PTT button depending upon
the type of operating (contest or rag chewing).
Audio reports of my signal have been very
complementary and I have even received a few
unsolicited reports complementing me on my
audio!
Further information can be found on Joel’s
website http://www.therfc.com
Six News 47
Experiences with a 5 ele LFA Antenna
Ron Williams, G6ZJN
Dateline: March 21st 2015
After five and a half years sat in the box, the
new 50Mhz 6M5LFA long yagi is erected.
At 10:00 GMT, I decided that today was the
day that the brand new six meter 6M5LFA was
going up, whether it liked it or not. It has been
enjoying a VERY relaxed lifestyle, never having
seen the light of day since I bought it back in
2009, hiding away in it’s box, in a dark corner of
the cellar.
Working alone in my back yard, which is
just 3 meters by 5 meters, the 6M5LFA, with
it’s 6.1 meter boom is more than just a handful of
antenna. Firstly, I assembled all the elements and
attached them to their relevant positions on the
three sections of the boom. The restricted work
area had not been a problem up to this point
BUT when it came to connecting the three
sections of the boom, now complete with
elements, in such a restricted space, made even
smaller by my 1.2 x 0.8 x 6.3 meter tower, it
became blatantly obvious why the 6M5LFA has
enjoyed languishing in it’s box all of these years,
hidden from the salty atmosphere associated with
a seaside resort.
The new 5 ele LFA.
Now fully assembled, I thought to myself,
“How the hell am I going to get this monster up
the tower?”. It was then I remembered that back
in the 1970’s, I used to repair cars for family and
48 Six News
friends and needed an engine hoist, which I duly
purchased at that time. “Whatever happened to
it?” I thought to myself. You guessed it. It is
hiding in a dark corner of the cellar. Voila! I found
it and judging by the lack of greasy stains on the
rope, it was never used.
So now I have a 4 x 3 block and tackle. It can
carry the 6 meter long antenna up the tower,
which it did with ease. All I had to do was to pull
and pull and pull and yes you guessed it, pull a
lot more, that nice white stain free rope seemed
never-ending.
Finally! It arrived at the mast head having
negotiated the satellite dish, a neighbour’s open
window and numerous telephone wires. From
here on, everything was plain sailing, although,
thank heaven, there was no wind. In fact the
temperature was now a balmy 23.6 degrees and
the heat of the sun on the side of my face was
most welcome after the winter, a bit of a devil
though when you are trying to put nuts on bolts
with it shining in your eyes.
Now, mounted below the fourteen element
MET antenna for two meters, which I have had
since the latter half of the 1980s, that nice new
shiny aluminium glistened in the late afternoon
sunshine, making the thirty year old MET look
decidedly old.
But, there was no time to stand around
admiring the handy work, time to fit the coaxial
balun, the Heliax feeder and FT-950 and start
talking to all those South American stations I had
seen on the “DX Spotting Network” here on
QRZ.com.
Having worked feverishly all day, lunch? No
time for lunch, I had lost all track of time but,
with great anticipation, I switched on. A quick
check of the standing wave and all was well. I
started trolling up and down the
“Intercontinental” segment of the band and .....
nothing. It was then I realised what the time
was, much too late for any chance of some DX.
Then I thought to myself, “Oh well”, the monster
is up, nothing more to do and..............tomorrow
is another day.
Voluntary Operating Code
of Practice for Six Metre
Operators
The UKSMG fully supports the DX Code of Conduct,
details of which may be found here: http://dx-code.org/
Please read these recommendations carefully
and try to adopt their use in your everyday
operating.
SIX METRES AS A DX BAND: Six metres
is a DX band and it, along with other six metre
operators, should be treated with respect and
tolerance.
LOCAL BAND PLAN: Always respect your
local band plan. Details vary around the world,
and do not forget that IARU Region 1 will have a
new bandplan in 2012. LOCAL QSOs: Do not
cause nuisance and disturbance to other operators
with local QSOs within the 50.100MHz to
50.130MHz DX Window.
LEARN TO LISTEN: Most six-metre
DXers spend about 5% of their time transmitting
while 95% of time is spent listening and observing
changing band conditions and propagation modes.
This will be far more effective than just calling
CQ DX at random.
50.100 - 50.130 DX WINDOW: The DX
Window is widely accepted and should in
principle be used for INTER-CONTINENTAL
DX QSOs only. The definition of what
constitutes a ‘DX’ station lies with an individual
operator especially when a station within your
own region constitutes a new country.
INTER-CONTINENTAL CALLING
FREQUENCY: The international DX calling
channel is 50.110MHz. This should be used for
long range DX contacts and such contacts should
normally be inter-continental in nature. If a local
station returns to your CQ, move quickly to an
unused frequency above 50.130MHz.
50.110 CQING: LISTENING is the first rule
of working rare DX on six metres. So think twice
before calling CQ on 110. But the occasional CQ
is good as it can discover an unrecognised opening.
QSO TECHNIQUES: Follow the style and
take the lead of the DX operator in providing
information. Otherwise keep it simple as there
are other stations waiting in line.
DX PILE-UP OPERATING: You should
listen to the DX stations carefully and not
continue to call if they request a particular country
or prefix if that is not you. You should NOT call
if you cannot hear the DX station!
SPLIT FREQUENCY OPERATION: When
a DX station creates a large pile-up, splitfrequency operating is recommended. To
minimise interference with other DX stations
operating simplex, it is recommended that a
maximum split of 10kHz is used.
DUPLICATE QSOs: It is always tempting
to call a rare DX station every time you hear it.
This should be avoided as it means that you taking
away the opportunity for the DX station to work
a new station and give them their first QSO with
the DX country.
CW OPERATION: CW is probably the
major mode of operation on six metres due to the
usually weak nature of many real DX openings
FM QSOs: All FM transmissions should be
made above 50.500 MHz for the obvious reason
that FM is wide-band and could wipe out weak
DX signals.
MICROPHONE GAIN: Proper gain
adjustments will reduce distortion and will also
reduce interference with operators on nearby
frequencies.
This is a summary of the recommended
Operating Code of Practice as issued by the
UKSMG in conjunction with JAROC,
HARDXA, SixItaly, DRAA, LABRE-SP and
SSA. The full version of the Code can be found
on the UKSMG website at http://www.uksmg.
org/code.htm.
Six News 49
UK Six Metre Group
The UK Six Metre Group (UKSMG) was formed in 1982 with the primary aim of encouraging an
interest in the 50MHz band by all amateurs. It maintains a beacon fund to finance and provide beacons
in various parts of the world. Over the last few years the group has also supplied many pieces of
equipment to encourage and help six metre enthusiasts activate new counties.
The ambition of the UK Six Metre Group, through the medium of its quarterly newsletter, ‘SIX
NEWS’, is to provide the best information available on all aspects of the band, including such things as
DX news and reports, beacon news, propagation , six metre equipment reviews, QSL addresses,
DXpedition news, and technical articles.
Why not join the UKSMG and give us a try? We have already attracted over 700 members in over
50 countries around the world. The subscription rates are as follows: UK - £15.00, Europe - £16.00,
rest of world £16.00 (air mail).
Internet-only subscription (‘Six News’ by download, no printed copy): £10.00 for all countries.
Send to: Secretary of UKSMG: Tim Hugill, G4FJK, Swandhams House, Sampford Peverell,
Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7ED, UK
Cheques in local currency should be made out to ‘UK Six Metre Group’. Or send to one of our
Country Managers below. (Cheques made out in equivalent local currency in the name of the Country
Manager). Alternatively you can pay by credit card.
France
Georges Vialet - F8OP, 541 route de Tournus, “Le Cottage”, 71290 Cuisery.
Italy
Michele Coppola - I7CSB, c/o AR Elettronica, Via P Nenni, 114 San Severo (71016)
FG.
Poland
Bart Bzymek- SQ1K, PO Box 18, 78-540 Kalisz Pomorski. Tel: +48 663 808 343.
Spain
J R Hierro Peris - EA7KW, Oceano Indico, 11 Mairena del Aljarafe, Sevilla 41927.
Sweden
Johan Hansson - SMØTSC, Rullstensgränd 8, S-135 50 TYRESÖ, Sweden
USA
Pete Varounis - NL7XM, PO Box 3026, Easton, PA 18043-3026.
Name:______________________First: ____________ Callsign:________________
Address:______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Postcode (Zip code): ________________ County (State): _____________________
Country: __________________________________ Date: ______________________
Telephone (Optional): ___________________________
Credit card number: ___________________________ Expiry date: ______________
Your name as it appears on the card: ______________________________________
50 Six News
Six News 51
52 Six News

SIX NEWS - UK Six Metre Group

Transcription

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