New to Six

Welcome to Six Metres.  

You have probably heard the phrase ‘the Magic Band’ in connection with 50MHz and possibly wondered what is so special about it.  There is no denying the fact that there are a large number of dedicated, some might say fanatical, band users who will happily talk ‘Six Metres’ to anyone who will listen explaining why the band is special to them.  That’s what we intend to do in the following paragraphs. Magic

Background 

The Six Metre band is located at the lower end of the VHF spectrum and exhibits all of the characteristics that you would expect of a VHF band. This is particularly true during the sunspot minimum years when, for the most part, it is similar to two metres. The maximum useable frequency or MUF rarely reaches the ten metre band during this time never mind six metres and consequently the band is fairly quiet except for sporadic-E during the summer and (to a lesser extent) in the winter months.
 
Sun

Even when the MUF doesn't reach 50 MHz, solar activity can be the trigger that will allow various other types of propagation to occur. In fact, 6m is probably the only band that will support just about every form of propagation that you can think of and this is just one of the many things that make it so interesting and, at times, unpredictable. It is also the main reason why it has become known as ‘the Magic Band’.

For many people a large portion of the band remains unexplored territory, being given over to more esoteric modes. FM is well catered for but activity tends to be in small pockets around the country however, several FM repeaters are now well established. 

For many people a large portion of the band remains unexplored territory, being given over to more esoteric modes. FM is well catered for but activity tends to be in small pockets around the country however, several FM repeaters are now well established. 

In recent years the rise of digital communication has seen a large increase in the use of data modes.

The ability of data modes to perform well under testing band conditions and at relatively low power levels has seen a marked increase in the number of Earth Moon Earth (EME) capable stations.  So much so that it is now common-place for DX-peditions to include 50MHz EME as part of their package especially if the operation is outside traditional periods of good propagation or is from a particularly remote location. You no longer need an antenna like this for EME although it helps! 

 Eme Antenna
  
Most SSB and CW operation takes place in the lower 300kHz portion of the band. From 50 MHz up to around 50.080 MHz the band is populated by various beacons however at the time of writing this is due to change with all of these beacons due to migrate 400kHz higher in frequency.  The reason for this is to release a large portion of prime frequency space at the bottom of the band to other uses.  In addition, a synchronised beacon chain is gradually being implemented in the bottom 30kHz.  This proposal, which was ratified in Region 1 at the Sun City conference in 2012, allocates a 10kHz slot to each of the three Regions within which the beacon chain operates.  Each beacon comprises both an analogue and a digital component.
Operating Like most bands, where you operate in the band is largely dictated by the mode you are using. If you are transmitting SSB it will generally mean you will be somewhere between 50.125 and 50.300. You may occasionally hear stations operating down as far as 50.100 using SSB but, by general agreement, the area between 50.100 and 50.125 tends to be used for intercontinental, and preferably long haul, DX working. There are a few contests that include the 6m band. You will notice that contest stations using SSB do not operate below 50.130MHz in order to preserve the DX portion of the band. As with most other bands, CW may be used anywhere that SSB can plus an additional 20kHz at the low end ie. from 50.080 to 50.300MHz. In practice, most CW operation takes place between 50.080 and 50.100 MHz. Again, during periods of high activity and especially if the band is open to long haul DX, some activity may be heard below 50.080MHz although it is very rare for activity to take place below 50.070MHz. The 6m band supports many other modes of transmission and we would encourage new users to study the current band-plan to gain a better appreciation of what is happening where.
 
Along with several other international groups UKSMG recommend adherence to the 6m Code of Practice. It contains useful and practical operating tips. The Code of Practice may be found on our website by following the link at the bottom of each page.
The DX Calling Frequency 50.110 MHz is probably the most monitored frequency in the entire amateur bands allocation. This is the intercontinental DX calling frequency, and is where the first signals during an opening are likely to be heard. DX operators will often make their first calls on 50.110 MHz so it makes sense to think carefully before calling CQ here. The very variable footprint of most forms of propagation will mean that a station just a few miles from you may be hearing stations below your noise floor; a few minutes later the situation could well be reversed! Responding to a DX call here is a different matter and you may well find yourself one of many callers. Once contact is established on 50.110 stations are encouraged to QSY elsewhere leaving the calling frequency free.
 
There is a good article on how to handle pile-ups and the use of 50.110 here. It may be over twenty years old but is just as relevant today as it was then.