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<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>De:</B>
ct-comunicacoes-e-tecnologias@googlegroups.com
[mailto:ct-comunicacoes-e-tecnologias@googlegroups.com] <B>Em nome de
</B>Antonio Matias<BR><B>Enviada:</B> quarta-feira, 11 de Maio de 2011
15:09<BR><B>Para:</B>
ct-comunicacoes-e-tecnologias@googlegroups.com<BR><B>Assunto:</B> [CT-Com. &
Tec.] Manuel dos 6m para iniciantes.<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>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 minima 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,
the winter months.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/noise.ra"><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></A><I>You had better get used to listening to a lot of this
if you want to work 6m DX!</I></FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>The proximity of the six metre band to the HF Bands however is what makes
the band totally different from it's higher frequency neighbours. During periods
of high sunspot activity, the MUF can rise up to and beyond 50 MHz allowing some
really spectacular propagation to take place.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>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 six metres
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.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>In the UK, the Six Metre band is notionally split into two halves. 50 to
51 MHz is allocated on a primary basis and 51 to 52MHz is a secondary
allocation. In recent years, with encouragement from the UK Six Metre Group,
several significant changes have been made to the licence schedule. These have
effectively put Six Metres on a par with the HF bands in the UK.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>For most people a large portion of the band remains unexplored territory,
being given over to the more esoteric modes such as meteor scatter. FM is well
catered for, however activity tends to be in small pockets around the country.
Several FM repeaters are now well established and will no doubt increase
interest in FM activity.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Most SSB and CW operation takes place in the lower 250KHz portion of the
band. From 50 MHz up to around 50.08 Mhz the band is populated by various
beacons. Around 150 beacons are operational world-wide at present and more are
planned. 50.08 to 50.110 is the center of CW activity although, in common with
the other bands, CW can be used in the SSB portion also.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><B>50.110 MHz</B> 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. Weak DX signals will generally make their first calls on 50.110 MHz; it
is for this reason that general operation on or near this frequency is
positively discouraged. The UK has one of the highest concentrations of six
metre activity in the world, most of whom are listening on or close to 50.110;
bear this in mind before calling on this frequency. 50.2 MHz is the local
calling frequency although it is rarely used as such. This frequency is the
lower limit of the French allocation. Generally local QSO's take place normally
within about 30 KHz of 50.2, but should not take place below about 50.15
MHz.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Prior to 1990, very few European countries had access to six metres; the
situation has changed radically since then. Almost every European country now
has an allocation in the band, and most have numerous keen operators. The
exceptions to this are Hungary and Monaco although pressure is being gently
applied to both of these countries and we are hopeful for some activity in the
near future.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Crossband activity to ten metres still takes place, but to a much lesser
extent than before. The ten metre band centre of activity for both crossband and
talkback remains 28.885 MHz</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Whilst on the subject of ten metres, 28.885 MHz is the focal point for
all six metre DX activity. By monitoring this frequency during an opening, you
will receive up to date information available about who is working what, where
and when. Those of you thinking about operating on six might like to monitor
this frequency as it will give you some idea of what to expect. Another useful
tool is the DX Cluster. This can be accessed via the usual two metre or
seventy centimetre packet frequencies or via the internet. For internet
users, my advice is to use the UKSMG�s pages at <A
href="http://www.uksmg.org/coming_home.htm">http://www.uksmg.org/coming_home.htm</A>.
Here you will find the last 100 DX spots for 50MHz from the OH2AQ cluster,
an announcement page carrying requests for information and details of
forthcoming expeditions etc. and the �Magic Band Live� discussion area.
Keen 50 MHz DXers may wish to set this as their internet browser home
page.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>There are several propagation modes that you are likely to experience on
six metres and we will deal with these one by one:</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><B>Tropospheric propagation</B> or Tropo, is similar to that you
will experience on two metres. Power for power the ranges are much the same and,
as with two metres, this is the predominant mode of propagation.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><B>Extended Tropo</B> or tropospheric ducting occurs very much less
often than on two metres, in addition signals tend to be weaker and ranges not
as great. This is about the only mode that two metres has the edge over
six.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><B>Sporadic E </B>on six metres, popularly referred to as Es is
ideal for those of you who operate QRP or with small or badly sited aerial
systems and, come to think of it, small AND badly sited aerial systems. Whereas
two metres will support Es perhaps a dozen times a year for maybe two hours at
best, six metres seems to be one long Es opening during the summer. Even if the
band appears to be quiet during these periods, there is usually a sporadic E
opening to somewhere in Europe. Double hop Sporadic E is not unusual, allowing
all of Europe and the near east coast USA to be worked on occasions. Multi - hop
Sporadic E, that is three or more hops, is less common but allows fairly long
haul contacts; for example to the USA or into central Africa. Stations
with low power and small antenna systems often take advantage of Sporadic E and
many successful contacts into Europe and on occasions the USA have been made
running less than one watt to a wire dipole in the loft.</FONT></P>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Single Hop Sporadic-E</FONT></H3>
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/video.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=center><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to the video carriers
covering 6m when sporadic-E exists in Europe</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/gm.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=center><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to the strength of
short-skip signals from GM in the south of England (there was Es on 2m at
the time)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/oh1mdr.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=center><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to the strength of
single-hop sporadic-E signals (Finland to the
UK)</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Es Backscatter</FONT></H3>
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/backs.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=center><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to strong sporadic-E
backscatter between two stations several hundred miles apart both beaming
240.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/on4.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD vAlign=center><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen the strong backscatter
from ON4 calling the USA</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Double-hop From the USA to the UK</FONT></H3>
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/kp4.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to KP4 as heard in July 1996 in the
UK</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/w2cap.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to W2CAP as heard in the
UK</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><B>Meteor scatter </B>for those of you not familiar with it is the
act of reflecting your signals off the brief ionised trail left by a falling
meteor. These can last for up to a minute or more on rare occasions, but more
usually for fractions of a second. The operating practice, ranges achieved etc.
are the same as for two metres.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/ev.ra"><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></A>Listen to the strong signal from EV5A on meteor scatter
using very fast cw.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><IMG height=127
alt="For aurora info go to http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/" hspace=2
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/page07.gif" width=169 align=right
NOSEND="1"><B>Aurora Borealis</B> or the Northern Lights is capable of
reflecting signals from the HF bands through to seventy centimetres. Six metre
aurora tends to differ from two in that the distortion of the received signal is
usually less, making copy that much easier. Interestingly, if the aurora is
strong enough sporadic-E develops which is known as Auroral-Es.</FONT></P>
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/auroras.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to the distinctive tone of a strong
auroral signal as recorded in Finland.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/oy.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Listen to the clear tone of OY9JD on
auroral-Es in Finland.</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P
style="FONT-SIZE: medium; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"
align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=1>Photo credit: </FONT><A
href="http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/"><FONT face=Verdana
size=1>http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/</FONT><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><BR></FONT></A></P>
<P
style="FONT-SIZE: medium; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"
align=left><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Trans Equatorial Propagation or TEP, is
peculiar to six and two metres only. This mode allows contacts to be made over
paths several thousand miles in length between stations on either side of the
equator. The mode is much more common for those stations located in a band
around the tropics however, fifty Megahertz will produce TEP propagation,
particularly around the months of March and October, as far north as the UK. To
date no TEP contacts have been made on two metres from the UK.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/zs3e.ra"><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left border=0
NOSEND="1"></A>Listen to ZS3E on TEP in May 1989. It was fantastic back then to
think we could work Africa on 6m!</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>F2. This is the most common long distance propagation mode at HF and can
be the cause of some tremendous DX on six metres. F2 openings are the ones that
everyone looks for although the one watt to a dipole station is likely to feel a
little frustrated. A dipole will probably allow the DX to be heard, but on
most occasions signals are likely to be a little weaker than those from sporadic
E, and the competition much greater. A well sited station with one watt
may well be able to work some of the choice DX courtesy of F2, but don't count
on it. The sort of DX that you may hear via F2 covers most of the world. The
only continent not yet worked from the UK is Antarctica although this is due
largely to activity rather than the difficulty of the path.</FONT></P>
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/kg6dx.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Click the button to hear how amazingly
strong KG6DX in Guam was in Europe via F2 in March 1991.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/jh6cyw.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Click the button to hear JH6CYW on CW in
Europe in February 1992.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/du.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=middle
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>How it is possible to get a callsign
(KE0SC/DU) when there is s9 video on the band?</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=left><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/vk8gf.ra"><FONT
face=Verdana size=2><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left
border=0 NOSEND="1"></FONT></A></TD>
<TD><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Many will remember well the thrill and
excitement and the complete utter panic when we first heard Australia in
(VK8GF) Europe in May 1989.and of all places Alice
Springs!</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>One fairly common form of communication on six metres has been left off
the list, and that is Backscatter. This is caused by a small portion of the
radiated signal being reflected or scattered back in the direction of the
originating station from the F2 layer or a sporadic E cloud. Those of you who
listen to the HF bands will no doubt already be familiar with backscatter.
Signals tend to be weak and watery, but are usually quite readable; by making
use of this, it is possible to work those rare squares in the UK that always
seemed to elude you, and occasionally some of our near European
neighbours.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>As with the other bands, hearing and working the DX can be put down to
being in the right place at the right time. It is possible to minimise the risk
of missing the best openings however by keeping an eye on some basic solar
parameters which will give a good indication of the likelyhood of an opening,
and even the likely direction from which the DX will be best.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>These parameters are the Solar Flux, the A and the K indices. The
relative values of these are the best guide to conditions short of permanently
monitoring the band. For a more detailed explanation of these see the RSGB
Callbook or Handbook; however, here are a few typical examples:</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>During periods of high solar activity, the Solar Flux will typically be
in the two to three hundred region, sometimes greater. Good conditions are
generally, but not always, associated with a high solar flux and a low A index.
That is a flux above say 180 units and an A index below 8 units. The K index
tends to give an indication of the direction of propagation. A low K, say 2 or
lower, East West, a high K North South. For example, during the winter months a
Flux of 250 combined with an A index of 4 and a K index of 1 indicates a
likelyhood of an East West opening. Expect some activity from the Caribbean
either side of lunchtime, giving way to the USA during the afternoon. A Flux of
200 with an A index of 7 and a K of 6 would indicate a North South path with say
the ZS's coming in at around 1030. Openings to West Africa would be a good bet
shortly after lunch. Remember that these figures apply during the sunspot
maximum periods only.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Incidentally a high A index, say 30 upwards, would indicate the
possibility of an aurora. The higher the figure, the more likely an aurora will
take place. The famous aurora of the 13 March 1988 had an A index which peaked
175 units.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>The figures associated with these parameters, although dated, are given
each Sunday in the RSGB news. More up to date information is provided several
times a day by the Standard frequency service transmitter WWV which is located
in the USA. It can be heard on 10, 15 and 20 MHz in this country. Up to
the minute reports can be gained from various internet sites. Nothing of
course is guaranteed. These figures are a guide only, the unexpected is liable
to happen at almost any time and is one of the reasons why operation on six
metres is so appealing.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Another method of predicting an opening, is to actually monitor the MUF
as it moves higher in frequency. This can be achieved by listening to the 20 MHz
portion between 30 and 50 MHz. This part of the spectrum is populated by a wide
range of services all over the world. These include American utilities, for
example emergency services, water and electricity companies, Russian radio
telephone services etc etc. Most of these operate using FM. In addition various
parts of the world still operate a Band 1 television service which is partly in
this range; these can be identified as a sort of buzzing noise on the video
frequency, to straightforward FM or AM voice on the audio frequency. By knowing
what these are and where to find them, a good idea of the range and direction of
an opening can be achieved. To give you an example, advance notice of an opening
to the Caribbean was gained by monitoring the Jamaican Fire Service frequency
just below 50 MHz. The equipment needed to monitor these frequencies can be
anything from a general coverage receiver, to a converter ahead of your HF or
indeed two metre rig. It is more usual though to use one of the many scanning
receivers on the market. These are ideal for this purpose and are well worth the
investment for the serious Six Metre DXer.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Until a few years ago, little commercial equipment had been available in
the UK for use on six metres. The equipment that did exist was either imported
from the USA or homebuilt. The release of six metres here has prompted most
dealers to stock equipment for the band. For those of you with the cash, several
commercial rigs either dedicated to six metres or multiband are now
available.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><BR>Alternatively, something second-hand or homebrew is the answer.
Equipment can cost from in excess of �1000 to less than �80; the cheap end of
the market is taken by the homebuilt transverter; the two most popular being the
G3WPO version marketed by Cirkit, and the Practical Wireless PW Meon. The Cirkit
transverter needs a 28MHz transceiver to drive it, whereas the Meon can be
configured for either a 28 or 144MHz IF. Both transverters provide between one
half and one watt output, but even this power level is capable of working DX
particularly by Sporadic E. The addition of an amplifier is a simple matter, so
a complete transverter with a 25 watt PA can be built for around
�100.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>The transverter option may be the cheapest, but it does not mean that you
will have to sacrifice anything in the way of performance. A well constructed
and aligned transverter will hold it's own against any of it's more expensive
counterparts.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Aerials for six come in various shapes and sizes. Since vertical
polarisation has been allowed, a number of single and multi-band aerials
including six metres have come on to the UK market. As all DX operation is
achieved by reflection or refraction, then the problems of cross-polarisation
common on two metres don't occur, in other words there is no way to tell what
polarisation the received signal will have anyway so why worry. Typical aerial
systems range from a wire dipole in the loft, to a five or six element beam
outdoors. What you choose to use will of course depend upon your individual
circumstances, but remember that useful results can be achieved with almost any
system that resonates in the band.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>A good performer at low cost is the HB9CV antenna for six, which is a
light and fairly unobtrusive 2 element beam available at low cost. This is a
considerable improvement over the simple wire dipole, and is also ideal for
portable use. Remember that a high gain aerial will improve your reception
capability, so it is better to run lower power to a larger antenna to improve
the stations all-round performance rather than high power to, say a
vertical.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>May we remind you at this stage that the six metre band is now available
to Novice Licencees. Even with the Novice power restrictions, it is possible to
work all of the DX mentioned earlier.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Finally, any discussion about Six Metres would not be complete without
mentioning the UK Six Metre Group. Formed in the early 1980s, the group is
dedicated to promoting six metres internationally. It has an extensive beacon
programme and has provided many of the beacons currently operating throughout
the world. The group also sponsors Europe's premier six metre contest and has a
comprehensive awards programme. A quarterly newsletter provides extensive news,
reviews and technical data connected to six metres; it is professionally
produced and carries articles by most of the worlds leading six metre
operators.</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2><A href="http://uksmg.org/content/audio/vk8gf.ra"><IMG height=32
alt="Click here to listen to the recording"
src="http://uksmg.org/content/images/speaker1.gif" width=30 align=left border=0
NOSEND="1"></A>Click the button to hear Hong Kong's VS6SIX beacon in Europe as
heard in February 1992, soon we were all working VS6WV - if you could hear him
underneath the video!</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT face=Verdana
size=2>Now that you have read this and seen what the 'magic' band is about why
not join the <A
href="http://www.uksmg.org/applic.htm">UKSMG</A>?</FONT></P>
<P style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><I><FONT
face=Verdana size=2>We would like to thank Henk-PA2HJS, Frank-PA3BFM, and
Ari-OH9NYW for their audio recordings.</FONT></I></P><BR>-- <BR>António Matias
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>CT1FFU - CR5A </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.dxpatrol.com"
target=_blank>www.dxpatrol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>QRV: HF, 6m, 4m,2m,70cm,23cm</DIV>
<DIV>SSB, CW, MGM</DIV>
<DIV>DX, EME, Contest,Sat.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><BR>
<P></P>-- <BR>Para mais informações/opções visite o site, e edite a sua
conta:<BR><A
href="http://groups.google.com/group/ct-comunicacoes-e-tecnologias?hl=en?hl=pt-PT">http://groups.google.com/group/ct-comunicacoes-e-tecnologias?hl=en?hl=pt-PT</A><BR></BODY></HTML>