- Check the DX packet clusters and the DX Telnet, numerous
6M spots are made there. But unlike HF, you may not be able to hear the
station reported due to the nature of the band. It is not uncommon for a
station a few hundred miles away to make a DX spot but you may have no
propagation and can’t hear the station. But the cluster can be a good source
of band openings. Spots from the other side of the country may have little
meaning, unless the spot reports propagation in the general vicinity of your
grid square. DX Packet Cluster and Telnet links are at URL: http://ac6v.com/dxcluster.htm
- Check the Beacon range
50.06-50.09, often one can hear a beacon but not hear any stations from that
locale, try a directive CQ and sometimes this will get a response. Six meter
operators can be scarce during the work week and a good deal of time from the
less populous states such as Wyoming and
Rhode Island. Weekends and contests usually have more activity from these
states. For International Beacons from 50.00 to 50.09 MHz
see URL: :http://ac6v.com/beacons.htm
- 28.885 MHz Liaison.
During the previous solar cycle, 6-meter operators around the world used
28.885 MHz as an information and liaison frequency. There was nothing like
getting reports on conditions first hand or making immediate arrangements with
specific stations to listen on 50 MHz. Even with the Internet, it is likely
that the 6-meter liaison frequency will still be useful, especially for
stations not yet wired into the Web and e-mail. On 28.885 MHz, call "CQ
6-meter activity Europe" (or some other specific geographic region) if you
like, or listen for DX stations seeking North Americans. Once you find someone
on 28.885 MHz, move up or down in 5 KHz steps to leave the liaison frequency
open for others. The 28.885 MHz liaison frequency is also a great place to
monitor, as a good deal of gossip, news and timely band reports get passed
here.
- If your local 2M repeater has several six meter hounds,
make a brief announcement of a six meter band opening. Or if this bothers the
2M crowd, set up a 2M simplex frequency for your local group.