VHF Contacts - 6m (50MHz) band

I thought that I'd start a new topic for the magic band as it's starting to slowly pick up.

I only have a halo on the band and will have to do something about that at some point. 

With the chance of meteor enhanced Es about during the current Geminids meteor shower I had a listen on FT8.

So far today I have worked IV3BLQ at 1330 Km

Just given it a try but nothing at all my end.
310/313 or 323 ?? what are you on.

It's 50.313 Alan, not been near the radio for a few hours, but it is the season where Winter Es  can happen


Will give it a blast now for a short while.

Es has reached 50MHz today, weak signals here, but managed DL8DBU via FT8

Just worked CT2HXM who is a fair signal here (FT8)

Last one of the day IK3BNO 1260Km (FT8). Almost certainly all contacts today were meteor assisted Es as we are in the middle of the Quadrantids shower.

28MHz was starting to show signals from Scandinavia which is fairly unusual so I took a look at 50MHZ and managed to work SM3GSK and LA5LJA on FT8

This Thursday (and every second Thursday of the month) there is a 6 metre activity contest from 20:00 to 22:30. Not everyone likes contests, but it's hardly likely to be wall to wall on 50MHz. 

Chance of some good tropo too, although that may be better on Friday.

Out of the blue, this evening, 9A5X and 9A2DI for a new country using FT8

Nice Es opening this afternoon and nabbed EA1GCM for a new DXCC entity on FT8

Short opening to Italy just happened, IU5ICR @1300km worked on FT8

Brief opening to Germany and Poland today. Managed to work SP5AOZ for a new country using FT8.

Short opening, probably Es to Norway just now, with LB6D & LA4YGA worked - FT8 of course

9A2MW worked along with S52OR and E77D for two new countries on FT8 on this band, things are livening up.

Just worked 9A2DI (again) who is a very good signal, Es are about

My last post highlighted a problem all round. Mirko (9A2ID) and I just think there is a lack of activity on 50MHz, just think how many new countries etc could have been worked in those 50+ minutes where we heard each other at very good signal levels and we both heard nobody else. FOR NEARLY AN HOUR!

If you have a 50MHz capable radio, at least put up a dipole and listen from time to time and monitor on PSK reporter if something may be going down

Old post, I know. I wonder if the lack of posts in this 6m thread are for the reason posted by the last poster and that is that there is a lack of activity on there? I really have no idea as today was the first time I have used for anything more than a cursory listen. If anyone on here is an avid user of the band then do let know if it is worth trying more on.

I set up a slight variation of my temporary indoor bedroom antenna, THIS ONE, and with some bending about of the short leg got a good match on 6m. Using 10W on FT8 I worked EC7R, EA1FK, and HA7EG. Don't know if that's good or not, but as always being a new band to me the contacts made me happy.

I see propagation reports this evening show 50MHz and 70MHz E's, so I guess I caught a good time?

SangueG wrote:

Old post, I know. I wonder if the lack of posts in this 6m thread are for the reason posted by the last poster and that is that there is a lack of activity on there? I really have no idea as today was the first time I have used for anything more than a cursory listen. If anyone on here is an avid user of the band then do let know if it is worth trying more on.

I set up a slight variation of my temporary indoor bedroom antenna, THIS ONE, and with some bending about of the short leg got a good match on 6m. Using 10W on FT8 I worked EC7R, EA1FK, and HA7EG. Don't know if that's good or not, but as always being a new band to me the contacts made me happy.

I see propagation reports this evening show 50MHz and 70MHz E's, so I guess I caught a good time?

When the Es go they really go, no great station needed when it lands in your back garden.

Used to use 50megs going back a while.
Hundreds of sideband cards in my collection, mostly summer E's around Europe.
I don't bother with FT8 because I'm looking more for 70megs these days.

As usual I was having tea when yesterdays Es got going.
Gather there was some on 2metres to Spain, missed that but got in shack and
4metres was going quite well to Spain. Worked three, couple EA5s and one EA7.
Nothing new as I have most grids down there.