The Magic band - first steps on 6 m

Motivation:

As a long-time user of the 10 m band, why not go up one band.
Propagation shall not be too bad from my location, especially during the Sporadic E season from May to October.

So let's give it a try:

Receiving:

For a first start, you do not necessarily require a transceiver that covers the 6 m band.
First steps my be taken using an RTLSDR stick and signal processing under e.g. SDR# on a dedicated PC.
The antenna may be a simple vertical whip on the balcony.

Quite soon you will notice that the 6 m band is by far more "spotty" than the 10 m band.
Skips may be focusing a smaller area, and the "window of opportunity" for a contact may last only for a few minutes.

So you should have your receiving setup running for at least several hours.
See details my low-power 24/7 WSPR receiving setup here.

Transmitting QRPp:

Frequency accuracy, as well as long-term-  and short-term-stability may get an issue in that frequency range.

My choice for a proper signal generator is the Ultimate 3S synthesizer, designed by Hans, GØUPL.
I have built-up the version with an oven-controlled quartz-oscillator and GPS reference.



It features a decent frequency accuracy and stability.
The "bare-foot" power output is 50 mW on 6 m.

I have considered setting up an amplifier.
But so far, I prefer to go "bare-foot", real QRPp.

On my location, a simple dipole in the attic serves as an antenna.

See below the spots I have received so far with 50 mW TX power::



Mileage highscore:
WSPR spotter my equivalent isotropically radiated power
 distance
 mileage in km per Watts EIRP
UYØLL
 50 mW
 2049 km
 40 980 km / W EIRP
OH7AZL
 50 mW 1983 km
 39 660 km / W EIRP
OH7LMQ
 50 mW
 1974 km
 39 480 km / W EIRP


So far I can confirm:
yes, the 6 m band is a Magic band !
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