Why am I active on the 6m band?. Well, many may find this an interesting question.
The 6m band lies in the spectrum in between the HF (or short wave) bands and the higher VHF bands,
in an area of spectrum which is affected by some ionospheric types of propagation, and by propagation
modes usually observed on the VHF and above bands.
The propagation of the radio spectrum at VHF and above tends to be more line-of-sight,
hence its use for television and FM radio broadcasting, as well as land mobile radio communications,
services that operate within a defined coverage area.
Spectrum at VHF frequencies and above does tend to be propagated by mainly atmospheric conditions,
such as large areas of stable, warm air, as found in more intense anticyclones, thunder storms,
and fronts where there is a large temperature change from one side to the other, and ducts.
Ducts appear to form above jet stream air currents in the layers of the troposphere, at altitudes
around 10 to 15km.
Six metres for me, represents an challenge, just as much as it is luck, that makes contacts happen.
The challenge of making a contact to some other country that may be common on the HF bands,
the challenge of having the conditions on your side at any given time, and the luck of being there
at the right time when the conditions are right.
The six metre band can be very unpredictable at times, and there is also a number of sources of interference,
which can make hearing that distant station that bit more difficult.
The Six Metre Band In New Zealand.
Operating on the six metre band in New Zealand is much harder than operating on any other Amateur band
because of the restrictions brought about by the use of television channel 1, which is very widely
used throughout New Zealand.
The spectrum occupied by television channel 1 in New Zealand is the band from 44.0 to 51.35 MHz,
assuming that NICAM sound is transmitted.
Restrictions are often in place on our licences if we wish to use the band 50.0 to 51.35 MHz, if we
are located within 50km of an area served by channel 1 TV, or of an area served by a translator whose
input is on channel 1.
If we are within this 50km zone, then testing is often undertaken by the New Zealand Spectrum Management
division, in order to establish whether we are likely to cause any interference to viewers within a channel 1
coverage area.
Assuming no interference is caused when running full transmitter power, then a permit may be approved with
full power, otherwise power restrictions may be a condition of any permit granted.
In my case, I live approximately 6 or 7 km from the "edge" of an area covered by a channel 1 TV transmitter,
so when the testing was done on my station, some quite severe power restrictions have been inposed on my
station in some directions.
When I did the testing for a permit from my location, interference was caused, and the description of the
severity was simply "that it was obvious that I was transmitting on that frequency"!
I am running horizontal polarisation, the same as the TV service on channel 1, here in Auckland.
The Band 50 to 54 MHz in New Zealand.
The bandplan for the band 50.0 to 54.0 MHz in New Zealand is:
50.000 to 51.350 MHz: Television Channel 1.
50.000 to 50.080 MHz: International Beacon segment.
50.080 to 50.105 MHz: CW.
50.105 to 50.150 MHz: International DX window. (International calling 50.110 MHz SSB).
50.150 to 52.000 MHz: Narrow modes, SSB, CW, Narrow digital, SSTV etc.
50.750 nominal MHz: Channel 1 FM Sound carrier.
51.100 centre MHz: Channel 1 Nicam digital Sound (510 kHz bandwidth).
52.000 to 52.600 MHz: FM and digital up to 16 kHz bandwidth.
52.600 to 53.000 MHz: FM Repeater Inputs.
53.000 to 54.000 MHz: Not part of the Amateur band, Ministry of Defence spectrum.
53.600 to 54.000 MHz: FM repeater outputs (Individually licenced, outside Amateur band).
Channel 1 TV in New Zealand.
Television channel 1 operates in New Zealand as a primary broadcast service, that is, it has first
priority over the spectrum from 44 to 51.35 MHz. We, as amateurs, operate as a secondary service
in the band 50.0 to 51.35 MHz, that is, we may operate as long as no interference is caused to the reception
of channel 1 TV within its coverage area.
Channel 1 frequencies are:
Vision: 45.2500 MHz.
Audio: 50.7496 MHz (FM sound).
NICAM: 51.1000 MHz centre frequency.
Who Can You Contact On Six Metres?.
You can make contacts to any other licenced Amateur operator anywhere on the 6m band, of course, this
depends on whether or not the conditions at the time allow long distance contacts or not.
I have made many local contacts, both around the Auckland area, and around New Zealand, but I have also
made many international contacts on the 6m band.
Besides the local contacts, I have had contacts to the following countries:
I have heard stations from many other countries, from South America, Middle America, India and Pacific regoins.
I am also involved in the establishment of a new 6m beacon here in Auckland, ZL1VHF, operating on
50.0433 MHz. ZL1VHF is currently operating on test from East Auckland, before installation at its final
site, at Whitford, approximately 30km south east from the Auckland city centre.
Try These other 6m related links: