6 meters
Encyclopedia : 6 : 6M : 6ME : 6 meters
6 Meters is a popular amateur radio band. It ranges from 50 to 54 MHz in the United States. The 6 Meter band is part of the VHF spectrum but exhibits some of the HF propagation mechanisms and because of this peculiar behavior it is sometimes called the Magic Band. The 6 Meter band is not as popular as 2 Meter band because of antenna size, legal issues, frequency and power restrictions. It is illegal to use in some countries because it is also a popular military communication band. In some nations, the frequency range occupied by the six-meter amateur radio band is used for television transmissions, although most countries have moved the channels to higher frequencies (see channel 1).
Over the past decade or so, the availability of transceivers that include the six-meter band has increased greatly. Most modern HF amateur radios now include the six-meter band, as do some handheld VHF/UHF transceivers. There exist and/or have existed a number of stand-alone 6 Meter transcievers, although these have been relatively rare in recent years.
As tranceivers have become more available for the Magic Band, 6 meters has been gaining popularity quickly. In many countries, including the United States, access to 6 meters is granted to even entry-level license holders. Those without access to the international "HF" or shortwave frequencies get their first taste of true long-distance communications on the 6 meter band, when conditions are available. Many of these operators develop a real affection for the challenge of the band, and often continue to devote much time to 6 meters, even when they gain access to the HF frequencies upon upgrading licensure.
Although the International Telecommunications Union does not allocate frequencies to amateurs in Europe, due to the decline of VHF television broadcasts and commercial pressure on the lower VHF spectrum, most European countries have a 6 meter amateur allocation. [A list showing the status of amateur radio allocation in the countries of ITU Region 1].
In United Kingdom, it is legal to use 6 meters between frequencies 50 to 52 MHz, with some limitations at some frequencies. In UK, 50 to 51 MHz is primary usage and the rest is secondary with power limitations. The detailed band plan for UK can be obtained from [RSGB Band plan documentation (PDF)].
Many organizations promote regular competitions in this frequency to promote its use and to familiarize operators to its quirks. For example RSGB [VHF Contest Committee] has [la number of contests on 6 meters] every year.
Because of its peculiarity, there are a number of 6 meters operator groups. These people monitor the status of the band between different paths and promote 6 meter operations.
Organizations
- [United Kingdom Six Metre Group]
- [6 Meter Group World Wide]
- [Six Meter International Radio Klub - SMIRK]
- [SIXITALIA]
Band Plans
IARU Region 1 50MHz Band Plan
(with the UKSMG's recommended change to the adoption of the term
"inter-regional" rather than "inter-continental")
50.000 - 50.100
CW only
50.020 - 50.080
Beacons
50.090
CW calling frequency
50.100 - 50.500
SSB and CW only
50.100 - 50.130
DX window
50.110
Inter-Region calling frequency
50.150
SSB centre of activity
50.185
Cross-band activity centre
50.200
MS reference frequency (CW and SSB)
50.500 - 51.000
All modes
50.500 - 50.700
Digital communications
50.510
SSTV
50.550
Fax
50.600
RTTY
50.710 - 50.910
FM repeater outputs (UK)
51.000 - 51.410
All modes
51.210
Emergency communications priority
51.210 - 51.410
FM repeater inputs (UK)
51.410 - 51.830
All modes
51.430 - 51.590
FM, 20kHz channel spacing
51.510
FM calling
51.830 - 52.000
All modes
51.940 - 52.000
Emergency communications priority
(Source: [VOLUNTARY OPERATING CODE OF PRACTICE for 6m operators UKSMG 16 February 2003])
IARU Region 2 Band Plan
| 50.0-50.1 | CW, beacons |
| 50.060-50.080 | beacon subband |
| 50.1-50.3 | SSB, CW |
| 50.1-50.125 | DX window |
| 50.125 | SSB calling |
| 50.3-50.6 | All modes |
| 50.4 | AM calling |
| 50.6-50.8 | Nonvoice communications |
| 50.62 | Digital (packet) calling |
| 50.8-51.0 | Radio remote control (20-kHz channels) |
| 51.0-51.1 | Pacific DX window |
| 51.12-51.48 | Repeater inputs (19 channels) |
| 51.12-51.18 | Digital repeater inputs |
| 51.62-51.98 | Repeater outputs (19 channels) |
| 51.62-51.68 | Digital repeater outputs |
| 52.0-52.48 | Repeater inputs (except as noted; 23 channels) |
| 52.02, 52.04 | FM simplex |
| 52.2 | TEST PAIR (input) |
| 52.5-52.98 | Repeater output (except as noted; 23 channels) |
| 52.525 | Primary FM simplex |
| 52.54 | Secondary FM simplex |
| 52.7 | TEST PAIR (output) |
| 53.0-53.48 | Repeater inputs (except as noted; 19 channels) |
| 53.0 | Remote base FM simplex |
| 53.02 | Simplex |
| 53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 53.4 | Radio remote control |
| 53.5-53.98 | Repeater outputs (except as noted; 19 channels) |
| 53.5, 53.6, 53.7, 53.8 | Radio remote control |
| 53.52, 53.9 | Simplex |
IARU Region 3 Band Plan
The Band Plan for IARU Region 3 may be found in their [Band Plan Document]Common uses of 6 meters
- AM Simplex (direct, radio-to-radio communications)
- FM Simplex (direct, radio-to-radio communications)
- FM repeater operation
- EME Moon Bounce
- Es Sporadic E
- Aurora Aurora Borialis Reflection
- WSJT Digital Modes
- Packet radio
- SSB voice operation
- Morse code (CW) operation
- DX
- Radio Control
| Very high frequency (VHF) and Ultra high frequency (UHF) Amateur radio bands for ITU Region 2 | ||||||
| VHF | UHF | |||||
| | | |||||
| 6 m | 2 m | 1.25 m | 70 cm | 33 cm | 23 cm | 13 cm |
| 50 MHz | 144 MHz | 219-220 MHz | 420 MHz | 902 MHz | 1.24 GHz | 2.3-2.31 GHz |
| 54 MHz | 148 MHz | 222-225 MHz | 450 MHz | 928 MHz | 1.3 GHz | 2.39-2.45 GHz
|
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