The 6 Meter Discussion Forum

[W0ZW]

OK, it's not really an operating "activity", but I didn't know where else to put it! 

There seems to be a resurgence in 6 meter activity in Ruidoso and Lincoln County (thanks in large part to K5RIC and KE5MWM).  With lots of new 6 meter operators (including myself) I thought a discussion topic dedicated specifically to this band would be appropriate. 

Ask technical questions, set up schedules and nets, or brag about your latest 6 meter DX!  Enjoy this new topic...

73,
Wayne, WØZW

[Rick k5ric]

Amateur Radio Club (ARC) – Six Meter Project. 

The ARC is a loosely nit group of Radio Amateurs that currently is working on some projects to support Lincoln county ARES/RACES projects and to promote FM Six meter activity in South Central New Mexico. 

A number of old utility low band (48 MHz) radios became available recently to this group and they decided to convert these units to the six meter Amateur band. 

This required some work to find the exact procedures needed to make these units work the complete six meter band, (50 to 54 MHz.)  The transmitter conversion was simple and only required a slight change to insure the unit would transmit the frequency range.  Also a patch was required to modify the original programming software to allow the increased frequency coverage.  But the receiver would not cover the increased frequency coverage without some modifications to the receiver VCXO and the receiver RF front end stages.  Our goal was for the unit to meet the original Motorola Specifications for the Transmitter and for the Receiver.  After some careful testing and developing a procedure to re-align the Receiver we were able to meet full factory specifications and increase the frequency coverage for this unit to 54 MHz on both transmit and receive. 

We also researched and created a list of all known six meter Amateur Radio repeaters in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.  From this list we added two more simplex channels to be programmed into each radio.  These simplex channels are 52.525 MHz, National Emergency Calling (and wilderness protocol) frequency and a secondary popular simplex channel of 52.400 MHz.   This list is attached and also is available in MS Excel format. 

To promote six meter activity in Lincoln County, a number of these radios were donated to members of the Sierra Blanca amateur radio club (SBARC,) as long as they would make use of the radios and either install them in a vehicle or fixed station and put them on the air.  The remaining units will be sold to other Amateurs outside Lincoln County to promote six meter activity in other areas.  We hope that anyone who decides to not continue using these units will either return them to be giving to others that may use them or some other process to encourage six meter activity in Lincoln County / New Mexico.  As of this time all the donated units for the SBARC members are being issued to those who asked for them. 

The remaining units will be sold to Amateurs and the proceeds will be used to continue building and operating the KE5MWK / KE5MWM Mobile Command Center (MCC) that is used to support Lincoln county ARES/RACES and SBARC activities in South Central New Mexico. 
 

The details of these radios are as follows: 

Make         Motorola
Model         Maratrac
Channels (Modes)   99    Maximum
Transmit Power   110    watts
Receiver Sens.      .30   volts    with Extender module
Power         12 VDC  @ 30 Amps Maximum
Frequency Tolerance   .0005 %  (+- 250 Hz) Receiver and Transmitter
Modulation       +- 5.0 KHz Voice
Scan Memory      15 Channels with plus a Priority Channel (programmable by user)

These radios may not be returned to commercial service, they may only be used for Amateur Radio Service or MARS service. 

Each radio has been fully checked, verified and re-aligned to receive and transmit to 53.995 MHz.  They are programmed with 67channels and are tuned and tested to meet the original factory specifications for the radio.   

They are complete unless noted below or on a tag on the unit they have an existing 48 MHz antenna, but do not have the NMO mount/cable.  The antenna rod is too long and must be re-cut to 52 MHz after installation.  You may need additional wire, screws, mounting brackets and fuse holders to complete your installation of these units.  Most units have the Advanced Control head, control cable, speaker, mike and rear mount radio unit.  An installation wiring diagram, frequency list and a Motorola 2135 key (if needed) are a part of the package.  Additional channels (modes up to 99) may be added to the programming of the unit if desired. 

The sale price for these units at the Roswell Tail Gate is $120.00 each. 

The programming and re-alignment of these units was done by Grey KE5MWK and Rick K5RIC. 

More for Less: 

We have a number of older Motorola Mitrik, crystal controlled 6 meter units in the 50 to 100 watt class with some control cables available for those who want to set up a 1 to 4 channel 6 meter radio on their own, these include a set of 48 MHz receive and transmit crystals that may be used to hold new crystals.  These units are very inexpensive and are great where one only needs a few channels, such as a remote base radio or two units for a repeater.  We will check out these units to meet factory specifications on their 48 MHz channel prior to sale. 

These are available for $20.00 each.
 

CH   Use   RX   TX   CALL   Description   Tone   Sponsor
1   NATIONAL SIMPLEX   52.5250   52.5250           100.0   
2   ALT SIMPLEX   52.4000   52.4000           100.0   
3   Abilene   52.6500   51.6500   N5TEQ   o 88.5   88.5   CPARC
4   Abilene   53.0300   52.0300   NZ5V   o 167.9   167.9   
5   Alamogordo   53.4100   52.4100   KA5BYL   oa 100   100.0   KA5BYL
6   Albuquerque   51.7000   51.2000   WB5IUZ   olx 156.7   156.7   WB5IUZ
7   Amarillo   52.6500   51.6500   N5LUL   o 127.3   127.3   
8   Austin   52.6500   51.6500   W5FUA   oaez/5       
9   Austin   53.6700   52.6700   WB5PCV   o       
10   Beaumont   53.0500   52.0500   NC5V   o 141.3   141.3   
11   Beeville   53.6500   52.6500   KD5PXB   o 107.2   107.2   KD5PXB/K5G
12   Bethany   53.0100   52.0100   KD5AHH   o       Bojive Rad
13   Broken Bow   53.0300   51.3300   KD5YQ   o(CA) 94.8/94.8   94.8   McCurtain County ARC
14   Canon City   53.0300   52.0300   WB0WDF   oe       WB0WDF
15   Cedar Hill   53.1100   52.1100   W5AHN   o 107.2   107.2   
16   Channelview   53.1100   52.1100   WA5SIX   o 141.3   141.3   
17   Converse   53.2500   52.2500   KB5MXO       186.2   SCTA
18   Converse   53.2500   52.2500   KB5MXO   o 141.3       SCTA
19   Cut-N-Shoot   52.3900   51.3900   W5WP   oe 103.5   103.5   
20   Dallas   53.3500   52.3500   WA5YST   o       
21   Dallas   53.6300   52.6300   WA5EHA   o       
22   Denver   53.0500   52.0500   W0CRA   oex 107.2/107.2   107.2   CRA
23   Denver   53.0900   52.0900   W0TX   oet       
24   Denver   53.1100   51.4100   N0PYY   ot       DenPDEEB
25   Edge   52.5500   51.5500   K5ENL   o 127.3   127.3   POOR BOYS
26   El Paso   53.4500   52.4500   AA5AP   cer       EPACS
27   El Paso   53.5500   52.5500   K5WPH   ol       SCARC
28   Elmendorf   53.0900   52.0900   W5ROS   c       ROOST
29   Farmersville   53.0500   52.0500   KD5TEX   c       
30   Farmington   53.0100   52.0100   KB5ITS   o 131.8   131.8   KB5ITS
31   Farmington   53.8500   52.8500   NO3Y   o       NO3Y
32   Fort Worth   52.6500   51.6500   N5HKA   o 110.9   110.9   
33   Fort Worth   53.1500   52.1500   K5SXK   o 110.9   110.9   
34   Georgetown   53.0500   52.0500   K5AB   o 110.9   110.9   
35   Houston   52.2500   51.2500   K5WH   ol 103.5   103.5   COMPAQ ARC
36   Houston   52.6500   51.6500   N5TZ   o 156.7   156.7   
37   Houston   53.0500   52.0500   WB5UGT   o       SALT GRASS
38   Idaho Springs   53.1500   51.4500   N0PYY   ox 107.2   107.2   DenPDEEB
39   La Cueva   53.2000   52.2000   N9PGQ   oe 107.2   107.2   N9PGQ
40   Longview   53.4100   52.4100   N5REO   o       
41   Lufkin   53.7100   52.7100   KD5TD   o 100.0   100   
42   Midland   53.1100   52.1100   WB5RCD   o(CA)lEXPx       WTX220ASN
43   Mt Union   52.5600   52.0600   N7NGM   o 100   100.0   N7NGM
CH   Use   RX   TX   CALL   Description   Tone   Sponsor
44   Murphy   53.0300   52.0300   N5ROY   o       
45   Oklahoma City   53.0500   52.0500   KB5XM   o 141.3/141.3   141.3   KB5XM
46   Oklahoma City   53.0900   53.1900   KC5XLT   o   0.0   KC5XLT
47   Oklahoma City   53.3300   51.6300   KC5BRO   o   0.0   KC5BRO
48   Overton   53.1500   52.1500   N5VGQ   oWX       
49   Plano   53.6100   52.6100   N5TVN   oWX       
50   Prescott   53.0400   52.0400   WB7BYV   oal 100   100.0   WB7BYV
52   Rosehill   53.2700   52.2700   K5SOH   oa 123.0   123.0   ALERT-HOU
53   Roswell   52.9400   52.4400   W5GNB   o   162.2   
54   Saltillo   53.0100   52.0100   N5TAG   oa 123.0   123.0   
55   San Angelo   53.6300   52.6300   N5SVK   ol 88.5   88.5   
56   San Antonio   53.1300   52.1300   K5SUZ   e       SARO
57   San Antonio   53.1700   52.1700   WA5KBQ   o       
58   Sky Harbor   53.0100   52.0100   WB7QGJ   o 136.5   136.5   WB7QGJ
59   Tarzan   52.6500   51.6500   K5MSO   o 123.0   123   MIDLAND SO
60   Tempe   53.2100   52.2100   W7MOT   ol       W7MOT
61   Tucson   53.2400   52.2400   KG7KV   o(CA)l 162.2   162.2   KG7KV
62   Tulsa   53.1500   51.4500   W5IAS   oE-WIND 88.5/88.5   88.5   Tulsa ARC
63   Vail   53.0800   52.0800   K7LHR   o 136.5   136.5   K7LHR
64   Victoria   53.0700   52.0700   WD5IEH   oel 103.5   103.5   
65   Victoria   53.3700   52.3700   KC5WUA   o 103.5   103.5   
66   Wichita Falls   53.2900   52.2900   WB2NQV   olWXt       
67   NATIONAL SIMPLEX   52.5250   52.5250           100.0   
68   LC Calling   52.3000   52.3000           192.8    Encode / Decode

Operation:

DIR      Direct channel on any repeater output
MPL      Multiple Private Line (CTCSS)
      C 1   100.0 Hz tone Encode
      C 2   100.0 Hz tone Encode / Decode
      C 3   162.2 Hz tone Encode / Decode
      C4   123.0 Hz tone Encode / Decode
SCAN      Scan On Off / Program Priority and Scan Channels
Mon      Monitor PL and Open Squelch
Mode       Mode Up / Down (Channel Up Down)
Vol      Receiver Audio Up / Down
Sel      Select
Home      Home Channel (1 - 52.525 National Calling/ Emerg.)
H/L      Horn / Light (if wired up)
Rcl      Recall
DIM      Dim Control head lights
Squelch      Fine Noise Squelch adjust

On Off    Power control bottom right hand corner Main Power

[ke5mwm]

If you have aleady recieved one of these radios and have only 66 channels please coordinate with either myself or K5RIC for reprogramming, we have added several rather advanced features

please note the following changes:to channels 51-67(we missed channel 51 on the first list)

51   Rosehill                 53.2700   52.2700   K5SOH   oa 123.0   123.0   ALERT-HOU
52   Roswell                 52.9400   52.4400   W5GNB   o   162.2   
53   Saltillo                  53.0100   52.0100   N5TAG   oa 123.0   123.0   
54   San Angelo            53.6300   52.6300   N5SVK   ol 88.5   88.5   
55   San Antonio           53.1300   52.1300   K5SUZ   e       SARO
56   San Antonio           53.1700   52.1700   WA5KBQ   o       
57   Sky Harbor             53.0100   52.0100   WB7QGJ   o 136.5   136.5   WB7QGJ
59   Tarzan                  52.6500   51.6500   K5MSO   o 123.0   123   MIDLAND SO
60   Tempe                  53.2100   52.2100   W7MOT   ol       W7MOT
60   Tucson                 53.2400   52.2400   KG7KV   o(CA)l 162.2   162.2   KG7KV
61   Tulsa                    53.1500   51.4500   W5IAS   oE-WIND 88.5/88.5   88.5   Tulsa ARC
62   Vail                       53.0800   52.0800   K7LHR   o 136.5   136.5   K7LHR
63   Victoria                  53.0700   52.0700   WD5IEH   oel 103.5   103.5   
64   Victoria                  53.3700   52.3700   KC5WUA   o 103.5   103.5   
65   Wichita Falls           53.2900   52.2900   WB2NQV   olWXt       
66   NATIONAL SIMPLEX  52.5250   52.5250                 100.0   
67   LC Calling               52.3000   52.3000                  192.8    Encode / Decode

[ke5mwm]

6 meters is alive in more places than Lincoln county!
3 of the "ready to go" 6 meter rigs have already been sold in roswell with an order for another,
KE5IAY also purchased 4 of the mitreks to get tuned up and two more for a future 6m repeater.

The 6m 52.525 link with Gary's 444.550 repeater is capable of reaching into the Riverside area where our repeaters get weak.

Word comes from the far off land of El Paso of currently operational 6m repeater and future 6m crossband cabability.

Alamogordo has a very nice sounding repeater located near Dog Canyon than is accessible from around the Tularosa area all the way to the Orogrande divide, that may even have auto patch(nice for a fee call back up the hill if necessary)

Other 6 meter folks are out there, they have been warned and they'll be listening! have fun and enjoy, I know I have!

[w5stc]

Well, howdy from Midland.  Haven't been able to get up to the mountains do to wife's back surgery.  Hope to be there late June. 
Am quite interested in getting into 6 m.....putting up a beam, etc.  by the post it looks like most of the activity is on mobile repeaters around the southwest.  Is anybody running a beam and working DX etc.??  I don't want to buy a beam if things are pretty dead on this band in the Ruidoso area.

Are the mountains a help or hinderance??  Height-good, mountain block-bad???

Would appreciate any comments.

Thanks

Ron Schwisow
W5STC