Gary, Here is a good read on 6 meter and VHF propagation in general. http://www.uksmg.org/content/sporade.htm Jim, K9YC, has given you some very good info already. I have been active on 6 meters for probably the last 20 years, and have not seen any drastic differences in propagation on 6 between sunspot highs and lows. Although the "prime" sporadic E time frame historically is spring and summer months, I have actually worked western EU in December on a couple of occasions. As I remember, that happened during this sunspot high during the first peak. My biggest antenna has been a 3 element at about 40'. I will admit, there was propagation in the past, during the first sunspot peak of this cycle, to JA land that guys around me in the Midwest were working that I could not even hear. Long boom antennas up high with power! As Jim mentioned, you are closer to the action from the east coast to EU. I saw many posts a few weeks ago of EU action on 6 meters from the NE states. Did not hear most of those signals here in the Chicago area. Put up a 3 element and give it a try! 73 Gene N9TF
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Smith" <[email protected]> To: "elecraft" <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2016 11:32:42 AM Subject: [Elecraft] OT - 6 meter DX activity in sunspot low I've made exactly five 6M contacts in the last 36 years, all of them a couple months ago during Field Day with my K3s. It piqued my interest as I have DXCC from 160 through 10 & this would offer a new challenge. I discovered DXEngineering has a 3 element, 6M add on that attaches to a tribander and gives decent gain. Considering my tribander is roof mounted on a ranch, I won't have a great antenna for 6 no matter how I slice it. Still, if there is something worthwhile I can do with 6M, I should. So my question is for those who have operated 6M for years and know how the band works during the lows of the sunspot cycle; is it like 17 & up where any DX openings are unobtanium, or does 6M behave differently at sunspot lows and DX openings are common? Thanks & 73, Gary KA1J ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
