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5 MHz Propagation Test May 2016

Thanks to all who participated in our May 5, 2016 Section wide HF Net propagation test. The aim of this test was to confirm if a Section net could be conducted on 60 meters. VOACAP Online predicts that both 60 meters and 75 meters are expected to support year-round NVIS propagation throughout our Sacramento Valley Section during our 0230 UTC Section net time. A 60 meter Section net frequency could offer the benefits of lower atmospheric noise (QRN), no adjacent channel interference, and more efficient antennas for those with space limitations.

Net control station KP4MD in Citrus Heights (CM98iq) consisted of a FlexRadio 3000 transceiver on 5330.5 kHz USB, an LDG Z-11 ProII tuner and a 140 foot square horizontal Loop SkyWire antenna at 20 feet height with an effective radiated power of 100 watts PEP. Ron Murdock, W6KJ in Yuba City assisted as relay station.

Compared to the April 14 propagation test, 60 meter propagation during this test was much improved with strong, mostly S9 signal strength from participating stations throughout the section.

Despite thunderstorm activity throughout the area, call signs, names, locations and signal reports were successfully passed among the 32 participating stations.

Conclusion: Section-wide communication was successfully established throughout the Sacramento Valley Section on 60 meters.

Participants and listeners may send comments and reception reports via e-mail to kp4md(at)arrl.org.

Thanks again to all who participated and contributed their feedback to this propagation test.

Carol Milazzo, KP4MD

ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager

60m Test 05 MAY 2016

Feedback

Budd here. T-storms here in Redding, but no rain, so I took a trike ride to check in to the net. Nice sigs!I love 60 Meters. And this band is awesome for this purpose. With my shortened antenna on the trike, I was able to hear methinks every check-in. It is almost an NVIS setup. I was not moving at the time, although I had to head back home at the end of the net, so when I made that last remark, I was pulling into my driveway at home.

Great job! Budd, W3FF, Redding, CA

Enjoyed listing tonight, unfortunately do not have 60 m transmit capability. Was reading you as 59+, most others were from 35 to 59+. Could hear a lot of chatter of others on the frequency.

KF6VFP Curtis and KI6CSN Marsha in Loma Rica, Marysville, CA

I'm not able to get on 60m (the Yaesu FT-847 rig says "error", don't know why), but heard that you wanted an email report if available.

I'm located in Auburn (CM98kx) and you were coming in at about S6. Very readable. Noise floor was about S3, and besides the occasional static crash, there was also some QRM from a couple of other stations in the background, just above the noise. Other net stations were everywhere from barely heard to over S9, depending on location.

73, and hope this helps, Greg, KO6TH, Auburn, CA

Some radios manufactured prior to 2003 may operate on 60 meters after modification. A modification for the Yaesu FT-847 is described on http://www.g1ivg.com/ft847.htm. Also see "How can I modify my transceiver to operate on these channels?" on http://www.arrl.org/60-meter-faq, the ARRL Technical Information Service report "Sixty Meter Operation with Modified Radios" and the AC6V Radio Modifications Website - KP4MD

Great net! Your signal was up and down from a low of 44 to a high of 59. Most of that was due to static crashes and QSB. When I switched from the NVIS antenna to the dipole, your signal dropped some, but your voice dropped way off. I heard almost all other stations very well except for Weed.

My setup for the test was an Icom 718 at 100 watts, LDG Z100+ tuner, Radio Oasis EZ NVIS antenna with a fiberglass center support. I normally use a 76-foot dipole at 24 feet up and oriented for E-W propagation.

Thanks for putting it all together.

73, Rob Vanderhyde, WW6BBB, Redding, CA

I was able to listen to the 60m test last night.- you had a great turn out! Lots of check-ins.

I have a vertical hf antenna, but it wouldn’t tune up. I also have a lot of noise here- about S8 - (lots of RF in room, so that doesn’t help either) I tried to check in but no luck.

Anyway, congratulations on a successful test!

Cheers! Greg, KG6SJT, Davis, CA

A low (1/8 to 1/4 wavelength above ground) horizontal antenna is the ideal antenna for NVIS propagation - KP4MD

60 Meter Shortened Antenna

I have been a big advocate locally of getting more hams set up for 60 meters, and I am happy to see that the Section is also interested in it too. I have tested 60 meters in the middle of the day, with a station in Redding, and found that it works very well. Please keep me informed of any 60 meter activities in the Sector.
One of the biggest issues I've found is a large number of those hams, that have a radio set up for 60 meters, don't have an antenna that's resonant on 60. I have plans (attached) for a 60 meter shortened dipole and I am making a few up now to give to hams who are willing to get up on the air for some testing.

Mike Kaliczak, N6NIX, Butte County Sheriff's Office, Captain, Communication Reserve, kaliczak@buttescr.org, www.buttescr.org

60 Meter Shortened Antenna

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