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 the 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 have existed and do exist a number of stand-alone 6 Meter transcievers, although these have been relatively rare in recent years.

As transceivers 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

(Source: ARRL Band Plans)

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