K7AGE Promotes Six Meters

K7AGE has recently posted three videos on his youtube site promoting six meter activity.

These videos came about from a QSO with a newly licensed ham that was interested in getting on six meters but was concerned about the lack of activity.

The upcoming ARRL VHF QSO Party and Field Day contests will bring out many operators and generates six meter activity. June is a good time to try out six meters thanks to the number of operators participating in the contests, and hopefully some sporadic E openings.

K7AGE’s first video, GET ON SIX METERS covers the basics of getting on six meters. Most new HF transceivers include six meters, so radios are not an issue. The next item you need is an antenna. Randy describes that a simple dipole antenna that you can build that will work on six meters. When the band opens, the simplest antenna will work. N3FJP’s contesting software is introduced as simple contest logging program for beginning contesters.

The next video, SIX METER DIPOLE, K7AGE explains the basics of a dipole antenna and shows an example of a dipole that he built with some aluminum tubing, acrylic, and hardware. The antenna dissembles for easy to transport to a portable operating location. Since posting the video, K7AGE has received email from future six meter operators that have built their own dipole antennas and have reported making their first six meter QSOs.

The third video GET ON SIX – CONTESTING explains the rules of the ARRL June VHF QSO party and demonstrates Scott’s, N3FPJ, contesting software. Randy shows how to install the software and how QSOs are entered into the logging program.

There are also contests outside of North America during the summer time. Check with your local radio associations and clubs to learn about contests that may be scheduled in your part of the world.

Enjoy the Magic Band!

All of these videos are available at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/K7AGE