60 Meters Presented by Mike Kaliczak N 6

60 Meters Presented by Mike Kaliczak – N 6 NIX

Mike Kaliczak – N 6 NIX Ø Ø Ø Licensed WA 6 MZN in 1969 First radio was a Heathkit Pawnee First FM radio was a Motorola 80 D Built first repeater in 1970 Managed communications for a 300 vehicle fleet in LA for 20+ years 10 Years with Boston Tech Company Introduction

Mike Kaliczak – N 6 NIX Ø Ø Moved to Chico in 2003 April 2006 I joined the Butte County Sheriff’s Communication Reserve (BCSCR) Currently captain of BCSCR Most active on 40 M, 60 M, 17 M & 2 M Introduction

History Ø In May 2003 the FCC granted hams access to 60 Meters Ø 5 Channels, 50 watts ERP, USB Ø In March 2012 the FCC changed 60 M Ø Channel 3 frequency changed to 5373. 0 k. Hz Ø Power increased from 50 W to 100 W 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity Ø Alaska Emergency Frequency Ø 5167. 5 k. Hz USB, 150 W max. Ø May be used by hams in Alaska in case of emergency, to communicate with hams or PART 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES in Alaska. Ø May also be used for establishing communication before switching to another frequency. 60 Meters

Hams are Secondary Users Ø Ø Ø Other users, primarily federal government stations, are primary. The band's occupants include FCC Part 80 (Maritime) Part 87 (Aviation) and Part 90 (Private Land Mobile) Amateurs must yield to, and refrain from interfering with, primary users. 60 Meters

Radios Ø If made before May 2003 Ø Radio will require a MARS MOD Ø If made between May 2003 and March 2012 Ø Power limited to 50 Watts Ø Channel 3 will be wrong Ø Gear for 60 Meters May

Radios Ø Issues with many “factory programmed” radios Ø Ø Ø Often read CENTER CHANNEL FREQUENCY not the DIAL FREQUENCY Many do not allow you to tune Solution: MARS mod Gear for 60 Meters

Frequency Display for 60 M Channel-Center USB Dial Frequency Channel 1 5332. 0 k. Hz 5330. 5 k. Hz Channel 2 5348. 0 k. Hz 5346. 5 k. Hz Channel 3 5358. 5 k. Hz 5357. 0 k. Hz Channel 4 5373. 0 k. Hz 5371. 5 k. Hz Channel 5 5405. 0 k. Hz 5403. 5 k. Hz Gear for 60 Meters

Antennas Ø First: Antenna Tuners Ø Ø Most ham antennas are not resonant on 60 M Your antenna tuner’s primary job is to protect your radio’s finals My Gap Titan 10 M-80 M is 7: 1 on 60 M Solution: Get an antenna that is resonant on 60 Meters Gear for 60 Meters

60 Meter Antennas

Shortened 60 Meter Antenna – 30 Feet Total Length 60 Meter Antennas

Propagation Ø Ø Characteristics of both 40 M & 80 M Less E layer absorption than 80 M Ø Makes 60 M an ideal candidate for NVIS Ø NVIS is ideal for REGIONAL (short – medium range) communications Ø Remember the Alaska Emergency Channel slide? 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity Ø Alaska Emergency Frequency Ø 5167. 5 k. Hz USB, 150 W max. Ø May be used by hams in Alaska in case of emergency, to communicate with hams or PART 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES in Alaska. Ø May also be used for establishing communication before switching to another frequency. 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity Ø WGY 910 Ø Worked by N 6 NIX on 12/21/16 Ø FEMA Bothell, WA 60 Meters

Propagation Ø Ø Characteristics of both 40 M & 80 M Less E layer absorption than 80 M Ø Makes 60 M an ideal candidate for NVIS Ø NVIS is ideal for REGIONAL (short – medium range) communications Ø NVIS ? 60 Meters

NVIS Ø Near Vertical Incident Skywave Ø Frequencies between 1. 8 MHz & 8 MHz Ø NVIS is most useful in mountainous areas where line-of-sight at VHF or UHF frequencies is ineffective or when the distance is beyond the 30 -mile range of groundwave, and less than the 300– 1500 -mile range of lower angle skywave. 60 Meter Propagation

NVIS BUTTE COUNTY 60 Meter Propagation

NVIS Antennas Ø Ø Horizontally polarized (parallel with the surface of the earth) radiating element that is from 1/20 th wavelength (9. 8 ft) to 1/4 wavelength (49 ft) above the ground Gain by adding a “reflector” 60 Meter Antennas

Summary Ø Ø 60 Meters + NVIS = great ECOM On 60 Meters think reliable regional communications not distance In a real major disaster 60 Meters can provide a direct communication path to government stations No major expenses to setting up 60 M 60 Meters

Nets Ø 5. 3 Net on Channel 1 (5330. 5 k. Hz) Ø Mondays from 1: 00 PM to 2: 00 PM Ø 2 nd & 4 th Saturdays at 5: 00 PM Ø ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net Ø Channel 1 (5330. 5 k. Hz) about 7: 20 -7: 40 PM (after the 2 meter net on the Sutter Repeater) Ø Usually the 3 rd Thursday of the month 60 Meters

Ø LO Web. SDR HF Receive Ø Six miles south of Half Moon Bay, CA Ø http: //69. 27. 184. 62: 8901/ 60 Meters

The End Questions? 60 Meters

THANK YOU N 6 NIX

Contact Information Mike Kaliczak - N 6 NIX Com Reserve Repeater 145. 290 – T and CT at 110. 9 Echolink Node: 246848 Cell: 530 -570 -0088 Email: mkaliczak@buttescr. org http: //www. buttescr. org/ https: //www. facebook. com/Butte. SCR/ N 6 NIX