Anyone use 60m?

[N0NB]

Years after the much ballyhooed 60m channel allocations, I finally have a radio that will do the legal limit there. I tweaked up the tuner to work there and so far have heard a few stations but all have been very weak. I've not called CQ (is that the protocol?) but the few times I've listened I didn't hear anyone but stations off to the east/southeast. So I'm not sure if there are many out here in middle America using the band.

Has anyone given 60m a go? What are your impressions?

 

[Beetle]

I've used it some, working into the Pacific/Japan/Hawaii and such, but it's not one of my favorite bands.

And I assume by "legal limit", you mean 50W ERP??

 

[CTStallion]

I've used it some, working into the Pacific/Japan/Hawaii and such, but it's not one of my favorite bands.

And I assume by "legal limit", you mean 50W ERP??

I only worked 1 60m contact just after the allocation and confirmed the QSO and to my delight it was Hawaii KH7, so it does indeed work!; it's just so sparsely populated (for now).

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I don't have a 60m allocation here (yet) but any time I tune into the band to listen it's dead. I think I have only heard a couple QSO's on there in all the time I have tuned in.

 

[N0NB]

I've used it some, working into the Pacific/Japan/Hawaii and such, but it's not one of my favorite bands.

Interesting. I'll have to listen more, I guess.

And I assume by "legal limit", you mean 50W ERP??

Errr, yep. :laugh: My only other rig that will do 60m is my FT-817 and it's 5W max--10 dB below the "legal limit".

27 years in the hobby and I still don't own an HF amplifier. :blink:

 

[EDUK8TR]

I frequent 60m on occasion. I too have made a few DX contacts, mostly into the Scandinavian area of Europe on 60. To me it has a lot of the same character of the OPs on 40m. It is a neat but obviously limited band to operate in but it can be fun. Yes, call CQ there, you'll probably have a QSO or so. I called one evening and ended up with a group of around 15 OPs that lasted for quite awhile and enjoyed the "round table" as it turned out to be. I have also made some contacts mobile as well. Had one into Washington State while mobile which was a pretty good hop from VA out to the left coast.

Go up there and make a few calls and stir things up.

73

Wayne C.

 

[Moleculo]

I have from time to time, although not regularly. Folks (me included) should really give it a try more often; It has interesting propagation characteristics.

 

[Happy_Hamer]

I work 60 quite often,

The most traffic I hear is on 5.403.5

I have a dipole just for 60 meter and I hear stuff all the time.

I too do not worry about my power, I crank it full blast on my Yaesu FT-817ND

Think 5 watts is not enough? I made a 60 meter contact to the Kingdom of Tonga with the 817 from my QTH near Chicago

View attachment 3603​

 

[RatsoW8]

I used it quite a bit when they first opened the band. Not much to get excited about and there were occassionally Gov't data transmissions that would put the kibosh to a QSO.

 

[bobcat115]

60 Meters

I work 60 meters. There is lots of trafic here on the east coast.
KB3NXT

 

[SIX-SHOOTER]

60 METERS?

In the Southeast channel 4 in VERY popular in the mornings & evenings.I used the band when I owned my ICOM 7000 but have NOT since selling it about a year ago.I am planning on doing the MOD to my ICOM 746 PRO so I can AGAIN work the 60 meter band.I worked SEVERAL stations in Europe from my mobile before I sold the rig & worked plenty of DX & USA stations from my shack as well with my G5RV & the ICOM 7000.

SIX-SHOOTER