Capture the Magic of Six Meters: Average Antennas + Limited Antennas = Exceptional QSOS by Jim Wilson, K5ND. 2020. FREE!. https://www.k5nd.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Six-Meters-eBook-V3.pdf
One of the things that I said I was going to do this summer was get on 6 meters and take advantage of sporadic E propagation. Of course, I never got around to it. If I’d seen this book last July, however, I might have done it. After all, according to the introduction:
It really doesn’t take much on six meters — your existing HF+6 meter rig along with a simple antenna, even a dipole, will work……It covers propagation, equipment, software, antennas, awards and contesting, as well as assistance in finding the magic. All of this is leavened with stories from my personal experience.
The book does a pretty good job of this, too. One thing that I take a little bit of exception to is that there’s a heavy emphasis on the use of digital modes, but as on the HF bands, that’s probably where a lot of activity is these days. For example, K5ND writes:
In the early days of ham radio meteor scatter they often used CW and eventually went to very high speed CW with the received signal recorded and then slowed down to try to catch glimpses of the call sign, etc. Since the advent of WSJT and now WSJT-X computer signal processing is used to accomplish the same thing. The early mode of FSK441 and the newer mode of MSK144 essentially send hundreds of messages packed into a several second transmission (15 seconds is currently the standard duration).
So, if you do want to make meteor scatter contacts, then I guess you really do need to be operating MSK144.
I also think that the book would be a little more useful if K5ND had gone into a little more detail on the antennas he writes about. This is just a minor quibble, though. There are plenty of books, blog posts, and YouTube videos that show you how to build various antennas. The author’s descriptions of his experiences with the various antennas will certainly help you decide which antenna may be right for you.
Another thing that you really can’t quibble with is the price. It’s FREE! So, get a copy and get on 6 meters!
Thanks for your review, Don. Yes, there is a great deal of FT8 and MSK144 on 6 meters these days. But as with all amateur radio, you can use your mic and your key and find contacts.
As to information on 6 meter antennas, you can find all those on my website as well as this pillar page that provides the same information in the book along with links to the various posts on the website. https://www.k5nd.net/2020/11/guide-to-6-meter-dxing-getting-started-on-the-magic-band/ For antennas, you can find a listing at the end of that chapter.
You may also find the 6 meter presentation I did for the ARRL Learning Network of use. Here’s the link https://www.k5nd.net/2020/08/six-meter-presentation-arrl-learning-network/
Hope you find your way to the MAGIC Band. I’ll watch for you.
Thanks again for your thoughtful review and time spent with the book.
73, Jim, K5ND
Never ever looked into six meters. Every time I checked no contact. Looking forward to the information. Tnx
I’ve now updated this book with considerably more information about six meters, including detailed guides to FT8/FT4, MSK144 Meteor Scatter, and Q65. I’ve also included information about contesting, rover operation, and awards. Appendices include SDR operation and EZNEC antenna modeling. It’s still free to download the PDF. Here’s the link https://k5nd.net/magic-band-revealed-ebook-download/