Q Phil Speer, KF4VSK, asks, “I recently bought a 6-meter FM mobile transceiver that I often use at home with a simple dipole about 18 feet off the ground. When working simplex it seems that my maximum range is only about 20 miles. Shouldn’t I be able to do better than this on 6 meters?”
A Yes, you can do better, but there are a number of factors at play. The principal factor is terrain. If your home is surrounded by hills, mountains or other obstacles, your simplex range on 6 meters will be limited. In addition, you’re not using a gain antenna (such as a Yagi) that would focus your power and provide greater range.
Despite all this, you should be able to work hundreds or even thousands of miles when the band is open. Spring and summer are among the best times for sporadic E band openings. Since your radio is FM only, I’d suggest that you leave it on 52.525 MHz, the national 6-meter FM simplex calling frequency. Just turn up the volume and close the squelch. If there is a band opening, you’re likely to hear FM simplex activity on this frequency. In addition, the next year or two will likely yield some F-layer skip, which can carry your signal over huge distances. Watch the propagation forecasts and keep your ear to your radio! See Feedback in July 1999 QST.
From QST June 1999
