Presented by Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX 60 Meters Presented by Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX

Introduction Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX Licensed WA6MZN in 1969 First radio was a Heathkit Pawnee First FM radio was a Motorola 80D Built first repeater in 1970 Managed communications for a 300 vehicle fleet in LA for 20+ years 10 Years with Boston Tech Company Introduction

Introduction Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX Moved to Chico in 2003 April 2006 I joined the Butte County Sheriff’s Communication Reserve (BCSCR) Currently captain of BCSCR Most active on 40M, 60M, 17M & 2M Introduction

60 Meters History In May 2003 the FCC granted hams access to 60 Meters 5 Channels, 50 watts ERP, USB In March 2012 the FCC changed 60M Channel 3 frequency changed to 5373.0 kHz Power increased from 50W to 100W 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity Alaska Emergency Frequency 5167.5 kHz USB, 150W max. 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. May also be used for establishing communication before switching to another frequency. 60 Meters

Hams are Secondary Users 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

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

Gear for 60 Meters Radios Issues with many “factory programmed” radios 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 60M Channel Channel-Center USB Dial Frequency Channel 1 5332.0 kHz 5330.5 kHz Channel 2 5348.0 kHz 5346.5 kHz Channel 3 5358.5 kHz 5357.0 kHz Channel 4 5373.0 kHz 5371.5 kHz Channel 5 5405.0 kHz 5403.5 kHz Gear for 60 Meters

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

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

Notable 60 Meter Activity Alaska Emergency Frequency 5167.5 kHz USB, 150W max. 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. May also be used for establishing communication before switching to another frequency. 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity Alaska Emergency Frequency 5167.5 kHz USB, 150W max. 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. May also be used for establishing communication before switching to another frequency. 60 Meters

Notable 60 Meter Activity WGY 910 Worked by N6NIX on 12/21/16 FEMA Bothell, WA 60 Meters

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

60 Meter Propagation NVIS Near Vertical Incident Skywave Frequencies between 1.8MHz & 8 MHz 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 sky- wave. 60 Meter Propagation

NVIS BUTTE COUNTY 60 Meter Propagation

60 Meter Antennas NVIS Antennas Horizontally polarized (parallel with the surface of the earth) radiating element that is from 1/20th wavelength (9.8 ft) to 1/4 wavelength (49 ft) above the ground Gain by adding a “reflector” 60 Meter Antennas

60 Meters Summary 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 60M 60 Meters

60 Meters Nets 5.3 Net on Channel 1 (5330.5 kHz) Mondays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM 2nd & 4th Saturdays at 5:00 PM ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net Channel 1 (5330.5 kHz) about 7:20- 7:40 PM (after the 2 meter net on the Sutter Repeater) Usually the 3rd Thursday of the month 60 Meters

60 Meters LO WebSDR HF Receive ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net PM This Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 PM ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net Channel 1 (5330.5 kHz) about 7:20- 7:40 PM (after the 2 meter net on the Sutter Repeater LO WebSDR HF Receive Six miles south of Half Moon Bay, CA http://69.27.184.62:8901/ 60 Meters

The End Questions? 60 Meters

THANK YOU N6NIX

Contact Information Mike Kaliczak - N6NIX 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/ButteSCR/ N6NIX