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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 kHz
Power increased from 50W to 100W
60 Meters

6. Notable 60 Meter Activity
60 Meters

7. Notable 60 Meter Activity
Alaska Emergency Frequency
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Frequency Display for 60M
Channel
Channel-Center
USB Dial Frequency
Channel 1
kHz
kHz
Channel 2
kHz
kHz
Channel 3
kHz
kHz
Channel 4
kHz
kHz
Channel 5
kHz
kHz
Gear for 60 Meters

12. 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

13. 60 Meter Antennas

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

15. 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

16. Notable 60 Meter Activity
Alaska Emergency Frequency
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

17. Notable 60 Meter Activity
Alaska Emergency Frequency
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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. NVIS
BUTTE COUNTY
60 Meter Propagation

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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 ( 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

25. 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 ( 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
60 Meters

26. The End
Questions?
60 Meters

27. THANK YOU
N6NIX

28. Contact Information
Mike Kaliczak - N6NIX
Com Reserve Repeater
– T and CT at 110.9
Echolink Node:
Cell:
N6NIX