First 6M QSO

The past two days have seen me grab another first in the world of amateur radio. Since the installation of the Yaesu FT-857D in my 2007 Ford Ranger, I have yet to make any contacts. I am still in the process of bonding the truck with one inch and half inch copper braid. At this time I am able to tune 6M and 10M successfully. My grand plans include operating as a rover in the October, 2010 California QSO Party (CQP).

Yesterday, I head KG6OQK calling CQ on 6M (50.125). I answered Ed’s CQ call and made my first 6M QSO, as well as my first mobile QSO. Sure, Ed was only in Benecia, which from my location on Highway 4 was about 15 miles away. Regardless, the first 6M QSO was in the log.

Today, I made contact with N6ORB, Dave in Martinez, which borders Benecia. Dave came back to me with a signal report of ’54’ to my ’55’ while driving into Concord this morning. After which, I heard Dave make a few other contacts while on 50.125.

This was quite exciting, knowing I have a Force 12 EF-706 sitting, new in the box in my garage. Hopefully I can get some free time on my days off to build this antenna and get it up in the air. Oddly enough I heard N6ORB say he only has his moxon 13′ high! I have seen some of the spots from N6ORB on VHFDX.net and he has been quite active with a very good signal. With any luck I will see some of that success when I get the EF-706 up about 15′, mounted on a 4×4 post in the backyard.

While the FT-1000MP does not operate on 6M, I will be using the FT-857D, which is very easy to remove from the truck and put into the shack when I want to play on 6M. Regardless of HOW I get on 6M I am looking forward to the Sporadic-E season.