Presented by
Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX
Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX
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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
Mike Kaliczak – N6NIX
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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
History
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In May 2003 the FCC granted hams
access to 60 Meters
 5 Channels, 50 watts ERP, USB
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In March 2012 the FCC changed 60M
 Channel 3 frequency changed to 5373.0
kHz
 Power increased from 50W to 100W
Notable 60 Meter Activity
Notable 60 Meter Activity
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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.
Hams are Secondary Users
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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.
Radios
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If made before May 2003
 Radio will require a MARS MOD
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If made between May 2003 and
March 2012
 Power limited to 50 Watts
 Channel 3 will be wrong
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May
Radios
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Issues with many “factory
programmed” radios
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Often read CENTER CHANNEL FREQUENCY not
the DIAL FREQUENCY
Many do not allow you to tune
Solution: MARS mod
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
Antennas
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First: Antenna Tuners
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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
Shortened 60 Meter Antenna – 30 Feet Total Length
Propagation
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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?
Notable 60 Meter Activity
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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.
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.
Notable 60 Meter Activity
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WGY 910
 Worked by N6NIX on 12/21/16
 FEMA Bothell, WA
Propagation
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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 ?
NVIS
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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 skywave.
NVIS
BUTTE COUNTY
NVIS Antennas
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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”
Summary
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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
Nets
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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
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ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Net
 Channel 1 (5330.5 kHz) about 7:207:40 PM (after the 2 meter net on the
Sutter Repeater)
 Usually the 3rd Thursday of the month
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LO WebSDR HF Receive
 Six miles south of Half Moon Bay, CA
 http://69.27.184.62:8901/
The End
Questions?
THANK
YOU
Contact Information
Mike Kaliczak - N6NIX
Com Reserve Repeater
145.290 – T and CT at 110.9
Echolink Node: 246848
Cell: 530-570-0088
Email: [email protected]
http://www.buttescr.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ButteSCR/