FreeDV on 6m

[Rick, W4XA]

Howdy all, 

Last night, I had a RADE QSO with AC7RX in Olympia, WA.  I am in Buckley, WA making this around 40 miles. (but not a clear line-of-sight path) 

I was running 200mW and AC7RX was running around 20W  He was receiving me with a consistent 0-1 dB SNR and it didn't fluctuate.

( I Was using my IC705 with power set at 2%, and used a 5-element Cushcraft beam about 5ft above the roof of the house.  

It just so happens that the ARRL VHF Contest is on this weekend so there are a fair amount of stations on 6m and other VHF bands.

I think it might be advantageous for the FreeDV "group"  to speak to the ARRL and other contest planners/promoters to see if they will possibly add the FreeDV  mode to contest operations and maybe even offer a "multiplier" when making contacts using it to increase interest.

6m has pretty much been "taken-over" with FT8 resulting is very little SSB voice operation as of late even in metro areas.

Squeaky wheels people!

73/Rick

[Alan Beard]

Hi all,

Same here in NSW Australia, all field stations have on 6m, 2m and 70cm SSB

and HORIZONTAL beams.

This locks out the FM stations with but a Hussler co-linear on the car.

(remember them) Or a Jpole on the home-unit balcony.

I propose: Treat Vertical and separate gear (radio & antenna) as a separate

band, same points as the band they are on.

Same for FreeDV.

So, you could get points for the SSB, FM and FreeDV modes!

Alan VK2ZIW