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'6 metres' is a popular amateur radio band. 6 metres is found in the lower part of the VHF band, but still occasionally displays some propagation mechanisms of the lower High Frequency bands. This normally occurs close to sunspot maximum when solar activity increases ionization levels in the upper atmosphere. The mix of VHF and HF characteristics has led to 6 metres being dubbed the "magic band."
In temperate parts of the world, such as Europe and North America, six metre activity is concentrated into the summer months when sporadic Es propagation becomes a regular occurrence enabling 'DX' type contacts to be made over distances up to 2,500Km. Multiple hop sporadic Es occurs at six metres allowing inter-continental stations to be contacted. A characteristic of Sporadic Es propagation is known as the 'doughnut effect' where the distance is too long for a one hop sporadic Es contact and too short for a double hop sporadic Es contact; radio amateurs find this a diffiult zone to make contacts into.
The frequency allocations for 6 metres are not universal worldwide. In the United States, and Canada, it ranges from 50 to 54 MHz. But, in other countries, it is illegal to use due to local military communications. Further, in some nations, the frequency range occupied by the six-metre amateur radio band is used for television transmissions, although most countries have moved the channels to higher frequencies (see channel 1).
Over the past decade or so, the availability of transceivers that include the six-meter band has increased greatly. Most modern HF amateur radios now include the six-meter band, as do some handheld VHF/UHF transceivers. There have existed and do exist a number of stand-alone 6 Metre transceivers, although these have been relatively rare in recent years. Despite this, 6 metres does not share the popularity of amateur radio's 2 metres band. This is due, in large part, to the larger size of 6 metre antennas, power limitations in some countries outside the United States, and 6 metre's greater susceptibility to local electrical interference.
As transceivers have become more available for the magic band, 6 metres has been gaining popularity quickly. In many countries, including the United States, access to 6 metres is granted to even entry-level license holders. Those without access to the international "HF" or shortwave frequencies get their first taste of true long-distance communications on the 6 meter band, when conditions are available. Many of these operators develop a real affection for the challenge of the band, and often continue to devote much time to 6 metres, even when they gain access to the HF frequencies upon upgrading licensure.
Although the International Telecommunications Union does not allocate frequencies to amateurs in Europe, due to the decline of VHF television broadcasts and commercial pressure on the lower VHF spectrum, most European countries have a 6 metre amateur allocation. A list showing the status of amateur radio allocation in the countries of ITU Region 1.
In United Kingdom, it is legal to use 6 metres between frequencies 50 to 52 MHz, with some limitations at some frequencies. In UK, 50 to 51 MHz is primary usage and the rest is secondary with power limitations. The detailed band plan for UK can be obtained from RSGB Band plan documentation (PDF).
Many organisations promote regular competitions in this frequency to promote its use and to familiarise operators to its quirks. For example RSGB VHF Contest Committee has a large number of contests on 6 meters every year.
Because of its peculiarity, there are a number of 6 metres operator groups. These people monitor the status of the band between different paths and promote 6 metre operations.

Contents

Organisations

Books

Band plans

IARU Region 1 50 MHz Band Plan

US/North American 6m Band Plan

IARU Region 3 Band Plan

Common uses of 6 meters

Organisations

★ United Kingdom Six Metre Group

★ 6 Meter Group World Wide

★ Six Meter International Radio Klub - SMIRK

★ SIXITALIA

★ 10-6 Meter Club

Books

SIX METERS, A GUIDE TO THE MAGIC BAND (Worldradio Books) by Ken Neubeck WB2AMU

Band plans

IARU Region 1 50 MHz Band Plan

(with the UKSMG's recommended change to the adoption of the term

"inter-regional" rather than "inter-continental")

'50.000 - 50.100'	CW only	50.020 - 50.080	Beacons
		50.090	CW calling frequency
'50.100 - 50.500'	SSB and CW only	50.100 - 50.130	DX window
		50.110	'Inter-Region calling frequency'
		50.150	SSB centre of activity
		50.185	Cross-band activity centre
		50.200	MS reference frequency (CW and SSB)
'50.500 - 51.000   '	All modes	50.500 - 50.700	Digital communications
		50.510	SSTV
		50.550	Fax
		50.600	RTTY
		50.710 - 50.910	FM repeater outputs (UK)
'51.000 - 51.410'	All modes	51.210	Emergency communications priority
		51.210 - 51.410	FM repeater inputs (UK)
'51.410 - 51.830'	All modes	51.430 - 51.590	FM, 20 kHz channel spacing
		51.510	FM calling
'51.830 - 52.000   '	All modes	51.940 - 52.000	Emergency communications priority

(Source: 'VOLUNTARY OPERATING CODE OF PRACTICE for 6m operators' UKSMG 16 February 2003)

US/North American 6m Band Plan

50.0-50.1	CW, beacons
50.060-50.080	beacon subband (US only)
50.1-50.3	SSB, CW
50.1-50.125	DX window; 50.125 calling freq
50.125	US continental SSB calling
50.3-50.6	All modes (50.29 PSK31)
50.4	AM calling
50.6-50.8	various modes communications
50.8-50.98	Radio remote control (Ten 20 kHz channels)
51.0-51.1	Pacific DX window
51.1-54.0	Repeaters/various plans (-1 MHz and -1.7 MHz most popular)
52.525	Primary FM simplex
53.1-53.8/100 kHz spaced	Old radio remote control, NO LONGER acceptedby the AMA, due to increasing use by amateur radio repeater stations.

(Source: Academy of Model Aeronautics, Western Washington Amateur Radio Association, ARRL ARRL Band Plans)

IARU Region 3 Band Plan

The Band Plan for IARU Region 3 may be found in their Band Plan Document

Common uses of 6 meters

★ AM Simplex (direct, radio-to-radio communications)

★ FM Simplex (direct, radio-to-radio communications)

★ FM repeater operation

★ EME Moon Bounce

★ Es Sporadic E

★ Aurora Aurora Borealis Reflection

★ WSJT Digital Modes

★ Packet radio

★ SSB voice operation

★ Morse code (CW) operation

★ DX

★ Radio Control