Images: Southern Cape Area, South Africa (Grid - KF15BT) (Click on images for larger view.)
I have decided to embark on a 6 Meter Magic Band Project which started in September 2025. Through the years many of the older radio amateurs living in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa would "discourage" younger radio amateurs to operate on 6 Meters in the area. One of the reason being "we are to far away from the equator and we are located to far south" away from the majority of 6 meter operators. Is this true? I do not believe this "hogwash" for one minute. Today we have all the tools, equipment and software available to create activity on the magic band even from the Southern Cape Area of South Africa.
Interested to join the fun using the 6 Meter Magic Band? Wait no further. Let's find out what the "Magic" of 6 Meters is. I will not go into detail here but will provide a short / cryptic overview instead. It does not take much to operate on the 6 meter band - your existing HF+6 meter radio and a simple antenna, even a dipole will work. The Magic Band or six meters is from 50 - 54 Mhz. It is located midway between the HF Bands, ending with 30 Mhz and the higher VHF Bands starting with 144 Mhz. In this position it provides virtually all forms of propagation familiar to HF and VHF operators, along with a few that are much more prevalent at six meters. Modes of operation entail CW, SSB, and WSJT-X but also FM Simplex, Beacons and FM Repeaters.
The Six Meter Band offers a great deal. That includes white noise during the tragic times but also some exceptional operating conditions during the magic times.
Before I tell you about my 6 Meter Magic Band Project one need to provide an intro to what the magic band involves.
Image VK3FS (Click on image for larger view.)
A "6 meter magic band project" for amateur radio involves building or using equipment (radios, antennas) to exploit the unique, unpredictable long-distance propagation (Sporadic-E, F2 skip, Aurora) on the 50-54 MHz frequency, offering both short-range VHF and surprise HF-like DX (long-distance) contacts, often using simple DIY antennas like halo loops or Moxons for great results and rewarding challenges. Projects focus on maximizing these propagation modes, especially during peak seasons like summer (Sporadic-E) and solar maximums (F2).
What Makes it "Magic"?
- Diverse Propagation: It exhibits nearly every known radio propagation mode: Sporadic-E, F2-layer skip, Aurora, Meteor Scatter, and Troposcatter, says Icom America and Ham Radio Secrets.
- Sporadic-E (Es): Dense patches of ionization allow contacts from hundreds to thousands of miles, peaking in May-July and December.
- F2-Layer (Solar Cycle): During high solar activity, the ionosphere reflects signals globally, similar to HF bands, say ve3ips.wordpress.com and Fleetwood Digital.
- Trans-Equatorial Propagation (TEP): Exciting long-distance paths near the equator in March/April and September/October, according to ve3ips.wordpress.com and Fleetwood Digital.
- Radio: A transceiver with 6m capability (like an Icom IC-756 or IC-705), even a simple one, is needed.
- Antennas:
- DIY: Simple wire antennas like a Hula Hoop Halo, Moxon, or simple dipoles work surprisingly well, notes PA9X and the Nashua Area Radio Society.
- Commercial: Verticals (like the Diamond V-2000) are popular, says Ham Radio DX.
- Techniques:
- Listen: Leave your radio on 50.125 MHz or scan for openings.
- Explore Modes: Use SSB (voice), CW (Morse code), or digital modes like JT65 for DX, as mentioned in the QRZ Forums.
Now that we know more about the 6 Meter band it is time to provide a few frequencies that will be used and monitored from Mossel Bay KF15BT, South Africa.
Let’s have some fun on the 6 Meter Amateur Radio “Magic” Band in South Africa and Abroad
6 (Six) Meter Amateur Radio Frequencies
50.125 Mhz SSB Calling
50.100 Mhz CW
50.100 Mhz to 50.125 Mhz DX Window
50.313 Mhz WSJT-X FT8
50.323 Mhz FT8 to Europe
50.318 Mhz FT4
50.260 Mhz MSK144 Meteor Scatter
50.275 Mhz Q65 in 30A Mode
50.000 to 50.080 Beacons
50.293 Mhz WSPR Beacons
6 (Six) Meter Amateur Radio Beacons – Africa – Nearby Islands
1. South Africa, Western Cape ZS1SIX Bellville 6m Beacon 50.080 Mhz 25khz JF96HB
2. South Africa, Wolkberg ARC ZS6TWB Wolksberg 6m Beacon 50.044 Mhz 12.5 khz
3. South Africa, PEARS ZS2SIX P.E. 6m Beacon 50.005 MHz UPE Building
4. South Africa, ZSLINK ZS1I Mossel Bay 6m WSPR Beacon 50.293 Mhz KF15BT
5. South Africa, Centurion ZS6DN Doornkloof 6m Beacon 50.050 Mhz KG44DC
6. South Africa, Krugersdorp ZS6JON Paardekraal 6m Beacon 50.051 Mhz KG33VV
7. Namibia V51VHF Windhoek 6m Beacon 50.018 Mhz JG87MI
8. Malawi 7Q7SIX Malawi 6m Beacon 50.003 Mhz KH75FX
9. Réunion Island (Indian Ocean) FR5SIX 6m Beacon 50.022 Mhz LG78RQ
10. Ascension Island ZD8VHF (Atlantic Ocean) 6m Beacon 50.032 Mhz II22TB
11. Gabon TR0A Radioclub AGRA 6m Beacon 50.048 Mhz JJ40QL
12. Zimbabwe Z21SIX ZARS Harare 6m Beacon 50.052 Mhz KH52ND
13. St Helena Island ZD7VC (Atlantic Ocean) 6m Beacon 50.007 Mhz IH74D
Antarctic 6-meter (50 MHz) beacons
These amateur radio propagation beacons are used by scientists and amateur radio operators to study radio wave propagation, particularly the rare F2 layer openings that allow long-distance communication with the continent.
Several research stations operate, or have historically operated, 6m beacons:
LU1ZV (Esperanza Base, Argentina): A multimode 50 MHz beacon that operates continuously.
DP0GVN (Neumayer III Station, Germany): This station has new hardware for a permanent WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) beacon system covering 160m through 6m, which was planned for commissioning in early 2025. The call sign for the operator there is DP0GVN.
VK0RTM, AX0GR, VK0GR, VK0MA (Various Australian Bases): Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) bases have historically run beacons, including VK0RTM on 50.300 MHz and others at Casey and Mawson stations.
Purpose and Operation
These beacons transmit continuous or periodic signals on the 6-meter amateur radio band (around 50-54 MHz), typically using Morse code (CW) or digital modes like WSPR. The signals are monitored by amateur radio operators worldwide to:
Study Propagation: Beacons provide stable reference signals to indicate when atmospheric conditions (like the ionospheric F2 layer) are suitable for communication over vast distances, including to Antarctica.
Scientific Research: The German project, for example, is a science project that uses a "swarm-source of data" from ham radio operators around the world to gather information on propagation over a full 11-year solar cycle.
Monitoring and Frequencies
Amateur radio operators often monitor frequencies between 50.025 and 50.080 MHz (in some regions) or dedicated segments for WSPR and other digital modes to hear these signals. Specific frequencies can be found on amateur radio beacon lists like those provided by the Wireless Institute of Australia or the UKSMG. The Reverse Beacon Network is another resource where automated receiving stations log beacon reports.
Image: Ultimate 3 WSPR Beacon
On to the project itself. What will it entail?
As indicated the project was started in November 2025. It will be undertaken in several stages/phases.
- Constructing of the Ultimate S3 Six Meter WSPR Beacon. (Currently active on 40 meters WSPR.)
- Constructing the 6m SummerLoop II Magnetic Loop Antenna to monitor the WSPR Beacon (Constructed, pedestrian mobile ready.)
- Constructing the 6m Moxon Antenna for the WSPR Beacon (Constructed, need to be installed on the mast.)
- Constructing the 6m Halve-Wave Flower Pot Antenna (Constructed, monitor 6 meter band for openings. Need to be installed on a separate mast.)
- Incorporate a Yaesu FT-690R Radio and Amplifier into the project (Await the arrival of the radio and amplifier as send by Fred ZS5SAM. More on this equipment in a future posting.)
To ensure you "do not miss out on the project" visit this Blog regularly!!
