6meter

6meter, commonly called the 6 metre band, is an amateur radio frequency allocation centered near 50 MHz. Nicknamed the "magic band" because of its occasional long-distance propagation, it sits between the HF and VHF portions of the radio spectrum and supports a wide variety of modes and activities.

The band is allocated to amateur service in many countries, with specific frequency segments and power limits varying by national regulation. Typical operating modes include single-sideband voice, CW, FM, and modern digital modes such as FT8 and JT65. Operators use it for local communications, contesting, technical experimentation, and long-distance (DX) contacts when propagation allows.

Propagation on 6 metres is notable for sporadic-E, which can enable multi-hop mid-latitude paths of many hundreds to thousands of kilometers during summer months. Other phenomena that affect the band include tropospheric ducting, auroral reflection, meteor scatter, and occasional F-layer openings associated with high solar activity. These modes make the band attractive to operators who enjoy opportunistic contacts and propagation forecasting.

Equipment commonly used includes multi-band HF transceivers that cover 6 metres, dedicated VHF rigs, amplifiers, and a variety of antennas from simple dipoles to yagis and beam arrays. Amateur organizations and regional bandplans provide coordination and recommended usage practices to help manage shared operation.