6 Meter Band Alerts
Our 6 meter band alerts tell you the moment the Magic Band opens from South Jersey. Six meters can stay quiet for days. Then, without warning, it opens to stations 1,000 miles away. This page watches the band for you. Every 10 minutes, it checks who is hearing whom on 6 meters. It also draws each path on a live map. Best of all, it can email you when the band opens.
Activity, Last 24 Hours
Latest 6 Meter Spots
| Time (ET) | Heard | By | Miles | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading… | ||||
Get an Email When 6 Opens
Where to Listen
- 50.313 MHz FT8, the busiest spot on 6
- 50.125 MHz SSB calling frequency
- 50.090 MHz CW calling
- Summer (May to August) brings the most sporadic-E openings. Mid-morning and early evening are best.
How Our 6 Meter Band Alerts Work
First, the site asks PSKReporter for every 6 meter signal heard to or from grid square FM29 in the last 30 minutes. Next, it measures the length of each path. When five or more paths stretch past 300 miles, the banner turns green and says the band is open. At that point, everyone on the alert list gets an email. To keep your inbox calm, we send at most one alert every three hours.
What Makes 6 Meters Open?
Most long-distance 6 meter contacts come from sporadic-E. These are thin, dense patches in the ionosphere about 60 miles up. They bounce VHF signals back to Earth. Sporadic-E forms without warning, mostly from May through August. A second, smaller season shows up around late December. One hop covers about 500 to 1,400 miles. As a result, a South Jersey station might suddenly work Florida, Texas or the Caribbean.
Tips for Your First 6 Meter Contact
- Start on 50.313 MHz FT8. It often shows an opening before you can hear one by ear.
- Call CQ on 50.125 MHz SSB once the band opens.
- Use a horizontal antenna. Even a simple dipole works well.
- Check the ARRL band plan before you transmit.
Technician licensees have full privileges on 6 meters. Want to learn more? Visit our 6 Meter page, check the DX Propagation conditions, or see who is hearing ACURA members. You can also explore the raw spots on the PSKReporter map. Then sign up above, and our 6 meter band alerts will let you know when it is time to get on the air.