-Weak signal work is SSB and CW. 50.125 is the SSB calling frequency and a good one to monitor for band openings. (horizontal polarized)
-AM calling frequency is 50.400
-FM is used for some repeaters. (vertical polarized)
I've been continously active on 6m since 1966 and AM activity is relegated to basically one frequency on the whole band and isn't very active.
FM repeaters: There are some, and in some areas (including here in southern CA where I am) they can be fairly active. Here, they're all on mountaintops and have very wide coverage, which is the reason they get some activity.
Activity is primarily SSB and CW, with some digi modes as well (mostly used for very weak signal work like moonbounce). I'd have to say it's probably 90% SSB, 10% CW and close to 0% everything else. Although when the band is open, there's more CW activity. During the ARRL June VHF Contest, operating at N6VI from an 8000' hilltop locally we made almost as many CW contacts as SSB contacts. But that's 'cause it was a contest and the band was very crowded.
6m hasn't been "all AM" since about 1965, so you've been gone a long time! I was contesting a lot on VHF in 66-67-68 etc. and by 1968 it was probably 50% AM/50% SSB; by 1972 it was 90% SSB/10% AM. After that, AM almost completely disappeared.
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
According to the K5EHX repeater mapping website there are 6m FM repeaters in Vero Beach, Okechobee, and 3 in the Miami area. Don't know about your travels or 6m mobile line-of-site ranges in FLA or how much FM simplex there may be, but there must be some FM use in your area and a verticle is easier to mount on a car. Not that 6m halo antennas on cars are out of the question.
I echo Steve WB2WIK's breakdown with a few minor tweaks.
Mostly SSB~70%
Some CW ( a lot of the DX stations concentrate here and are too weak for SSB) ~15-20% depends on conditions.
Digital modes 5-10% there are quite a few guys running WSJT for meteor scatter or Eskip when the band is not open for other modes. They probably are the majority % of operators during the offseasons.
You can work ~1000 miles any day using these random micrometeors. Morning is better, major shower is even better.
EME a few diehards with huge antenna systems...
FM not much operation over most of the country although some activity in pockets.
AM not worth mentioning.. One frequency and only a few signals heard during summer Eskip season.
Digital modes are very active and getting more active everyday on 6 meters and above. PSK2K is rapidly gaining popularity on 50.230. JT65 is on 50.276. FSK441 and ISCAT between 250 and 270. 260 is the calling frequency. pingjockey.net is one of the hang outs.
6 Meters
Although when the band is open, there's more CW activity. During the ARRL June VHF Contest, operating at N6VI from an 8000' hilltop locally we made almost as many CW contacts as SSB contacts. But that's 'cause it was a contest and the band was very crowded.
