There's also vec (perldoc -f vec). For example: 
# to turn your $str into an array
@array = map { vec($str, $_*6, 6) } 0..15;

# to turn an array of 6-bit items into a packed string
vec($str, $_*6, 6) = $array[$_] for 0..$#array;

# or simply to access the $i-th item in the $str, directly:
$read_item = vec($str, $i*6, 6) = $write_item;  # vec is an lvalue!

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Enjoy. 
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:Wq
Not an editor command: Wq

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In reply to Re: pack/unpack 6 bit fields. by etcshadow
in thread pack/unpack 6 bit fields. by Anonymous Monk

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