[Meteor-Scatter] Some thinking to do before the next big shower

[Hannu Forsström]

METEOR SCATTER OPERATING TEST

Are u a ping-jockey? Do you have what it takes to be a ping-king? Take a 
test and check your score to see how much you know for Meteor Scatter 
operating and procedures.



Exam instructions:
Select one (yes, just one) answer for each of the questions or leave the 
question open. You know, not all the questions have a right answer. 
Make a circle around the letter. (If you do suffer from dementia and 
just do not remember what a circle is, please consult your keyboard 
between keys I and P).



1. Meteor Scatter (MS) is:

A. A scattering phenomenon that occurs, when meteors hit the ground
B. Metors ionizing the night sky causing spectacular displays in 
northern hemisphere, sometimes also called Northern Lights
C. Perseids
D. Phenomenom where radio contacts are made using ionized trails of 
meteors coming to earths athmosphere

2. You keep MS-contacts:

A. in VHF frequencies, mainly
B. but never ever admit it publicly to your non-amateur friends
C. over the internet
D. with High Speed CW only

3. In MS-SSB contact you speak into microphone:

A. very fast
B. clear, using alphabetical names, (like Delta, Lima, Sugar, King,...)
C. as loud as I can (without waking up the kids) and using full voice 
processing
D. using alphabets (like d, l, s, k)

4. WSJT is

A. a mode
B. a program
C. a protocol
D. something I don't use cause it is not right to use computers in QSO:s

5. FSK441 is

A. 900% more efficient than 1000lpm HSCW
B. 100% more efficient than 1000lpm HSCW
C. Somewhat more efficient than 1000lpm HSCW
D. not as efficient as 1000lpm HSCW

6. HSCW is

A. An old mode of transmission that was banned in the last meeting of IARU
B. The only real meteorscatter mode
C. CW with speeds of hundreds or thousands letters per minute
D. Only done when /M in a highway (very common in Germany)

7. 144370.0 is

A. THE frequency for FSK441 QSO:s
B. Center frequency of activity for FSK441
c: Reserved for my use
D: meant for Non-EU stations to keep QSO:s with EU stations

8. When you transmit, you use

A. First period, if you are located east of Austria
B. Second period, if you are operating from DL
C. Third period, if your antenna points to 135deg
D. All periods, if you do only single-busrt SSB contacts

9. To complete the contact, you

A. Send RRRRRRCALL
B. Send 737373CALL
C. Put a spot with R-reports on cluster
D. Begin calling CQ

10. The signal report R73R73 means

A. Nothing
B. All Roger, thanks for QSO
C. All Roger but your signal just broke my preamp in a very short and 
strong ping
D. I don't know either

11. When YO-station calls CQ 360, he means

A. I am listening 144360.0
B. CQ, all stations to direction 360 (e.g. Sweden)
C. I have 360Wtts TX power
D. I have never heard that kind of calling

12. I you have not heard the other end for 5 minutes, you

A. Start calling CQ again
B. Change frequency and call CQ
C. Ask in cluster if the other end hears you
D. Check the antenna direction and continue for another 5-15 minutes

13. If you feel fatique after staying up long working MS, you

A. Open a beer bottle
B. Open another beer bottle
C. Check to see if there still is any beer left
D. Who cares about beer while there still is some vodka


14. After the peak of a  big shower

A. You close your rig and go to bed thinking: that was it
B. You listen if there still is life after the peak
C. You close the station and open it only when there will be next big shower
D. You open the rig next day to see if there is any random meteors


15. You send QSL

A. For all the QSO:s
B. For all new calls
C. For all who send you one
D. Forget it


Results:
0-2 answers: You have not done any real MS, and most probably will never do
3-6 answers: Beginners level. Please consult www.meteorscatter.net or 
other web pages for more information
7-10 answers: You are showing promise, but still need some practising
10-14 answers: You know the basics, though no-one quarantees that what 
you know is right
15 answers: Yes, we already know you. You are one of us!
16 answers, or more: You should check the rules and the questions to see 
if something went wrong.