[NLRS] Rain Scatter

[Robert E. Wesslund]

Rain Scatter July 31, 2002

This morning Barry, VE4MA,  called on the phone and said there were some
high rain clouds nort and west of Fargo.   We set up a sked for 8:15 am.  He
would transmit for 5 min and then I would transmit for 5 min.   I called
Gary, W0GHZ and Jon, K0FQA and told them of the sked.     I put my 10 GHz
unit on the end of my dock on Lake Josephine.    I listened from 8:15 am
till 8:20 with the dish pointed up Fargo way.  I then transmitted for 5 min.
I listened and I heard a signal and I also got a phone call from Gary.  He
was copying my beeper.  We tried calling each other but I had some problem
with a power lead.  Got a good one and Gary and I passed grid square info.
Gary then tried Jon as he was hearing Gary.  No luck.  The Gary and I did
make a contact with rain scatter.   The signals sounded very much like
aurora.   I played a bit with my dish and Gary's signal was max at approx
340 degrees.   Of interest he also peaked at 6 degrees above the horizon.

I thought I was in a microwave black hole but now I am sure I can work
others from this location on 10 GHz.   I had my beacon running in the
basement so knew where I was listening.   The beacon is on 10.360154.  Sure
helps to have the beacon for reference.   Gary and I were about 1 kc apart.
Gary's signal was an S-9 at my place.  The aurora like flutter made the copy
a little difficult.

Keep your eyes on the sky and the tv weather.   I think we can work Barry
one of these days.


73  Bob  W�AUS