[NLRS] 10GHz Aircraft Scatter QSO

[Bill Davis]

   Last night Gary W0GHZ and I had 2 (two) very quick 10GHz SSB contacts via aircraft scatter. The contacts were coordinated using the Aircraft Scatter Sharp program. The program was utilizing internet provided aircraft position info.

  Since loading Aircraft Scatter Sharp program we had watched for aircraft that might be of assistance. Few were found. Most aircraft what pass between us pass flying generally EW or WE and provide only a couple of seconds (literately) of scatter.

  Last night after out usual skeds, two Boeing 747s were observed on a path that would have them pass between us south of Lake Mille Lacs. Gary was kind enough to hang in there long enough to try a contact. What was unusual was that these aircraft were flying at a heading of 142deg (our direct heading is 168/348deg), these aircraft would be in the proper locations for scatter a longer time  than most. Given that the previous efforts had indicated such a short period of scatter, we had come to the conclusion that we might do better running SSB to assist in rapid data exchange. For the purpose of this test we not only utilized Aircraft Scatter Sharp but we also coordinated via SKYPE .

  At over 30,000ft the aircraft positions required elevation at both ends. Aircraft Scatter Sharp provides this information. I beaconed  with the CW keyer once the aircraft approached the sweet spot... Gary reported as soon as he started to hear my beacon and I immediately switched to Calls and Grid on SSB ..... the exchanges then were made as quickly as possible. The relative motion of the aircraft induces significant doppler, requiring panadapters to require the signal  after each TX/RX sequence. We did better with the second aircraft than the first. Still a lot to learn.

  At 155miles we are very close to utilize aircraft scatter. "stay tuned" All of our serious efforts to this point have been at 10GHz.

73  Bill K0AWU