[SMCARA] Something cool to try on two meters

[Sam Leach]

Hi All,

Tom, AB3IC, encouraged me to mention some of the operating opportunities
that I've uncovered...So here's opportunity number 1:

2 Meter Meteor Scatter

Fact:  This is easy to do.

The process (step-by-step):

Download FSK-441 (part of WSJT 7.0) at
http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjt.html

Download the WSJT practice files
Same site...they're called WSJT Samples.EXE

Download the Users' Guide at
http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/WSJT_User_600.pdf

Read the guide and conduct the introductory experiments for each mode, I
believe it starts with FSK-441

Equipment List:

100W (or greater) two meter SSB transceiver (or lower power unit and a
brick)

A beam with nine or more elements horizontal (height is not terribly
critical, but K1JT recommends 40 feet)

Respectable coax (recommend LMR)

A sound card interface (I use a signal link...but would rather have one that
recognizes DTS for key line)

...these are approximations that are based on my rather minimal experience
(3 QSOs)...more is better and less might work.

Read this intro to Meteor scatter (Standard Operating Procedures):
http://www.qsl.net/w8wn/hscw/hscw.html

The most important thing to glean from this page is the QSO sequence (which
can also be learned from the WSJT software itself)...and the idea of a first
and second 30 second period in each minute.  For schedules (which you will
set up on pingjockey.net), the western most station transmits in the first.

Make sure you can activate FSK-441, that it keys your rig and that you can
set your power properly, hear FSK sounds in your side-tone, etc.

Go to http://www.pingjockey.net/cgi-bin/pingtalk and watch for a while.

Ask someone to be your first QSO and don't be afraid to chat during your
first attempt at a contact.  Shoot for a first QSO with an experienced
meteor scatter operator and with a station located at about 500 miles...My
first was Daniel, VE2DSB in Montreal.  That seems to be a good geometry. 

Don't start at 1000 miles...that's a harder QSO to complete. 

Oh, and early morning is best, but anytime seems to work.

73

Sam