The following is a press release from HamSCI:
HamSCI – The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation is preparing for a series of meteor scatter (MS) experiments later this year. The target storms are in August (Perseids) and December (Geminids). Preparation and testing are underway now. This is a combination ‘special event’ and a contest to generate contact data during meteor scatter events using 10 meters and 6 meters. Contest rules will be released shortly.
Ten meters has not been used much for meteor scatter study due to past symbol rate limits. But with recent changes in FCC rules, WSJT-X/MSK144 can now be used on HF bands. The HamSCI meteor scatter event will collect contact data from both 10 meters and 6 meters as part of the scheduled events in August and December. Data will be analyzed offline, comparing data from both bands, using both PSK Reporter raw data and operator contact logs from WSJT-X. User data including both logged contact and received reports are necessary for valid experimental analysis. The latter can be provided by any receive system reporting on MSK144 through PSK Reporter.
Currently, we need operators to be active (i.e., CQ-ing) on MSK144; or passive, if possible, reporting via PSK Reporter as ‘monitors’. The best times are early morning hours prior to 10M opening to F2 propagation. Meteor scatter propagation occurs well below F2 and is supported in or near the E layer where the meteor ionization tracks occur. Saturday mornings are being used regularly to announce and coordinate 10M contacts using Ping Jockey Central. Announcements are also made on the Front Range Six Meter groups.io due to the substantial number of meteor scatter operators in that group.
To be successful, this effort needs operators, both active and passive. The upcoming April-Lyrids shower is an excellent time to set up your equipment and join with other operators preparing for the events later this year. If you do not have the time to be active, at least set up passive reporting.PSK Reporter currently has scarce 10M MSK144 monitors; so we need to increase those numbers during the early morning hours.
The best Lyrid times are around midnight and early morning hours, peaking April 21-22, but also for several days before and after the peak dates. We expect large numbers of 10M and 6M MSK144 operators to be both active and passive during the Lyrid events.
Specific information for the August and December special events will be published as it becomes available, and as the planning matures. You can find the description of the HamSCI Meteor Shower QSO Party – 2025 here:
Please join us in becoming both active and/or passive operator/participants in event planning during April. Eventually, the HamSci team will be collecting operator contact information, but for now, all that is required is for participants to report through PSK Reporter. For more information on the operating guidelines for the activity, please go here:
HamSCI serves as a means for fostering collaboration between professional researchers and amateur radio operators. It assists in developing and maintaining standards and agreements between all people and organizations involved. Its goals are to advance scientific research and understanding through amateur radio activities, encourage the development of modern technologies to support this research and provide educational opportunities for the amateur community and the public. For more information about HamSCI and to join our mailing list, please visit our website www.hamsci.org.
Source: HamSCI
