rev. 1999 Jan 07 ( V .8)
W6/PA0ZN
The manager of this Web site, and the other HSCW Operators, would like to
Welcome you to the VHF DX opportunities of HSCW Meteor Scatter Operation!
This is a short note that we are trying to send out to all new operators on
HSCW, to make sure that everyone is aware of the resources and helps that
are available. So if you receive more than one of these, it's simply
because everyone wants your operation to be as effective as possible!
We suggest that you read this quickly and make a note of the HSCW Web URLs
listed here. We would also ask that you save this in a suitable directory
of your hard drive so that when you know of another new operator, you will
have this available to send to him.
Why try HSCW? Other than being something else with which to experiment,
it is much more efficient than slow CW or SSB meteor scatter! How much
more? Well, that depends on conditions, etc. But in general, if you have
a 10%
chance of completing a MS sked on SSB, you probably have a 90% chance on
HSCW! Not only that, but HSCW is usable every day of the year, not just
during
the peaks of major shower. This is because HSCW MS needs only the brief
pings
of sporadic meteors. Fractional-second underdense pings are all that is
needed.
And these are available just about every day. No, you can't complete if
there aren't
at least a few pings. But on a year of daily skeds, an 80% completion rate
has been
common most of the time. If you have a VHF SSB rig capable of aurora, MS,
etc.
Propagation and have a computer with a SoundBlaster audio board, you're
nearly
ready to try HSCW. (There are alternatives to using a computer.
See the various papers
on the W6/PA0ZN Web site,
and also on the Make More Miles on VHF" site .
This "Welcome" is basically just a reminder that HSCW operation is somewhat different
from other MS operation, and very different from other VHF DX work. For
example, you probably already are aware that there are two completely
different methods of stating the frequency to be used for a sked. Yes,
it's confusing, and we can't take the space to explain it here. But if you
are NOT aware of this, you will probably be on the wrong frequency for half
of your skeds! Also, most stations use the European-style "two-number"
report, while a large number use the older burst-length "S" report on HSCW.
And most stations now use the "Request for Repeat" letters whenever
necessary so as not to completely lose a QSO. While the Sequencing for
HSCW follows the same procedure as for North American slow-speed CW or SSB
MS, the method of stating it is slightly different because of the length
of the transmit period.
Since you are now on HSCW or about ready to give it a try, we figure that
you already have the above information, since it is basic to HSCW
operation. However, it's possible that someone has simply given you a
copy of one of the computer programs and you are not aware of the Web
sites, HSCW Reflector, Procedures, etc. We don't want anyone getting
frustrated simply because they didn't know that help is only a few key
strokes away! If this is old hat to you, please forgive us. Simply put
this into your files and send a copy to the next fellow that you are
trying to help. But if some of this seems new, try connecting with the
W6/PA0ZN Web Site listed below and look at all of the helps available.
The Hub HSCW Web Site for North America is run by Rein, W6/PA0ZN. Its
URL is:
There are several VERY important things concerning HSCW to be found on this
Web site:
1. The HSCW "Procedures" paper. This covers the HSCW operating notes
and questions for North American HSCW operation mentioned above, plus others.
Obviously, if you don't know the procedures, you will not do very well, regardless
of the mode you are using.
2. The general "FAQ" or "All you never wanted to know about HSCW".
A list of the questions most commonly asked about HSCW.
3. A "Semi-Technical FAQ", listing the most common technical questions
and problems, plus a brief overview of most of the commonly-used HSCW
programs and equipment.
4. Links to other necessary pages and sites. The W6/PA0ZN Web Site has
a number of other files concerning certain programs, pieces of equipment,
and other things relating to MS and/or HSCW operating. In addition,
there are links to other Web sites that have very important but more
specialized HSCW files. After you know what you need, use these links to
find the information.
5. There are a lot of other papers available on the W6/PA0ZN Web site. Most are
very good, some more specialized than others. Include in these are the Manual
and Operating Tips for MS_DSP, as well as a link for downlosding the program
iself. Also to be found are some true antenna gains, interface circuits, and much more.
If you live in Europe, the Region 1 HSCW Procedures are found at:
Please note that HSCW is new in North America and things are changing rapidly. If the date at the bottom of this page is more than two or three months old, some of the things in it may be out of date. The best way to find out what is current is to get into the main Web site, to join the HSCW Reflector, or to send an E-mail message to one of the other HSCW operators. And if for some reason you can't get into the W6/PA0ZN Web site (after all, computers, servers, phone lines, etc. do fail occasionally), try the N1BUG Web site at:
or one of the others.
If you are not yet on the HSCW Reflector, that's where most of the
discussion, schedules, etc. take place. Connect to:
Select HsMs reflector:
Remember, obviously, that it is necessary to have a basic understanding of meteor scatter operating in general. For this, the best is still the article by W4LTU. This, and other necessary articles, can be found in the book,
Good luck on the pings!
rev. 1999 Jan 07 ( V .8)