WHAT TO REMEMBER REGARDING METEOR SCATTER /
METEOR SKIP:
Using The Charts:
Keep in mind that receiving satisfactory meteor
skip signals depends on where you live, what type of equipment you are
using, and availability to the peak times of the day. Experience
has shown that the BEST antenna designs are required, if you are to receive
good usable signals. Also, two other things necessary, if you want
to make a success of meteor scatter dxing without it being a total frustration.
First, record your DX listening session, whether you use a tape recorder
or a computer-based program that digitally records the sound input. When
you're uncertain of a reference to a location or that brief station identification
(or other information that could be connected to a radio station assigned
to your monitored frequency), you can listen to your recording to clarify
what you have heard. Second, if at all possible, the use of RDS/RDBS
technology is great as a backup. Even though the number of FM radio
stations in the US, Canada, and Mexico appears to fluctuate in who uses
it, it is a great tool to have when you catch a meteor scatter signal on
FM and that particular station IS using RDS. Check out the North
American RDS Log here on FMDXWeb to see which stations are using RDS/RDBS.
The basics about meteor scatter dxing:
-
Best months of the year for meteor scatter are
August, October, November, December, and early January. Actually,
anytime of the year is good. Sometimes certain dates are just better
than others, due to the occurrence of meteor showers.
-
Average peak daily time for nighttime showers:
0500 to 1200 local time (There are a handful of daytime showers that almost
rival the big nighttime showers and the only way you can be aware of them
is to do some research of when they occur.)
-
Best frequencies for meteor scatter: 50MHz
to 100 MHz (The entire 88 to 108MHz band is usable for meteor scatter
dxing.)
-
General distance of reception: 600 - 1200
miles (My average distance on fm runs 650 to 900 miles.)
-
Antenna bearing: If you're using a yagi
antenna to receive meteor scatter, you have to coordinate your dx periods
with the location of the meteor shower and adjust the yagi accordingly.
-
Meteor scatter signal duration: Meteor scatter
signals typically last from a fraction of a second to two or three seconds.
A really good scatter signal will last ten to twenty seconds. When you
catch one of those rarer, thirty second and up to two or three minutes
in duration signals, you've just experienced what is known as a 'train'.
Many times a 'train' will have two or more stations mixed together and
is somewhat difficult in getting an ID out of any of the stations heard.
Using the chart:
The 'value' column on the left hand side reflects
the actual number of meteor 'scattered' signals possible per hour, during
the PEAK daily time. This would be a combination of any/all of the 'Signal
durations' noted above. Keep in mind that even during the MOST DEAD meteor
scatter conditions at PEAK time, you can expect to receive ten scattered
signals during a one hour listening session. These ten scattered signals
are not associated with any meteor shower. They are merely random meteors
that make enough impact on the outer atmosphere to generate an ionized
trail. The 'value' column factors in the 'random' meteors, so you don't
have to add that to the value.
Have fun 'catching a falling star' !
Jim
Thomas - wdx0fbu - Milliken, CO (40 mi N of Denver)
