Welcome 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.
This is basically just a reminder that HSCW operation is somewhat
different
from other MS operation, and very different from other VHF
DX 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
sts 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 http://nitehawk.com/rasmit/ws1_15.html.
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 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 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.
If you live in Europe, the Region 1 HSCW Procedures are found
at
http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/vhfc/iaru.r1.vhfm/man5b.html.
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 (http://www.agate.net/~mmss), the K0SM site
(http://www.qsl.net/k0sm/index.html), or one of the others. They
all will
have a link back to the W6/PA0ZN site or to its mirror site.
If you are not yet on the HSCW Reflector, that's where most of
the
discussion, schedules, etc. take place. Send a message to
<[email protected]> with
the following command in the body of your
E-mail message: subscribe hsms. This is where most of the
schedule
requests are made.
Please also go to the N1BUG Web site and sign up under the HSCW
Directory
(also available there). This way we can know who and where you
are, what
you are running, etc. See also the slightly different listing
in the
W6/PA0ZN Web site and put your information on this one, also.
If we
don't know you're there, we can't request a sked!
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, Beyond Line of Sight, available from the ARRL.
Good luck on the pings! 73,
Shelby, W8WN - EM77bq
[email protected]
rev. 01/98 (V. 5)
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