Unassisted QSO Hour !

Meteor Scatter Activity Periods for NA
(Saturday Random QSO Hour)

Please review the activity formats and make plans to participate. If you have any questions, please direct them to one of the below contact persons.

Random Hours are weekly, on each Saturdays of the year!
Saturday Mornings:
14:00 – 15:00 UTC Two Meter Random Hour
15:00 – 16:00 UTC Six Meter Random Hour
All stations are encouraged to complete qso's in progress if it requires running outside the scheduled times.

Link to the "Random Hour Manual"

Brief Overview of Random Hour.....

Saturdays

Purpose: Designated “focus times” for making random (unassisted) qso’s using FSK441
with emphases on bands by dividing the activity period into two segments.

Where: 144.140 & 50.260 MHz for calling CQ and making contacts. Stations who wish to operate "Offset" should call CQ using the < Up | Down > procedures.
Those who wish to "Spot Themselves) on the PJ Pages during Random Hour can however all calling stations who call CQ should use the Recognized Call Frequencies of 144.140 and 50.260MHz. (Review the Random Hour Manual for more information on "Self Spotting").
Time: 14:00 to 16:00 UTC (One start time for North America)

Band Emphasis:
For multi-band stations:

(B) Hour … Two meters 14:00 – 15:00 UTC
(A) Hour … Six meters 15:00 – 16:00 UTC

Single band stations:

Use both A & B hours with emphasis on appropriate “band-hour”
It is appropriate for single-band stations to use entire 2 hours if they desire to do so.

Recommended Exchange: See Unassisted Activity Messages (End of this document)

Unassisted Activity Messages for Activity Periods

Simple Message Format for working Individual Stations during "Activity Periods"

The simplest method is to use the messages for EU. Go to <Options> and select < EU Defaults>.
Another option is to add your call to all RRR, R27 R26 & 73 Messages. For example if W5SNX is sending Rogers he would send RRR W5SNX.
Yet another method would be to save "Custom Messages" in WSJT like... R27 YourCall ... RRR YourCall... 73 YourCall
For more information see the Random Hour Manual...

Do Not .... Use Single Tones or any message which does not have your call with it. Remember there will be many qso's and pings heard/decoded on the frequency.

Simple Message Format for working Multiple Stations during "Activity Periods"

While calling CQ it is possible to have more than one station calling you. Here are some example messages for working this situation.

If I am sending Reports to Dick (W5SNX) and RRR to Eric (WB5APD) my message might look like this...

SNX/R27 APD/RRR WA5UFH

Working multiple stations is a challenge but rewarding.

General rules...

• Use 30 Sec Tx/RX periods
• Do not use single tones during "Activity Periods"
• Send your own call with all RRR and Report Messages
• Send your own call with all 73 Messages or Start Sending CQ again if you wish to work other stations
To learn how to deal with "QRM" see the "Random Hour Maual"
If pointing your antenna West TX second period. If pointing your antenna East TX first period. (Standard Operating Procedure)

At the end of each session report your activity to Bruce … [email protected] . This is an essential process to track the progress, keep you informed and to make adjustments along the way.

The Unexpected!

These activity periods are designed to create activity, improve ones skills and to provide an environment of "unknowns". Each session will be a learning experience.

It is possible during the activity period the band could open up. It is possible to work multiple stations simultaneously. It is possible to work stations <off-set>. It is possible to pick up new initials, new grids / states. You will hear both FSK441 and JT6M signals on six meters. It is likely you will hear more pings per hour than ever before!

During strong tropo opening. Go ahead and work stations quickly. (don't count them as meteor scatter but they are still fun to work) If qrmed by stations in the tropo range, try changing from first to second to eliminate qrm. (in other words listen at the same time as the calling station)

On Six Meters, if there is a known Opening (ESkip) operators might be wise to swap from FSK441 to JT6M since it is a better mode for strong signals. Work as many stations as possible and as quickly as possible.

Results / Follow-up to Bruce … [email protected]

After the "Activity Period" is over, gather your thoughts and send "Bruce" a short but detailed email. Bruce is interested in who you worked, who you heard, did you work any new initials/grids/states and general soapbox comments. Comments on techniques for working multiple stations and suggestions for improving the activity periods will also be welcomed. A summary report will be published by Bruce to a few key meteor scatter reflectors.

Bruce (KD5IUG) Terry (WA3LTB) Tip (WA5UFH)