The Spring 2003 North American Meteor Scatter Rally surpassed the 2002 event by almost a factor of two in logs submitted. Every other measure of participation and activity was up, as well. The 31 submitted logs showed QSOs with 100 unique call signs in 85 grid locators, up from 74 calls in 60 grids last year. Not surprisingly, the top scores in most categories and time zones were significantly higher, as well. It was good to see increased use of the 222 MHz band. Although not yet appreciated by many, QSOs on 222 are not that much harder than on 144 MHz: they just take 2-3 times longer.

Participation in the Unassisted categories was down from last year. The hardy souls who stuck it out without benefit of Ping Jockey Central said that it was very difficult to get answers to their CQs or responses to their attempts at tailending. Most people seem to have decided to do it the easy way, this time around. When the Assisted/Unassisted question was discussed on the reflectors a year ago, the general opinion was that an "Unasissted Only" contest or rally, although a worthy ideal, would not be very popular because the population density of stations QRV for meteor scatter is too low, especially west of the Mississippi. A possible alternative that we have not explored before is to give double or triple QSO points to the stations on BOTH ends of any QSO in which at least one is operating Unassisted. This would provide a strong incentive for Assisted stations to look for the Unassisted ones.

Questions for participants and would-be participants:

1. What can we do to increase the number of submitted logs? Thirty-one logs from 100 stations making QSOs in the Rally is not too bad, but it would be nice to see more like 70, say. Some logs from relatively big stations are missing, as well as many others that it would be nice to see in the tabulations.

2. Should there be an organized rally or contest near the peak of the Perseids this year? If so, for how many days? The peak, August 13, falls on a Wednesday this year.

3. What about the December Geminids this year? How many meteor scatter operating events is enough, or too many?

4. Who would be willing to take on some of the organizational burden for the next event?

Thanks to all who made QSOs in the Spring 2003 Rally, and especially those who submitted logs. See you soon, via the rocks!

73 from Joe/K1JT, Tip/WA5UFH and John/N6ENU