By any measure, the December 2002 North American Meteor Scatter Contest was a big success.  It was held during the Geminids meteor shower, 0000 UTC December 14 through 0700 UTC December 16. A total of 37 logs were submitted, and the logs show that at least 113 stations were active during the event, located in 93 distinct grids. According to contest rules grids were counted separately on each band, and the logs show that well over 100 distinct band-grids were active. All of these numbers are up sharply from all previous North American meteor scatter events that we know about.  The word is getting around that with the help of modern software, meteor scatter QSOs can be made by any moderately well equipped VHF station. More power and bigger antennas always help, but a brick and a yagi are all that's required.

If you enjoyed the Geminids contest and/or would like to take part in the next event, mark your calendar now for 0000 UTC May 3 through 0000 UTC May 12, 2003.  These are the dates of the spring 2003 North American Meteor Scatter Rally, which is scheduled to coincide with the annual Eta Aquarids meteor shower.  Rules will be similar to those for the Geminids contest; if you have suggestions for improvements in the rules, please send them to us  Also let us know if you would like to be involved in organizing the May event.

Thanks for taking part, and see you on the air!

        -- 73 from your contest organizers:

                  Joe,  K1JT
                  Tip,  WA5UFH
                  John, N6ENU