Find out how you can be a part of the research.
Ham radio has been a powerful tool in the field of science. Data gathered from amateur radio activity was recently used to study the ionosphere during solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 to see how they impacted radio signals. Now, HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation), the same group behind those studies, is heading a new project to study the propagation of radio signals during a meteor shower.
Running from Aug. 11-12, the HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party 2025 will study meteor scatter propagation on HF bands below 30 MHz. The upcoming study dates coincide with the annual Perseid meteor shower, which has been active since July 17 but will see its peak in 2025 from Aug. 11-13.
“While meteor scatter has been extensively studied on VHF bands, its potential on HF bands remains unexplored,” said HamSCI member McKenzie Denton, KO4GLN, in an abstract about the project. “This experiment aims to fill this gap.”
Meteor scatter communications is a radio propagation technique that uses ionized trails of meteors during atmospheric entry for short communication paths between radio stations up to 1,400 miles apart.
The primary goal, according to HamSCI’s website, is to generate dense, geographically diverse datasets to analyze the feasibility of HF meteor scatter for research.
HamSCI hopes to accomplish this study by leveraging the MSK144 mode in WSJT-X software, which Denton said is well suited for short-duration scatter contacts because of its extremely short transmission bursts.
“The FCC recently changed the Part 97 regulations, moving from a baud rate limitation to a bandwidth limitation on the HF bands,” said Nathan Frissell, the founder of HamSCI. “The change allows MSK144, the preferred mode for meteor scatter, to be used on 10 meters. As a result, we have a novel opportunity to compare meteor scatter propagation on 10 meters against what has always been a popular MS band, 6 meters.”
Here are questions the group will be trying to answer during the meteor scatter:
- What is the geographical extent of propagation enhancements due to the scatter at HF frequencies and how long do the effects persist?
- What is the typical duration of the HF meteor scatter reflections, and how does it vary with meteoroid size and velocity.
- What factors influence the strength of HF meteor scatter reflections?
- Can meteor scatter signals on HF give data for propagation forecasting?
The first known interaction between meteor scatter and radio propagation was reported in 1929 by Hantaro Nagaoka of Japan. This discovery led to many usages, including long-range communications for NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Headquarters until satellite communications were implemented.
More interesting was that this technique was employed by the USDA for agricultural/scientific purposes. They used this method via their SNOTEL system, an automated system of about 900 snowpack and related climate sensors operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They sent climate measurements to data centers to forecast yearly water supplies, predict floods, and for general climate research. That program continued until 2023.
Planning for this research began in April. HamSCI encourages amateurs to participate as either active or passive operators. Active operators need to be (calling CQ) on MSK144. Passive operators should be reporting via PSK Reporter as monitors.
The best times to participate during this experiment are early morning hours prior to 10M opening to F2 propagation. Meteor scatter propagation occurs well below F2 and is supported in or near the E layer where the meteor ionization tracks occur. Saturday mornings are being used regularly to announce and coordinate 10M contacts using Ping Jockey Central, according to HamSCI.
For more on how to participate, click here. The information in that link also provides some setup instructions and tips and tricks to make your experience seamless if you’re not used to using the software or methods they require for the experiment.
If you miss this event, don’t worry. HamSCI plans to do this experiment again Dec.12-13, 2025, during the Geminid meteor shower. To upgrade your station for meteor scatter activity, you’ll find transceivers, directional antennas, and more at DX Engineering.
