18-12-2023, 06:33 AM
Many new operators on various modes may not be aware of the true value of VKSpotter ( https://vkspotter.com/ ) in providing indications of what, where and how to get more ! This facility is aimed more at the VHF (and above) enthusiast so if you need help for that part of the spectrum, this is where to go..
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For instance, many people trying to use Meteor Scatter (MS) for the first time have no idea how to confirm WSJT-X (...) settings or when others are on the air. The likes of the 6M chat, or one for the higher bands, can help there. It is easy to ask what settings should be, including frequency and timing, and there is usually enough chat to see who is working what.
So if you are thinking about MS, log into (eg) 6M chat - it is worth it. Newcomers to Aircraft Enhancement can see when people are using that mode and can chat to get help. And then there is the DX aspect - where propagation is happening is a matter of watching the display as most 'chatter-ers' post details of what they are hearing and/or working when things are relatively quiet - and sometimes when it is not !
The Map display shows different paths "spotted" as lines in different colours and is a mostly real-time presentation of what is happening.
As well as the chat there are "spots" lists of who is working what across various bands, plus access to lastest ON4KST chat, some PSKReporter spots, latest DX Cluster info, and then tools like Bearing / Distance calculation, Tropospheric Propagation map, and even to this forum, AHRDF.
VKSpotter also shows current prop/sunspot info numbers, beacon and repeater databases.
Create a login (if you haven't already), put your details in accurately for grid or lat/long, and away you go. It becomes a default operation to start VKSpotter after a while whenever you start up on one of the more exotic digital modes, or even on SSB.
You will need to create a profile to log in and even see anything of the activity and the login is based on your callsign. No callsign = no access !
So where to get going : https://vkspotter.com/
Doug VK4ADC
[attachment=752]
For instance, many people trying to use Meteor Scatter (MS) for the first time have no idea how to confirm WSJT-X (...) settings or when others are on the air. The likes of the 6M chat, or one for the higher bands, can help there. It is easy to ask what settings should be, including frequency and timing, and there is usually enough chat to see who is working what.
So if you are thinking about MS, log into (eg) 6M chat - it is worth it. Newcomers to Aircraft Enhancement can see when people are using that mode and can chat to get help. And then there is the DX aspect - where propagation is happening is a matter of watching the display as most 'chatter-ers' post details of what they are hearing and/or working when things are relatively quiet - and sometimes when it is not !
The Map display shows different paths "spotted" as lines in different colours and is a mostly real-time presentation of what is happening.
As well as the chat there are "spots" lists of who is working what across various bands, plus access to lastest ON4KST chat, some PSKReporter spots, latest DX Cluster info, and then tools like Bearing / Distance calculation, Tropospheric Propagation map, and even to this forum, AHRDF.
VKSpotter also shows current prop/sunspot info numbers, beacon and repeater databases.
Create a login (if you haven't already), put your details in accurately for grid or lat/long, and away you go. It becomes a default operation to start VKSpotter after a while whenever you start up on one of the more exotic digital modes, or even on SSB.
You will need to create a profile to log in and even see anything of the activity and the login is based on your callsign. No callsign = no access !
So where to get going : https://vkspotter.com/
Doug VK4ADC