HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Parties Target the Perseids

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The HamSCI citizen-science community is continuing its 2026 series of Meteor Scatter QSO Parties (MSQP), the upcoming marquee Perseids event scheduled for 12-14 August 2026. A final 2026 event will coincide with the Geminids meteor shower on 13-15 December 2026.

Part special event and part contest, the MSQP aims to generate a large body of contact and reception data to better understand meteor scatter propagation. The effort, originally proposed by HamSCI member McKenzie Denton, KO4GLN, is particularly timely: recent FCC rule changes now permit U.S. amateurs to operate the MSK144 meteor scatter mode on 10 meters, allowing researchers to investigate a key question – which band is better for meteor scatter, 6 meters or 10 meters?

Participation is open to both two-way (transmit and receive) and monitor (receive-only) stations operating from fixed locations. MSK144 is the only mode used, with 50.260 MHz and 28.145 MHz being popular operating frequencies. Stations equipped for both bands are asked to alternate between 6 and 10 meters at 20-minute intervals (xx:00, xx:20, xx:40). Monitor stations should report their decodes via PSKReporter, and all participants are encouraged to submit ADIF logs and WAV recordings of decoded pings after each event to support the research effort. Electronic certificates are planned for participants, and first-time meteor scatter operators are encouraged to self-report their “rookie” status so they can be recognised in the results.

Complete rules and information are available at https://hamsci.org/msqp

International Dog Day and International Cat Day Special Event

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International Dog Day and International Cat Day Special Event

An international group of operators will be on the air throughout the month in a mutual celebration of International Cat Day and International Dog Day.

The combined special event stations will be active from the 1st of August through to the 31st of August, to call attention to the needs of abandoned, abused and homeless pets around the world – and to advocate for adoption and humane treatment. In the spirit of friendship and the shared love of animals, they will be looking to raise awareness and hear one another’s stories.

The hams calling CQ are animal-lovers themselves who know the power of rescue because many have been deeply involved in organised animal-welfare efforts or have included a rescued dog or cat in their family.

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Bonus Station WC5WC to Replace W2C for Football Special Event

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Chasers pursuing certificates for the 16-city 2026 North American Football Championship Special Event have until Friday the 3rd July 2026 to work the NY/NJ station, W2C.

After that date, W2C will no longer be part of the multi-city event and contacts beginning on the 4th of July will not receive credit toward any awards. Another individual or group not associated with wc2026ses.org has reserved W2C for an independent World Cup SES from 4-19 July 2026. Contacts with W2C during that time are not expected to receive credit toward our Certificate program. Questions regarding W2C operations after July 3rd at 2359z should be directed to the new callsign holder WA2VUY.

Meanwhile, hunters who have not yet worked our special event station W2C are encouraged to listen for bonus station WC5WC whose operators throughout the US will be calling CQ. Confirmed contacts with WC5WC will count toward achievement certificates for the special event, which concludes on the 19th July 2026.

WC5WC and all remaining host-city stations will be active and on the air until the end of the tournament on the 19th July 2026.