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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hame-msk144-meteor

Using MSK144 meteor scatter on VHF, about how far can contacts reach?

About 2100 km (1300 miles).

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  1. Up to about 300 km (190 miles)
  2. Up to about 2100 km (1300 miles) ✔
  3. Up to about 12,000 km (7,500 miles)

Why: The WSJT-X guide says meteor scatter QSOs can be made on the VHF bands at distances up to about 2100 km (1300 miles). Signals bounce off ionized meteor trails.

Huh, didn't know that: A meteor entering the atmosphere leaves its ionized trail in the E region of the ionosphere.

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What did the asteroid say to the meteor? Nice to meteor you!
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References

Answer: Up to about 2100 km (1300 miles). The WSJT-X guide says meteor scatter QSOs can be made on the VHF bands at distances up to about 2100 km (1300 miles). Signals bounce off ionized meteor trails.

  1. WSJT-X User Guide 2.7.0, MSK144 wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.7.0.html
    Meteor scatter QSOs can be made any time on the VHF bands
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. WSJT-X User Guide 2.7.0, MSK144 wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.7.0.html
    distances up to about 2100 km (1300 miles)
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  3. NCVEC 2024-2028 Amateur Extra Class Question Pool www.ncvec.org/downloads/2024-2028%20Extra%20Class%20Question%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20with%204th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    A. The E region
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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