@proceedings {931, title = {Analysis by Citizen Scientists of Doppler Radio Observations of the April, 2024 Solar Eclipse}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The HamSCI community (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation) has analyzed high frequency radio observations of the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 and found interesting correlations. Nearly fifty ham radio operators recorded over 200 Doppler time series of the national time standard transmitters WWV in Colorado and CHU in Canada using specialized GRAPE (Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment) receivers. These observations are archived at the Personal Space Weather Station website, and cover ten frequencies from 0.6 to 25 MHz. There were over sixty different paths from transmitter to receiver at various angles across and along the path of totality from Texas to Maine. For each observation six citizen scientists collected demographic data, found distances and midpoints (where radio signals are reflected from the ionosphere), noted local eclipse information, measured the maximum Doppler shifts, counted multi-path signals, and judged the symmetry of the S-shaped Doppler curves over ingress and egress time periods. We found that the Doppler shifts depend mostly on the Sun{\textquoteright}s obscuration at the midpoint, but also on the carrier frequency and the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. At closer distances a radio wave measured a greater change in the path length as the bottom of the ionosphere retreated skyward and then returned as the Moon uncovered the Sun. \ 

}, author = {Mary Lou West and Nathaniel Frissell and Gary Mikitin and Gregory Popelas and Ronald Wilcox and McKenzie Denton and Robert Spalletta and William Engelke and Gwyn Griffiths and Steve Cerwin} } @proceedings {932, title = {Analysis of the HamSCI Solar Eclipse High Frequency Time Difference of Arrival Experiment Observations Using Automated Techniques}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The objective of our research is to use narrowband linear audio pulses, which are sensitive to time displacement, and transmit them through High Frequency (HF) commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) single-sideband (SSB) amateur radios to measure changes in ionospheric reflection heights, specifically during a solar eclipse. This will be accomplished and automated using programming techniques learned in the Digital Signal Processing course at the University of Scranton, where the primary objective is to use TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), a technique that measures the time displacement of single/multiple paths as they reach a receiving station. These TDOA values will be manipulated using a virtual height model that will yield different values of ionospheric layer heights based on the locations of the receiving and transmitting stations. During the October 2023 and April 2024 solar eclipses, WA5FRF transmitted a series of linear audio pulses (chirps) every 10{\textendash}15 minutes to various receiving stations on the 5, 7, and 14 MHz amateur radio bands. Received signals were squared and filtered to detect the waveform envelope. Correlation with a matched signal was then used to identify the start time of each chirp, after which a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was used to identify the beat-note frequency generated by multipath propagation. The October 2023 eclipse automated analysis shows that the F region reflection point was raised from 262.5 km at 17:00 UTC to 300 km at eclipse maximum at 17:30 UTC. The April 2024 eclipse analysis shows no real maximum reflection point; however, it does indicate an increase in layer height following maximum obscuration at 18:30 UTC. Both analyses are in good agreement with the hmf2 observations of the Austin Ionosonde. The intended purpose was to monitor multipath interference for 1{\textendash}2 hops off of the F2 layer; however, recent developments in this automated process yield additional data for other modes.

}, author = {Alexandros Papadopoulos and Gerard Piccini and Nathaniel Frissell and Steve Cerwin and Jesse McMahan and Paul Bilberry and Blackshear Samuel and Aidan Montaigne and Kristina Collins and Robert Spalletta} } @proceedings {933, title = {Approaches to Identifying Medium Wave Signal Enhancements in HamSCI{\textquoteright}s Solar Eclipse Data}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

During the solar eclipses of 2023 and 2024, \ HamSCI organized 27 volunteers in six countries to record the entire medium wave band (525-1705kHz) using software defined radios (SDRs), both during the eclipse and for the same time period on other days, as well as during dawn and dusk periods. \ Well over 20TB of Medium Wave SDR data was submitted to HamSCI as a result.\ 

For both eclipses, all data has now been preprocessed using visualization software to generate waterfall displays of AM broadcasters{\textquoteright} carriers at 0.1Hz resolution for each of the 117 domestic broadcast channels. \ This will allow researchers to quickly pick out signal enhancements during the eclipse periods for further study. \ HamSCI is in the process of making the enhanced data available publicly via Zenodo.\ 

Some participants{\textquoteright} data displayed hundreds of these enhancements. \  Readable audio from various AM broadcasters was heard for a short time during the eclipse, but many enhancements were of AM broadcasters{\textquoteright} carrier waves only. \  As hearing a station identification in the enhanced signal{\textquoteright}s audio is the easiest way to determine the location of a station{\textquoteright}s transmitter, what can be done to identify those signals that do not contain identification in the audio, or were not strong enough to deliver audio at all?

This presentation will suggest encouraging radio listening hobbyists to "DX the data" available at Zenodo in order to deliver as many station identifications as possible from the audible data. \  In addition, ways will be suggested to characterize the carriers of AM broadcasters across data sets in ways to otherwise identify transmitter locations.

This will help provide HamSCI with a higher quality data set, more suitable for assisting in verifying ionospheric models, particularly those that are simulating the effects of solar eclipses.

}, author = {Nicholas Hall-Patch} } @proceedings {960, title = {Are Weak Type II Radio Bursts Associated with Shocks Driven by Coronal Mass Ejections?}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Type II radio bursts are a type of slow-drifting solar radio bursts, usually understood as radio signatures from shocks driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs).\  Most previous studies on type II radio burst have focused on strong and bright type IIs, which, when imaged, have been often found to be associated with CME-driven shocks, although a few exceptions have also been reported. It remains an outstanding question whether such an association also holds for very weak type II radio bursts. Taking advantage of the imaging spectroscopy capabilities of the Owens Valley Radio Observatory{\textquoteright}s Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA) with an extremely high sensitivity, we identified several weaker type II radio burst events in 15{\textendash}88 MHz, and then analyzed them using radio interferometric imaging as a function of time and frequency. Weak type II radio bursts were categorized as being less than 10 minutes in total duration with low flux (\<10 s.f.u). We located the radio emission source and characterized their shape, brightness, and spatial-temporal variation. Then, using white light and multi-band extreme ultraviolet imaging observations, we tracked their possible solar drivers. We found that some weak type II radio burst events were not associated with a typical white light CME, but with a small scale coronal disturbance within a coronal streamer. For other type IIs, we could not find any visible activity from EUV and white light. All weak type IIs do not show a clear shock front counterpart. We discuss implications of our findings in understanding the formation of type II radio bursts.

}, author = {KresUranNu Baylor and Peijin Zhan and Bin Chen} } @proceedings {963, title = {Bridging Indoor RFID Localization and Long-Range Sensing: Exploring Energy-Efficient Backscatter Positioning}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The evolution of backscattering communications has significantly advanced RFID-based localization, particularly in scenarios where cost-effectiveness and low power consumption in harsh environments are critical. Originally introduced during World War II with the concept of corner reflectors, backscatter-based localization has since progressed into ubiquitous indoor tracking and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, interference, energy harvesting limitations, and communication range constraints limit its full potential. Recent advancements in RFID-based localization have focused on techniques that optimize power allocation, extend range, and mitigate interference. One approach involves integrating sensing and communication (ISAC) systems with RFID, where Zero-Forcing and Convex Optimization minimize interference while enhancing power allocation. However, as tags move closer to user antennas, interference challenges remain. Another key development in backscattering communications has demonstrated long-range RFID localization by decoupling the carrier frequency from the receiver, achieving distances up to 3.4 km at 868 MHz with only 70 μW power consumption. However, this technique introduced unintended interference with nearby communication bands. More recent methods have addressed this issue by employing frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation, significantly extending reader-tag distances. Building upon these insights, we propose an auxiliary approach: integrating energy-harvesting receiving antennas within RFID localization networks, transforming them into self-powered sensor nodes. This approach opens opportunities for radio applications, where distributed low-power RFID beacons could support experimental localization networks. With backscatter localization techniques progressing in extended range, interference mitigation, and energy efficiency, this study explores their potential for passive RF sensing and citizen science applications. By bridging RFID localization and radio science, we investigate their feasibility in long-range sensing scenarios.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Ahmed Saeed and Yehea Ismail} } @proceedings {949, title = {Climatology of Large-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed with 14 MHz Amateur Radio Using a Novel Automated Detection Technique}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present a multi-year climatology of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance (LSTID) period oscillations observed using 14 MHz amateur (ham) radio data. Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are quasi periodic electron density perturbations in the F region ionosphere that affect radio communications and can help with understanding energy transport throughout the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-neutral atmosphere system. These are seen, in daytime, as variations in contact ranges in 14 MHz amateur radio communication reports recorded by automated monitoring systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet), the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), and PSKReporter. A new deterministic and fully automated method was developed for identifying and quantifying these disturbances. This technique, which filters for TID wave periods between 1 and 5 hours and curve fits a sinusoidal function to the first hop skip-distance edge of observed communication ranges, provides both TID amplitudes and periods. In this study, we present full year climatologies of LSTID events over the continental United States (CONUS) using RBN, WSPRNet, and PSK observations from 2016- 2021. Results are organized as a function wave period, amplitude, and season. We find that LSTIDs increase in winter and decline during the fall and spring, with slight enhancements in the summer and occasional brief declines in LSTID winter activity. This seasonal pattern shows consistency with previous studies and observations of LSTIDs and medium scale TIDs that suggests this behavior may be associated with neutral wind filtering in the middle atmosphere, sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events, and multi-step vertical coupling (MSVC) processes. MSVC is a process where gravity waves (GWs) from the lower neutral atmosphere propagate upwards, break, and produce new, higher-order GWs in the thermosphere and TIDs in the ionosphere.

}, author = {Diego Sanchez and Nathaniel Frissell and Mary Lou West and V. Lynn Harvey and Sharon Vadas and Erich Becker and Gareth Perry and William Engelke and Nicholas Callahan and Philip Erickson} } @proceedings {971, title = {Development of a Contesting and DXing Dashboard for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This project aims to develop a dashboard display specifically for amateur radio HF contesting, DXing, and general operations using data from the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station as well as potentially adding other local and remote real time data. The HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station is a multi-instrument system designed to measure space weather for both scientific research and amateur radio operations. The core of the PSWS is the RX-888/KA9Q-radio WSPRDaemon-Grape High Frequency (HF) software-defined radio (SDR), capable of capturing and analyzing signals across the 0.3-30 MHz range. While most PSWS development efforts thus far have focused on strictly scientific objectives, this project will aim to make the data available and useful in real time for Ham Radio Operators. The dashboard has a goal of enhancing real-time HF propagation assessments for amateur radio operators. By decoding WSPR spots and integrating with external space weather observations, this dashboard will provide propagation insights on an individual station basis. The dashboard will also contribute to a larger understanding of both localized and global HF conditions. This should allow amateur radio operators to optimize their transmissions based on real-time ionospheric conditions, which can help improve contesting efficiency and DXing success. This project will involve the HamSCI Community, the Frankford Radio Club, and W3USR. This project aims to advance amateur radio capabilities and strengthen science contributions to space weather research.

}, author = {Owen Ruzanski and Nathaniel Frissell and Ray Sokola and Bud Trench} } @proceedings {974, title = {Discovering Amateur Radio}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The author\ shares his vision for a more active and engaged Amateur Radio Service, exploring how the ham radio community can inspire others to develop a deeper understanding for wireless communications. Through personal stories, ARRL initiatives, and a spotlight on some of the brightest areas of amateur radio activity, Inderbitzen will illustrate\ how the service acts as a "sandbox" for introducing the public to the world of radio, while nurturing the next generation of innovators in radio science and technology.

}, author = {Robert Inderbitzen} } @proceedings {939, title = {Distributional Characteristics of Short-Term 2022 20-Meter Sequential Matched WSPRDaemon Noise Observations}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Understanding the characteristics and structure of one{\textquoteright}s data is critical for effective data analysis. Currently, WSPRDaemon data are being used in background noise level, HF propagation, Doppler shift, and correlational studies. Here we use Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) on short-term (2-minute), sequential observations of WSPRDaemon observations to gain insights into the distributional characteristics of the data prior to more advanced modeling or analytical procedures. Our findings uncovered data outliers and puzzling distributional characteristics. \ While consistent in their presence, these anomalies were unique from one receiving station to the next. These findings warrant further consideration and explanation before researchers invest time attempting more complex analytic procedures. \ They also strongly suggest that a parallel data base of meta-data for the receiving stations would be extremely helpful for future studies.\ 

}, author = {Robert Gerzoff and Gwyn Griffiths} } @proceedings {968, title = {Effect of near total solar eclipse on radio propagation of HF, weak-signal propagation reporter (WSPR) transmissions}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Background: A North American path of totality granted opportunity to investigate the effects of a solar eclipse on radio propagation. The weak signal propagation reporter (WSPR) modality is acclaimed for detecting low signal-to-noise transmissions and used to study radio propagation. {\textquotedblleft}Spots{\textquotedblright} are detected WSPR signals originating from a particular transmitter. Methods: The predicted maximum obscuration of the sun at the semi-rural New York field location (Maidenhead FN22, 42{\textdegree}N 74{\textdegree}W) was 97.6\%. The Zachtek WSPR Desktop Transmitter outputted 200mW WSPR transmissions cyclically on 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10M amateur radio bands ({\textquotedblleft}bands{\textquotedblright}). The EFHW antenna system consisted of a horizontal ~66{\textquoteright} 16awg 20{\textquoteright} high wire in an east-west orientation, 49:1 toroidal impedance transformer, and 25{\textquoteright} RG58c/u coaxial cable. Before, during, and after the eclipse, WSPR transmissions cycled through 80M-10M (minus 60M) bands, transmitting for 105 seconds per band, or 14 minutes through all bands, followed by four minute of rest. Twelve multi-band transmission cycles were completed during the experiment; each complete transmission cycle was considered a {\textquotedblleft}time slot{\textquotedblright}. Propagated mileage for these spots was obtained from the WSPR Rocks! online repository. For each band, propagation mileage for spots in a given time slot were compared with those of all of the other time slots (Mann-Whitney U for non-parametric, independent data, one- and two- tailed, ρ \< 0.05) This was repeated for each band. When identified, significant findings suggest a particular band{\textquoteright}s aggregated propagation distances within a given time slot are different (longer or shorter) than those in that band{\textquoteright}s remaining time slots. Results: WSPR transmissions at 10.14MHz and 14.09MHz propagated significantly longer distances at the height of the eclipse and afterwards, compared to those preceding maximum sun coverage. This signal path lengthening was not observed in other bands. Solar eclipses may effect 30M and 20M radio wave propagation, causing transmission distances to lengthen at and following maximum solar obscuration.

}, author = {Mindy J. Hull} } @proceedings {940, title = {Effect of the equatorial plasma bubbles on amateur radio communication: Full-wave simulation Study}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present the impact of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPB) on high-frequency (HF) wave propagation, such as amateur (ham) radio communications, in the ionosphere. Ionospheric density irregularities occur over a wide range of latitudes from the equator to the polar region and local times. Many numerical efforts have been made to study wave propagation in the ionosphere; however, several challenges arise in modeling the propagation of HF waves. For example, the wavelength of radio waves in the ionosphere is much shorter than the ray path and the thickness of the ionosphere; thus, simulating these waves requires high-performance computing resources. This challenge is one reason why previous research has predominantly focused on ray tracing and analytical calculations. For such reasons, the properties of HF waves{\textemdash}such as reflection, refraction, scattering, and scintillation{\textemdash}are not fully understood in the context of density irregularities. This presentation introduces the state-of-the-art full-wave simulation code, Petra-M. \ We then conduct numerical examinations of how the EPB affects HF wave propagation. We utilize density irregularity structures, such as EPBs, derived from other simulations as background ionospheric density structures. Due to the small-scale density fluctuations in the EPB, HF waves can reach higher altitudes with scattering and trapping in the density structure. Mode conversion from the incoming HF wave to the electrostatic waves, which are localized waves in the ionosphere, also occurs. Such effects can lead to failed wave detection at the receiver since the wave power reaches a broader area near the receiver due to scattering, and wave power can decrease because of the wave mode conversion.

}, author = {Eun-Hwa Kim and S. Shiraiwa and J. R. Johnson and J. Huba and K Hozumi and S. Wing and N. Bertelli} } @proceedings {973, title = {Electron thermionic emission and tunneling transport in spherically symmetric charged grains in dusty plasmas}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Electron emission from charged spherical dusty grains plays a crucial role in plasma environments, influencing charge dynamics and transport properties. This presentation explores thermionic emission and quantum tunneling as potential escape mechanisms for electrons in such systems. Using the Richardson-Dushman equation, we estimate thermionic emission currents at high temperatures, revealing significant electron loss under extreme conditions. Additionally, we analyze the feasibility of quantum tunneling, incorporating Debye shielding effects to assess barrier modifications and electron transmission probabilities. Our findings suggest that while thermionic emission dominates at elevated temperatures, tunneling can contribute non-negligibly in dense plasma conditions, influencing overall charge equilibrium. A promising direction for future probing is the impact of dynamic charge fluctuations on tunneling probabilities, which could further refine our understanding of electron escape processes in fluctuating plasma environments.

}, author = {Rebecca Potter and Nina Tormann and Argyrios Varonides} } @proceedings {964, title = {Enhancing Lidar-GPS Fusion for Localization: Integrating Ionospheric Modeling with NeQuick G and V2V Implementation}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) provides high-resolution mapping and odometry for localization but faces limitations when used alone. Conversely, GPS positioning is impaired by ionospheric irregularities{\textemdash}such as Total Electron Content (TEC) variations, scintillation, and gravity waves{\textemdash}which distort satellite signals and reduce accuracy. This work explores a multi-modal fusion approach that integrates Lidar and GPS to optimize localization by compensating for ionospheric-induced errors. In the first phase, we focus on enhancing the GPS component of the Lidar-GPS fusion using the Galileo-based NeQuick G model, a mathematical framework for simulating ionospheric variations. Utilizing NASA{\textquoteright}s Archive of Space Geodesy Data, we analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of Vertical TEC (VTEC). By applying Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), we identify global VTEC maxima at different altitudes, shedding light on worst-case ionospheric disturbances. For example, our analysis predicts that on January 1, 2027, at 12:00 AM UTC, the highest VTEC values occur at coordinates (-9.8, -88) near Peru, a critical region where GPS accuracy may degrade. This phase aids in forecasting GPS performance fluctuations in high-disturbance zones and informs the optimization of Lidar-GPS fusion for precision applications, including autonomous vehicles and V2V communication. The second phase is an aspirational extension aimed at implementing a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication model using Lidar sensors. This planned work will address challenges such as third-vehicle occlusion and background visible light noise. By integrating Lidar landmark matching, SLAM, and 3D point cloud processing, we intend to enhance localization reliability in dynamic multi-vehicle environments. Ultimately, this study bridges atmospheric science and vehicular localization, demonstrating the synergy between Lidar-based SLAM, ionospheric modeling, and the potential for robust Lidar-driven V2V networking to improve autonomous navigation and road safety.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Ahmed Saeed and Yehea Ismail} } @proceedings {927, title = {EZIE-Mag: A low cost, science quality, magnetometer suite enabling global coverage}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

EZIE-Mag suite is an ultra-low cost, science quality measurements that enable the global observational coverage that is required to produce space weather nowcasting and forecasting. Industry have developed solutions that allow a low cost solution. We show the hardware solution, the OS, the post-processing solution, and the educational package.

}, author = {Jesper Gjerloev and R. Barnes and E. Adebayo and L. Kepko and T. Cline and N. Mosavi-Hoyer and J. Leibert and L. Regoli and M. Freil and D. Oztruk and A. Cohen and J. Fitzer} } @proceedings {941, title = {Generating and Receiving GPS-Timed Acoustic and Radiofrequency Costas Array Sounding Signals}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Understanding the static and dynamic properties of the ionosphere is of great fundamental and technological importance. This work presents a low-cost, GPS-disciplined transmitter/receiver system that uses Costas arrays similar to those in FT8 to achieve simultaneous time-of-flight and Doppler shift measurements. The sharp correlation peaks in both frequency and time domains of the Costas arrays may allow for the study of difficult-to-measure properties of the HF propagation, such as the number of hops, ionospheric propagation type, etc. The narrow bandwidth and optimal autocorrelation properties also make the Costas array a good signal for the moderate noise of the HF bands and allows for QRP (low-power, under 5W) operation. Our hardware design consists of a microcontroller coupled with an AD9850 direct digital synthesis chip and an external 50 MHz crystal oscillator, as well as an Adafruit GPS module with a 1PPS signal. Our device is designed to interface with standard amateur radio transceivers for both transmission and reception. Its open-source architecture and reliance on readily available off-the-shelf parts make it easily reproducible, and suitable for rapid deployment. Some hams and institutions have already expressed interest in deploying units for coordinated data collection. By offering inexpensive, scalable, and accurate ionospheric sounding capabilities, this project aims to support ongoing research of the ionosphere and HF propagation.

}, author = {Solomon El-Ghannam and Andres Dickson Alarcon and Yaodan Zhang} } @proceedings {942, title = {GPS-Disciplined Shortwave Beacon for High Rate Of Measurement Ionospheric Propagation Analysis}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The ionosphere is an undersampled system. Gathering more data points{\textemdash}such as time of flight, Doppler shift, and derivatives (number of hops, type of propagation){\textemdash}could further our understanding of the ionospheric propagation and enable more in-depth research. This work presents a relatively low-cost, highly repeatable beacon transmitter based on the AD9850 chip, clocked by an external GPSDO. It transmits Costas arrays and phase-modulated timestamps with location data. The AD9850 is loaded in advance by a microcontroller and triggered by the 1PPS pulse of the GPS module. In this design, we aim for a measurable delay of no worse than 100 ns and stability of the delay on the order of tens of nanoseconds. This level of precision translates into time-of-flight measurements with theoretical spatial resolutions on the order of tens of meters, which, given the short length of the signals, allows for rapid, precise measurements at the rate of up to 1 Hz. Such capabilities could allow for the capture of rapid changes and monitoring of the more dynamic processes in the ionosphere.

}, author = {Ruslan Gindullin} } @proceedings {958, title = {HamSCI as a Tool for Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Study}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, author = {Kornyanat Hozumi and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {934, title = {The HamSCI Book Club}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

\ We will discuss several radio-related works of English literature: \ Romeo \& Juliet\ romeo-and-juliet_PDF_FolgerShakespeare.pdf\ and Code Poems\ Weiner_Hannah_Code_Poems.pdf

}, author = {David Kazdan and Kristina Collins and Leah Davydov} } @proceedings {928, title = {HamSCI in OpenSpace: Toward Unified Visualizations of Geospace Data}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

As HamSCI efforts developing the PSWS network continue, we amass stations and data that can help fill in the gaps in our understanding of the geospace system. However, the counterintuitive scales of the geospace system present visualization challenges, and demand flexible and intuitive tools that can showcase data and simulations over a range of spatial and temporal scales with appropriate fidelity. OpenSpace is open-source interactive data visualization software designed to visualize the entire known universe and portray our ongoing efforts to investigate the cosmos. Designed for use in planetarium domes, it can also be deployed on desktop computers, and is well-supported by a vibrant open-source development community of over twenty years. In this talk, I{\textquoteright}ll demonstrate how OpenSpace can be used as a visualization platform for HamSCI work and related data. I{\textquoteright}ll also discuss the potential for VR integration and spatialized sonification and audification in OpenSpace.

}, author = {Kristina Collins} } @proceedings {978, title = {HamSCI{\textquoteright}s Meteor Scatter QSO Party 2025}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Meteor Scatter QSO Party 2025 is an on-the-air experiment designed to study meteor scatter propagation on HF bands below 30 MHz using the MSK144 mode in the digital communication software WSJT-X. The primary goal is to generate dense, geographically diverse datasets to analyze the feasibility of HF meteor scatter for future scientific research. The experiment will be conducted during the Perseids meteor shower in August 2025, with a secondary event planned for the Geminids meteor shower in December 2025.

}, author = {McKenzie Denton} } @proceedings {929, title = {HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP): Observations and Modeling on Ionospheric Effects}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This study investigates the ionospheric changes during the solar eclipse of April 2024 using data from the HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP). SEQP collected radio communication data reported by ham radio operators and global automated receiving networks (e.g., WSPRNet, the Reverse Beacon Network, and PSKReporter). The datasets include radio communications at multiple frequencies in the high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) bands. Thousands of ham radio operators across the contiguous United States (CONUS) and around the globe contributed to the observations with unprecedented temporal, spatial, and spectral coverage. SEQP datasets are used to infer ionospheric state before, during, and after the solar eclipse. We use the ham radio datasets along with PHaRLAP raytrace modeling to infer the ionospheric response of the solar eclipse and also evaluate the outputs of the physics-based model SAMI3 for the eclipse ionosphere. Our findings suggest that the solar eclipse increased the range of radio communications at lower HF band (3.5, 7, 10 MHz), but decreased the longer range communications at higher HF band (21, 24, 28 MHz). Ham radio datasets from stations continually operated during the eclipse show an earlier opening of radio links between the US and Europe on the eclipse day. We are conducting modeling studies to understand the causes of changes in ham radio observations and to examine the potential combined effect of the sunset terminator and eclipse shadow during the later phase of the eclipse.

}, author = {Kuldeep Pandey and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel Frissell and Travis Atkinson and William Engelke and Joseph Huba and Mary Lou West and Philip Gladstone and Cameron Cushing and McKenzie Denton and Edward Efchak and Gary Mikitin and H. Ward Silver} } @proceedings {935, title = {High-Frequency Signal Strength Simulation at GRAPE Personal Space Weather Stations Using PHaRLAP Ray Tracing}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

High-frequency (HF) radio wave propagation serves as both a vital communication tool and a probe for ionospheric behavior. This work models and analyzes the reception of HF signals from the standard transmitting station WWV (Fort Collins, Colorado) to two well-calibrated Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS): W2NAF (Scranton, Pennsylvania) and K6KPH (Point Reyes, California). These stations are equipped with Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment (GRAPE) receivers{\textemdash}GPS-disciplined systems designed to measure standard time signals with high precision. To simulate HF wave propagation, we use the Provision of High-Frequency Raytracing Laboratory for Propagation Studies (PHaRLAP), a MATLAB toolbox for ionospheric ray tracing. Utilizing the data-based International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2020 model, which supplies the ionospheric background conditions, we analyze HF propagation at 5, 10, and 15 MHz by launching a fan of rays at varying elevation angles to determine which rays successfully reach the receivers. In addition, we are extending our simulations using the Python-based SAMI3 ionospheric model. We also compute ionospheric HF absorption and compare the modeled values with the observed signal strengths recorded by the PSWS throughout the day, aiming for the predicted absorption to be within one order of magnitude of the observations. This work enhances our understanding of how ionospheric absorption affects HF signal strength across different times of day and seasons, thereby contributing to space science, space weather research, and amateur radio science.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Nathaniel Frissell and Kuldeep Pandey} } @proceedings {957, title = {How Do We Put a HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station in Antarctica?}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present initial ideas on how to place a HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station at United States Antarctic Research Stations.

}, author = {Rebecca Potter and Nina Tormann and Christine Zakzewski and Majid Mokhtari and Nathaniel Frissell and Ken Martin and Jermey McLynch and Hyomin Kim and Gareth Perry and David McGaw and James LaBelle and Tedi Godfrey and Michael Hartje and Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett and Paul Elliott} } @proceedings {975, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course: A Progress Report}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We report on citizen science activities in a physics course and Space Force ROTC training designed to engage undergraduate students and cadets in the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Physics Department offers a senior-level lab course, "Advanced Physics Lab," where students are expected to gain hands-on experience with experimental techniques, instrumentation, theoretical and applied electronics, solid-state electronic devices, and experiments in modern physics by performing quantitative measurements of fundamental physical parameters. In this lab, students work in a largely unstructured environment, where they are provided with equipment and related manuals to conduct experiments with minimal instructor supervision. Traditionally, students have followed preset lab setups, guided by the manuals that accompany the equipment. While this approach helps students relate lab results to established physics theories and principles, its impact has been limited due to a lack of "hands-on" experience and real-world application demonstrations. The HamSCI PSWS project provides an excellent opportunity to address this gap. Through the project, students build and test scientific instruments, using them for investigations that engage them directly in scientific inquiry. This paper presents an evaluation of the impact of this undergraduate class activity on future workforce development, utilizing HamSCI resources.

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Jeremy McLynch and Joseph Visone and Dominick Santelli and Sergio Santelli and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel Frissell and Gary Mikitin and John Gibbons and David Witten} } @proceedings {950, title = {Integrating Amateur Radio into the Introductory Electricity and Magnetism Curriculum at Kettering University}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Kettering University is a engineering-focused university in Flint, Michigan, with a strong tradition of integrating theory and practice. Students typically alternate each quarter between coursework on campus and cooperative education in the workplace. All undergraduate engineering majors are required to take a calculus-based physics course in electricity and magnetism for their degree programs. Last year I proposed to integrate content covered by the Technician license exam into this course with the goal of students learning both electromagnetism and gaining the opportunity to obtain an nationally-recognized external credential. To this end, I redesigned my version of the course to include applications of physical principles to amateur radio and other wireless technology. While there was already significant overlap between the existing curricula in some areas (e.g., electric field, potential, current, DC resistor circuits, capacitors, magnetic fields), other new areas needed to be introduced (e.g., transceivers, repeaters, antennas, radio wave propagation, RF exposure). I also added content to introduce student to amateur radio culture, licensing regulations, and operating regulations. To better combine the traditional approaches of teaching the physics of electricity and magnetism with topics in amateur radio, I am currently in the process of writing, remixing, and editing a freely-accessible online textbook via the LibreTexts open education project. I have also created test banks of the license exam questions suitable for importing into common learning management systems. Finally, I have developed and tested in-class and out-of-class activities to give students hand-on exposure to radio and am currently developing an associated laboratory curriculum. Initial results from the Fall 2024 quarter were promising with a cohort of 26 students achieving an 85\% pass rate on the Technician license exam.\ 

}, author = {Ronald Kumon} } @proceedings {953, title = {Integration \& Validation of a Standardized Library \& File Format for PyDARNMUSIC \& DARNtids: Migrating From Legacy Pickle Files to HDF5 \& Implementing a Comprehensive Testing Suite}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The PyDARN Multiple Signal Classification (PyDARN-MUSIC) algorithm is a general, widely used sign processing algorithm for determining the parameters of multiple wavefronts arriving at an antenna array from measurements made on the signals received at the array elements. It has been used in previous Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) studies to determine the size, strength, speed, and direction of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs). DARNtids (Dual Auroral Radar Network Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances) is a python-based open-source software toolkit that first detects level of MSTID activity in SuperDARN data and then runs the MSTID MUSIC analysis software on event periods with significant MSTIDs. DARNtids can run the SuperDARN MUSIC algorithm automatically on thousands\  individual analysis periods. Both PyDARN-MUSIC and DARNtids use pickle files for storing Python objects\  byte streams. Pickle files are fragile and cannot be easily manipulated and used on modern systems. They are specific to Python, produce massive serialized values, and are slower than alternative options. As result, both repositories have experienced software engineering challenges related to portability, interoperability, testability, and maintainability, thereby forcing runs to take significantly longer than necessary, data to be stored inefficiently, and the debugging process to be difficult. We present the methodology taken to seamlessly replace dependencies on pickle files in PyDARN-MUSIC and DARNtids integrating the Hierarchical Data Format Version 5 (HDF5) file format and library. We further discuss validation techniques via the newly implemented PyDARN-MUSIC test suite to ensure numerical data accuracy between existing pickle file results and new HDF5 result.

}, author = {Nicholas Guerra and James Fox and Thomas Pisano and Michael Molzen and Nathaniel Frissell and Paul Jackowitz and Joseph B. H. Baker and J. Michael Ruohoniemi} } @proceedings {926, title = {Interim Findings of the HamSCI DASI2 HF Antenna Project}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

An ad hoc HamSCI DASI2 Antenna Group was tasked in late 2024 with evaluation of antenna options for the DASI2 grant. We present the the materials, methods, and criteria we have so far developed to accomplish this along with preliminary results. \ Antenna systems under consideration include DXE-RSEAV-1FVI, N6GN SAS, LZ1AQ loop dipole, and others. \ The materials include key elements already intended for use in the grant -- the RX888-SDR and software such as the KA9Q-Radio system, the KA9Q-Web spectrum display, WSPRDAEMON, and spot and noise reception reports to wspr.net, wsprdaemon.org, and pskreporter. \ The methods leverage ITU noise figures, known broadcast station locations, significant recent improvements in the spectrum display, and analysis of the local site. \ The criteria so far include antenna performance metrics, site evaluation, ease of deployment, support needs, and cost. This effort will enable us to provide good quality information, some of which we present, for selecting an appropriate antenna for the grant. \ However, the effort to solve this particular task has also demonstrated the general utility of these tools and methods for the amateur radio community. \ A view of the entire HF spectrum enable at-a-glance assessments that can help one more effectively identify and solve problems and optimize reception given the natural limitations of one{\textquoteright}s site. \ One can see recognizable patterns suggesting local and propagated noise, overmodulation, aliasing, inadequate front-end gain, ground loops, and more. \ One can compare two (or more) antennas or one antenna with itself at different sites or orientations, the effects of feed-line placement, interactions with nearby structures or foliage, and more. \ These efforts will inform the choice of an antenna to use for the DASI2 grant but can prove immediately useful for all hams and scientists in understanding and optimizing their receiving systems.

}, author = {Michael Hauan and Glenn Elmore and Rob Robinett and Gwyn Griffiths and Dve Witten and Ulli Grunow and Clint Turner} } @proceedings {972, title = {Investigating January 2016 Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Causes with SuperDARN}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations of F-region ionospheric densities that are most often associated with atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) generated in the lower neutral atmosphere. The ionospheric variations caused by MSTIDs can focus and defocus HF radio signals, propagating through the ionosphere, thereby causing changes in the range at which these radio signals are refracted back to Earth. Using this principle, high frequency radars such as those in the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) can be used to observe MSTIDs. The SuperDARN MSTID Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) Algorithm can be used to determine the period, wavelength, speed, and direction of propagation of the observed MSTIDs. We present SuperDARN observations over the North American continent for the period of 11-16 January 2016 as shown in Vadas et. Al. 2024. \ This period is known to be important in terms of the polar vortex generating GWs that seed MSTID activity through multi-step vertical coupling processes. A period of low MSTID activity is observed from 11-13 January followed by a period of elevated MSTID activity from 14-16 January, which is observed across multiple radar fields of view. For this period of interest, an Investigation of MUSIC{\textquoteright}s radar-by-radar reports of observed MSTID parameters including direction of propagation, speed, and period and their comparison to polar vortex activity level observation is also presented.\ 

}, author = {Michael Molzen and Nathaniel Frissell and Sharon Vadas and Lynn Harvey} } @proceedings {954, title = {Investigation of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in CB Radio with Elementary Students: A {\textquoteright}Super Bowl{\textquoteright} Mystery}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Citizen{\textquoteright}s Band Radio Service (CB Radio), as defined by the United States Code of Federal Regulations, is a two-way voice communication service operating in the 27 MHz band, divided into 40 channels with a power limit of 4 Watts. Classified as High Frequency (HF), CB radio shares the spectrum with other services, and in Brazil, it offers similar functionalities with simplified registration. Motivated by the accessibility and low cost of equipment, elementary school students in Santa Catarina (-26.8668712, -49.2317786) conducted an experiment during lessons on electromagnetic waves. Using Aquarius RP40 and PRO401HH CB radios, the students received signals on channel 06 (27.025 MHz) in Amplitude Modulation (AM), identified as originating from the USA and related to the {\textquotedblleft}Super Bowl{\textquotedblright} broadcast, through the analysis of the message content. After researching the possible source of the transmission, it was found that the signal travels approximately 7,850 km from its origin to the receiver, a distance estimated using geolocation tools and information from possible broadcasters found online, demonstrating the propagation of HF waves through the ionosphere. This region of the upper atmosphere reflects radio waves back to Earth, enabling long-distance communication through multiple {\textquotedblleft}skips{\textquotedblright} between the ionospheric layers and the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface. The observed variation in the received signal intensity, consistent with fluctuations in ionospheric electron density, highlights the influence of the ionosphere on signal propagation. Although long-distance reception may raise questions about transmission power, antennas, and other factors, this study emphasizes the role of the ionosphere, providing students with hands-on experience with radio communication equipment, deepening their understanding of electromagnetic waves through the ionospheric layer, and inspiring scientific inquiry.

}, author = {Alexandre Takio Kitagawa and Anni Carolini Maffezzolli and Ana Carolina Hemmer de Oliveira and Emanuella Brandl} } @proceedings {936, title = {Ionospheric Variability{\textquoteright}s Impact on HF Propagation: Insights from Grape V1 Doppler Residuals and PHaRLAP Ray Tracing}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This study investigates the impact of ionospheric variability on HF (3-30 MHz) skywave propagation, a critical aspect of long-range radio communication. Using a dedicated HamSCI Grape V1 low-IF receiver (K2MFF) at NJIT, we analyze long-term Doppler residual measurements of the 10 MHz WWV signal from Fort Collins, CO. Our observations reveal a strong correlation between stable daytime propagation and a Cauchy distribution of Doppler residuals, while sporadic nighttime conditions align more with a combination of exponential power and log-normal statistics. This pattern is consistent across our dataset, barring dates of atypical solar irradiance on the ionosphere, such as during high-class solar flares and solar eclipses. We compare these findings with PHaRLAP ray-tracing simulations using an IRI ionosphere model, allowing us to visualize the signal{\textquoteright}s ray path and pinpoint the ionospheric altitudes (100-400 km) responsible for observed features. Raytracing results attribute daytime signal stability to a superposition of multi-hop modes, while nighttime oscillations linked to TIDs are measurable due to 1-hop dominance. By examining diurnal variations in Doppler residuals, this work provides amateur radio operators with a better understanding of ionospheric dynamics and their impact on HF communication, ultimately contributing to improved prediction of propagation conditions and more effective use of the HF spectrum. Additionally, this work provides a foundation for interpreting real-time propagation data and understanding the effects of solar activity and ionospheric variations on signal quality and reliability for amateur radio communication.

}, author = {Sabastian Fernandes and Gareth Perry and Tiago Trigo and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons} } @proceedings {969, title = {The IP400 Networking Project}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The IP400 Network Project goal is the\ development of a next generation data communications system by Amateur Radio for Amateur Radio. Features include higher speeds (minimum 100 kbps), robust modulation (eventually OFDM) and forward error correction, automatic discovery and routing to form peer to peer mesh networks (interoperable with AREDN), and ability to transport widely varying data types, from short text messages, through digital voice and video. IP400 will offer an adapter (Supernode) for repeaters to allow them to interoperate with IP400 user nodes. An initial IP400 radio is expected to be available in mid 2025. IP400 is in very active development and is sponsored by the Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society.

}, author = {Steve Stroh and Martin Alcock} } @proceedings {961, title = {A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere characterized by both ions and electrons. It is highly active and experiences changes in parameters such as electron density at different altitudes, based on the energy absorbed from the sun. Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere by transmitting a signal towards the ionosphere.\  This signal is refracted back to the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface and received in such a manner that return echoes can be timed to calculate the height profile of the bottomside ionosphere. Traditional ionosondes require large antenna systems and high amounts of power. Recent advancements in software defined radio (SDR) technology, advanced digital signal processing (DSP), and computational efficiency enable the size, cost, and power demands of an ionosonde system to be reduced. Two systems are currently used in this project: the Ettus N200 Universal Radio Peripheral (USRP) and the newer Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16. Using amateur radio fan dipoles and GNU Radio code, the Ettus system was used successfully to sound the ionosphere during the 2024 total solar eclipse. It recorded virtual layer height data comparable to multimillion-dollar ionosonde systems. We are now working to assemble the Red Pitaya system into a smaller form that can be assembled inexpensively and operated with ease. In the following weeks we will improve our sounding methods to be able to obtain more data.

}, author = {Gerard Piccini and Robert McGwier and Robert Spaletta and Nathaniel Frissell and Majid Mokhtari and Philip Erickson} } @proceedings {966, title = {Machine learning applied to the ray tracing model of the OTH radar}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Over-the-horizon skywave radar (OTHR) uses reflections in the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere to detect targets at very long ranges. To achieve detection, the electromagnetic energy emitted by the radar must follow a specific path with the target as its endpoint. This propagation path is strongly dependent on three factors: the direction of emission, the frequency of the electromagnetic wave and the conditions of the propagation medium, in particular the dynamic and complex characteristics of the ionosphere. From the above, it can be concluded that for this type of radar, the prior determination of the wave propagation path is essential for the correct operation of the system. In this work we are presenting the first results of a computational model based on Machine Learning to predict the propagation path of an electromagnetic wave emitted by an OTHR. A variety of ray tracing models are currently available. These models can range from very simple versions using analytical equations to versions that find the propagation path by solving a system of differential equations using numerical integration methods. The proposed model will provide solutions to the main disadvantages of traditional ray tracing models based on systems of differential equations, such as: Speed of response: once trained, the neural network model is able to respond to new queries almost instantaneously; Adaptive capability: unlike traditional models, neural networks can be retrained or adapted to incorporate new data and scenarios, improving accuracy, and, finally Reduced computing resources: optimised neural network models can run on less demanding hardware than numerical integration methods.

}, author = {Zenon Saavedra and Alexis Vale and Ana Georgina Elias} } @proceedings {951, title = {Monitoring tropospheric propagation at 24 GHz: A pilot study}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

HamSCI{\textquoteright}s upper atmosphere and space physics focus has drawn on ionospheric observations by hams using protocols including WSPR, and precision measurements of transmitters WWV and CHU with the information gathered into databases. Such techniques are applicable to other amateur radio fields to advance understanding of propagation. As an example, we describe a UK pilot system for monitoring tropospheric propagation at 24 GHz. The transmitter (JO01mt22 12 m ASL) on 24.048945 GHz has a GPS disciplined oscillator and outputs 7 W ERP to an omnidirectional antenna. Transmissions alternate each minute between WSJT-X{\textquoteright}s JT4G sub-mode and a carrier with CW identification. The 53 km test path over the Thames Estuary glances the sea surface to a receiver (JO01qj81 80 m ASL). At the receiver a masthead down-converter to 400 MHz IF connects to a Raspberry Pi controlled SDR running OpenWebRX. The pilot SDR, an RTL-dongle, is to be replaced by an Airspy R2. The data monitoring software, based on early WsprDaemon, processes WSJT-X wav files. It logs basic data of callsign, SNR and frequency from JT4G and signal and noise levels from carrier-only intervals. SNR derived from the carrier shows greater resolution and dynamic range than from JT4G. Measurements of frequency with lower scatter are obtained from cross-correlating the JT4G signal with its sync vector, finding the peaks via continuous wavelet transform then interpolation.\  Data on environment variables that may affect propagation is collected from a lightship, including air and sea temperature, relative and absolute humidity and wave height. Rain rate is from a shore station near the transmitter. Radio and environmental data go to a database with a Grafana dashboard for visualisation. Encouraging semi-quantitative effects of changes in the environment on propagation have been observed. These include: signal dropout at absolute humidity above 8 g/m3; increased variance of frequency with waveheights above 1 m; and signal level reducing gradually by 8 dB during the passage of a cold front with a band of rain up to 1 mm/hour.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and John Worsnop} } @proceedings {947, title = {The NRAO Exploring the EMS/Ham Radio Project: The Way Ahead}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Abstract: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Ham Radio Project "Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS)" is an Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)-funded project that is designed to help young people{\textemdash}especially those from communities not traditionally involved in radio astronomy or amateur radio{\textemdash}by exposing them to both interrelated fields. The 40-week program accomplishes this goal by encouraging learners to build self-sustaining STEM identities and communities that center their governance structures, ways of knowing, and meaning-making, as well as creating a scalable, open-source licensed curriculum on the SuperKnova Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). The project{\textquoteright}s mission, connecting and acquainting learners with the development of wireless technology and radio astronomy while helping them achieve amateur radio licensure, continues considering recent retrenchment of programs designed to include historically excluded People of Culture (PoC). Lessons learned from this program as well as the way ahead will be described.

}, author = {Jesse Alexander and Alia Wafford} } @proceedings {946, title = {PACS e-Lab{\textquoteright}s Space Education Initiatives in Africa through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) event allows students and the public to connect directly with astronauts aboard the ISS via amateur radio, engaging in live Q\&A sessions about space science, life in space, and current missions. This initiative aims to inspire interest in STEM fields through real-time interactions with space professionals.
This project has been around since 2001 and has been widely utilized by entities in developed countries for educational purposes. In Africa, only a handful of entities in Africa have participated especially in Morocco and South. It was recently discovered by the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) team.
PACS e-Lab is a nonprofit educational platform dedicated to promoting astronomy and space science in Africa through hands-on projects, advancing space exploration, and enhancing space education and outreach.
We applied for the ARISS event, and our application was accepted. We are now preparing to host it across the continent between January and June 2025. PACS e-Lab is also leading efforts to expand the program across Africa, providing guidance to educational and space institutions on the application process and ensuring the success of the event, at no cost.
At the 2025 HamSCI Workshop, we will discuss our preparations and how we are leading the ARISS campaign in Africa.

}, author = {Miracle Chibuzor Marcel} } @proceedings {943, title = {The Physical Nature of Sporadic-E}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Sporadic-E is different from other forms of ionospheric propagation, regularly supporting long distance contacts well into the VHF range. It{\textquoteright}s also well-known to be really hard to predict, with signals that are highly unstable and localised. But why? What is it about the physical properties of sporadic-E layers that drive that propagation behaviour? This presentation will explain what is currently known about the physical nature of sporadic-E, introducing a range of techniques for investigating the ionosphere along the way.

}, author = {Chris Deacon} } @proceedings {938, title = {Post-sunset sporadic F propagation: A sign of electron density isopleth convergence?}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Reception of WSPR spots enables alerts of propagation anomalies such as the outlier Doppler shifts on 14 MHz seen across North America during a post-sunset Travelling Ionospheric Disturbance on 26 July 2024. For an hour this event opened one-hop paths and added two-hop propagation to already-open one-hop paths. For analysis and interpretation I used the multiband milliHertz precision Doppler measurements of WWV at HamSCI RX888 station N8GA as it showed one- and two-hop signals. Two-hop propagation began 4 minutes after an inflexion on the fall-from-peak of one-hop Doppler. The prior rise from 0.5 Hz to 0.8 Hz took 8 minutes. After the inflexion the fall back to 0.5 Hz took 22 minutes, with a distorted flat top. If Doppler shift was solely attributable to advection, reflecting region vertical motion, crest to trough height reduction was ~69 km. However, it is not clear how electron density isopleth advection could increase electron density, hence critical frequency, to allow two-hop propagation. If part of the Doppler arose from the plausible, but less often considered, convergence of electron density isopleths a reasonable hypothesis is that electron density could, temporarily, be sufficiently enhanced to support two-hop propagation. To try and identify the two Doppler sources I examined the LF and HF skirts of the two-hop Doppler spectrum immediately on the appearance of great circle propagation with its narrow spectral peak. The skirts, 13 dB to 25 dB below the peak, were from forward-scattered paths. I modeled Doppler shift on forward-scattered paths using 3D PyLap ray tracing and assumed pseudo-reciprocity. On these longer than great circle paths Doppler shift was less for the same reflection height change. This simple model suggests that Doppler on forward-scattered paths explained the LF skirt but not the HF skirt. Rather than simply attributing the HF skirt to convergence I consider other methods to test the assumption of advection only. Future studies may need to explicitly test whether attributing the Doppler shift purely to advection is warranted.\ 

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths} } @proceedings {945, title = {Predictive Implications of Space Weather on Quantum Network Functionality}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Quantum communication networks leverage the unique quantum-mechanical properties of photons to enable secure communications and advanced sensing capabilities. Precision distributed timing and polarization compensation, which must be maintained within stringent tolerances, are critical for enabling quantum network protocols such as Bell state distribution. Previous studies have demonstrated that environmental factors significantly impact network performance in these critical areas. Motivated by unusual observations during the 2024 total solar eclipse on DC-QNet---a quantum network testbed in the national capital region---this research aims to quantify the effect of space weather phenomena on quantum network performance. In this preliminary study, we analyze daily geomagnetic data, 10.7 cm radio flux, and sunspot numbers as predictors in correlation and regression analyses. These analyses use daily aggregated data related to White Rabbit time synchronization errors from several DC-QNet experiments. Initial results suggest that some space weather indicators, such as radio flux and sunspot numbers, exhibit moderate correlation with time synchronization errors over a single, predominantly aerial fiber optic link. However, higher-resolution magnetometer and X-ray flux data show negligible correlation, even after various data transformations. Additionally, model performance is weak across the board, with general linear model assumptions violated in most cases. These findings demonstrate the complexity of linking space weather fluctuations to quantum network performance and suggest that other environmental or operational factors may play a more significant role.

}, author = {Brett Martin and Douglas Hodson and Michael Grimalia and Torrey Wagner} } @proceedings {937, title = {Radio Wave and GPS Scintillation Impacts of the 10 May 2024 G5 Geomagnetic Storm Observed at the United States Military Academy}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Beginning on 7 May 2024, a sequence of nine CMEs erupted from solar active region 3664, with several merging together in transit through the solar wind towards Earth. The first combined CME impacted the dayside magnetosphere on 10 May and triggered an extreme G5 geomagnetic storm. The storm commenced at 16:37 UTC on 10 May, reached maximum intensity at 03:33 UTC on 11 May, and persisted into recovery through May 13. An array of instruments were online throughout the Hudson River Valley during the event, including scientific grade GPS receivers, amateur radios, Personal Space Weather Stations and a ground magnetometer. The Hudson Valley is located in the mid-latitude region and ranges from just upstate of New York City in Yonkers, NY to as far north as Troy, NY. At these mid-latitudes, the storm induced beautiful red and green auroral activity, amplitude and phase scintillation of GPS signals, flare- and storm-induced radio blackouts within the amateur radio bands, plasma density modifications, geoelectric and geomagnetic field perturbations, plasma flows, etc. Here we examine primarily the radio wave, scintillation and ground magnetic impacts of this geomagnetic storm as observed over West Point.

}, author = {Jason Derr and Joanna Halfhill and Diana Loucks and Stephen Hamilton} } @proceedings {967, title = {Radio Wave Propagation and Antenna Fundamentals}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {
This tutorial gives a basic overview of radio propagation and the fundamentals of antennas. Topics include
The Nature of Radio Waves, Dipole Antenna Characteristics, Line of Sight Propagation, Diffraction and Multipath Interference, What a BALUN does, The Isotropic Antenna and Concept of Gain, Examples of Gain Producing Antennas and How They Work, Transmission Line Basics, and Selected Antenna Stories.\ 
}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @proceedings {944, title = {The Role of the Polar Vortex in Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

In the polar regions, the wintertime polar vortices play a critical role in "bottom-up" atmosphere-ionosphere coupling via the generation and modulation of atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) and via interactions with planetary waves (PWs). This talk will first present a tutorial on the polar vortex: why it forms, where and when it exists, and variability in vortex strength sub-seasonally (within each winter), inter-annually (from winter-to-winter), and inter-hemispherically (in the Arctic and Antarctic). I will then present the current state of understanding regarding the role of the polar vortex in coupling different atmospheric layers via {\textquotedblleft}bottom-up{\textquotedblright} processes. In the last decade it has become widely accepted that PW-driven sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) cause variability in the thermosphere-ionosphere system. Recent results demonstrate that strong polar vortex events result in variability of the opposite sign than is observed during SSWs. In addition, the geographic distribution of smaller-scale GWs depends on the strength and shape of the polar vortex. The polar vortices act to vertically couple the atmosphere from the troposphere to geospace by changing the background wind field through which GWs propagate. Recent work demonstrates that localized jet cores around the polar vortex also act as a middle atmosphere source for GWs. Vortex modulation and generation of atmospheric GWs then impact the abundance of traveling ionospheric disturbances that may impact Ham radio communications.

}, author = {V. L. Harvey} } @proceedings {925, title = {Software Development for the Grape Personal Space Weather Station v2}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Grape 2 is a three-channel radio receiver and an integral component of the broader Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. The PSWS network is a distributed array of radio receivers designed to continuously monitor changes in the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere. It achieves this by tracking frequency standard stations, such as WWV, WWVH, and CHU, on a 24/7 basis. The system includes software tools for control and monitoring. Each Grape station transmits daily data to a centralized, publicly accessible database hosted by the University of Alabama, where automated processing generates spectrograms. These visualizations provide researchers with rapid insights into ionospheric conditions and enable long-term studies of space weather phenomena.\ 

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons and Bill Blackwell and Bill Engelke} } @proceedings {930, title = {The Solar Eclipse Inverse Problem}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) is a distributed network that includes magnetometers and high frequency receivers. The Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment (GRAPE) is a collection of PSWS receivers that record Doppler shift from national time standard signals. The Grape project includes Grape 1 receivers recording Doppler and spectral data as well as the upgraded Grape 2 three channel receivers and the multi-channel WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) Grapes. The network collected data during the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses on frequencies ranging from 2.5 to 20 MHz. The recorded Doppler shift indicates a change in signal path caused when the signal passes through the ionospheric layers in the Earth{\textquoteright}s atmosphere. Due to the scale and variability of the ionosphere, these measurements are sparse and are not accompanied by a known forward model. The reconstruction of eclipse period ionospheric behavior can therefore be viewed as a mathematical inverse problem. We explore various mathematical techniques and algorithms that could be used to solve the inverse problem and model the real time ionospheric behavior.

}, author = {Rachel Boedicker and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {970, title = {Southern Hemisphere MSTID response to a Sudden Stratospheric Warming Observed by the Falkland Islands SuperDARN Radar}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present a study of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) observed by the Falkland Islands Radar (FIR) in the Southern Hemisphere in response to a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event. MSTIDs are quasi-periodic variations in the upper atmospheric (~250 km altitude) plasma with phase speeds of ~100-250 m/s, periods from ~15-60 minutes, and horizontal wavelengths of several hundred kilometers. Daytime MSTIDs are known to be associated with gravity waves (GWs) that originate in the lower and middle atmosphere and propagate upward into the F-region. Neutral wind filtering of these GWs creates a strong dependence of GW-associated MSTIDs on stratospheric and mesospheric zonal wind direction and speed, which is tied to polar vortex strength during fall, winter, and spring months. This dependence manifests as both seasonal and sub-seasonal variability of MSTID amplitudes. Most existing SuperDARN MSTID studies have focused on observations from the Northern Hemisphere. This work uses an automated spectral approach previously used to study Northern Hemisphere winter daytime SuperDARN MSTIDs and applied it to all radars in both hemispheres for all times of day and all seasons for the years 2010-2021. This helped us identify the Southern Hemisphere radars with the highest quality data. One radar for which the retrievals worked particularly well was FIR which illustrates suppressed MSTID activity following the minor SSW beginning on 6 September 2019. This suggests that Southern Hemisphere MSTIDs, like their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, have GW sources in the lower/middle neutral atmosphere and are modulated by the polar vortex jet.\ 

}, author = {James Fox and Nicholas Guerra and Thomas Pisano and Michael Molzen and Nathaniel Frissell and Lynn Harvey and Joseph Klobusicky and Mark Fenner and Joseph Baker and Michael Ruohoniemi} } @proceedings {959, title = {A Statistical Study of Ion Temperature Anisotropy Using AMISR Data}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

One of the longstanding problems in ionospheric science is that we typically assume the F-region ion temperature to be an isotropic Maxwellian, meaning the ion temperature is the same in all directions with respect to the magnetic field. However, works from St.-Maurice et al., (1976), and Raman et al., (1981), show that in times of heating due to moderate to strong electric fields (above 50 mV/m), the O+ velocity distribution distorts, and the ion temperature becomes anisotropic. Here, data from advanced modular incoherent scatter radars, or AMISRs, like the resolute bay incoherent scatter radars RISR-N and RISR-C (North and Canada, respectively), and the poker flat incoherent scatter radar, PFISR, taken during strong heating events (generally events consistently above 1500 K for greater than 15 minutes) are used to resolve a temperature perpendicular to the magnetic field and a temperature parallel to the magnetic field. This calculation is performed on radar scanning modes where two or more beams have F-region range gates that overlap in geomagnetic coordinates and have at least 10 degrees difference in their aspect angle This means that the two beams are theoretically scanning the same F-region plasma in the same magnetic flux tube undergoing the same physical processes with similar conditions. Lower beam modes are preferred to reduce error in imaging the plasma. This presentation will provide preliminary results derived through this technique.\ 

}, author = {Aidan Thayer and Lindsay Goodwin and William Longley and Jean Pierre St Maurice} } @proceedings {955, title = {Sunrise: A natural perturbation enables identification of propagation modes from distinct Doppler shifts}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths} } @proceedings {965, title = {Turkish Morse Code (TMK)}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI 2025}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This project aims to eliminate the deficiency that arises due to the current Morse code system not supporting Turkish characters. Within the scope of the project, a new Morse code that includes Turkish characters was developed using an Arduino-based system and the effective usability of this code in communication was tested. In the study, a practical solution proposal was presented with an encoder that produces Morse code. During the experimental study, audio and visual feedback was provided using hardware elements such as LCD screen, LED and buzzer. The new code sequence was integrated into the current Morse code system and the correct transmission of Turkish characters was ensured. The findings obtained show that Turkish characters can be successfully transmitted within the Morse code system and contribute to the field of communication. This study makes a significant contribution especially in terms of amateur radio and education applications. The project also aims to create a model for STEM-based education studies and to increase students{\textquoteright} interest in electronics, communication technologies and coding.

}, author = {Hanife K{\i}l{\i}{\c c} and Ali Bertu{\u g} Y{\"u}zer and Fatih Alptu{\u g} Y{\"u}zer} } @proceedings {956, title = {Understanding HamSCI Magnetometers Measurements and Observations}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Measurements and observations are important to any project. Understanding where the measurements came from and how they are collected is vital. In this presentation, we will aim to describe what a magnetometer is, how it works, and what information it can tell us about space weather/physics. We will focus on what measurements and observations we can collect from the magnetometers{\textendash} specifically HamSCI magnetometers as various magnetometers will have different capabilities. Furthermore, we will outline an experimental procedure to help the user better understand the collected measurements and observations from the HamSCI magnetometer. We will focus on some questions such as, what can HamSCI magnetometer measurements and observations tell us? How do we know good vs bad HamSCI magnetometer data? Do we need to calibrate the measurements and observations of the HamSCI magnetometer data? Why do we collect three components of the magnetic field yet primarily use only the horizontal component. How does the internal magnetic field of the Earth impact the magnetic field around the Earth? Where can we see and access the raw measurements and observations from the HamSCI magnetometers? How are the measurements and observations displayed? By answering these questions and outlining the experiment(s), we hope to provide an education guide to help users better understand how the HamSCI magnetometers record observations and measurements and what insight they can give us into better understanding various space weather/physics phenomena.

}, author = {Rachel Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Majid Mokhtari and David Witten and Hyomin Kim} } @proceedings {976, title = {University of Scranton W3USR Teaching Amateur Radio at the Lackawanna Blind Association}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Access to amateur radio can be life-changing for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Radio communication provides an accessible, independent, and engaging way to connect with others; it helps foster both technical skills and social interactions. The University of Scranton W3USR, working in collaboration with local amateur radio operators and the Lackawanna Blind Association (LBA), has launched a program to teach amateur radio to people who are blind and visually impaired using the Handiham curriculum. This initiative enables blind and visually impaired individuals to engage with and become licensed amateur radio operators through an accessible learning experience that they look forward to each week. This project has support from all different angles and has shown some promising results.

}, author = {Thomas Pisano and Owen Ruzanski and Alexandros Papadopoulos and Lucero Alvarez and Ken Martin and William Gallagher and Christine Zakzewski and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {948, title = {The Whistler Catcher Thin: An Advanced VLF Reception System Based on the Whistler Catcher Pi}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Whistler Catcher Pi is a VLF Reception System that captures the VLF spectrum up to 48 kHz using a VLF Active Antenna, Audio Injector Stereo soundcard, GNSS receiver, and a Raspberry Pi running vlfrx-tools software. The system has the ability to capture science-grade VLF data using common off the shelf components. It can timestamp with GNSS accuracy, remove mains hum, automatically capture natural radio events like dawn chorus and whistlers, automatically record amplitude and absolute phase of Navy VLF transmitters to detect SIDs and GRBs, calculate the Time of Group Arrival of sferics, record EbNaut transmissions from VLF amateurs, and many more. It was installed in December 2021 and is still in continuous operation, having captured over 100 whistlers, detected hundreds of SIDs, and an EbNaut transmission at 8.270 kHz from DL3JMM in Germany. Having built on this success, we propose the Whistler Catcher Thin, a VLF reception system that can capture spectrum up to 96 kHz utilizing the same VLF Active Antenna, Behringer UMC202HD USB Audio Interface, and Dell Wyze 5070 Thin Client. The added processing power and higher sample rate from these low cost components lend well to a low cost network of these VLF reception systems for DASI2, adding observations to simultaneous HF and magnetometer observations. With a network of at least six systems, the HamSCI lightning location network can be realized.

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @proceedings {952, title = {Why you should attend the Youth on the Air camp}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Why we\ believe every young ham radio operator, aged 15-25{\textemdash}whether you{\textquoteright}re a seasoned pro or newly licensed{\textemdash}should attend YOTA camp

}, author = {Katherine Campbell and Jack Roberts} } @proceedings {962, title = {WSPRsonde Installation at WWV/WWVB}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The 19th meeting of the WWV/H Scientific Modulation Working Group was held on May 28, 2024.\  The topic of discussion centered on WSPR with Rob Robinett, AI6VN, giving a presentation on his software, WSPRdaemon, and the potential for the WSPR network to contribute to HamSCI efforts.\  After discussion, it was decided that installation of a WSPRsonde transmitter manufactured by Turn Island Systems and Paul Elliott, WB6CXC, would be pursued at both WWV and WWVH transmitter sites.\  Dave Swartz, W0DAS, conducted the initial installation at WWV/B over the summer and fall months of 2024 with extensive help from the NIST WWV/B staff, and details will be discussed.\  Early analysis of the WSPR data was very encouraging, with the 1-watt signal sharing very similar Doppler shifts with its 10,000-watt counterpart, as reported from a station at \>1500km.\  Installation of similar equipment at WWVH is in the works.

}, author = {Dave Swartz} } @proceedings {826, title = {Analysis of changes to propagation and refraction height on specific paths induced by the 14 October 2023 eclipse}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Signal and noise levels, alongside precise frequency and frequency spread measurements were collected by over 20 WsprDaemon stations prior to, during, and after the October 2023 eclipse using FST4W digital mode. By combining fortuitous home locations with eclipse-specific portable operations, augmented with multiband transmitters at selected sites, the group has gathered a rich data set over 3.5 MHz to 28 MHz. Path geometry includes along- and across-eclipse, from 10s km to over 5000 km. Different geometries, path lengths and frequencies have enabled quantitative analysis of eclipse-induced propagation changes. Reduced D region absorption resulted in 7-9 dB increase in propagated-in noise on 7 MHz at KPH/KFS. The triangular form of the noise anomaly contrasted with a flat-topped +13-15 dB signal level anomaly on 3.57 MHz on a 466 km path. Reduced F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) resulted in several phenomena on 14 MHz identified via frequency spread changes. Two-hop propagation reverted to one-hop on an 1808 km path. On a 1055 km path one-hop changed to an above-the-basic MUF mode - two-hop sidescatter - with signal levels 30 dB lower. Reduced foF2 affected two-hop along-eclipse paths of 4400 km to 5000 km from Costa Rica to Nevada and California on 28 MHz. At ca. 4400 km signals were lost twice, as the second hop, then the first, were affected, with recovery between. Signals at 5000 km were not completely lost. Simple ray-trace modelling to match the observations suggested effective sunspot number (SSNe) had dropped from 125 to ~70. As stations were GPS-disciplined or GPS-aided precise Doppler shift measurements at two-minute intervals with 0.1 Hz resolution were obtained. On a 545 km path Doppler shift at 3.57 MHz, 7 MHz and 10.14 MHz were converted to path velocities and, integrated back and forward in time from a single F2 layer height from the Pt. Arguello ionosonde, gave a credible diurnal profile of refraction height. Compared to 15th October the 14th showed a triangular-shaped height anomaly with a maximum of +33 km. These and other results illustrate the effectiveness of path-specific analysis of FST4W data for eclipse studies.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths} } @proceedings {858, title = {Analysis of the HamSCI Solar Eclipse High Frequency Time Difference of Arrival Experiment Observations Using Automated Techniques}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The objective of our research is to analyze the effects of a solar eclipse on High Frequency (HF) radio by extracting the time difference of arrival (TDOA) due to multiple ionospheric paths of ~3 kHz bandwidth chirp signals sent and received with unmodified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) single sideband (SSB) amateur radio transceivers. We use programming techniques learned in the Digital Signal Processing course at The University of Scranton in the Python language to automate this process. On the day of the 14 October 2023 eclipse in Texas, WA5FRF transmitted a series of chirps every 15 minutes to receiving stations N5DUP and AB5YO on 5.3 MHz and 7.2 MHz. Received signals were digitized, then squared and low-pass filtered to detect the waveform envelope. Correlation with a matched signal is then used to identify the start time of each chirp, after which a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used to identify the beat-frequency (and TDOA value) generated by the multipath propagation. This TDOA value is then used to compute an ionospheric reflection height. On the WA5FRF-N5DUP path, this analysis shows that the F region reflection point raised from 262.5 km at 17:00 UTC to 300 km at eclipse maximum at 17:30 UTC and then returned to approximately 280 km at 18:00 UTC. This result is in good agreement with the hmF2 observations of the Austin ionosonde.

}, author = {Alexandros Papadopoulos and Gerrard Piccini and Thomas Pisano and Nicholas Guerra and Matthew Felicia and Evan Hromisin and Aidan Montare and Kristina Collins and Paul Bilberry and Samuel Blackshear and Steve Cerwin and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {832, title = {"And Science will Know To-morrow": An Exploration of Rudyard Kipling{\textquoteright}s "Wireless"}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Written in 1902, Rudyard Kipling{\textquoteright}s short story "Wireless" juxtaposes early exercises in short-wave radio transmission with Victorian spiritualism. It tells a dual account of a misdirected "transmissions" as one man{\textquoteright}s interception of wireless telegraph signals plays out alongside seeming instant of spiritual possession. While the supernatural element of the story remains ambiguous--and receives a curt dismissal from the narrative{\textquoteright}s suspected medium himself--the "Marconi experiment" playing out in the background has long proven an intriguing element of the narrative. For those familiar with much earlier proposed theories of animal magnetism upon which seances often rested, wireless technology could readily be read as keeping in step with popular theories of the era eventually discarded as pseudoscience. In this talk, I will look to the how Kipling presents a story in which radio is superimposed upon the pre-existing "scientific" paradigms of mesmeric models of psychical phenomena--exploring how Marconi{\textquoteright}s cutting edge experiments might be read by an audience primed to believe in very different sorts of waves and forces.

}, author = {Leah Davydov} } @article {988, title = {April 2024 eclipse: the effect on transatlantic HF propagation}, volume = {100}, year = {2024}, month = {12/2024}, pages = {36-38}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

The total eclipse on 8 April 2024\ began over the eastern Pacific,\ traversed North America, passed over Newfoundland, and ended at sunset over the eastern Atlantic. Despite\ its seeming remoteness from the UK, this eclipse was a rare opportunity to assess the effects of a\ ionospheric ionisation on the well-used\ transatlantic propagation path.

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/G3ZIL_Solar_Eclipse_RadCom_Dec24.pdf}, author = {Griffiths, G} } @proceedings {854, title = {ARDC - 44Net and Grants}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur Radio Digital Communications provides funding through grants for Amateur Radio related projects and has 12 million static and routable IPv4 addresses.\  In this presentation you will shown how to apply for and use these resources in your research projects.

}, author = {John Hayes} } @proceedings {879, title = {Automated Methods for Studying Long Scale Ionospheric Disturbances and Climatology}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

During the last year we have been pushing forward with improving our methods for detecting and studying Large Scale Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) using amateur radio spots from the RBN, WSPR, and PSK databases. We now have automated systems in place to collect and archive these data daily. We developed a way to detect the minimum useful range and extract a curve from that; we can then use a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to estimate the period, amplitude, and occurrences of these LSTIDs, leading to an improvement in our capability to study the climatology (long term trends) of these waves in plasma density.

}, author = {William D. Engelke} } @proceedings {851, title = {CatSat: CubeSat Engineering and Communication Technologies}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

As more spacecraft enter low-Earth orbit each year, there is an increasing need to improve the downlink speed of small satellites and understand more about the Earth{\textquoteright}s atmosphere. CatSat is a 6U CubeSat designed to test a novel inflatable antenna design and conduct ionospheric research with an onboard HF antenna. The inflatable antenna is a solution for future high speed communication with small satellites as current small satellites are limited in data transmission capabilities by stringent size and mass constraints. The HF antenna experiment will probe the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere during twilight by analyzing WSPR and other HF radio transmissions from the ground. CatSat was designed and built primarily by students at the University of Arizona in partnership with Tucson companies. CatSat is fully qualified for launch in 2024. Current work involves the development of X-band and UHF ground stations and preparations for flight operations.

}, author = {Shae Henley and Walter Rahmer} } @proceedings {820, title = {Citizen Science: Development of a Low-Cost Magnetometer System for a Coordinated Space Weather Monitoring}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

As part of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of ~3 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Crowd-sourced data from the PSWS systems will be collected into a central archive for the purpose of public access and analyzation along with space weather research. Ultimately, data from the PSWS network will combine the magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances and events due to drivers from space and the atmosphere alike. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that the performance is entirely satisfactory for scientific investigations.

}, author = {Joseph Visone and Hyomin Kim and David Witten and Julius Madey and Nathaniel A. Frissell and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Anderson Liddle and Nicholas Muscolino and Zhaoshu Cao} } @article {913, title = {Citizen science: Development of a low-cost magnetometer system for a coordinated space weather monitoring}, journal = {HardwareX}, volume = {20}, year = {2024}, month = {Jan-12-2024}, pages = {e00580}, abstract = {
As part of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of\ 3 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. The measurement range of the sensor is\ \ nT) and is valid over a temperature range of -40 {\textdegree}C to +85 {\textdegree}C. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that the performance is very adequate for scientific investigations.
}, keywords = {magnetometer}, issn = {24680672}, doi = {10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00580}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067224000749}, author = {Kim, Hyomin and Witten, David and Madey, Julius and Frissell, Nathaniel and Gibbons, John and Engelke, William and Liddle, Anderson and Muscolino, Nicholas and Visone, Joseph and Cao, Zhaoshu} } @proceedings {835, title = {Comparative Analysis of Medium Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances: Grape PSWS vs. SuperDARN}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are periodic fluctuations in ionospheric electron density associated with atmospheric gravity waves. They are characterized by wavelengths of 50-500 kilometers and periods of 15-60 minutes. This study presents initial findings from a comparative analysis of MSTID observations sourced from two distinct systems: the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and the Grape Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). The Grape PSWS, developed by the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI), is a small ground-based remote sensing device aimed at monitoring space weather parameters, including MSTIDs. It achieves this by monitoring a 10 MHz transmission from WWV, a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) time standard station located near Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. In contrast, SuperDARN comprises a global network of high-frequency radars that offer extensive coverage of ionospheric plasma motion. This comparative investigation focuses on aligning MSTID observations obtained from Grape PSWS data with SuperDARN radar data. By investigating datasets from both platforms, these findings serve as initial results for an ongoing investigation of MSTIDs, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of their dynamics and impacts on ionospheric variability and space weather.

}, author = {Veronica I. Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Bharat Kunduri and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph Baker and William Liles and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins and David Kazdan and Rachel Boedicker} } @proceedings {822, title = {Considering the Sudden Loss of WWV{\textquoteright}s signal as seen by HamSCI Grape Stations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Sudden unexplained dropouts of WWV{\textquoteright}s signal as seen by Grape stations are explained and illustrated using Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) maps.

}, author = {George Kavanagh and Robert Reif and Stanley Pozerski and Peter Nordberg and William Blackwell} } @proceedings {860, title = {Construction of a Table-Top Antenna Range for Learning Electromagnetics Concepts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Antenna construction and measurement provide an effective method of teaching electromagnetic and antenna concepts, including polarization, gain, directivity, and reflection. During the Spring 2024 semester, the University of Scranton EE 448 Electromagnetics II class is undertaking a project to build a table-top antenna range at 2450 MHz (λ = 12 cm). The table top range will give hands-on visual and intuitive reinforcement of abstract concepts covered mathematically in the course textbook. This frequency was chosen due to the convenient size of antennas and the fact that the antennas will be usable in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) and amateur bands. ISM band applications include WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, and more. In this presentation and poster, we demonstrate three types of antennas the class has built so far: dipoles, dipoles with corner reflectors, and loops over ground planes. We also demonstrate the use of a NanoVNA to measure antenna properties, as well as show ideas for future projects.

}, author = {Augustine Brapoh and Matthew Dittmar and Aidan Szabo and Robert Troy and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen A. Cerwin} } @article {884, title = {Contesting via One-Way Signals...During an Eclipse}, volume = {52}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, pages = {5-6}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

Virtually all competitive amateur radio events involve two-way contacts.\  HamSCI is breaking that paradigm by sponsoring the The Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, purposefully being held during the April, 2024 North American total solar eclipse.

All ham radio contesters should be\ familiar with {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright}, automated records of received signals. The spotting networks help us find other stations to contact,\ new {\textquoteright}unworked{\textquoteright} locales, and, in general, raise our scores. Spots have never been given their very own competition - but that is about to change, thanks to the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge (GSSC). The GSSC is being held for a very simple yet impactful reason: To create research-worthy spot data under {\textquoteleft}controlled{\textquoteright} ionospheric conditions, as the moon passes between the sun and the earth at supersonic speeds, an event better known as a solar eclipse.

}, issn = {0899-0131}, url = {ncjweb.org}, author = {G. Mikitin} } @proceedings {864, title = {Design and 3D Printing of the Grape 2 Enclosure}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This poster presents the design of the 3D printed enclosure for the Grape 2 Personal Space Weather Station HF Doppler Receiver.

}, author = {Majid Mokhtari and John Gibbons and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {877, title = {Detection of SuperDARN-Observed Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in the Southern Hemisphere}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances are quasi-periodic variations in the plasma that exist in the upper atmosphere and they impact the propagation of radio waves. Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are defined as TIDs which travel at 100-250 m/s and have periods within the 1 hour range. Previously, most of the existing research has focused on MSTIDs in the Northern Hemisphere. This project seeks to determine whether there is enough data available to recognize seasonal trends in MSTID occurrence in the Southern Hemisphere. Currently, we have found some success in applying the PyDarnMusic algorithm to identify periods of high and low MSTID activity in the southern hemisphere in SuperDARN and have had success in replicating an existing study on the Falkland Islands radar. Going forward, we hope to refine the techniques which were originally used to identify MSTIDs in the Northern Hemisphere for use on the Southern Hemisphere in order to gain a better understanding of their climatology.

}, author = {James P. Fox and Joseph Klobusicky and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {865, title = {Development of Back-End Software for the Grape 2}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This poster showcases several software tools developed to support the development and operation of the main Grape 2 system. G2console is a terminal-based interface that communicates with the data collection system, providing users with valuable information such as software versions, amplitude, frequency, GPS, and magnetometer metrics for viewing and diagnostics. GrapeSpectrogram is a data processing script that generates Dopplergrams, aiding developers in validating the system{\textquoteright}s operation. Additionally, we will discuss future project developments, such as integration with the Linux GPS background service (gpsd) to provide accurate timing to the Raspberry Pi, and DigitalRF as a more efficient method of data storage.

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and William Blackwell and John Gibbons and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {827, title = {Early Results from the 2023 Eclipse Medium Wave Recordings}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

During the annular eclipse of 2023, HamSCI organized 13 volunteers in Canada, US, Mexico and Portugal to record the entire medium wave band (525-1705kHz) using software defined radios, both during the eclipse and for the same time period on other days, as well as during dawn and dusk periods. This medium wave data should extend our understanding of the eclipse{\textquoteright}s influence on the ionosphere by using frequencies well below HF. Since the eclipse, all 10 TB of medium wave data has been gathered and archived, followed by preliminary processing using inexpensive commercial software, such that all signal strength data from each participant is now available to 0.1Hz resolution for all broadcast channels.\  In addition, for all broadcast channels, and from every participant, useful visualization of signal variations during the eclipse is now available, as well as for all other time periods recorded.\ Many participants did see an effect of the eclipse on received signals.\  Comparisons of their rates of success compared with percentage of totality at their locations will be discussed. It{\textquoteright}s already possible to support some of the science aims of HamSCI with this gathered and archived data.\  Examples will be given of whether signal strength changes observed were symmetric compared with the onset and recovery timing of the eclipse. These changes will likely have been due to ionospheric response as the eclipse progressed. Visual examples will also be given of comparisons between the eclipse{\textquoteright}s effects on target signal characteristics to the effects caused by the passage of the daily dawn and dusk terminator.

}, author = {Nicholas Hall-Patch} } @proceedings {853, title = {Earth{\textquoteright}s Magnetic Field Migration and Its Effects on HF Propagation}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Propagation of radio waves in Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere and atmosphere critically depends on the strength and orientation of Earth{\textquoteright}s background magnetic field, due to the fact that electrons move much more readily along field lines than across them.\  The background magnetic field evolves continuously, driven by currents and other processes inside the planet{\textquoteright}s molten core.\  In particular, since 1990, the north magnetic pole has been migrating at an increased speed relative to its rate over most of the past century, and now moves more than 40 km/year.\  However, the south magnetic pole migration is considerably slower.\  The combination of these two effects has caused the global configuration of the geomagnetic field to change significantly.\  We will describe the sustained drift of magnetic field line locations over the last 40 years, with an emphasis on mid-latitudes where a large number of amateur radio operations take place.\  We will then provide estimates of induced changes in HF propagation over that time, using multiple models, and draw conclusions regarding the general climatology of propagation in various well used bands.

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles} } @proceedings {828, title = {EclipseNB: A network of low-cost GNSS receivers to study ionospheric response to April 2024 solar eclipse}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

EclipseNB is an initiative of the Radio and Space Physics Lab (RSPL) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) that enables high-impact scientific research and unique educational opportunities for High School students during the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse event over New Brunswick (NB) on April 8, 2024. This project will install state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure at a number of NB schools to monitor the dramatic and sudden modifications to the upper atmosphere associated with the eclipse. These high-value atmospheric measurements will provide rare insight into many open-ended scientific questions pertaining to eclipse-induced atmospheric modifications, while students throughout NB will have an exciting opportunity to participate in numerous EclipseNB activities such as infrastructure installation, data analysis, and scientific research. The infrastructure of EclipseNB is a provincial network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers to monitor the electrically charged plasma of the upper atmosphere during the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. A solar eclipse is a both a stunning celestial phenomenon and a rare opportunity to study numerous fundamental physical processes in the atmosphere and near-Earth space that are activated by a sudden and localized reduction in solar radiation. EclipseNB is ideally situated along the eclipse totality path to provide valuable measurements for ground-breaking scientific research, and to garner interest in young New Brunswickers in space physics, technology and engineering. EclipseNB installations are designed to be non-intrusive, with minimal impact on the sites involved. Installations include a self-contained enclosure that houses the GNSS receiver, a small single-board computer, and a cellular modem, as well as a receiving antenna mounted on a small pole with a clear view of the sky. The outdoor antenna is connected to the receiver with a low-loss RF cable. The sole requirement of hosting sites is electrical power, an indoor location to house the equipment enclosure, and an outdoor location to mount the antenna. Data collected by EclipseNB instruments will be stored on servers at UNB RSPL. The instrument will remain running after the solar eclipse in April 2024 and allow facilitating further research and education.

}, author = {Anton Kashcheyev and Chris Watson and P. T. Jayachandran} } @proceedings {874, title = {Effect of X-class Solar Flare on 40 Meter Propagation}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

WSPR data for North America is summarized to examine the impact of a reported x-class solar flare.\  The data is divided into distance categories to examine impact on different propagation methods, assuming that distance indicates propagation method. Very short distance (under 100 mile) for non-ionospheric, short distance (100 to 500 miles) for NVIS, medium distance (500-1500 miles) for E-layer propagation and longer distance (over 1500 miles) for F-layer.\  Signal to noise ratio is plotted by hour for the date of the flare. The impact of the flare is shown as a sudden decline in SNR for all distance ranges.\  While communications under 100 miles were initially presumed to involved non-ionospheric propagation, the flare impact at this distance indicates otherwise. WSPR data is also evaluated for its suitability in propagation analysis, noting strengths and weaknesses.

}, author = {Vincent LeVeque} } @proceedings {859, title = {Estimation of Ionospheric Layer Height by Measuring the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) Between 1 and 2 Hop Propagation Modes. 2023 Annular Eclipse Observations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A HamSCI science objective for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses is to use amateur radio stations to measure how the ionosphere changes with eclipse passage. Of particular interest is the change in effective ionization layer height caused by the momentary blockage of solar radiation. Layer height between two stations can be deduced from a Time of Flight (TOF) measurement but doing so requires complexity beyond the capability of most amateur radio stations. Particularly difficult requirements are precision absolute time references for both stations and calibration of the lengthy time delays incurred in modern DSP based transceivers. A simpler method that can be just as effective is to measure the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) between the 1- and 2- hop modes over paths and frequencies that support both modes. The 1-hop mode is shorter and arrives first, followed by the longer 2-hop mode. Geometric models based on virtual height or refractive ray tracing can be used to mathematically relate 1-2 hop TDOA to layer height. The measurement can be implemented by transmitting audio signals that are sensitive to a time delay when summed together, as happens in the receiver during simultaneous 1 and 2 hop propagation. Suitable audio waveforms include a 1-cycle audio burst, audio chirps of controlled sweep rate, and a pseudorandom noise burst. The TDOA measurement using the short pulses is performed by directly measuring the time difference between the two received pulses. The summation of a chirp waveform with a delayed copy of itself produces a beat note equal to the product of the sweep rate and the time delay that can be used to calculate TDOA. The TDOA can be extracted from both the PN bursts and chirps through an autocorrelation technique. The audio signals can simply be fed to the microphone input and recovered from the speaker output of ordinary SSB amateur radio equipment using audio .wav programs. This paper gives details of the method and of on-air experiments both before and during the 2023 Annular Eclipse.

}, author = {Steven A. Cerwin and Paul Bilberry and Sam Blackshear and Jesse T. McMahan and Kristina V. Collins and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {823, title = {Exploring Ionospheric Variability Through Doppler Residuals: A Study Utilizing the HamSCI Grape V1 Receiver}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This study leverages the capabilities of the Grape V1 low-IF receiver to analyze both long and short-term patterns of high frequency (HF; 3-30 MHz) skywave signals. The HF spectrum, often used for global long-range communications, also spans the frequencies used for remote sensing of the near-Earth plasma environment. The Grape receiver (callsign K2MFF) used in this study is located at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, NJ. At a rate of 1 Hz, it samples its link to the WWV broadcasting station transmitting at 10 MHz from Fort Collins, CO. The Doppler shift in this radio link, caused by its interactions with the ionosphere, is measured to study fluctuations in the ionosphere{\textquoteright}s electron density. This methodology provides insight into the effects of geomagnetic activity on the terrestrial ionosphere, caused by complex processes in the coupled Sun-Earth plasma environment. Our results show that the signal received during the daytime is less prone to Doppler shift than when received during the nighttime. This night-day contrast is consistent across most 24-hour cycles, barring dates of antenna maintenance or severe geomagnetic storms. We also found a strong correlation between daytime measurements and Cauchy statistics, and between nighttime measurements and a mixture of exponential power / lognormal statistics, wherein day and night at the geographic midpoint between WWV and NJIT are considered. The identification of these differing statistical regimes per time of day has led us to characterize long-term trends in the dataset by the medians of day and night Doppler measurements, independently. Additionally, the receiver{\textquoteright}s sensitivity and versatility was affirmed through case-studies of atypical Doppler traces captured in the data stream, by identifying characteristic markers of solar flares and solar eclipses.

}, author = {Sabastian Fernandes and Gareth W. Perry and Tiago Trigo and Nathaniel A. Frissell and John Gibbons} } @proceedings {834, title = {Extreme Values in Short-Term 20 m Sequential Matched WSPR Observations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Automated amateur radio networks, such as WSPRnet, daily compile data on hundreds of millions of radio contacts. This wealth of information is valuable for researchers exploring and forecasting High-Frequency (HF) propagation and its correlation with solar phenomena. A prerequisite for meaningful investigations is a comprehensive understanding and documentation of the inherent variability present in the data. Prior investigations highlighted the extreme short-term variability in SNR reports from 20-meter sequential matched observations, variability in excess of usual distributional assumptions.\  Here, we describe and model those extreme observations.\  Using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions, we provide evidence of some temporal and spatial patterns associated with the extreme SNR values and develop predictions for their occurrence.

}, author = {Robert B. Gerzoff and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {841, title = {On Final Approach To Solar Maximum: Testing A Hypothesis In Real Time (Keynote)}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A bit more than ten years ago we made a discovery. We identified, and then archaeologically re-identified, a relationship between magnetic objects on the Sun at a range of spatial scales and the Sun{\textquoteright}s 22 year Magnetic (or Hale) Cycle. That pattern (unfortunately) is called the "extended solar cycle". Further, that investigation identified a specific event that occurs at the very end of Hale Cycles, the {\textquoteright}terminator,{\textquoteright} as being a critical component NECESSARY to explain how the Hale Cycle shapes the Sun{\textquoteright}s 11(-ish) year activity cycle. Fast forward a decade and we have successfully identified the terminator events going back beyond the earliest photography of the Sun (1860) to the mid-eighteenth century. Those 24 events permitted a forecast of Sunspot Cycle 25 to be made. That forecast became a {\textquoteright}litmus test{\textquoteright} for what we understand about the solar activity cycle and the mechanism that generates and sustains the Sun{\textquoteright}s large-scale magnetic field. Why? Because the forecast we arrived at was 100\% greater than that resulting from an assessment of the spectrum of models and forecasts in the community. We have been testing our hypothesis of the Sun{\textquoteright}s magnetism in real time since 2019. In this presentation we{\textquoteright}ll discuss the present status and talk about where things could go from here.

}, author = {Scott W. McIntosh} } @proceedings {821, title = {Five Years of prop.kc2g.com: Evolution of an HF Forecasting Tool}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, abstract = {

prop.kc2g.com first went online in January 2019. Let{\textquoteright}s take a look at the workings of the model, see how it{\textquoteright}s evolved over the years, and where it might go in the future. Source code for prop.kc2g.com is available at https://github.com/arodland/prop.

}, author = {Andrew Rodland} } @proceedings {837, title = {Forum: How Ham Radio Can Further Help Ionospheric Research}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {817, title = {Grape 2 - The Finalized Version}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A review of the architecture and operation of the final version of the Grape 2 Receiver.

}, author = {John Gibbons} } @proceedings {866, title = {The Grape III: Pondering new varietals for the RF vineyard}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Grape I is a straightforward low-IF receiver based on the venerable NE612 Gilbert cell chip. Grape II is a much more involved 3-frequency, computer-controlled receiver. Grape III will be--what?\  The CWRU Grape team will discuss possibilities for the next generation of inexpensive, high-accuracy receivers that will provide HamSCI, NIST, Canadian Research Council, and others a continuous data stream.\  Anticipation of signal processing, ease of manufacture, and ease of deployment will be among the top issues.\  Several receiver architectures and data collection modalities will be considered along with candidate signal analysis approaches and related chipsets.\  Notes will be taken from audience questions and suggestions, and new design teams will be solicited for the project.

}, author = {David Kazdan and John Gibbons} } @proceedings {838, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 1 Closing Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {840, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 1 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {845, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {882, title = {High Frequency Raytracing for Studying the Ionosphere and Radio Propagation (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

High Frequency (HF) raytracing is a tool to study the propagation of HF radio waves through the ionosphere. This presentation will cover the basics of raytracing, including typical inputs and outputs. We will review the different physics that may be included in the raytracer and how changes in the ionosphere may affect the radio wave propagation. A brief description of how to use a raytracer for common applications will be provided. The applicable frequency ranges and limitations of this technique will be also discussed.

}, author = {Katherine Zawdie} } @proceedings {869, title = {High Resolution WSPR Transmissions for Ionospheric Research}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, abstract = {

There are currently over 4000 HAM radio stations worldwide continuously transmitting and receiving beacon signals using the WSPR RF modulation format.\  WSPR is implemented in the open source WSJT-x application program authored by Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor and a large group of contributors. Recent software enhancements to WSJT-x and newly available low-cost transmit and receive hardware using GPS disciplined oscillators permit records of these transmissions (known as {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright}) to be used to study ionospheric events like Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances. Records of those 3 million+ receptions per day are publicly available to all researchers and citizen scientists in a SQL database which ensures access for all. In this presentation we give an introduction to WSPR, the publicly available databases where the {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright} are stored.\  Also included are websites with text, map and graphical outputs which allow easy queries about {\textquoteright}spots{\textquoteright} and examples of low cost research quality transmitters and receivers which are in operation.

}, author = {Rob Robinett and Paul M. Elliott} } @proceedings {862, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

We report citizen science activity in a physics course to engage undergraduate students in a HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Physics Department has been offering a senior-level lab course, "Advanced Physics Lab" in which the students are expected to gain experience with experimental techniques, instrumentation, theoretical and applied electronics, solid state electronic devices, experiments in modern physics by performing quantitative measurements of fundamental physical parameters. Students perform lab experiments in a mostly unstructured setting, in which students are given the equipment and related manuals and perform experiments with very minimal instructor{\textquoteright}s supervision. Historically, the students have been given a pre-set lab equipment by following the manuals accompanied by the equipment. While this may be suitable for providing an opportunity for the students to relate the results in the lab with the known physics theories/principles, the impact to the students is limited as there is still insufficient "hands-on" components and demonstration of real-world applications. The HamSCI PSWS project is a good example in which students build and test science instruments and use them for scientific investigations to address this issue. We present undergraduate class activity and evaluate their impact on future workforce training utilizing the HamSCI resources.\ 

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Lindsay Goodwin and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {824, title = {Initial Review of the October 2023 Grape Eclipse Data}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment (GRAPE) is a network of Doppler receivers that function as a distributed multi-static radar. The Grape network received 10 MHz doppler data from the NIST time and frequency station WWV in Fort Collins, CO during the 2023 October annular eclipse. Grape receivers in the network recorded a spectrum of Doppler shift data of the signals after they passed through the eclipse modified ionosphere. An updated version of the receiver will\  be deployed to expand the network and collect similar data during the 2024 April total solar eclipse. We present initial data and results of the 2023 eclipse and discuss the upcoming eclipse.

}, author = {Rachel Boedicker and Nathaniel A. Frissell and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins} } @proceedings {880, title = {Ionospheric response to geomagnetic storm}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is undoubtedly the most spectacular transient events that cause an intense to extreme magnetic storms due to the occurrence of magnetic reconnection between the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and the geomagnetic field.\  These storms occur due to the input of solar wind energy, which is sudden, into the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system. Generally, a geomagnetic storm occurs following a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) when the polarization of Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) Bz changes from northward to southward, remain southward for several hours and reconnects with the Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field. The sources of geomagnetic storms may be divided into two categories based on their solar wind drivers, namely, CME and CIR. During geomagnetic storms, electric fields of solar wind origin penetrate the magnetosphere and equatorial ionosphere. Based on these fact, a report of ionospheric response to geomagnetic storm are investigated by analyzing ionograms to provide essential information needed to understand the factors that influence ionospheric dynamics. Its importance is attributed to its effects on the radio waves propagation between satellites and ground-based receivers, which in its turn affect global navigation and positioning systems. In this workshop, I will present the investigation of ionospheric response to CMEs, and disturbance drifts using a model to verify the combine effect of Prompt penetration of electric field (PPEF) and Disturbance dynamo electric field (DDEF) that produce significant changes in the equatorial ionosphere. Finally, Solar wind parameters, geomagnetic indices, O / N2 ratios retrieved by GUVI instrument onboard the TIMED satellite and TEC observations will be analyzed and discussed to verify the changes in the neutral atmospheric composition during the disturbances.

}, author = {Samuel Abaidoo} } @proceedings {825, title = {Ions and Beacons and Flares: Examining HF Propagation Along the 8 April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Path}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The 8 April 2024 North American total solar eclipse will track approximately along the great circle path from central Mexico through Austin, Texas to Toronto, Ontario. That great circle continues to Ottawa, Ontario, home of Canadian National Research Council beacon station CHU.\  Our research group has distributed shortwave radios and purpose-built data collection systems to ten school radio clubs along that path and for a rhumb line to New Brunswick.\  The volunteers will measure received CHU signal amplitude and time-of-flight, and upload data to our repository. We have also provided instructions on measurement and data upload for volunteers wishing to use their own radios. That group is split into those who will use computerized monitoring and those preferring to listen to their radios and manually record signal enhancements and attenuations.\  This talk will present the science questions that drive the data collection plans; the equipment{\textquoteright}s design and the logistics of its distribution; the real-time data display for all the receivers along the path; and the planned data analysis to support the science plan.

The work is supported in part by a grant from ARDC and by Case School of Engineering deans{\textquoteright} funds.

}, author = {David Kazdan and Adam Goodman and Laura Schwartz and Maris Usis} } @proceedings {846, title = {The ka9q-radio SDR package (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

KA9Q-radio is a general purpose open source software defined radio (SDR) that uses fast convolution and IP multicast to digitally downconvert, demodulate and distribute hundreds of simultaneous channels from hardware front ends such as the RX888, Airspy R2/HF+ and RTL-SDR using only modest hardware such as the Raspberry Pi and X86-64. No special hardware is needed such as an FPGA or GPU. Example applications include FM repeater monitoring and the HamSCI wsprdaemon project.

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/ka9q-radio-sdr-package-invited-tutorial}, author = {Philip R. Karn} } @proceedings {861, title = {Learning Communications Systems Using Amateur Radio Satellites}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Introductory undergraduate classes on communication systems for electrical engineers typically include theoretical treatments of signals and systems, spectral analysis, modulation, noise, filtering, and digital techniques. While theory is extremely important and useful, a purely theoretical treatment of Communications Systems can leave students without a strong intuition of the practical application of these topics. In the past, it might reasonably be expected that students might have some of this intuition from listening to analog AM and FM radio in the car, or using license-free two-way communication systems such as FRS or CB radios. These systems all expose noise, the need for filtering, and other underlying communications systems concepts to the end user. However, due to the advanced nature of modern digital communications, many of these underlying factors are now effectively hidden. To develop a hands-on intuition communications systems topics, students in the Spring 2024 EE 451 Communications Systems class at The University of Scranton are earning their amateur radio licenses learning to operate low-Earth orbit (LEO) Amateur Radio Satellites. In addition to the communications topics discussed above, these students also gain first-hand experience with directional antennas, polarization, Doppler shift, and basic orbital mechanics. In this presentation, students from the EE 451 class explain the basics of communicating through amateur satellites and discuss what they have learned so far.

}, author = {Augustine Brapoh and James Hankee and Aidan Szabo and Robert Troy and Robert W. McGwier and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {857, title = {A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere characterized by both ions and electrons. It is highly active and experiences changes in parameters such as electron density at different altitudes, based on the energy absorbed from the sun.\  Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere by transmitting a signal towards the ionosphere.\  This signal is refracted back to the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface and received in such a manner that return echoes can be timed to calculate the height profile of the bottomside ionosphere. Traditional ionosondes require large antenna systems and high amounts of power. Recent advancements in software defined radio (SDR) technology, advanced digital signal processing (DSP), and computational efficiency enable the size, cost, and power demands of an ionosonde system to be reduced. In this poster, we present our recent efforts to implement a low-cost, low power ionosonde. Two systems are currently used in this project: the Ettus N200 Universal Radio Peripheral (USRP) and the newer Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16. The Red Pitaya system is still being developed while the Ettus enables us to test the rest of the hardware and collect data during the 2024 eclipse. Using amateur radio fan dipoles and GNU Radio code, the system will sound the ionosphere during the upcoming eclipse. Over the following weeks the system will be improved in preparation for the upcoming eclipse.

}, author = {Gerard Piccini and Robert McGwier and Robert A. Spalletta and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @article {901, title = {Measuring height of reflection at HF}, volume = {100}, year = {2024}, month = {08/2024}, pages = {42-44}, abstract = {

Sky-wave propagation at HF relies on radio waves refracted, bent downward, back to Earth. Refraction results in a curved path within the ionosphere, but a convenient simplification is to treat the path as a reflection with a sharp apex known as the virtual height.

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/p42_44_Reflection_Height_RSGB_RadCom_Aug24.pdf}, author = {Griffiths, Gwyn} } @article {900, title = {The October 2023 annular eclipse: some effects on HF propagation}, volume = {100}, year = {2024}, month = {07/2024}, pages = {40-42}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

There have been remarkable advances in affordable amateur-radio equipment, digital-communications protocols, open-access databases and analysis methods, since the 2015 partial eclipse over the UK. \ Drawing on those advances, this article describes some impacts of reduced absorption and lowered F2 critical frequency (foF2) on HF propagation during the 14 October 2023 eclipse over North America.

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/p40_42_Griffiths_RSGB_RadCom_July24.pdf}, author = {Griffiths, Gwyn} } @proceedings {830, title = {Operating GBO{\textquoteright}s 20m Radio Telescope with Ham Radio Students}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

As a part of the 40-week Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum - Ham Radio program with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, students gain technical knowledge of the EMS and experience with hands-on applications through Amateur (Ham) Radio. One of the topics covered in this program is radio astronomy, and students had the opportunity to visit the affiliated Green Bank Observatory (GBO). Students learned how to operate the GBO 20-meter radio telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia using the Skynet Robotic Telescope Network. Students were trained to remotely operate the radio telescope, where they learned the parameters used for different types of observations and how to read the observational data acquired. In this presentation, we discuss the process by which students learned the parameters to operate the 20-meter telescope by observing and completing a comparative analysis of known pulsars.

}, author = {Mia Bridges and Alia Wofford and Erin McDonald and Xander Whittington-Speck and Danielle Rowland and Brenne Gregory and Daniel E. Reichart and Joshua B. Haislip and Vladimir V. Kouprianov and Steve White and Frank Ghigo} } @proceedings {881, title = {Optimizing Location Estimation with Novel Numerical Solution using Real-Time Transmitting Beacons WSPRlive, Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Protocol, and Friis Propagation Model}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The proliferation of real datasets has become indispensable for implementing various processes in real-time scenarios. Our previous project successfully contributed to expanding data grids aimed at predicting the vertical total electron content (vTEC) for the ionosphere. Leveraging Ham Radio Networks in conjunction with data broadcasted from the International Space Station (ISS), and integrating them into the Galileo-based NeQuickG mathematical model, we developed a web-based application tailored to this purpose. In this study, the focus is on generating new data grids for location estimation within a Radio Frequency (RF) environment, relying solely on transmitter identities and measured received powers. The localization process is divided into two stages. Initially, ideal received powers are computed using the Friis propagation model, resulting in a dataset encompassing over 25,000 locations per received power. To ensure reliability, a hardware implementation of Weak Signal Propagation Reports (WSPR)-based beacons, operational 24/7, is utilized globally. This implementation, facilitated by the IntlWSPR project covering 40 spots, features beacons transmitting at 23 dBm, with maximum gains varying according to antenna types: 7 dBi for Skyloop 80-10, 5 dBi for DX Commander ABV, and 2 dBi for Q-Tek Penetrator antennas. With the ideal dataset established as a reference, location estimation becomes feasible by identifying the best beacon identities per received power for the query receiver. However, numerical solutions for the localization system involve relatively lengthy processing times and exhibit mean square localization errors, motivating the second phase of this work. A novel numerical solution enhancement technique, coupled with a designed radius of convergence, significantly accelerates the convergence of the localization system{\textquoteright}s equations with improved accuracy. Future efforts aim to integrate this enhanced approach into the real-time application, with a focus on estimating the WSPR channel propagation model using additional real data provided by the WSPRnet spot database. Although the WSPRnet spot database offers non-contiguous timed datasets, it serves as a cornerstone for training regression Machine Learning models, facilitating further refinement of the localization process.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed} } @proceedings {816, title = {Personal Space Weather Network, Status Report}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {William D. Engelke} } @proceedings {829, title = {Plans to Observe Changes to the Ionosphere During the April 8 Eclipse Using Doppler Shifts of AM Broadcast Stations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Variations in the ionosphere can be tracked by observing the Doppler-shifted carriers of clear-channel AM broadcast stations.\  An expansive system of receivers using Software-Defined Radios, frequency stabilized by GPS is being deployed to collect data in the eastern United States.\  This network is expected to be able to detect and track changes due to the shadow of the April 8, 2024 Total Eclipse of the Sun.

}, author = {David McGaw and James LaBelle and John Griffin and Terrence Kovacs and Margaret Klein and Jack Bonneau and Justin Lewis and Jackson Gosler} } @proceedings {836, title = {Possible Drivers of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances by Analysis of Aggregated Ham Radio Contacts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) are quasiperiodic electron density perturbations of the F region ionosphere that have periods of 30 min to over 180 min, wavelengths of over 1000 km, and velocities of 150 to 1000 m/s. These are seen as long slow oscillations in the bottom side of the ionosphere in data from ham radio contacts at 20 meters wavelength on roughly a third of the days in a year. They might be triggered by electromagnetic forces from above, and/or by mechanical pressures from below. The explosion of the Tonga volcano on January 15, 2022 revealed that such a LSTID could be triggered by a violent updraft from the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface into the stratosphere and then detected in the ionosphere over the United States nine hours later. We consider other possible drivers such as the auroral electrojet, the polar vortex, thunderstorms, zonal wind speeds, gravity wave variances, and their time derivatives in 2017.

}, author = {Diego Sanchez and Mary Lou West and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth W. Perry and William D. Engelke and Robert B. Gerzoff and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker and V. Lynn Harvey} } @proceedings {867, title = {PyLAP/PHaRLAP HF Ray Tracing and SAMI3: Integration and Refactoring}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

PyLAP is a high frequency (HF) ray tracing toolkit that is used to model radio wave propagation through the ionosphere. Currently PyLAP uses the empirical International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model. In an effort to use PyLAP to observe more discrete structures in ionosphere that are otherwise unobservable with IRI, PyLAP is being Integrated with the Physics-based SAMI3 Model of the ionosphere. Along with this there will be an effort to refactor some of the current PyLAP codebase so that it is more readable and usable for anyone using the current system including both professional and citizen scientists.

}, author = {Devin Diehl and Rachel Boedicker and Joseph Huba and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {878, title = {Quality of AM Radio Reception at Night and Daytime for Future Use in Natural Disaster Situations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Brazil has more than 10,500 radio stations, which broadcast live sports, music, services and entertainment. It is estimated that 86\% of the Brazilian population listens to radio programming, making it, therefore, a more adaptable communication vehicle for use in different media and situations, such as the possibility of using it to transmit alerts and warnings in situations of natural disasters. The objective was to compare the propagation of AM radio transmissions at night and during the day with commercial receivers, also, to prove, with a simple methodology and at a reduced cost, problems and advantages that may occur in transmissions on the aforementioned frequencies, instigating research scientific research with students from an elementary school in Brazil. The receptions were carried out by the students during the day (9:00 and 12:00) and at night (7:00 and 00:00) using two receivers, one powered by batteries and the other by a battery (car receiver) and recorded for later group analysis adopting the SINPO code methodology. The results showed that several commercial AM radio stations were received at night, but during the day it was not possible to receive reception at any of the times analyzed. During the night, many distant stations could be captured, which negatively influenced the reception of the stations studied, but could be used to explain the propagation of the electromagnetic wave, the presence and performance of the Ionosphere and its characteristics. Due to the propagation behavior of the electromagnetic wave of AM radio stations, which has some peculiarities when compared to commercial FM stations, the use of this band in the region under study, in the case of alerts and warnings of natural disasters, must be better analyzed to ensure satisfactory results are obtained.

}, author = {Alexandre Takio Kitagawa} } @proceedings {849, title = {On the ray tracing block of a sky wave over-the-horizon radar simulation tool}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A simulation tool of a sky wave over-the-horizon radar performance and detection process includes many stages based on different models, which creates a synthetic searching scenario as a first step followed by a digital signal processing to detect and locate a potential target. The whole process involves several concatenated physical mechanisms which depend on OTHR specific properties. They can be modeled as quasi-independent blocks to analyze synthetic scenarios in order to define the radar{\textquoteright}s characteristics and range of operation which are essential when selecting radar{\textquoteright}s operating parameters in order to achieve the best performance. In this work a sensitivity analysis of the ray tracing block is performed. This block is implemented as an independent block in the simulation tool and estimates the signal propagation path with an adapted Jones \& Stephenson ray tracing code. This code has options for: (1) the electron density profile, which can be chosen from analytical models or the IRI-2016 model, (2) the Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field from the IGRF-12 model, which can be turned on and off, and (3) collision frequencies, which can also be turned on and off. From this ray tracing we obtain the two-way delay of the signal travelling between the transmitter and the target, the ground range distance and azimuth relative to the transmitter. The sensitivity analysis is carried out analyzing this block output{\textquoteright}s\ variation as a consequence of changes in its main input factors. This study is useful to dimension features and elements of a real radar, and also to determine the needs of in-situ ionosphere sounding.

}, author = {Zenon Saavedra and Ana G. Elias} } @proceedings {868, title = {Ray-trace modelling of diurnal variation in two-hop sidescatter propagation}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Two-hop sidescatter, an off-great circle propagation mode enabling above-the-basic-MUF communications, is identified by low SNR and high spectral spread (width between -3 dB points). Observable at 7 MHz and above, as a daytime mode it enables propagation from 10s km to 100s km. Additionally, it may appear before, and or after, great-circle one-hop propagation as it operates with a lower F2 layer critical frequency. We have devised a computationally efficient modelling approach for two-hop sidescatter using 3D ray tracing. First, ray landing spots from a transmitter are found over 360{\textdegree}\ azimuth and a sensible range of elevations. Second, the process is repeated for a transmitter at the receiver. The key assumption is that reciprocity holds sufficiently to avoid the computationally demanding need to place a transmitter at every transmitter ray landing spot. A scattering metric, the product of the number of landing spots from transmitter and pseudo-transmitter in a 1{\textdegree}x1{\textdegree}\ area, is a useful approximation to the location and strength of the sidescatter. The off-great circle scattering location from the model has been verified by a rotating-antenna experiment at 14 MHz on paths from Northern California to Utah and Oregon using FST4W digital mode. The diurnal variations of sidescatter location and strength are particularly interesting for a meridional transmitter and receiver geometry: morning (local time) scatter from the east, from land on the California to Oregon path, with afternoon through nighttime scatter from the west, from the ocean. We discuss a qualitative comparison of hourly model simulations with signal level and circuit reliability data from FST4W spots. The nighttime minimum in both parameters is pronounced in the observations and model. An afternoon dip in circuit reliability, without reduction in signal level, is tentatively explained by the model showing strongest scatter alternating between east and west before settling to the west. We postulate that severe multipath scatter from both east and west, land and ocean, sufficiently increased frequency spread to reduce probability of decode for the ~6 Hz bandwidth FST4W mode. This study illustrates the usefulness of combining 3D ray tracing with purposeful observations to explain an underappreciated propagation mode.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and Devin Diehl and R. Lynn Rhymes and Frederick Wahl} } @proceedings {873, title = {Reexamining the Characteristics of Flare-Driven Doppler Flash using multipoint HF Observations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Sudden enhancement in the ionospheric electron density following a solar flare causes disruption in the transionospheric high frequency (HF: 3-30 MHz) communications, commonly referred to as Shortwave Fadeout (SWF). This disruption is also recorded as a sudden enhancement in Doppler frequency in the received HF signal, referred to as Doppler Flash. This phenomenon was recorded and reported by the SuperDARN HF radar network. Previous investigations have suggested that among various phases of flare-driven SWFs observed by HF radars Doppler Flash is the first to observe, and there are no significant trends in Doppler Flash with location, operating frequency, or flare intensity. Recent development showed that Doppler observations from the distributed HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) can provide insight into the physics behind changes in phase path length of the trans ionospheric radio signals. Unlike SuperDARN, HamSCI PSWS can record the full phase of the Doppler Flash, provide an edge to revisit the characterization study and compare with existing dataset. In this study, we demonstrate how HamSCI observations can be used to infer flare-driven changes in ionospheric properties. We found: (1) HamSCI PSWS has higher dynamic range than SuperDARN during flare making it less susceptible to SWF, thus it can record the full Doppler Flash; (2) data from HamSCI PSWS shows a strong function trend with flare strength, operating frequency, and location on the Earth; and (3) HF rays traveling longer distances experienced statistically higher Doppler. We understand that, while instantaneous Doppler realized by the HF signal is proportional to the rate of change in solar irradiance, the total Doppler realized is proportional to the total flare-deposited energy in the ionosphere.

}, author = {Shibaji Chakraborty and Kristina V. Collins and Nathaniel A. Frissell and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {839, title = {Results from the 2023 SEQP and GSSC}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Presenting operating results from the Solar Eclipse QSO Party and the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, two of the HamSCI Festival of Eclipse Ionospheric Science events held concurrently with the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse over North and South America.\  Details on how to participate in the next running of both events, to be held during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse over North America, will be given.

}, author = {Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {876, title = {Reworking the MUSIC Algorithm to Mitigate MSTID Direction Estimation Bias Associated with SuperDARN Radar Field-of-View Geometry}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are variations in the F region ionospheric electron density. MSTIDs can be associated with atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and provide critical information for understanding the ionosphere, which is an electrically charged region of the atmosphere. Previous SuperDARN studies of MSTIDs have used the Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm to determine the size, speed, and direction of these disturbances in the ionosphere. Upon analyzing MSTID MUSIC results from ten North American SuperDARN radars over a period of twelve winter seasons (2010-2022), we found a bias in the SuperDARN MSTID MUSIC direction estimation algorithm that preferentially reports waves as traveling along the boresight direction of the radars. We demonstrate that this bias is caused by the radar Field-of-View geometry and report on the progress algorithm development for removing this bias.

}, author = {Michael Molzen and Thomas Pisano and Nicholas Guerra and Juan Serna and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {848, title = {Sensitivity analysis of ray-tracing techniques to ionospheric electron density profiles}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere, a weakly ionized plasma embedded in a magnetic field, constitutes an anisotropic and dispersive medium for the propagation of HF radio waves. Ray-tracing is a powerful and useful technique, included in several radar simulation codes, that allows determining the path of these radio waves through the ionosphere in order, for example, to locate and track a target. Depending on the degree of precision needed, ray-tracing requires more or less precise knowledge of ionospheric conditions along the propagation path. A sensitivity analysis is performed in this work to determine the effect of different electron density height profiles in ray path features considering a fully analytical approach and two ray-tracing algorithms. The analytical approach is based on the quasi-parabolic electron density height distribution which allows for the derivation of exact equations for ray path parameters. The first ray-tracing algorithm consists of Snell-law application to a two-dimensional ionosphere which is layered into thin homogeneous slabs with a constant refractive index. The second algorithm implements the code of Jones and Stephenson, introduced in 1975, and numerically solves Haselgrove ray equations to trace ray paths through an anisotropic medium whose refractive index varies in three dimensions. The three methodologies used to assess an HF signal ray path must assume an electron density height profile which strongly affects any output parameter that depends on the signal traveling path. In particular, the analytical approach, even though it is less accurate, it is considerably faster than any numerical ray-tracing technique. This sensitivity analysis approach allows estimating the percentage variation of ray-tracing outputs which may serve to analyze the errors introduced by ionospheric transient disturbances which cannot be easily included in models considered in ray-tracing algorithms.

}, author = {Ana G. Elias and Mariano Fagre and Zenon Saavedra and Adrian Llanes and Blas F. de Haro Barbas} } @proceedings {871, title = {Signatures of Space Weather in the NJIT V1 Grape Low-IF Receiver}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, abstract = {

The V1 Grape Low Intermediate Frequency (Low-IF; 10 MHz) Receiver is part of a low-cost Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) developed by the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Collective. One of the existing deployed Grapes is located at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The Grape measures the WWV 10 MHz signal originating from Fort Collins, Colorado. Variations in WWV{\textquoteright}s signal intensity and frequency, received by the Grape can be used to investigate\  strong space weather events and their effects on the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere. The Grape data is separated into two parameters, Doppler Shift (Hz) which is a change in frequency introduced by the variability of the ionosphere along the WWV to NJIT link, and Relative Power (dB) which can be used as a proxy for the received signal{\textquoteright}s intensity.\  In this presentation, we will explore the possibility of using the Relative Power parameter for studying ionospheric scintillation due to space weather events.\  We will present several examples of data collected on days with known space weather events to assess the Grape{\textquoteright}s ability to detect the event. We will also discuss our analysis techniques, including our strategies to mitigate the local noise environment at NJIT, and future work.

}, author = {Tiago Trigo and Gareth W. Perry and Sebastian Fernandes and John Gibbons and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {872, title = {Statistical Study of the Magnetospheric Open-Closed Boundary (OCB) using ULF Wave Observations from Antarctic Ground Magnetometers As Compared to the Tsyganenko Model}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

We present a statistical study using ground magnetometer data which are located over extensive latitudes from subauroral to the deep polar cap region. These include the Antarctic Automated Geophysical Observatories (AGOs), McMurdo Station (MCM), and South Pole Station (SPA), to characterize open-closed boundary (OCB) behavior during geomagnetically quiet times. Knowledge of the location and dynamics of the magnetic field line OCB provides insight to space physics processes such as substorms, particle precipitation events, and magnetospheric configuration. Prior studies have shown that determination of the OCB location can be made by examining the ULF wave power in data from a latitudinal chain of ground-based magnetometers extending from the auroral zone into the deep polar cap.

}, author = {Rachel M. Frissell and Hyomin Kim and Andrew Gerrard and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {831, title = {Student Reflections of NRAO{\textquoteright}s Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum - Ham Radio Program}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum is a two-semester-long program hosted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) designed to promote diversity in amateur radio. Through this program, two cohorts of young adults, totaling thirty people, are working towards the goal of receiving their technician{\textquoteright}s and/or general class license. For the second cohort of students, three students also became peer mentors. To complete the program, students complete lessons on an online platform, attend weekly Zoom classes, and listen to presentations given by guest speakers. The students are also building lasting relationships with their peers and mentors. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop a curriculum for amateur radio clubs, schools, and other interested individuals. In this presentation, three of the students will share their personal experiences with the program.

}, author = {Nejon McBride-Stubbs and Abigail Swanberg and Danielle Rowland} } @proceedings {883, title = {Three-Channel VLF Reception System using a Raspberry Pi, Soundcard, and GNSS Receiver}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A low-cost, science-grade three-channel VLF reception system can be easily constructed using a Raspberry Pi, multichannel soundcard, and GNSS receiver. An E-field VLF preamp and two-channel H-field VLF preamps are installed outside in a radio-quiet location. The signal is fed into audio isolation transformers through a pair on Cat-5 feedlines attached to the E-field and H-field VLF preamp interface. Power is delivered to the VLF preamps with isolated DC-DC converters. The signals (E-field and N-S, E-W H-field) are fed into channels 1-3 of the Audio Injector Octo soundcard via the audio input board. The GNSS PPS is fed into channel 1 of the soundcard for sample alignment and UT timestamping. The PPS is also fed into GPIO4 of the Raspberry Pi to discipline the time-of-day clock via GPS daemon and NTP daemon and allows for course sample alignment correction before finer sample alignment and timestamping. Four channels of audio are captured using the Audio Injector Octo multichannel soundcard attached to a Raspberry Pi 3. On the Pi, vlfrx-tools software handles data capture, sample alignment and time stamping, mains hum filtering, whistler and dawn chorus event detection, SID detection via VLF transmitters, data storage and retrieval, live listening, and sferic analysis. Data is stored with a rotating buffer on a 512MB USB thumb drive. It can also be streamed over the network to a local or internet-connected server for heavier signal analysis tasks, such as lightning location calculations using multiple VLF receivers and decoding of VLF amateur transmissions. Using three channels for triple axis reception, signal bearing calculations can be made as well as digitally steering the H-field loop antennas for more gain of interesting signals. It also allows for analysis of natural radio signals of both E-field and H-field.

} } @proceedings {850, title = {Trial of applying PHaRLAP raytracing to reproduce Ham spot data}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

HamSCI is one of the NASA{\textquoteright}s official citizen science projects. HamSCI\ spots database, which is from Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network (WSPRNet), is of interest. Information of date, time, frequency, latitude, and longitude of transmitter and receiver are used. PHaRLAP is a raytracing tool that can trace the HF radio wave in 2D and 3D. We use the IRI model to generate the required ionospheric information. We employ the PHaRLAP\ to reproduce the ham spots database by launching the HF radio wave from the transmitter, of which its location is obtained from the HamSCI\ spots database. Then, we trace the O-mode propagation of the wave. The wave arrival latitude and longitude are then mapped into a grid based on the Amateur Radio Maidenhead Grid. Finally, we compare the raytracing-based arrival grid with the HamSCI\ arrival grid. The results, under the assumption of 1-hop propagation, show that the PHaRLAP\ raytracing can reproduce the HamSCI\ spots database well.

}, author = {Kornyanat Hozumi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Min-Yang Chou and Gwyn Griffiths and William D. Engelke and Jia Yue and Shing Fung and Masha Kuznetsova} } @proceedings {863, title = {University of Michigan Space Weather Sensor Package}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Ground magnetometer and dual frequency GPS systems are used to measure space weather effects observed in geomagnetic disturbances and variations in Total Electron Content (TEC). However, such systems are usually cost-prohibitive, susceptible to noise from human infrastructure, and difficult to deploy and maintain. Our team has been working on a low-cost space weather sensor package that can be easily deployed and requires low maintenance while having good magnetic and TEC data accuracy. The system has multiple options with respect to power (e.g., AC powered or solar panel and battery system), communication (Cat5 internet, Wi-Fi, Cellular or satellite modem), and sensors (use of network protocol time, single frequency GPS time stamping, or dual frequency GPS for both time and TEC). This presentation describes the low-cost magnetometer sensor package, the simple user interfaces, and design of the electrical and structural components for ease of manufacturing. We have developed a prototype for a system that is much cheaper and easier to mass-produce and install than current commercial systems, and real-world testing has shown that these systems function reliably.

}, author = {Theodore Masterson and Mark B. Moldwin and Lauro Ojeda and Julio Vata and Isaac Fertig and Alex Hofmann and Brian Tsang} } @proceedings {819, title = {The W2NAF-KC3EEY VLF Observatory: Building Exciting New Developments from a Solid Foundation}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

After more than two years, the VLF reception system installed at the W2NAF-KC3EEY VLF Observatory in Spring Brook Township, PA has proven an essential tool in ionospheric and magnetospheric research. Using low cost and simplistic hardware like a VLF Active Antenna, Raspberry Pi, soundcard, and GNSS receiver along with powerful, open-source software such as vlfrx-tools and GPS Daemon, it is possible to capture VLF spectrum data with science-grade accuracy, precision, and reliability that an amateur can easily achieve. Building on this foundation, new developments were made possible which include a 3-channel VLF reception system of the same hardware and software architecture; an H-field VLF receiver that will be used alongside the Active VLF Antenna as well as the newly developed 3-channel VLF reception system to enable triple axis reception, an amateur VLF transmission rig utilizing a GPS-locked carrier and the EbNaut digital mode, a possible atmospheric gravity wave detection from the Tonga eruption, an exciting 2023 annular eclipse observation indicating both influence from the Moon{\textquoteright}s shadow and a solar flare using Naval VLF transmitters and lightning sferics, and an analysis of the observed dusk and dawn phenomena on Naval VLF signals, along with other developments. These developments coincide with a call to establish the HamSCI VLF Network, a network of worldwide VLF reception systems installed and operated by volunteers, amateurs, and professionals alike in radio-quiet locations. The HamSCI VLF Network will augment the existing HamSCI Grape experiment with D/E-layer ionospheric phenomena, lightning location data with accurate stroke solutions, and more.\ \ 

}, author = {Jonathan D. Rizzo and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {875, title = {Wave Activity in Thermospheric Vertical Winds and Temperatures at Subauroral Latitudes}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The need for high precision measurements of vertical winds with uncertainties less than 3-5 m/s and a temporal cadence of 1-2 min has made it exceedingly difficult to study the response of the thermosphere to gravity wave activity.\  Herein we present subauroral, midlatitude thermospheric wave measurements of 630 nm OI emission from a 15 cm narrow field Fabry Perot Interferometer, named the Hot Oxygen Doppler Imager (HODI).\  These measurements of temperature and vertical wind velocities are from a first light campaign at Jenny Jump Observatory (40.9 N, 74.9 W) located in northwestern New Jersey. The heightened sensitivity of HODI enables analysis of gravity wave behavior with uncertainties of 3-5 m/s for vertical wind speeds and 10-15 K for temperatures for two-minute exposures. Data was collected during periods of geomagnetically quiet and active conditions, and apparent wave structures were seen during both conditions.\  One detailed observation, taken the night of July 25, 2022, enabled the ~90-deg phase shift between vertical winds and temperatures to be inferred, as per standard gravity wave polarization relations with viscous dissipation.\  However, most other observations found to have little correlation between the temperature and vertical winds, which we speculate may be a result of the propagation and interaction of multiple wave events. Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are often described as the ionospheric signature of the passage of gravity waves, and we provide comparisons of select wave events to medium scale TIDs using differential total electron count (TEC) maps.

}, author = {Anneliese Schmidt and John W. Meriwether and Matthew B. Cooper and Andrew J. Gerrard and Lindsay V. Goodwin and Shun-Rong Zhang and Gilbert Jeffer and Chris Callie} } @proceedings {833, title = {When Life isn{\textquoteright}t Gaussian: The Allan Deviation Family of Statistics}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, abstract = {

When analyzing data, it is common to assume a Gaussian distribution of noise around a "true"\ mean value. But real life often isn{\textquoteright}t Gaussian, so how do we deal with other kinds of noise? How do we think about data that does not have a well-defined mean? The Allan deviation family of statistics offers a series of tools to address these problems. Originally developed for characterizing the performance of oscillators, the family of statistics is now a mainstay of all kinds of time and frequency measurement and has found a growing range of applications across fields. In this presentation, I give a brief introduction to the Allan variance, highlight some other related statistics, and show their use in a variety of problem areas. I provide example code in Python and suggest a starting point for exploring these concepts with simulation.

}, author = {Aidan Montare} } @proceedings {852, title = {Why is sporadic-E propagation so weird?}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Mid-latitude sporadic-E ("Es") clouds are transient, thin layers of dense but patchy ionization which appear in the E region of the ionosphere. The process of formation of Es is different from that of the background ionosphere and can, by comparison, produce much higher ionization densities. Sporadic-E propagation is well known to radio amateurs because it allows communication at higher frequencies and/or over shorter skip distances than is possible via the background ionosphere, but Es is also currently the subject of much academic research. This is partly because of the disruptive impact of Es on satellite communications and satellite radars, but there is also growing scientific interest in the Mesosphere /\ Lower Thermosphere region of the upper atmosphere, which is where Es mainly occurs. The thin, intense, and variable nature of Es means that reflected signals can have quite extreme temporal, spatial, and polarization characteristics. My PhD research showed that the reflection process at 50 MHz is primarily magnetoionic in nature, but many detailed features remain to be explained. To explore the observed polarization behaviour in more detail and to link that behaviour to the physical properties of the Es layers, a PHaRLAP-based raytrace simulation has been developed which predicts polarization parameters a signal passes through an Es cloud. As a case study, the observed significant and systematic differences in the polarization of the signals received in the UK over very similar paths from beacons in Hungary and Slovenia have been investigated in detail. Each of the two beacons shows strongly defined elliptical polarization, but the sense of rotation and predominant tilt angle are consistently opposite from each other, over multiple Es reflection events and on multiple days. This presentation will summarize the earlier work and then describe the building and testing of the PHaRLAP simulation model and the case study results obtained so far. Finally, outstanding questions about the weird nature of Es propagation will be discussed and opportunities for further work described.

}, author = {Chris Deacon} } @proceedings {855, title = {Why you should attend the Youth on the Air camp!}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Why I believe that any young ham who{\textquoteright}s licensed and is within 15-25 years old, whether you{\textquoteright}ve done it all or just got licensed, should go to YOTA camp!

}, author = {Jack Roberts and Dylan Romero} } @proceedings {818, title = {The Wsprdaemon GRAPE reporting network}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The recently released Wsprdaemon (WD) Version 3.1.5 added support for WD sites equipped with an RX888 to simultaneously record 16,000 sps IQ files on all WWV and CHU bands.\  After 00:00 UDP WD creates one 10 Hz 24 hour wav file for each of those bands and uploads them in DigitalRF (DRF) format to the HamSCI GRAPE server. This system hardware consists of a RX-888, GPSDO, and a Pi 5.

}, author = {Rob Robinett and Paul Elliott} } @proceedings {750, title = {AC Motor Drive With Power Factor Correction Using Arduino}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

By using various electrical and computer engineering concepts, this project incorporates different sectors explored through current curriculum. By implementing these concepts, a fully functioning AC motor controller will be designed. The project is split into 5 groups: AC to DC power conversion, DC to AC power control, power factor correction, capacitor bank control, and Arduino interfacing, all working on separate critical components for the motor controller. As this is currently a work in progress, actual conclusions cannot be made, but speculation based on calculations is available.

}, author = {Christian D. Chakiris and Robert C. Brudnicki and Robert D. Troy and John A. Nelson and Matthew K. Dittmar and Augustine D. Brapoh Jr. and Milton Andrade and Sade Lugo and Aidan T. Szabo and Kenneth Dudeck} } @proceedings {725, title = {Amateur Radio Through the Ages (Exhibit)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateur Radio Through the Ages Exhibit is an exhibit of historical amateur radios, QSL cards, QST magazines, and radio accessories on display at the University of Scranton Loyola Science Center / Hope Horn Gallery during the Spring 2023 semester. This exhibit is presented by the Murgas Amateur Radio Club K3YTL, The University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club W3USR, and The University of Scranton Department of Physics and Engineering, especially Tom Mayka W3TRM, Bill Gallagher WA3RA, Herb Krumich K2LNS, Ian Kellman K3IK, Phil Galasso K2PG, Elaine Kollar K3VQR, Dave Kirby N3SRO, Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, and Dr. Nathaniel Frissell W2NAF.

}, url = {https://photos.app.goo.gl/68gA9i32piVyM9C59}, author = {Tom Mayka and William Gallagher and Herb Krumich and Ian Kelleman and Phil Galasso and Elaine Kollar and Dave Kirby and Darlene Miller-Lanning and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {692, title = {Analyzing Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using Spot Data and Curve Fitting}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances can be observed in amateur radio data by plotting and analyzing the propagation of signals from RBN, WSPR and PSK. One of the goals of these analyses is to determine the period and amplitude of these disturbances, which are visible to the human eye in the plotted data, but are challenging to accurately characterize for period and amplitude. (Such data is important for ionospheric climatology studies).\  Earlier research (Frissell, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA022168) has used a spectral approach to this analysis; this presentation shows a curve fitting technique which may prove easier to use for the large volume of analysis necessary for climatology studies.

}, author = {William D. Engelke} } @proceedings {696, title = {Broadband Recordings from Medium Wave DXers Could Support Solar Eclipse Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Medium wave DXers monitor the AM broadcast band (535-1705kHz) to receive distant radio stations, generally between sunset and sunrise, in order to take advantage of favorable ionospheric conditions then.\  Historically, these DXers have been aware of similarly favorable reception conditions that occur during solar eclipses, and during the 2017 solar eclipse, a number of them recorded the entire AM broadcast band using software defined radios (SDRs).\  During the upcoming annular and total solar eclipses, it is proposed to suggest to such DXers that their pursuit of distant radio stations be done in such a way as to make their recorded IQ files of optimum use to propagation researchers, both from HamSCI and from elsewhere, by documenting such things as receiver, software\  and antenna settings,\  and by making sure that timestamps in their data are as accurate as possible.\  DXers could also be encouraged\  to make additional recordings of sunrise and sunset conditions in order to support HamSCI scientific goals.\  Because some DXers use SDRs with system clocks locked to GPS, the data from such SDRs could be useful as a lower frequency adjunct to data gathered from Grape v2, especially if Doppler variation of specific broadcaster{\textquoteright}s carriers could be converted to the audio format used by Grape v2, before further processing.\  IQ data recorded during the eclipse could be gathered together and archived by HamSCI for future researchers, such as was done for the 2017 eclipse.\  The processing of such data to support present HamSCI scientific objectives could require significant volunteer effort, however.

}, author = {Nicholas Hall-Patch} } @proceedings {691, title = {Climatology of Ionospheric Variability with MSTID Periods Observed Using Grape v1 HF Doppler Receivers}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Veronica Romanek and Nathaniel Frissell and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan and William Liles} } @proceedings {734, title = {Climatology of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed with Amateur Radio Networks}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A new climatology of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) has been observed from ham radio data in 2017. LSTIDs are quasiperiodic electron density perturbations of the F region ionosphere. LSTIDs have periods of 30 min to over 180 min, wavelengths of over 1000 km, and velocities of over 1400 km/hr. In this paper, we show a climatology of observed LSTID events using data from the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), Weak Signal Propagation Network (WSPRNet), and PSKReporter amateur radio networks. This climatology was performed twice and was cross examined between two members of the research team. Results show that most of the observed LSTIDs occurred during the winter months with a decline towards the summer, with the exception of a spike in June. This paper provides additional insight into the seasonal trends of LSTIDs and provides additional knowledge that will help in the pursuit of what is causing this phenomenon.

}, author = {Diego Sanchez and Mary Lou West and Bob Gerzoff and Gareth W. Perry and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William D. Engelke and Philip J. Erickson} } @proceedings {731, title = {Coherent CW: A Claude Shannon Tempest on a Tabletop}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Experience CW as a GPS synchronized digital mode, legal on 80-40-15 for Technicians and excellent for everyone.

}, author = {Andre Yost and David Kazdan} } @article {797, title = {Crowdsourced Doppler measurements of time standard stations demonstrating ionospheric variability}, journal = {Earth System Science Data}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {Jan-01-2023}, pages = {1403 - 1418}, abstract = {

Ionospheric variability produces measurable effects in Doppler shift of HF (high-frequency, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) skywave signals. These effects are straightforward to measure with low-cost equipment and are conducive to citizen science campaigns. The low-cost Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) network is a modular network of community-maintained, open-source receivers, which measure Doppler shift in the precise carrier signals of time standard stations. The primary goal of this paper is to explain the types of measurements this instrument can make and some of its use cases, demonstrating its role as the building block for a large-scale ionospheric and HF propagation measurement network which complements existing professional networks. Here, data from the PSWS network are presented for a period of time spanning late 2019 to early 2022. Software tools for the visualization and analysis of this living dataset are also discussed and provided. These tools are robust to data interruptions and to the addition, removal or modification of stations, allowing both short- and long-term visualization at higher density and faster cadence than other methods. These data may be used to supplement observations made with other geospace instruments in event-based analyses, e.g., traveling ionospheric disturbances and solar flares, and to assess the accuracy of the bottomside estimates of ionospheric models by comparing the oblique paths obtained by ionospheric ray tracers with those obtained by these receivers. The data are archived at\ https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6622111(Collins,\ 2022).

}, doi = {10.5194/essd-15-1403-2023}, url = {https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1403/2023/https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1403/2023/essd-15-1403-2023.pdf}, author = {Collins, Kristina and Gibbons, John and Frissell, Nathaniel and Montare, Aidan and Kazdan, David and Kalmbach, Darren and Swartz, David and Benedict, Robert and Romanek, Veronica and Boedicker, Rachel and Liles, William and Engelke, William and McGaw, David G. and Farmer, James and Mikitin, Gary and Hobart, Joseph and Kavanagh, George and Chakraborty, Shibaji} } @proceedings {762, title = {Development of HamSCI PSWS Ground Magnetometer and Data Visualization on the PSWS Central Website}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Nathaniel A. Frissell and David Witten and Julius Madey and William D. Engelke and Tom Holmes and Majid Mokhtari and Scotty Cowling and Anderson Liddle and Nicholas Muscolino and Zhaoshu Cao} } @proceedings {742, title = {Electrostatic and Quantum Size Effects in Short Channel MOSFETs}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {
Two dimensional electrostatics and quantum size effects have become important features of modern short channel MOSFET device design where the surface potential becomes spatially dependent affecting the threshold voltage Several nanometer channel lengths between Source and Drain cause quantum effects that need to be addressed in modern MOSFET design. We present a model of electron transport in the 2D inversion layer, where (a) electrostatic and (b) quantum size effects are pointed out.
}, author = {Robert Troy and Aidan Szabo and Argyros Varonides} } @proceedings {695, title = {Engaging the Amateur Radio Community with the Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

HamSCI{\textquoteright}s launching of the Solar Eclipse QSO Party in 2017 was, by any measure, a resounding success.\  Millions of data points were generated by amateur (ham) radio operators and they contributed greatly to research on ionospheric variability.\  \ The challenge before the HamSCI organization prior to the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses appearing in North America:\  How to build on that success, engaging more participants, further assisting the geophysics community to answer the science questions to be raised by The Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science (FoEIS)?\  The first step was reviewing what worked well in 2017, then building upon that success.\  Much like 2017, a QSO party, aptly named the Solar Eclipse QSO Party 2.0, was defined.\  For that event, amateurs will use their existing stations to contact one another in a friendly, competitive manner, using a mix of voice, Morse code and digital methods.\  Step two was the creation of a new event, the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, which primarily makes use of digital communication techniques.\  It should attract those amateurs (and non-licensed short wave hobbyists) with a demonstrated interest in radio wave propagation.\  Having created an umbrella event, the FoEIS, plus two distinct competitions will allow HamSCI to promote the Festival to the general amateur radio community as before but also to more targeted audiences.\  Additional events will likely be added to the Festival, and they can be promoted to the ham community in a similar fashion.\  It is hoped the collective effort will lead to increased participation during the FoEIS as well as growth in the number of citizen scientists participating in HamSCI for the long term.

}, author = {Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {690, title = {Evaluation of Global Ionospheric TEC Using Simultaneous Observations from Amateur Radio Networks, International Space Station, and NeQuickG Model for Space Weather Prediction}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Ionospheric electron density plays a significant role in long-distance communications and sky-wave propagation. Prediction of the accurate state of the ionosphere is necessary to understand the accurate signal perturbations thereby estimating the critical parameters for better signal transmission. The space weather impacts on such trans-ionospheric technological systems are evident. In this work, a web application is developed to represent the global day-to-day electron density variations from the NeQuickG model. Also, the ground-based HAM radio broadcast network hop data with different wavelengths (eg. 10 m and 20 m) and simultaneous top-side electron density with space-based International Space Station (ISS) probe data from floating point measurement units are examined. The electron density variations for the year 2017 are clearly represented. Optimization techniques are necessary to frame a denser spatial grid-based ionospheric electron density map from all the observations. It is essential to estimate the optimal weight function that can distribute the observation influence over empty grid bins with minimum error variance through a probabilistic approach. User-understandable metrics development exclusively for Amateur radio operators and civil aviation sectors is focused. In the near future, the developed web-based application could serve as a better visualization platform for space weather forecasting.

This project, Fellowship of the Ionosphere,\ is a Global Finalist in the 2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge.\ NASA Space Apps 2022 had 31,400+ registered participants from 162 counties and territories, with\ over 3000 submissions from 5327 teams. Global Finalists are ranked as one of the top 35 projects from all submissions.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Marcin Lesniowski and Pasumarthi Babu Sree Harsha and Matthew Downs and Daniel Metcalfe and Sila Kardelen Karabulut} } @proceedings {719, title = {An Expanded System to Track Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances and Other Effects Using Doppler-shifts of AM Broadcast Stations}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances, propagating variations in the ionosphere, can be tracked by observing the Doppler-shifted carriers of clear-channel AM broadcast stations.\  A system of receivers using Software-Defined Radios frequency stabilized by GPS has been developed, deployed and collecting data in the northeast United States.\  The existing system of 6 receivers will be built out to as many as 15 to cover much of the eastern US.\  This expanded network promises to be able to detect and track these TIDs as well as terminator, Spread-F and eclipse effects.

}, author = {David McGaw and Jackson Gosler and Justin Lewis and James LaBelle} } @proceedings {754, title = {Father Joseph Murgas {\textquotedblleft}The Radio Priest{\textquotedblright}: Scientist, Inventor, Artist, and Naturalist}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Elaine Kollar} } @proceedings {744, title = {FDTD for Geophysical Applications}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method [Yee, IEEE TAP, 14:3, 1966] is a robust method that solves Maxwell{\textquoteright}s equations in time and over a spatial grid.\  It can account for arbitrary source time-waveforms as could occur from man-made antennas as well as naturally occurring ionospheric currents or lightning strikes, etc.\  The FDTD method can also account for complex 3-D geometries, including for example a variable ground topography and 3-D lithosphere/ionosphere compositions.\  By coupling Maxwell{\textquoteright}s equations to the plasma momentum equation, FDTD models may also be constructed to account for the physics of electromagnetic wave propagation through magnetized ionospheric plasma.

Over the years, our research group has developed FDTD models of electromagnetic waves propagating globally around the world in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide [Simpson, Surveys in Geophysics, 30:2, 2009].\  Three generations of models have been developed:\  (1) a latitude-longitude grid; (2) a geodesic (hexagonal-pentagonal) grid; and (3) a Cartesian-based grid.\  These models have been applied to remote-sensing of localized ionospheric anomalies, remote-sensing of oil fields, geolocation, Schumann resonances, space weather effects on the operation of electric power grids, scintillation in the ionosphere, etc.\ \ 

In this presentation, we will provide an overview of our modeling capabilities, and we will also highlight a recent research activity relating to power line emissions (PLE) and power line harmonic radiation (PLHR) propagating into and through the ionosphere. For this project, the FDTD models are solve the full-vector Maxwell{\textquoteright}s equations coupled with the plasma momentum equation over a fully 3-D grid while considering the complex inhomogeneities of the ionospheric magnetized plasma (ducts, plasma bubbles, etc.). Our algorithm is highly efficient, allowing us to study the long timespans of the very low-frequency waveforms of interest as well as their long propagation paths from the ground to satellite altitudes.

Although we have not collaborated with Ham radio operators yet, we are very interested in doing so.\  Our models are ideally suited for investigating a number of interesting problems.\ 

}, author = {Apoorva Pedgaonkar and Jamesina Simpson} } @proceedings {693, title = {A Few Science Questions that HamSCI Can Help Address During the 2023 and 2024 Eclipses}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Solar eclipses are an exciting celestial event which can be used to study the terrestrial atmosphere and ionosphere systems. Locally, during a total solar eclipse, totality may only last a few minutes{\textemdash}and the times scales on which solar illumination decreases and then increases is much shorter that what is normally observed during sunrise and sunset. Additionally, on a larger, continental scale, the moon{\textquoteright}s umbra moves at supersonic velocities, tracing out the path of totality. These properties serve to act as an impulse in energy on the atmosphere and ionosphere, generating a wide variety of yet to be specified (or identified) responses in those systems.\ 

As an example of some compelling response effects, the fast depletion-replenishment of the bottomside ionosphere (the portion of the ionosphere that is below the F-region peak) often appears asymmetric{\textemdash}an observation that is not well understood. Therefore, one science question which can be addressed is: will the different geometries of the 2023 and 2024 eclipses as well as the fact that they are an annular and total eclipse, respectively, have a significant effect on the asymmetry of the bottomside evolution during the eclipse? Furthermore, efforts to model and replicate the observed effects of eclipses have significantly improved in recent years; however, observations of the atmosphere and ionosphere are still required to constrain, validate, and ultimately improve our theoretical understanding of these systems. Another eclipse science question which can be addressed is: how well will these models perform for the 2023 and 2024 eclipse and how can we quantify the response of the ionosphere during these events?\ 

Over the past few years, HamSCI has emerged at the forefront of passive remote sensing techniques in solar-terrestrial physics. This is evidenced by HamSCI{\textquoteright}s work using with HF timing signals and HF QSOs, show that both can be used to monitor the bottomside ionosphere on both regional and continental scales. The SEQP during the 2017 total solar eclipse was a resounding success, delivering high-impact and influential science results. Building upon that success, this technique may very well be a gamechanger for identifying and characterizing eclipse generated effects and phenomena during the upcoming 2023 and 2024 eclipses. The purpose of this presentation is to detail a few outstanding eclipse related science questions, and propose how HamSCI can lead the way in addressing them.

}, author = {Gareth W. Perry and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joseph D. Huba} } @proceedings {724, title = {Field-Aligned Potential Drops in an Ionospheric Streamer}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Field-aligned potential drops occur primarily in regions of strong upward field-aligned currents, where they can decouple the ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics. They have been a challenge to incorporate into global magnetosphere modeling efforts. Low-entropy bubbles can form ionospheric streamers in the context of field-aligned potential drops. We have made a simple zeroth-order analytic model with order-of-magnitude reasonable field values. The model{\textquoteright}s parameter space comprises resistivity, bubble asymmetry, conductivity enhancement, and an additional parameter which can be used to adjust the entropy profiles across the bubble. We are currently exploring this parameter space and examining the resulting differences between the resulting ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields (including electric field-reversals).\  An examination of whether bursty bulk flows or flow bursts are more likely to be responsible for streamers is ongoing.\  Both previous runs of the Rice Convection Model and data are being used to fit parameters and examine reasonable parameter regimes.

}, author = {Jason Derr and Sina Sadegzadeh and Richard Wolf and Frank Toffoletto and Jian Yang and Weiqin Sun} } @article {798, title = {Forging Amateur-Professional Bonds: An Overview of the HamSCI 2023 Workshop and the Upcoming Solar Eclipses}, volume = {79}, year = {2023}, month = {07/2023}, pages = {32-26}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

HamSCI {\textendash} the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, a collaboration between the amateur radio and space science communities - held its sixth annual workshop this spring at The University of Scranton in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

}, issn = {0007-893X}, url = {https://cq-amateur-radio.com}, author = {Wilcox, R} } @proceedings {704, title = {Forging Amateur-Professional Bonds (Keynote Address)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateurs have played an important role in scientific research for many centuries. Up until the time of automated computerized telescope searches, virtually all comets were discovered by amateurs. As David Levy (of comet Shoemaker-Levy fame) said, "Amateurs have time to observe and enjoy the sky. Professionals have to submit proposals, take data, and write papers." Amateurs have long held associations with professional scientists in the realms of botany, ornithology, and even fossil and meteorite hunting. Ham Radio operators have worked closely with meteorologists as stormspotters and to provide communication in times of severe weather or other emergencies. It is a very natural outgrowth that Ham Radio amateurs team up with space physicists and aeronomers who study the ionosphere and its dependences on solar disturbances, in the general term of "space weather". Stanford first created VHF SID ionospheric monitors for amateurs and schools, and the "Radio Jove" program from Goddard has enlisted amateurs in monitoring solar and Jovian radio emissions. Ham beacons using Joe Taylor{\textquoteright}s compression algorithms now are used to track amateur balloons that have sailed four more times around the Earth. Amateurs team up with college students to provide communication with Cubesats. We are entering a new era of amateur radio providing important information on the structure and variability of the ionosphere, especially during eclipses. Several HamSCI talks and posters were shown at the recent Chicago AGU meeting, and we look to this group to lead the way for future uses of ham radio in "real" scientific research. talks and posters were shown at the recent Chicago AGU meeting, and we look to this group to lead the way for future uses of ham radio in "real" scientific research.

}, author = {Reiff, Patricia} } @proceedings {727, title = {Galactic Study of the Milky Way Galaxy Using Cold Hydrogen Data}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Radio waves offer a wide variety of opportunities for studying astronomical phenomena. This presentation is concerned with the study of cold Hydrogen H1 waves received from the Milky Way galaxy. The H1 lines are 21-cm radio waves that are produced as a result of the Hydrogen Spin flip phenomenon. The H1 data is received from the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) and processed to produce 6000 unique data points to conduct the galactic survey. The galactic survey consists of a heat map that shows the movement of the galaxy across the sky. The survey also consists of velocity plots which are produced in galactic coordinates to show the movement of the galactic arms across the galactic plane. The analysis of the velocity plots will allow an estimation of the galactic mass and further explore the discrepancy between observed mass and actual mass.\ 

}, author = {Muhammad Shaaf Sarwar and Mary Lou West and Richard Russel and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {689, title = {Grape Version 2 Hardware Description and Build Status}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A description of the Grape Version 2 high frequency (HF) Doppler receiver hardware and build status.

}, author = {John Gibbons} } @proceedings {706, title = {The Ham Radio Project: Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) recently received funding from ARDC for a new 2-year project designed to teach young adults about the electromagnetic spectrum while sharing the excitement of amateur (ham) radio among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students. The project goals are to: Introduce students to the Electromagnetic Spectrum and radio technologies; develop a scalable, shareable curriculum via SuperKnova; provide hands-on activities to deepen subject knowledge, and support student attainment of Technician and General Class Amateur Radio Licenses.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7775655}, author = {Jesse Alexander} } @proceedings {842, title = {HamSCI 2023 Day 1 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {844, title = {HamSCI 2023 Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {708, title = {HamSCI: Continuing a Long Tradition of Amateur Radio Citizen Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

In 1957, 1958 I was a high school student, and only an amateur radio operator for two years when I joined the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Propagation Research Project. This ARRL program was supported by the Air Force and collected information on Ionospheric VHF radio propagation from reports by radio amateurs.\  The program was part of the 1957, 1958 International Geophysical Year (IGY). This was a world wide program to study the Earth.\  It involved scientists from 67 countries and made many contributions to our knowledge of Earth. The ionosphere was one of the subjects or study. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), in cooperation with the US Air Force, set up a program to collect observation reports from radio amateurs of unusual propagation on frequency bands of 50 MHz and above. I was happy and proud to be one of these amateur stations. In reflection of the more that 60 years since, I am certain that this early experience in the ham science (HamSCI) of the 1950s was part of my decision to follow a carrier in science and engineering. A carrier that included the Apollo program at one end and the Space Shuttle program at the other. I want to point out that an early experience in science and technology as a young radio amateur can and did lead to successful and exciting carrier.

}, author = {Robert Reif} } @article {799, title = {HamSCI Workshop 2023: A Radio Science Collaboration}, volume = {107}, year = {2023}, month = {10/2023}, pages = {59-61}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {
More than 150 space physics researchers, educators, engineers, college students, licensed amateurs, and members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) community came together at the sixth annual HamSCI Workshop on March 17 {\textendash} 18, 2023, where they listened, learned, and contributed to scientific investigations involving the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere and magnetosphere. This year{\textquoteright}s workshop was presented by The University of Scranton, and it emphasized cooperation between HamSCI{\textquoteright}s professional science community and its volunteer citizen scientists, many of whom are active amateur radio operators.
}, issn = {0033:4812}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {Mikitin, G} } @article {801, title = {Heliophysics and amateur radio: citizen science collaborations for atmospheric, ionospheric, and space physics research and operations}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, volume = {10}, year = {2023}, month = {Apr-11-2024}, abstract = {

The amateur radio community is a global, highly engaged, and technical community with an intense interest in space weather, its underlying physics, and how it impacts radio communications. The large-scale observational capabilities of distributed instrumentation fielded by amateur radio operators and radio science enthusiasts offers a tremendous opportunity to advance the fields of heliophysics, radio science, and space weather. Well-established amateur radio networks like the RBN, WSPRNet, and PSKReporter already provide rich, ever-growing, long-term data of bottomside ionospheric observations. Up-and-coming purpose-built citizen science networks, and their associated novel instruments, offer opportunities for citizen scientists, professional researchers, and industry to field networks for specific science questions and operational needs. Here, we discuss the scientific and technical capabilities of the global amateur radio community, review methods of collaboration between the amateur radio and professional scientific community, and review recent peer-reviewed studies that have made use of amateur radio data and methods. Finally, we present recommendations submitted to the U.S. National Academy of Science Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024{\textendash}2033 for using amateur radio to further advance heliophysics and for fostering deeper collaborations between the professional science and amateur radio communities. Technical recommendations include increasing support for distributed instrumentation fielded by amateur radio operators and citizen scientists, developing novel transmissions of RF signals that can be used in citizen science experiments, developing new amateur radio modes that simultaneously allow for communications and ionospheric sounding, and formally incorporating the amateur radio community and its observational assets into the Space Weather R2O2R framework. Collaborative recommendations include allocating resources for amateur radio citizen science research projects and activities, developing amateur radio research and educational activities in collaboration with leading organizations within the amateur radio community, facilitating communication and collegiality between professional researchers and amateurs, ensuring that proposed projects are of a mutual benefit to both the professional research and amateur radio communities, and working towards diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171/fullhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171/full}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Ackermann, John R. and Alexander, Jesse N. and Benedict, Robert L. and Blackwell, William C. and Boedicker, Rachel K. and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V. and Cowling, Scott H. and Deacon, Chris and Diehl, Devin M. and Di Mare, Francesca and Duffy, Timothy J. and Edson, Laura Brandt and Engelke, William D. and Farmer, James O. and Frissell, Rachel M. and Gerzoff, Robert B. and Gibbons, John and Griffiths, Gwyn and Holm, Sverre and Howell, Frank M. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Kavanagh, George and Kazdan, David and Kim, Hyomin and Larsen, David R. and Ledvina, Vincent E. and Liles, William and Lo, Sam and Lombardi, Michael A. and MacDonald, Elizabeth A. and Madey, Julius and McDermott, Thomas C. and McGaw, David G. and McGwier, Robert W. and Mikitin, Gary A. and Miller, Ethan S. and Mitchell, Cathryn and Montare, Aidan and Nguyen, Cuong D. and Nordberg, Peter N. and Perry, Gareth W. and Piccini, Gerard N. and Pozerski, Stanley W. and Reif, Robert H. and Rizzo, Jonathan D. and Robinett, Robert S. and Romanek, Veronica I. and Sami, Simal and Sanchez, Diego F. and Sarwar, Muhammad Shaaf and Schwartz, Jay A. and Serra, H. Lawrence and Silver, H. Ward and Skov, Tamitha Mulligan and Swartz, David A. and Themens, David R. and Tholley, Francis H. and West, Mary Lou and Wilcox, Ronald C. and Witten, David and Witvliet, Ben A. and Yadav, Nisha} } @proceedings {716, title = {History of the Art of DXing and Contesting}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Rich in the history of amateur or ham radio is the art of DXing and contesting. DXing is short for distance. A DXpedition is a trip to operate in a rare location or country. Contests involve hundreds to thousands of operators attempting to {\textquotedblleft}work{\textquotedblright} or contact as many operators of a defined criteria as possible. These DXer{\textquoteright}s and contesters are generally very skilled. These skills involve {\textquotedblleft}pulling out{\textquotedblright} a single call sign out of a cacophony of dozens to hundreds of call signs, being able to hear and understand very weak signals, and being able to receive and transmit information rapidly and accurately. These operators have simple to large, advanced antenna systems, and equipment ranging from analog and tubes to state-of-the-art software defined radios (SDRs). They are a valuable resource to gathering data, as for example in the eclipse of 2017 and looking forward, to the eclipses of 2023 and 2024. How this all started is an important and fascinating part of ham radio history. This presentation will, in a humorous and personal way, present four important pioneers and tell their story, with their impact and influence. We will cover from the early 1900{\textquoteright}s to the early 1960{\textquoteright}s.

}, author = {Ron Wilcox} } @proceedings {748, title = {How Do I Talk From Scranton to Pakistan Using​ High Frequency Amateur Radio?​}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This poster will demonstrate the possible ways to send propagation transmissions from The University of Scranton to Karachi, Pakistan. To do this, VOACAP will be used to map out possible paths and peak times for transmission and then WSRP.rocks will be used to compare the empirical VOACAP model outputs to observed data. A recommendation will then be made for the optimal time and frequency to communicate using high frequency (HF) radio between Scranton, PA and Karachi, Pakistan.

}, author = {Zainab Shah and Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {697, title = {Identifying 14 MHz Propagation Modes Using FST4W SNR and Spectral Spread}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The FST4W protocol within the WSJT-X family of weak signal communications programs has an advantage over the widely used WSPR protocol in that it estimates spectral spreading. With modern equipment of modest cost, readily available to the radio amateur, spectral spread at the transmitter and receiver can be less than 30 mHz. This is much lower than spectral spread imposed on signals by ionospheric refraction or ground or sea scatter. Simple two-dimensional scatter plots of spectral spread and signal to noise ratio, alongside time series plots, show clear clustering attributable to different propagation modes. Using a single FST4W transmitter in Northern California and reports from eleven receivers from 2.4 km to over 3000 km to the west, north and east spectral spreading/signal to noise ratio clusters for surface wave and ionospheric 1F and 2F paths were easily identifiable. Other clusters were not so obvious. In particular, the prevalence of 2F ground side-scatter, or skew off great circle propagation, also termed {\textquoteright}above the basic maximum usable frequency{\textquoteright} propagation, at ranges of 40 to 1000 km was unexpected. This mode was also seen after dusk at more distant receivers, following on from 1F propagation as the maximum usable frequency fell. This mode was easily tracked across different receivers by its high spectral spread, 500 mHz to 650 mHz, some eight times that of 1F propagation. Instances of {\textquoteright}above the basic maximum usable frequency{\textquoteright} nighttime propagation due to, we hypothesize, refraction from patches in the ionosphere with much higher electron density than the background plasma were identified by their low spectral spreading at 1000 km and 1525 km. Identifying the particular propagation mode over a path may be of interest to the radio amateur, for example, if the current mode is 2F ground side-scatter, antenna headings along the great circle path may not give best results. Propagation mode identification using FST4W could be a radio amateur contribution to the ionospheric science programs of the 2023 and 2024 Festivals of Eclipse Science, charting changes in propagation modes as changes in solar flux affected ionospheric dynamics and structure.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths} } @proceedings {728, title = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers at the University of Scranton}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an international professional association for all things electronic engineering and electrical engineering. The mission of the IEEE is {\textquotedblleft}advancing technology for the benefit of humanity{\textquotedblright}. At the University of Scranton, we help physics and engineering majors see the possibilities of where they could end up after college in their respective fields. Weekly seminars are tailored to present the business processes involved and innovative ideas developed by various researchers, companies, and industries. The club also serves as the social network through which our students and alumni can share their experiences and form a friendship that transcends many stages of life.

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and Veronica Romanek and Francis Lynch Jr. and Joseph Tholley and Robert Troy and Matthew Dittmar and John Nelson and Sade Lugo} } @proceedings {717, title = {Involving the Lay Person in Citizen Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

How do we involve what is called the lay person in citizen science?\  The amateur radio community already has a head start due to the nature of their license and the activities that are part of amateur radio. This community encompasses a wide diversity of licensed operators. The education, backgrounds and careers are wide ranging. While surveys attempt to organize and quantify these individuals, both limited participation and a lack of personal interaction may limit their effectiveness. While not a scientific study, interacting with ham radio club members in a social, learning atmosphere including question and answer interactions, can give insights that will aid in involving them in citizen science. This presentation starts with my journey of giving presentations, to becoming involved in HamSCI and the eclipses. It will then look at what\  I have learned about these members and ham radio operators through these presentations and interactions. This is done through the perspective of a nonscientist, who is not formally of the scientific community, but is a member of HamSCI and involved with their activities.\ \ 

}, author = {Ron Wilcox} } @proceedings {755, title = {The K2LNS Station at Bear Creek, PA}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Elaine Kollar and Herbert G Krumich, Jr.} } @proceedings {732, title = {Lecher Lines and Transmission Line Stubs: Circuits 101 Says This is Impossible}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Feel the phenomenon of an electromagnetic standing wave, the same phenomenon\ used in microwave\ ovens to heat food,\ without burning your eyes out. Lumped-parameter circuit theory need not be applied.

}, author = {Adam Goodman} } @proceedings {711, title = {Listening to the Heliosphere: Making Space Data Audible for Citizen Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Heliophysics research relies heavily on time series measurements. While this data is often analyzed visually, it also lends itself naturally to our sense of sound. Ham radio operators have long recognized this with radio waves, but it is also true for many other phenomena with frequencies well outside the human audible range.\  For example, classification schemes are needed to identify and model plasma waves in near-Earth space that affect space weather, but existing classifications often break down during active periods or when there are superpositions of multiple wave modes. Audification {\textendash} a one-to-one mapping of data samples to audio samples {\textendash} was recently used in a UK-based citizen science project to successfully identify a complex yet repeatable multi-day pattern in the progression of plasma wave activity with frequencies far below the human audible range. I{\textquoteright}ll review these results and recent efforts to adapt this citizen science project to a US-based virtual audience as part of the {\textquotedblleft}Heliophysics Audified: Resonances in Plasmas{\textquotedblright} project launching in April 2023: the development of a streamlined graphical user interface, recently published results from a public dialogue aiming to identify the best methods for rendering plasma waves audible, and early results from citizen science analysis of plasma waves identified by NASA{\textquoteright}s THEMIS satellites. I{\textquoteright}ll also discuss (1) ways that members of the public can contribute to cutting-edge Heliophysics research by listening to plasma waves and taking advantage of the unique pattern recognition capabilities of the human auditory system and (2) possible future collaborations with the ham radio community including knowledge transfer related to visual-audio analysis and observational campaigns combining ham radio with other satellite/ground-based datasets.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7773015}, author = {Michael Hartinger and Martin Archer and Emmanuel Masongsong} } @proceedings {698, title = {Low Cost, High Accuracy and Stability FST4W Transmissions Using the QDX Transceiver}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

In his presentation Gwynn Griffiths has shown how the spectral spreading information logged by the WSJT-x FST4W decoder can offer researchers new insights in to HF propagation.\  While there are dozens of wsprdaemon KiwiSDR FST4W receive sites around the world already decoding and logging FST4W spots on all of the HF bands, there are only a few sites transmitting those signals.\  The frequency accuracy and stability required by this use of FST4W means that existing low cost WSPR beacons like the widely deployed QRP Labs U3S and Zacktek cannot be converted to FST4W transmitters, and there are only a few very costly ham transceivers which come with external clock input ports.\  However QRP Labs has recently introduced the US $70 QDX digital mode transceiver kit which, when paired with a Raspberry Pi running WSJT-x and a low cost GPSDO, creates a 80-20M or 20-10M transmitter which meets the requirements of this application.\  It is to be hoped that the easy installation and low cost of such a system will encourage many more hams to deploy such beacons worldwide and thus expand propagation studies beyond North America and Europe.

}, author = {Rob Robinett} } @proceedings {758, title = {Low-Cost Low-Power Ionosonde}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere. Typically, these systems can easily cost thousands of dollars and demand a lot of power. Using newer software defined radio technology, our goal is to develop a low cost, low power ionosonde.

}, author = {Gerard N. Piccini and Robert W. McGwier and Robert A. Spalletta and Majid Mokhtari and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson} } @proceedings {749, title = {Lunar Dust Particle Simulation in the (12-6) Lennard-Jones Potential Approximation}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We model lunar dust particles as interacting ellipsoidal dipoles by means of Lennard-Jones potentials (L-J). Lunar surface dust particles are continuously bombarded by plasma charge particles coming from the solar wind. It has been recognized that solar wind bombardment leads to strong intergrain interactions between dust particulates leading to collective effects such as attraction of charged dust particles. Formation of electrostatically ordered dust structures is believed to be due to strong attractive van der Waals-like potentials at distances in the order of interparticle separation. Dust-dust electrostatic interactions and collisions may lead to particle coalescence or dust-lumps kept together due to Coulomb forces. On the other hand, dust ionization occurs after solar wind electrons collide with grains in the plasma sheath formed on the lunar surface. Particle coalescence and to an extent condensation is feasible when an attractive potential is present. Ellipsoidal dipole condensation is possible in the presence of a Lennard-Jones (L-J) potential.

}, author = {Rachel Marie Frissell and Joseph Klobusicky and Argyrios Varonides and Amir Zamanian} } @proceedings {694, title = {Measuring Daily Ionospheric Variability and the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts Using HamSCI HF Doppler Shift Receivers}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This project will study ionospheric variability across the continental United States (CONUS) generated by dawn/dusk transitions and two solar eclipses occurring in 2023 and 2024. Dawn and dusk produce a complex response in observed ionospheric variability that is still not completely understood. A network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stabilized/synchronized high frequency (HF) receivers known as Grapes will be used for the study. Thirty Grape receivers will be deployed throughout North America to optimize the study of the ionospheric impacts simultaneously received from two locations. Additional stations will be funded by the HamSCI amateur radio community. This project will generate observations to answer the scientific questions: (1) How do dawn and dusk ionospheric variability vary with local time, season, latitude, longitude, frequency, distance, and direction from the transmitter? (2) Is eclipse ionospheric response symmetric with regard to the onset and recovery timing? (3) How similar is the eclipse to the daily dawn and dusk terminator passage? (4) Would multipath HF mode-splitting in the post-eclipse interval be similar to dawn events? (5) Would the response be different for two eclipses?

This project is part of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) program and will be open to volunteers who want to field instruments and contribute to scientific analysis and discussion. This project will also establish a new network of DASI instruments that, due to its low cost and operation by volunteers, has the potential to provide measurements for years to come. This project will support students (undergraduate, MS and Ph.D.).

}, author = {Rachel Boedicker and Nathaniel Frissell and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan and Philip J. Erickson} } @article {736, title = {Measuring the Frequency Accuracy and Stability of WWV and WWVH}, volume = {107}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, pages = {33-37}, abstract = {

Radio station WWV is known as a source of accurate time. However, since March 6, 1923, the original purpose of WWV has been to provide standard frequency signals, with signals broadcast in the LF and MF bands. As detailed in Hoy J. Walls{\textquoteright} {\textquotedblleft}The Standard-Frequency Set at WWV{\textquotedblright} in the October 1924 issue of QST, this
was in the early days of broadcast radio, when having an accurate frequency reference was essential for keeping stations from interfering with each other. A century later, the standard frequency signals remain essential to radio broadcasters, calibration laboratories, space weather researchers, and radio amateurs.

}, issn = {0033-4812}, author = {Michael A. Lombardi} } @proceedings {764, title = {Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances and their Connection to the Lower and Middle Atmosphere}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Francis Tholley and V. Lynn Harvey and Sophie R. Phillips and Katrina Bossert and Sevag Derghazarian and Larisa Goncharenko and Richard Collins and Mary Lou West and Diego F. Sanchez and Gareth W. Perry and Robert B. Gerzoff and Philip J. Erickson and William D. Engelke and Nicholas Callahan and Lucas Underbakke and Travis Atkison and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {705, title = {Modeling the Ionosphere with SAMI3 (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

SAMI3 (Sami3 is Also a Model of the Ionosphere) is a global, comprehensive model of the ionosphere/plasmasphere system. It is based on the SAMI2 model developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (Huba et al., 2000). SAMI3 models the plasma and chemical evolution of seven ion species (H, He, N, O, N, NO and O). The ion temperature equation is solved for three ion species (H, He and O) as well as the electron temperature equation. Ion inertia is included in the ion momentum equation for motion along the geomagnetic field. The neutral composition and temperature can be specified by empirical models (e.g, NRLMSISE00, HWM14) or by first-principle atmosphere models (e.g., TIEGCM, WACCM-X, HIAMCM). SAMI3 uses a nonorthogonal, nonuniform, fixed grid. The grid is designed to optimize the numerical mesh so that the spatial resolution decreases with increasing altitude. SAMI3 can use an untilted or tilted dipole model of earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field, or an IGRF field model based on the Richmond apex model. A general overview of ionospheric physics and the SAMI3 model will be presented, as well as several applications of the code.

}, author = {Joseph Huba} } @proceedings {756, title = {A New Station for the W3USR University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Tom Pisano and Nathaniel Frissell and Jeff DePolo and The W3USR University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club} } @proceedings {843, title = {A New Web Interface to the SuperDARN MSTID Analysis Toolkit}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {702, title = {The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera Version 2.0 (NoDDAC2.0), a Platform for Citizen Science and a Use Case for Implementing Best Practices in Open Data and Collaboration}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is an interdisciplinary project created in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), Live Aurora Network, and Aurorasaurus. Aurora cameras provide ground-truth visual data to aurora chasers and scientists but are sparse at midlatitudes (35-55{\textdegree}N). Deploying light-sensitive video and all-sky still cameras at these midlatitudes provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, as well as amateur radio operators in the auroral zone. In addition, NoDDAC data demonstrate scientific merit, as it can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; the practices of utilizing dual cameras with consumer-off-the-shelf equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource and promoting citizen science make NoDDAC an accessible resource benefiting multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected hundreds of auroras as well as notable events like STEVEs (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement). NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1{\textdegree}N, 97.6{\textdegree}W), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network provides weatherproof camera housings and their proprietary IPTimelapse software which allows for remote control of the cameras. This year we present NoDDAC2.0, the next evolution of NoDDAC funded by NASA{\textquoteright}s EPSCoR program. NoDDAC2.0 will upgrade the all-sky camera and feature a robust open-data platform to share aurora data with the public and scientists. We outline a strategy to increase the science utility of NoDDAC data, incorporating a citizen science project launching on the Zooniverse platform. We also present plans to integrate NoDDAC data into the AuroraX conjunction finder system so that satellite data can be easily correlated to aurora images. Most importantly, we are collaborating with the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to install an independent aurora camera system in North Dakota. Not only does this represent a unique collaborative opportunity, but at a separation distance of 300 miles from Martens Observatory, this second camera will allow us to explore research questions relating to the precise location, height, and spatial extent of certain auroral phenomena.

}, author = {Timothy Young and Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Brandt and Wayne Barkhouse and Alex Schultz and Cody Payne and Anne Mitchell and Kristian Haugen and Will Shearer and Kerry Hartman and Sasha Sillitti and Michael McCormack and Steve Collins} } @proceedings {703, title = {Observing Auroral Radio Emissions in Conjugate Hemispheres}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

In addition to its beautiful optical displays, the aurora produces radio emissions of various types, including cyclotron harmonic emissions, auroral hiss, medium frequency burst (MFB), and auroral kilometric radiation (AKR). These emissions enable remote sensing of ionospheric processes and provide a natural laboratory for studying physics of radio emissions that also occur in planetary, solar, and astrophysical environments. Similar to the optical aurora, these radio emissions are generated separately in the northern and southern hemispheres. Nevertheless, optical aurora sometimes exhibit similar features simultaneously in the two hemispheres because aurora in both hemispheres are ultimately driven by the interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. The same should be true of radio emission. At very low frequencies (VLF), auroral hiss has previously been detected at conjugate observatories in Iceland and Antarctica, and satellite-borne radio receivers have observed AKR simultaneously emanating from conjugate sources; however, the other types of radio emission have never been studied at both ends of a magnetic field line. To accomplish this, LF/MF/HF radio receivers have recently been installed at Qikiktarjuaq and Iqaluit, Nunavut, observatories of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) which straddle the nominal magnetic conjugate point of South Pole Station, Antarctica, where Dartmouth College operates LF/MF/HF receivers. The Arctic observations employ a dedicated 10-m^2 magnetic loop antenna with active preamp, and a feed from the horizontal linear dipole antennas used for reception of CHAIN ionosonde signals. The Antarctic observations use magnetic loops of areas 2.5-40 m^2 depending on frequency range. Both systems have collected data since October, 2022. Conjugate auroral hiss events have been detected in both equinoctial and solstice conditions. In the latter case, the hiss observed in the daylit hemisphere was weaker than that in the dark ionosphere. Based on initial data, the characteristics and seasonal dependence of conjugate LF auroral hiss appears consistent with previous observations at VLF. Many hiss and cyclotron harmonic emissions have been observed in one hemisphere but not the other. Upcoming 2023 Spring equinox will bring a period of simultaneous darkness at South Pole and Qikiktarjuaq ideal for conjugate medium frequency burst and cyclotron harmonic emissions.

}, author = {James LaBelle and David McGaw and T. Kovacs and A. Kashcheyev and P.T. Jayachandran} } @proceedings {766, title = {On-Air Multipath TDOA Experiments for Ionospheric Layer Height Measurements Using Amateur Radio Stations}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

}, author = {Steve Cerwin and Paul Bilberry} } @proceedings {688, title = {Personal Space Weather Station Central Control and Database System}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As part of the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, our team has been developing the Central Control System and Central Database System that will be used to collect and store the data generated by the stations. The Central Control System functionality is being developed using Django, a Python based web framework. It is used to define how users will interact with the web server where their collected data will be uploaded, organized, and analyzed. It is also used to define models for the data being collected and how it will be stored in the Central Database System. In the server{\textquoteright}s current state, users can register accounts and stations as well as view lists of uploaded observations. Observation data can also be downloaded individually for analysis. The availability of the PSWS will allow a much larger sample of data to be collected daily. With this data, more accurate models of the ionosphere can be created, granting a better ability to predict how radio waves will be precisely affected by the ionosphere at any given moment and supporting ionospheric science.

}, author = {Anderson B. Liddle and Nicholas Muscalino and William D. Engleke and Travis Atkison} } @proceedings {729, title = {The potential of HamSCI Doppler Observations for inferring Solar Flare Effects on the Ionosphere}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A solar flare is a space weather event that causes a transient in the ionospheric system at sub-auroral, middle, and lower latitudes, commonly known as the solar flare effect (SFE). Sudden enhancement in high-frequency (HF) absorption is a well-known impact of solar flare-driven Short-Wave Fadeout (SWF). Less understood, is a perturbation of the radio wave frequency as it traverses the lower ionosphere in the early stages of SWF, also known as the Doppler flash. SuperDARN radar network is typically used to study the Doppler flash. Previous investigations have suggested two possible sources that might contribute to the manifestation of Doppler flash: first, enhancements of plasma density in the D and lower E-regions; second, the lowering of the reflection point in the F-region. HamSCI is a platform that publicizes and promotes scientific research and understanding through amateur radio activities in the HF band. Studies have shown that solar flare-driven HF absorption can affect amateur radio signal strength. Recent development showed that the HamSCI Doppler observations can provide insight into the physics behind changes in phase path length of the trans ionospheric radio signals. In this study, we will demonstrate how HamSCI Doppler observations can be used to infer flare-driven changes in the ionospheric properties and associated Doppler flash. Furthermore, if successful the study will also quantify Doppler flash recorded in HamSCI as a function of flare strength, flare location on the solar disk, operating frequency, and location on the Earth. Upon successful quantification of Doppler flash, we will compare its properties with previous studies that used SuperDARN observations.

}, author = {Shibaji Chakraborty and Kristina Collins} } @proceedings {745, title = {Power Factor Detection and Correction of a Variable Speed AC motor}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Christian Chakirus and Robert Brudnicki and Robert Troy and Kenneth Dudeck} } @proceedings {699, title = {Project HALO: An Effort to Provide Continuous Meteorological Observations of the April 8th, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Project HALO aims to provide continuous meteorological monitoring of the total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024. The project{\textquoteright}s preliminary goals are to determine whether or not the boundary layer temperature inversion generated by the eclipse can be considered a function of latitude. To complete this endeavor, we seek to create a network of observation teams to collect data on the day of the eclipse. We hope to provide a space for a discussion on interest, logistics, and the possibility of expanding the scope of the project to potentially include the monitoring of the solar corona, atmospheric compositional dynamics, and other topics of interest. Since the project will still be in its planning phase, not all details will be determined by the time of the conference.

}, author = {Wesley Taylor and Allison Krantz and Joshua Kinsky and Nichole Behrenhauser and Alex Colgate and Melodie Martinez-Manahan} } @proceedings {757, title = {PyLap: An Open Source Python Interface to the PHaRLAP Ionospheric Raytracing Toolkit}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

PyLap is a Python interface to the ionospheric ray tracing toolkit PHaRLAP. The software allows users to generate accurate models of the ionosphere and ray tracing to make plots of radio propagation through the ionosphere. Not only does this software look, feel, and operate very similarly to how the MATLAB interface is currently used, it is also completely free alternative to the current MATLAB interface.

}, author = {Devin Diehl and Gerard Piccini and Alexander Calderon and Joshua Vega and William Liles and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {752, title = {A Review of "Climatology of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by the Midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN Radar"}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This poster is a review of Frissell et al. (2014) by undergraduate students for the purpose of learning about SuperDARN and MSTIDs as part of a
research project to study the differences between MSTIDs observed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Frissell, N. A., Baker, J. B. H., Ruohoniemi, J. M., Gerrard, A. J., Miller, E. S., Marini, J. P., West, M. L., and Bristow, W. A. (2014), Climatology of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances observed by the midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN radar, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 119, 7679{\textendash} 7697, doi:10.1002/2014JA019870.

}, author = {Nicholas Guerra and Michael Molzen and James Fox and Juan Serna and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {738, title = {Science Humanities at the University of Scranton}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This poster will describe the introduction of history of science courses at the University of Scranton. Presented by historian Dr. Paul Sampson, this poster will talk about the development of the discipline of history of science, the ongoing relevance of the humanities for science education, and will discuss the introduction of history of science at the University of Scranton. It will also discuss the future plans for cross-disciplinary cooperation and the overall goals of science humanities at the University of Scranton.

}, author = {Paul Sampson} } @proceedings {714, title = {SDRs in Time and Frequency Metrology}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

What piece of equipment do an Ytterbium optical clock lab and an amateur radio operator{\textquoteright}s station have in common? One likely candidate is the software-defined radio. Identical SDR hardware has found equal popularity among those making precision measurements and those trying to catch the rarest DX stations. I present several examples of time and frequency measurements using SDRs, and how those techniques relate to amateur radio use cases. After a few detours into ongoing work using SDRs at NIST, I show how SDR measurements can answer time and frequency questions related to HamSCI projects.

}, author = {Aidan Montare} } @article {800, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way to Support Radio Science}, year = {2023}, month = {09/2023}, pages = {14-15}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

You can be a volunteer citizen-scientist and provide data on upcoming solar eclipses - just by getting on the air!

On October 14, 2023 and again on April 8, 2024, solar eclipses will pass across the United States, presenting exceptional opportunities for hams to practice citizen-science. \ No special skill, education or background is required; all you need is the desire to make meaningful contributions to the understanding of the world around us, and the ability to get on the air and make contacts. \ Teams of researchers will be studying how each eclipse affects ham radio signals as they travel between transmitters and receivers across the US, and all you have to do to contribute data is get on the air, make contacts and submit your log.

}, issn = {2691-4638}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine}, author = {Mikitin, G} } @proceedings {743, title = {A Statistical Analysis of Heliobiology: Exploring Connections Between Space Weather and Human Health}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Solar storms are highly complex and powerful phenomena that have a significant impact on the Earth and the solar system at large. As scientists are learning more about the interaction of the sun and the Earth, some are turning their attention to the impacts that space weather might have on human health. This discipline of research on how the sun can directly affect biological organisms is called Heliobiology. The purpose of this study is to take a statistical approach to understand if there are any correlations between significant space weather events and human health. This will be accomplished by collecting data of solar activity from the solar cycle 23 minimum, and the maximum period of solar cycle 24, and comparing this data to cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) across regions of differing latitudes in the United States. Space weather data will be focused on periods of high KP and AE index, as well as the specific dates significant space weather events. The results of this study will be used to further investigate multiple variables and time frames to attempt to understand any correlations between space weather and human health that may exist.

}, author = {Anthony Williams and Tamitha Mulligan Skov} } @proceedings {726, title = {Statistical and Case Studies of Open Closed Boundaries (OCB) using ULF Wave Observations from Antarctic AGOs, McMurdo Station, and South Pole Station}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We present a statistical study using ground magnetometer data from the Antarctic Automated Geophysical Observatories (AGOs) to characterize open- closed boundary (OCB) behavior during geomagnetically quiet times. Knowledge of the location and dynamics of the magnetic field line OCB provides insight to space physics processes such as sub storms, particle precipitation events, and magnetospheric configuration. Prior studies have shown that determination of the OCB location can be made by examining the ULF wave power in data from a latitudinal chain of ground-based magnetometers extending from the auroral zone into the deep polar cap. In this statistical study, AGOs 1, 2, 3, and 5, along with McMurdo (MCM) and South Pole Station (SPA) were studied. The seasons chosen were centered around the four cardinal dates, March 20th, June 21st, September 22nd, and December 21st. For each season, 60 days were selected centered around the cardinal date; any days with a planetary Ap greater than 30 were discarded. Using the H- component fluxgate data from South Pole Station, McMurdo Station and the AGO systems, an average daily residual power spectra was calculated. The spectrograms for SPA, MCM, and AGO show signatures of whether the station is located in an open or closed magnetic region. We will present case studies of individual days and a climatology of ULF activity as a function of season.

}, author = {Rachel M. Frissell and Andrew J. Gerrard and Hyomin Kim and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {687, title = {Tangerine SDR Integration Update}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This presentation will cover the current status of FPGA firmware and module testing
on the Tangerine SDR system. The system is currently using the MAX10 Development
kit, the Tangerine receiver module and clock module, and an adaptor between the
components and the Development board. The development system used Intel Quartus
version 20.1 on Linux.

}, author = {Tom McDermott and Scotty Cowling and John Ackermann} } @proceedings {713, title = {Teaching Undergraduate Computer Networking with M17}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

M17 (https://m17project.org/) is a simple, digital, open source, full stack communications protocol designed for amateur radio use. Its characteristics suggest it would make a perfect case study for a detail-oriented undergraduate computer science networking course. This presentation will introduce M17 and assess the suitability of its codebase for pedagogy, answering the question {\textquoteleft}How can it be used as a springboard for network protocol coding and experimentation?{\textquoteright} by providing examples of its utilization in lecture and lab with reference to the ACM Computing Curricula 2020 and joint ACM/IEEE Computer Science Curricula 2013 guidelines.

}, author = {Anthony Kapolka} } @proceedings {722, title = {Teaching Undergraduate Computer Networking with M17}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

M17 (https://m17project.org/) is a simple, digital, open source, full stack communications protocol designed for amateur radio use. Its characteristics suggest it would make a perfect case study for a detail-oriented undergraduate computer science networking course. This presentation will introduce M17 and assess the suitability of its codebase for pedagogy, answering the question {\textquoteleft}How can it be used as a springboard for network protocol coding and experimentation?{\textquoteright} by providing examples of its utilization in lecture and lab with reference to the ACM Computing Curricula 2020 and joint ACM/IEEE Computer Science Curricula 2013 guidelines.

}, author = {Anthony Kapolka} } @proceedings {715, title = {Temperature Modeling and Control on Multi-Core System-on-Chip}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As semiconductor technology continues its marching toward the deep sub-micron domain, soaring power consumption and rising temperature have become major concerns for modern embedded systems design. A series of numerical and analytical system-level power and thermal modeling methodologies have been developed for power and temperature analysis on different system scales and architectures. In this work, we study stable state power and temperature modeling using ZYNQ SoC embedded architecture. First, we compare the power models{\textquoteright}\ accuracy with and without leakage-temperature dependency. Then, we study the single-core and multi-core temperature modeling in the thermal stable state. At last, we validate the theoretical models using deep neural network applications.

}, author = {Sarah Azaizeh and Olivia Marsh and Shi Sha} } @proceedings {723, title = {Three-channel VLF Data Acquisition and Signal Processing with a Raspberry Pi, Multi-channel soundcard, and GPS Receiver}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Using a Raspberry Pi, Audio Injector Octo multi-channel soundcard, and GPS receiver, a 3-channel VLF data acquisition system can be realized with an E-field receiver and orthogonal loop H-field receiver for triple axis reception of VLF natural phenomena and Amateur VLF transmission. Signal timestamping for correlation is accomplished with the GPS receiver and signal processing is accomplished with vlfrx-tools software. A network of these systems with associated VLF receivers has applications such as lightning location and location of other natural radio signals, sferic analysis, natural radio event study in multiple locations, interferometry of Amateur VLF transmissions, and more.

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @proceedings {730, title = {Through a Channel Dispersively with FB Copy: An Experience of fldigi Operating Modes}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Bring a laptop with fldigi installed for the microphone/speaker soundcard
Have some small .jpg files to send.
Try different phase and frequency digital modes in noise, multipath, and dispersion, discuss the fldigi {\textquoteright}scope views.

}, author = {Kristina Collins and Rachel Boedicker and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {712, title = {Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) Measurements on Multipath Propagation Modes to Profile Ionospheric Layer Height Changes During Solar Eclipses}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A science objective for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses is to measure how HF propagation changes with eclipse passage. Two parameters of interest are the change in effective in F2 ionization layer height caused by the momentary blockage of solar radiation and the symmetry in recovery as solar radiation returns after eclipse passage. The changes in layer height that occurred during the 2017 eclipse and that occur daily at dawn and dusk have been studied by both Doppler analyses and, in the latter case more directly by Time-of-Flight (TOF) measurements. The WWV analyses were enabled by the station{\textquoteright}s precise carrier frequency accuracy and by transmission of timing markers precisely synchronized to UTC. The objective of the proposed SEQP experiment is to acquire similar data from amateur radio stations using common amateur radio equipment and authorized frequencies. But most amateur radios possess neither the frequency stability for accurate Doppler analysis nor an easy way to time-synchronize for accurate TOF measurements. However, over propagation paths that support transmission of multiple hops, an audio chirp waveform can be transmitted to measure the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) between multipath modes, particularly the 1- and 2- hop modes. For a given TX-RX path, the arrival times for multiple hops from a common ionization layer are geometrically locked together by ground distance, layer height, and geometry. Therefore a 1-hop, 2-hop TDOA measurement could be used to infer effective layer height and track how it changes with time over the course of the eclipse. The method is like a conventional chirp radar technique but instead of the usual swept carrier an audio chirp is fed into the microphone input of a radio transmitter operating in voice mode. The TDOA approach eliminates the need for precise frequency and timing accuracy, allowing the use of simple amateur radio equipment. This paper presents the methodology proposed for use in the experiments, gives examples of TDOA measurements already performed using the scientific waveforms being transmitted at 8 and 48 minutes after the hour by WWV and WWVH, and discusses anticipated issues associated with the method.

}, author = {Stephen A. Cerwin} } @proceedings {751, title = {Toward Developing an Algorithm for Separation of Transmitters of High Frequency Chirp Signals of Opportunity for the Purpose of Ionospheric Sounding}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Simal Sami and Nisha Yadav and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Robert Spalletta and Declan Mulhall and Dev Raj Joshi and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {761, title = {Two Solar Eclipses and A Solar Max: The Heliophysics Big Year}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The presentation will highlight the Heliophysics Big Year HBY emphasizing: The annular solar eclipse (Oct 14, 2023); The total solar eclipse (Apr 8, 2024); The Solar Max (Solar Cycle 25).\ 

}, author = {Esayas Shume} } @proceedings {739, title = {An Update on the WWV/H Modulation Test and WWV ARC}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The WWV/H Scientific Modulation Test continues after 16 months broadcasting at minute 8 on WWV and minute 48 on WWVH.\  Initial evaluation of the recordings show promise in determining time-of-flight and other characteristics.\  Efforts have started to place a KIWI receiver on Kauai for an evaluation of WWVH broadcasts similar to those made of WWV.\  The WWV ARC held the Tune In: The WWV Frequency Celebration at the beginning of March to mark the 100th anniversary of WWV providing standard frequencies.\  NIST and HamSCI presented talks on March 2,\  NIST provided tours of the Boulder and WWV facilities March 3, and The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery hosted the Tune In: The WWV Frequency Celebration open house on March 4.\  Various aspects of amateur radio were showcased including traditional HF (with a station), ARISS, ARES, satellite, HamSCI, and of course a history of WWV.

}, author = {David Swartz} } @proceedings {759, title = {An Update on the WWV/H Modulation Test and WWV ARC}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The WWV/H Scientific Modulation Test continues after 16 months broadcasting at minute 8 on WWV and minute 48 on WWVH.\  Initial evaluation of the recordings show promise in determining time-of-flight and other characteristics.\  Efforts have started to place a KiwiSDR receiver on Kauai for an evaluation of WWVH broadcasts similar to those made of WWV.\  The WWV ARC held the Tune In: The WWV Frequency Celebration at the beginning of March to mark the 100th anniversary of WWV providing standard frequencies.\  NIST and HamSCI presented talks on March 2,\  NIST provided tours of the Boulder and WWV facilities March 3, and The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery hosted the Tune In: The WWV Frequency Celebration open house on March 4.\  Various aspects of amateur radio were showcased including traditional HF (with a station), ARISS, ARES, satellite, HamSCI, and of course a history of WWV.

}, author = {Dave Swartz and Kristina Collins} } @proceedings {763, title = {Updating a Homebrewed Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Apparatus for the Advanced Lab}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Protons are like little magnets, and little magnets are characterized by a single number, the magnetic moment μ. It{\textquoteright}s possible to measure the magnetic moment of the proton in the undergraduate lab with a modest circuit called a marginal oscillator. We will demonstrate a few of these circuits in action, and solicit advice on how to use varactors to modulate the frequency of oscillation of these circuits.\ 

}, author = {Declan Mulhall} } @proceedings {707, title = {Using Propagation Analysis Software and Antenna Modeling to Select an Antenna for Receive and Transmit Sites}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateurs often ask:\  What is the best antenna to use to work DX?\  The author shows how free propagation analysis software and antenna modeling can help answer that question.\  To focus on something specific, he ask the question:\  For 40-meter DX, which is better, a dipole at 45 feet height or a ground-mounted vertical with 4 radials?\  The answer may surprise you!

}, author = {Ed Hare} } @article {802, title = {Validating Ionospheric Models Against Technologically Relevant MetricsAbstractPlain Language SummaryKey Points}, journal = {Space Weather}, volume = {21}, year = {2023}, month = {Jan-12-2023}, abstract = {

New, open access tools have been developed to validate ionospheric models in terms of technologically relevant metrics. These are ionospheric errors on GPS 3D position, HF ham radio communications, and peak F-region density. To demonstrate these tools, we have used output from Sami is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI3) driven by high-latitude electric potentials derived from Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment, covering the first available month of operation using Iridium-NEXT data (March 2019). Output of this model is now available for visualization and download via\ https://sami3.jhuapl.edu. The GPS test indicates SAMI3 reduces ionospheric errors on 3D position solutions from 1.9\ m with no model to 1.6\ m on average (maximum error: 14.2\ m without correction, 13.9\ m with correction). SAMI3 predicts 55.5\% of reported amateur radio links between 2{\textendash}30\ MHz and 500{\textendash}2,000\ km. Autoscaled and then machine learning {\textquotedblleft}cleaned{\textquotedblright} Digisonde NmF2 data indicate a 1.0\ {\texttimes}\ 1011\ el. m3\ median positive bias in SAMI3 (equivalent to a 27\% overestimation). The positive NmF2 bias is largest during the daytime, which may explain the relatively good performance in predicting HF links then. The underlying data sources and software used here are publicly available, so that interested groups may apply these tests to other models and time intervals.

}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2023SW003590}, url = {https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023SW003590https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2023SW003590https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2023SW003590}, author = {Chartier, A. T. and Steele, J. and Sugar, G. and Themens, D. R. and Vines, S. K. and Huba, J. D.} } @proceedings {700, title = {Viability of Nowcasting Solar Flare-Driven Radio-Blackouts Using SuperDARN HF Radars}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The first space weather impact of a solar flare is radio blackout across the dayside of the Earth. At a delay of just 8 minutes, the arrival of enhanced X-ray and EUV radiation leads to a dramatic increase in ionization density in the lower ionosphere. Operation of HF systems are often completely suppressed due to anomalous absorption, while many RF systems suffer some degradation. While the onset of blackout is very rapid (~1-minute), the recovery takes tens of minutes to hours. Furthermore, severe solar flares can disrupt emergency HF communications that support humanitarian aid services, including amateur radio and satellite communication systems. Our current monitoring capability is based on modeling the ionospheric impacts based on GOES satellite observations of solar fluxes. We present a technique to characterize radio blackout following solar flares using HF radar. The future extension of this work is to develop an now-casting system to identify and monitor radio blackouts using HF radars currently deployed to support space science research. Networks of such radars operate continuously in the northern and southern hemisphere as part of the SuperDARN collaboration. Recent studies have shown that radio blackout (also known as shortwave fadeout) is easily detected and characterized using radar observations. We will combine real-time observations from the North American suite of SuperDARN radars to specify the occurrence of radio blackouts in near real-time.

}, author = {Shibaji Chakraborty and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {718, title = {W2NAF-KC3EEY VLF Observatory - A Year of Operation}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

After a year of operation, the W2NAF-KC3EEY VLF Observatory has detected thousands of sferics and tweeks, over fourty whistler events, two major dawn chorus events, two SAQ transmissions, and the first ever Amateur VLF transmissions from Radio Ameteur DL3JMM at 8270.03Hz using the EbNaut digital mode. This demonstrates that a simple VLF receiver with powerful signal processing from vlfrx-tools software using a Raspberry Pi, soundcard, and GPS receiver can serve both the VLF professional and amateur community. Using this, it{\textquoteright}s possible to construct a network of VLF receivers and perform signal processing from multiple locations for applications such as lightning location and location of other natural radio signals, sferic analysis, natural radio event study in multiple locations, interferometry of Amateur VLF transmissions, and more.

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @proceedings {747, title = {Web-Based Application for the Visualization and Analysis of Ionogram Data Observed by GNU Chirpsounder2}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The focus of my system is to develop a web-based application for the visualization and analysis of data observed by GNU Chirpsounder2. We receive many ionograms each day from different transmitters around the world. Currently, data is in an unsorted format, so my initial task is to classify ionograms by chirp-rate and distance of the transmitter from the receiver. Once these two parameters are identified, it is necessary to have a method for sorting, analyzing, and visualizing the collected ionograms to conduct scientific studies or make the observations useful for radio communications operations.

}, author = {Nisha Yadav and Simal Sami and Dev Raj Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Robert A. Spalletta and Paul M. Jackowitz and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {733, title = {Youth On The Air (YOTA)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Youth on the Air (YOTA) is a movement within the amateur radio community with a goal of enriching the amateur radio experience of operators under 26 years old.\  At YOTA summer camps, young operators will refine their skills, participate in unique experiences with radio related technologies, and meet other young hams through workshops and social events.\  This peer-led event is designed to foster a larger, diverse, and deeper amateur radio community amongst young people.\  A special event held in December (YOTA Month) provides additional opportunities for young people to refine their radio communication skills that includes an awards program and is open to all hams under 26 years old.

}, author = {Dylan Romero and Neil Rapp} } @proceedings {605, title = {40-m Domestic Propagation at November 2022 at FT8 QSO Party in Japan}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Social experiment FT 8 QSO party{\textquotedblright} was held on 2022 Nov. 13 09:00- 24:00 local time in Japan. It was a contest type competition, and all contact data were required to submit. These data were opened to public for analysis after removing critical personal information. In addition to the ordinal contest, the visualization contest of propagation analysis was held. Objectives is a creation for digital transformation of amateur radio. Specifically, we can enjoy a contest without transmitting. It is aimed to create an innovation. Supplementary prize was sponsored by ICOM corporation. 29 amateurs submitted their logs, and the number of unique stations is 93. They logged 722 contacts including both side records\  During the party, most of the contact done by 40 m, since it is most suitable band for domestic contact, as the same as 20 m band in US. Python Pandas, CERN ROOT and Microsoft excel were used as analysis and visualization tool. Since difference of signal report in one contact is caused by the transmission power different. Scatter plot of stronger and weaker signal in single contact was made. Most of the contact were done within 10 dB difference, however maximum difference was 40 dB. It is recommended to reduce power when one has larger difference than 10 dB. All contacts were recorded with grid locator and physical propagation distance of each contact was calculated with assuming 200 km altitude of F2 ionosphere layer. Minimum distance was 400 km. The time dependent of propagation distance distribution was made. It seems that F2 layer was activated most from 10 to 12, since distribution peak was at minimum distance. After 13:00 JST, its peak moved to longer distance. We intuitively could recognize tendency of propagation change during operations, this type of visualization may help to understand propagation trends.

}, author = {Atsushi Taketani and Seiji Fukushima} } @proceedings {645, title = {An Algorithm for Determining the Timing of Components within the HamSCI-WWV/WWVH Scientific Test Signal}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Beginning in November 2021, WWV and WWVH radio stations have been broadcasting a test signal developed by a Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) working group to study what additional ionospheric measurements can be gleaned from the WWV/WWVH transmitter beyond carrier Doppler shift and time-of-flight of standard timing pulses. The signal consists of various individual components including tones, chirps, and Gaussian noise bursts [1]. Interested operators record the signal data at their location, providing researchers with the data naturally manipulated in many different ways [2]. This project seeks to precisely identify the timing of each signal component in the recorded data. The algorithm involves passing the data through various software filters to remove unwanted elements such as frequencies outside of range of interest, DC offset, and so on. Correlation is then performed between the recorded data and each original component to produce their timing. The performance of the algorithm itself is estimated by calculating the SNR of each received signal and the corresponding confidence interval of the algorithm. The results can help to explain the broken symmetry between the transmitted signal and the received signal.

References
[1] Lombardi. {\textquotedblleft}Radio Station WWV.{\textquotedblright} NIST, 16 Nov. 2021, https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/time-distribution/radio-station-wwv.
[2] Pamela.corey@nist.gov. {\textquotedblleft}WWV/WWVH Scientific Modulation Working Group.{\textquotedblright} NIST, 5 Nov. 2021, https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/time-services/wwvwwvh-scientific-modulation-working-group.

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and Tyler Jordan and Joseph Tholley and Vaibhavi Patel} } @proceedings {611, title = {Allan Deviation Analysis of WWV Doppler Shift Measurements recorded with the HamSCI Grape 1 Receiver}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The Allan deviation (ADEV) is a well-established metric, recognized by the IEEE and other standards organizations, for estimating the frequency stability of quartz and atomic oscillators over averaging intervals of varying duration.\  To show that ADEV may also be useful for the analysis of radio path stability, this presentation will apply ADEV analysis to WWV Doppler Shift measurements recorded with the Grape 1 receiver designed by N8OBJ.\  This analysis greatly benefits from the fact that the WWV broadcasts are referenced to an ensemble of atomic oscillators continuously adjusted to agree with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and the Grape 1 receiver is referenced to a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) referenced to atomic oscillators aboard the satellites, that are also in step with UTC.\  Therefore, atomic clock accuracy is always present at both ends of the radio path. This presentation will first describe how ADEV is defined and computed, including a discussion of free software tools that are readily available.\  It will then discuss how everything necessary to compute ADEV can be obtained from the Grape 1 data files.\  It will demonstrate that the small instabilities present in the GPSDO that Grape 1 uses for its reference should be indiscernible in the WWV measurements.\  Finally, the presentation will show annotated ADEV graphs generated from the collected data.\  The presented measurements are predominantly groundwave observations of WWV, recorded at a distance of about 15 km from the station by W0DAS in Fort Collins, Colorado, and at a distance of about 81 km by K0WWX in Broomfield, Colorado.\  However, the same ADEV analysis described here is easily applicable to both groundwave and skywave data.\ 

}, author = {Michael A. Lombardi} } @proceedings {607, title = {AM Broadcast Signals Observed at South Pole}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

For many years, Dartmouth College has operated radio receivers at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, primarily at 100-5000 kHz (LF through lower HF). The primary purpose is to measure radio noise of natural auroral origin, but beacon and broadcast bands are received as a by-product. South Pole has a unique situation of six months of darkness/daylight; that is, a six month day-night cycle, but a 24-hour magnetic local time cycle. Broadcast band signals are received during the six months of darkness, but the local time dependence determined from low-resolution receivers was always a mystery, exhibiting peaks around both noon and midnight magnetic local time. Recent high resolution observations resolved the mystery, demonstrating that one of these local time peaks consists of Region 1 AM signals on 10-kHz spacings, and the other peak consists of Region 2 signals on 9-kHz spacings. The local time dependence results from the geographical distribution of the sources, combined with the position of the solar terminator. In some cases detailed geographical dependences produce observable propagation effects. The Region 1 signals are received around magnetic midnight and heavily affected by auroral activity, whereas the Region 2 signals are received during daytime aurora and are less variable. These interesting effects provide additional arguments for establishing a space-weather radio receiver at South Pole in the future, though they also argue for taking the effort to install a sufficiently sensitive antenna/pre-amplifier.

}, author = {James LaBelle and Ellie Boyd} } @article {667, title = {Amateur Radio: An Integral Tool for Atmospheric, Ionospheric, and Space Physics Research and Operations}, journal = {White Paper Submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.3847/25c2cfeb.18632d86}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Laura Brandt and Stephen A. Cerwin and Kristina V. Collins and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Rachel M. Frissell and Robert B. Gerzoff and Stephen R. Kaeppler and Vincent Ledvina and William Liles and Michael Lombardi and Elizabeth MacDonald and Francesca Di Mare and Ethan S. Miller and Gareth W. Perry and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Diego F. Sanchez and H. Lawrence Serra and H. Ward Silver and David R. Themens and Mary Lou West} } @proceedings {615, title = {Autonomous Ground Magnetometer Station Using DRV425 Fluxgates}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

We have developed a prototype ground magnetometer station that uses 3 Texas Instrument fluxgate-on-a-chip DRV425 sensors. The design is low cost and uses a particle photon or particle electron microprocessor (IOT device) with either wifi or cellular connectivity to process and transmit data. We will present data from a prototype installation in Athabasca/CA that is located near a high-quality science grade fluxgate (ATH) for comparison. We would like to deploy several 10s of these devices with the help of the HAMSCI community for science and space weather applications at no cost to the operators. However, the operators would have to commit to install the stations and tend to them as necessary. The effort would be funded through a major funding agency. At this meeting we would like to gauge the interest among HAM radio operators for such a project.

}, author = {Joachim Raeder and Juan-Carlos Bautista and Michael Hirsch} } @proceedings {623, title = {Broadband Loop Antennas and Preamplifiers for Receiving VLF to HF}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Wire loop antennas have been used to receive natural and man-made signals over wide bands from 100kHz to 10MHz.\  This talk will cover size considerations and preamplifier design.

}, author = {David McGaw and Mike Trimpi and James LaBelle} } @proceedings {628, title = {Climatology of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by HamSCI Amateur Radio with Connections to Geospace and Neutral Atmospheric Sources}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are propagating variations of F-region ionospheric electron densities that can affect the range and quality of High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio communications. TIDs create concavities in the ionospheric electron density profile that move horizontally with the TID and cause skip-distance focusing effects for high frequency radio signals propagating through the ionosphere. TIDs are of great interest scientifically because they are often associated with neutral Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs) and can be used to advance understanding of atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. Large scale TIDs (LSTIDs) have periods of 30-180 min, horizontal phase velocities of 100 - 250 m/s, and horizontal wavelengths of over 1000 km and are believed to be generated either by geomagnetic activity or lower atmospheric sources. The signature of this phenomena is manifest as quasi-periodic variations in contact ranges in HF amateur radio communication reports recorded by automated monitoring systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). Current amateur radio observations are only able to detect LSTIDs. In this study, we present a climatology of LSTID activity using RBN and WSPRNet observations on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur radio bands from 2017. Results will be organized as a function observation frequency, longitudinal sector (North America and Europe), season, and geomagnetic activity level. Connections to geospace are explored via SYM-H and Auroral Electrojet indexes, while neutral atmospheric sources are explored using NASA{\textquoteright}s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2).

}, author = {Diego S. Sanchez and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth W. Perry and V. Lynn Harvey and William D. Engelke and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {603, title = {Consolidated Amateur Radio Reports as Indicators of Intense Sporadic-E Layers}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A case study is presented to demonstrate the usefulness and validity of consolidated amateur ({\textquoteleft}ham{\textquoteright}) radio signal reports as indicators of the presence of ionospheric sporadic-E (Es). It is shown that amateur data can provide an important supplement to other techniques, allowing the detection of Es where no suitable ionosonde or satellite radio occultation measurements are available. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated by reference to ionosonde data, and the advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed.

}, author = {Chris Deacon and Cathryn Mitchell and Robert Watson} } @proceedings {606, title = {Contrasting effects of the 3-5 November 2021 geomagnetic storm on reception in Colorado of WSPR transmissions from North-Eastern North America with those from Australia}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Solar wind particles from three M-class flares hit the Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field around 19:30 UTC on 3 November 2021. The planetary geomagnetic disturbance index (Kp) peaked at 7 that evening and the following morning. At the USGS Boulder Geomagnetic Observatory, Colorado the vertical magnetic field anomaly was below -40 nT between 07:38 UTC and 12:56 UTC on 4 November, dipping briefly to -75 nT. These dramatic space weather events are examined using WSPR spots at N6GN, near Fort Collins, Colorado. Between 10:30 UTC and 11:00 UTC the 7 MHz WSPR spot count showed a ~90\% drop compared with previous days at that time interval. Second, the median distance for remaining spots increased to 7089 km from ~2500 km of previous days. Furthermore, the noise level dropped about 4 dB. At that time of day the noise at N6GN{\textquoteright}s remote receiver is limited by propagated-in noise rather than local or receiver noise. Central to the observed spot count decrease and median distance increase was a 98\% reduction in spots received from grid FN, North Eastern North America: down to 5 spots from a typical 245 on other days in the same interval. But what caused that precipitous drop? We look at signal levels of individual transmissions to try and understand whether received signal levels dropped below the noise or whether Doppler flutter spread the signals beyond the bandwidth of the WSPR decoder. We also seek to understand the increase in spots from Australia compared with previous days. During the storm itself, signal levels from Australia were unchanged; it was not until the following day that levels and the number of spots decreased. We caution and investigate that the very narrow band transmissions may not be decoded more due to spectral distortion and spreading rather than the more usual lack of signal to noise ratio. This analysis provides a valuable use case for WSPR transmissions, reporting via wsprnet.org, augmented with noise estimates and on-line access via the WsprDaemon database with quick-look Grafana and animated Octave visualizations.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and Glenn Elmore} } @proceedings {624, title = {Detecting Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using Feature Recognition and Amateur Radio Data}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A Large-Scale Transient Ionospheric Disturbance (LSTID) is a traveling perturbation in ionosphere electron density with a horizontal wavelength of approximately 1000 km and a period between 30 to 180 minutes. These can be detected by SuperDARN HF radar and GNSS Total Electron Content measurements. Recently it has been discovered that these can also be detected in amateur (ham) radio signal reports, which are now being generated in vast numbers by operators world-wide. A machine-learning technique was developed to find patterns in these data that indicate the presence of LSTIDs using an object detection technique.

}, author = {William D. Engelke and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Travis Atkison and Philip J. Erickson and Francis Tholley} } @proceedings {632, title = {Evaluation of Links Between Terrestrial Weather and Sporadic-E (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ The recent development of an experimental probability index for Es has enabled a more focussed approach to investigating the value of weather data in the troposphere as a geographical marker for Es in the ionosphere. Some early verification studies of this work will be presented together with examples of alternative graphical visualisations of ionosonde data to provide insights into the development of an Es event. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the issues of verifying regional scale Es with isolated fixed site ionosonde data and suggest an outline for the next steps in the search for improved locational predictability of Es using meteorological forecast data.
Bio:\ The invited amateur radio tutorial will be presented by\ Mr. Jim Bacon G3YLA\ and will focus on the influences of Terrestrial Weather on radio propagation and the ionosphere. Mr. Bacon is a well-known retired meteorologist from the United Kingdom and is the recent recipient of the\ Radio Society of Great Britain Les Barclay Memorial Award\ to recognize those who have made excellent contributions to propagation research and understanding. Mr. Bacon actively develops the\ PropQuest website, which provides real-time Sporadic E Probability Index (EPI) that incorporates the factors of tropospheric weather, atmospheric gravity waves, meteors, wind shears, and atmospheric semi-diurnal tides.
}, author = {James Bacon} } @conference {643, title = {Evaluation of Techniques to Better Separate and Utilize Astronomical Radio Telescope Signals from those Due to Disturbances in the Ionosphere}, booktitle = {HamSC}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Ionospheric disturbances impact radio signals that travel through them.\  These ionospheric scintillations are observed across the electromagnetic spectrum using a variety of methods.\  Previous studies have demonstrated that signals from radio telescopes can be used to measure and track these disturbances.\  Furthermore, a recent study suggests the separation of signals may be enhanced by concurrent measurements of ionospheric disturbances by multiple techniques and at different frequencies.\  This study discusses how astronomical and ionospheric signals from radio telescopes have been separated, how that separation might be improved by combining radio-telescope data with data from an alternate measurement methods and how ionospheric signals might be used to characterize ionospheric variability over both long- and short-term time scales.

}, author = {Robert Spalletta} } @proceedings {608, title = {Forecasting Spread F at Jicamarca}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Spread F is a phenomenon that occurs in the F layer of the Ionosphere and is characterized by plasma depletions. It can have a negative impact on radio communication systems and because of this, it is of interest to develop a model that can predict its occurrence. Radars like digisondes and JULIA (Jicamarca Unattended Long-term Investigations of the Ionosphere and Atmosphere) have observed the Ionosphere at Jicamarca for decades. The datasets that resulted from a collection of these observations joined with geophysical parameters measurements were harnessed to train a Machine Learning model that predicts Spread F. In addition, we compared our model to FIRST (Forecasting Ionospheric Real-time Scintillation Tool) and obtained promising results. Although our model has only been validated with Jicamarca{\textquoteright}s dataset it may be used for other longitudes. Furthermore, since the only local measurements used during training were Spread F occurrences and the virtual height of the F layer, the retraining process can easily be done on a single station with an ionosonde receiver.

}, author = {Reynaldo O. Rojas and Enrique L. Rojas and Jhassmin A. Aricoch{\'e} and Marco A. Milla} } @article {670, title = {Fostering Collaborations with the Amateur Radio Community}, journal = {White Paper Submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.3847/25c2cfeb.09fe22b4}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Laura Brandt and Stephen A. Cerwin and Kristina V. Collins and Timothy J. Duffy and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Rachel M. Frissell and Robert B. Gerzoff and Stephen R. Kaeppler and Vincent Ledvina and William Liles and Elizabeth MacDonald and Gareth W. Perry and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Diego F. Sanchez and H. Lawrence Serra and H. Ward Silver and Tamitha Mulligan Skov and Mary Lou West} } @proceedings {652, title = {Geomagnetic Indices and The Ring Current}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Since the Space Age, the study of the near Earth space environment has become of great importance due to the advent of electrical systems, radio communications, and satellites which are directly affected by the state of the space environment around the Earth.\  The study of the {\textquoteleft}weather{\textquoteright} of this space environment comes in many shapes and forms but has mostly centered around the analysis and prediction of disturbances in the environment. These disturbances have been dubbed {\textquoteleft}geomagnetic storms{\textquoteright}, and their effects can range from inconsequential\  to, in the most severe cases, society altering.\  Several features of this space environment create changes at the ground level as they vary which can be measured and assigned values.\  In this poster we focus on three such values: Kp, F10.7, and Sym-H/Dst.\  The Sym-H/Dst index is of particular interest as it relates to one of the more prominent subsystems of the Earth{\textquoteright}s geospace environment, namely the ring current.

}, author = {Matthew Cooper and Andrew Gerrard} } @proceedings {631, title = {Ham Radio and the Discovery of the Ionosphere (Keynote)}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Ham radio{\textquoteright}s involvement in the discovery of the ionosphere during the early 20th century constitutes a core part of the radio amateur community{\textquoteright}s collective memory. I will review this episode in a broader historical context. Why radio waves could propagate over long distances along the earth{\textquoteright}s curvature had been debated since the invention of wireless telegraphy in the late 1890s. By the 1910s, physicists{\textquoteright} consensus was that radio waves bounced back from an electrically conductive surface in the upper sky known as the "Kennelly-Heaviside layer." Meanwhile, electrical engineers{\textquoteright} empirical studies led to the so-called "Austin-Cohen formula" that predicted a decrease of propagating range with wavelength, implying that transoceanic or transcontinental wireless communication could only be achieved at wavelengths longer than 200 m. Despite these scientific convictions, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and its sister organizations in the UK and France in the 1920s embarked large-scale collective experiments for transatlantic wireless signal transmission at wavelengths shorter than 200 m. Their success challenged the Austin-Cohen formula. In addition, ARRL members collaborated with US naval researchers to experiment with medium-range radio-wave propagation. Their studies resulted in the identification of the skip zone{\textemdash}that radio signals disappeared at certain distances from a transmitter but emerged again at a further range. These findings from radio amateurs{\textquoteright} activities paved a crucial ground for the British and American scientists Edward Appleton, Miles Barnett, Gregory Breit, and Merle Tuve to perform radio experiments that provided direct evidence for the ionosphere{\textemdash}a more complex geophysical entity than the Kennelly-Heaviside layer. In this talk, I will examine the radio amateurs{\textquoteright} collective experiments in the discovery of the ionosphere. I will also discuss the implications of this form of collaboration to ham radio{\textquoteright}s later collective technical activities and engagements with "citizen science."

}, author = {Chen-Pang Yeang} } @proceedings {669, title = {HamSCI Plans for the Study of the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Impacts on Radio and the Ionosphere}, year = {2022}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/hamsci-plans-study-2023-and-2024-solar-eclipse-impacts-radio-and-ionosphere}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {634, title = {Hardware Design of the Grape2 Data Collection Sequencing Engine}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A review of the design process for the creation of the sequencing logic to drive the data acquisition system on the Grape 2 analog data collection engine.\  Design requirements and trade-offs between different design techniques will be discussed.\  The design process from requirements , flow chart and finally to hardware implementation will be reviewed.\  Final implementation will be demonstrated with the aid of a logic analyzer.

}, author = {John Gibbons} } @proceedings {646, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in ionospheric electron density that are often associated with atmospheric gravity waves. TIDs cause amplitude and frequency variations in high frequency (HF, 3 30 MHz) refracted radio waves. The authors present an analysis of observations of TIDs made with Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation ( HamSCI ) Low Cost Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS) located in Northwestern New Jersey and near Cleveland, Ohio. The TIDs were detected in the Doppler shifted carrier of the received signal from the 10 MHz WWV frequency and time standard station in Fort Collins, CO. Using a lagged cross correlation analysis, we demonstrate a method for determining TID wavelength, direction, and period using the collected WWV HF Doppler shifted data.

}, author = {Veronica Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and John Gibbons and Kristina V. Collins} } @proceedings {627, title = {Installation and Operation of the KC3EEY/W2NAF VLF Reception System}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A VLF Reception System was installed at the W2NAF KC3EEY VLF Observatory located in Springbrook, PA. The VLF preamp/antenna is based on the s1-1 design by Paul Nicholson, author of vlfrx-tools, which is encased in a PVC pipe. The signal is recorded using an Audio Injector Stereo soundcard and Raspberry Pi with vlfrx-tools recording and monitoring the signal. The system has a wide variety of science and amateur uses. A confirmed QSO of SAQ was made on Christmas Eve. QSOs from the Dreamers Band below 9 kHz were also confirmed using weak signal detection and EbNaut decoding. Possible effects from the January 15th, 2022 Tonga underwater volcano eruption were also observed along with VLF/ELF data from outside sources will be presented.

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {630, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

In an effort to introduce research and scientific writing earlier to physics and engineering undergraduate students, we designed a Space Physics Project in Fall of 2021 to add to Foundations of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton. Foundations of Physics and Engineering is comprised primarily of first-year physics, mechanical and electrical engineering students. While the Space Physics Project may be considered a niche area, the skills involved are very beneficial to all physics and engineering students. The Space Physics Project included data analysis and a written scientific report. Students were given python Jupyter notebooks that organized the data from GOES-15 satellite, WSRPNet, and RBN. From there, the students were to identify where a solar flare occurred and how the amateur radio signals were impacted (i.e. radio blackouts). In addition to the data analysis, students were to read and summarize a research article as well as write their results in a scientific format. The last piece of this project was an oral presentation. This presentation will highlight what we would repeat in this project as well as offer discussion for how to improve it in the upcoming semesters. Overall, this project complemented the existing course and we believe the skills learned in this 100-level course will serve the students very well in their careers.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/introducing-undergraduates-research-through-solar-flares-python-and-amateur-radio}, author = {Rachel M. Frissell and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {648, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
In an effort to introduce research and scientific writing earlier to physics and engineering undergraduate students, we designed a Space Physics Project in Fall of 2021 to add to Foundations of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton. To complete the project, students worked with data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spacecraft, as well as amateur (ham) radio data collected by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN, reversebeacon.net) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet, wsprnet.org).
}, author = {Rachel (Umbel) Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {602, title = {An Investigation of Enhanced Summertime 7MHz trans-Pacific Propagation}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

North Pacific summer HIGH pressure areas provide smooth seas which allow enhanced 7MHz JA-CA propagation due to specular reflections of RF waves from the ocean surface. I analyzed all the available relevant meteorological and RF data from 2010 to 2021 which demonstrated the presence of the HIGHs, and signal enhancement on July days with surface wave heights of 1m-2m or less, with a Kp Index below 1.7.

}, author = {H.L. Serra} } @proceedings {621, title = {Ionosphere Plasma Density Estimation by Ray Tracing Optimization}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

In recent years, several studies have tried to estimate volumetric electron density by methods of refraction tomography on an HF network. These methods involve a dynamic optimization problem where the ray tracing equations have to be solved in every optimization step. Furthermore, to improve the estimates, data from incoherent scatter radars and GPS can also be assimilated. However, the computational complexity involved in these estimates is considerable. Even though some efforts have been implemented to reduce this complexity, it is clear that new methods have to be explored. Furthermore, to our knowledge, the possibility of using the frequency sweep capability of ionosondes has not been considered. This work simplifies the dispersion relation to an unmagnetized collisionless plasma to focus our efforts on the inverse process. Instead of using sensitivity analysis, we propose a direct collocation approach, where the points on the transmitter and receiver can be fixed, therefore, eliminating the chances of the extreme misfire.

}, author = {David de la Torre and Enrique Rojas} } @proceedings {633, title = {The Ionospheric Impacts of Space Weather and our Heightened Awareness of its Effects on Society (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ The paradigm shift that space weather is real, relevant and knowable to a general audience is not as impossible as once imagined. Although it remains a difficult topic to convey, new methods of teaching and communicating the hazards of the space environment to the technical non-expert and the public alike are far more accessible than in the past. In return, the appetite for more timely and accurate space weather information by these informed audiences is driving more robust observation and forecast methodologies. In this tutorial we will review how different kinds of space weather events impact the near-Earth space environment, driving different effects in the upper ionosphere. We will discuss several events and show how a heightened visibility of the space environment is creating more accountability in operational space weather forecasting, as well as broadening the need for space weather education. Emerging private and public beneficiaries of these improvements in forecasting and education will also be highlighted, along with a discussion of advances beyond academia that demonstrate a growing intersection of heliospheric science, meteorology, and the public use of space weather information.
Bio:\ The invited scientist tutorial will be presented by\ Dr. Tamitha Skov WX6SWW\ and will focus on the ionospheric impacts of space weather. Dr. Skov holds B.S. degrees in physics and physical chemistry, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geophysics and planetary physics from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She joined the\ Aerospace Corporation\ in 2004, where she is currently a Research Scientist in the Physical Sciences Laboratory. At Aerospace, she works primarily in the fields of solar and space physics research and in the testing of spacecraft materials in realistic space radiation environments. In 2020, Dr. Skov joined\ Millersville University\ as an adjunct professor and is now teaching graduate courses in meteorology, serving as a pioneer in the field of "Broadcast Space Weather{\textquotedblright}. Dr. Skov is well-known to the amateur radio community as\ {\textquotedblleft}The Space Weather Woman{\textquotedblright}\ through her\ innovative YouTube space weather forecasts.
}, author = {Tamitha Skov} } @proceedings {613, title = {Lightning Protection for the Radio Amateur}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Protect your shack and your tower! With a lot of anecdotal grounding discussions generating more heat than light, here{\textquoteright}s a solid approach to the best protection practices. We{\textquoteright}ll talk about the theory behind how and why these practices work. We{\textquoteright}ll talk about the Physics of how a lightning flash occurs and how to convince it to go elsewhere! We{\textquoteright}ll also talk about what NASA does to protect all of their outdoor assets.

}, author = {Monte Bateman} } @proceedings {612, title = {Lightning Research at NASA{\textquoteright}s Marshall Spaceflight Center}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

NASA{\textquoteright}s Marshall Space Flight Center and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are home to one of the top lightning research groups in the world. We study basic physics of the lightning process, its relationship to storm severity, and help with lightning protection for our nation{\textquoteright}s space program. In addition to basic and applied science, we also design and build cutting-edge instrumentation that allows us to make unique measurements to study thunderstorms. We now have 2 Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GLMs) in orbit, on both GOES-16 (East) and GOES-17 (West). This gives us lightning mapper coverage over nearly half the Earth. The GLMs were developed here in Huntsville; they add lightning information to the GOES satellite photo loop images and are becoming essential in weather forecasting and warning. We also have the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard the ISS, and it has been in orbit now for over 5 years. Of particular interest to hams is the RF spectrum of lightning. A lightning channel can be thought of as a 10-km long antenna, which obviously has a fundamental frequency in the ELF. But lightning radiates on many frequencies with large bandwidth. A review of the published literature on lightning spectra shows that the upper end of measured spectra has always been limited by instrumentation. With modern, wide-bandwidth A/D circuitry, there may be much to learn in the UHF and microwave bands. This is an area where hams could certainly help out.

}, author = {Monte Bateman} } @proceedings {650, title = {Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling Studies Using the PSWS Magnetometer Network}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

As part of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer, which measures magnetic field strength and direction, has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of ~6 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that its performance is very adequate for scientific investigations.

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Sadaf Ansari and Julius Madey and David Witten and David Larsen and Scotty Cowling and Nathaniel Frissell and James Weygand} } @proceedings {619, title = {Mid-latitude Irregularities Observed by the Oblique Ionosonde Sounding Mode for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The spread in the echoes of high-frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio waves from the F-region of the ionosphere was one of the earliest indications of plasma density irregularities in the mid-latitude F region ionosphere. Although mid-latitude spread F has been widely studied, the plasma instability mechanisms that create these irregularities are still largely unknown. This phenomenon can cause radio wave scintillation effects that degrade the performance of human-made technologies such as satellite communications and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Here, we present signatures of mid-latitude irregularities observed in oblique ionograms received near Scranton, PA transmitted by the Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) in Chesapeake, Virginia. These observations are collected with the GNU Chirpsounder2 software, an open source software package capable of creating ionograms from frequency modulated (FM) chirp ionosondes. This ionospheric sounding mode will be implemented in the currently under-development Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), a ground-based multi-instrument system designed to remote-sense the ionosphere using signals of opportunity. Using the data from the oblique ionograms, we generate the Range Time Intensity (RTI) plots that show ionospheric dynamics through measured path length variations as a function of time. We also compare the RTI plots with Range-Time-Parameter (RTP) plots from the SuperDARN HF\  radar in Blackstone, Virginia which commonly observes direct backscatter from decameter-scale irregularities within the region of ionosphere traversed by the ROTHR signal. We also investigate the dependence of the occurrence of the mid-latitude irregularities on the level of the geomagnetic activity.

}, author = {Dev Raj Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {610, title = {Modeling ionograms with Deep Neural Networks: Applications to Nowcasting}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The state parameters of the ionosphere are of fundamental importance not only for space weather studies but also for technological applications such as satellite radio communications. As with many geophysical phenomena, the ionosphere dynamics are governed by nonlinear processes that make ionospheric forecasting a challenging endeavor. However, we have enormous datasets and ubiquitous experimental sources that can help us find the complex regularities in these phenomena. We forecasted ionograms for different solar activity times and database sizes using regression deep neural networks. Due to the neural network{\textquoteright}s extrapolation of virtual heights for all frequencies given to the model, we estimated foF2 using two embedded different models to identify the last frequency of each ionogram. Furthermore, we made hyperparameter tuning for each training set applying the k-fold cross-validation method. The predictions were compared to measurements collected with the Digisonde system at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory, a persistence model, IRI, and the SAMI2 model estimations. Finally, we will present preliminary results on a new virtual heights model that predicts the difference between consecutive ionograms and preliminary results from a model to estimate electron densities.

}, author = {Jhassmin Aricoch{\'e} and Enrique Rojas and Marco Milla and Reynaldo Rojas} } @proceedings {599, title = {Moonbased Ham Repeater Station Project}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Just as Jules Verne dreamed that man would one day reach the Moon, many radio amateurs have thought of having an amateur radio repeater on our natural satellite. Why not lay the theoretical foundations to reach this end and be able to detect the tasks to be solved? Let{\textquoteright}s try to calculate and design a repeater station and an earth station that are capable of communicating with each other and that are affordable for the average ham pocket. Today it cannot be done, but what about in 50 years?

}, author = {Carlos Mascare{\~n}as} } @proceedings {601, title = {NASA/HPD/Space Weather/Citizen Science Programs Contributions to the HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

This contribution to the HamSCI 2022 Workshop will provide: A\ summary of the goals of the NASA{\textquoteright}s Heliophysics Division (HPD); A summary of the strategies and activities of the space weather and citizen science programs in NASA{\textquoteright}s HPD.\ The presentation will discuss the relevance of the space weather and citizen science research programs to the HamSCI community.

NASA/HPD ROSES programs solicit research proposals so that amateur radio observations could be utilized for innovative science and technology research. NASA/HPD anticipates creating opportunities to enhance participation of the HamSCI community in observations of natural events in the 2023-2024 timeframe: The Heliophysics Big Year (HBY) including the upcoming annular solar eclipse (Oct 14, 2023) and total solar eclipse (Apr 8, 2024) over North America as well as the next solar max. NASA/HPD anticipates supporting HamSCI activities through space-based observations that can be leveraged by amateur radio scientists to enhance scientific contribution of the HamSCI community.
}, author = {E. Shume and J. Spann and J. Woodroffe and R. Friedel and J. Favors and W. Twetten and E. MacDonald and A. Rymer and S. Finn and J. Kozyra and K. Korreck} } @proceedings {614, title = {The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC), A Student-led Citizen Science Project: Data Showcase, Future Developments, and Scientific Potential}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is a student-led project in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), Live Aurora Network, and Aurorasaurus. Aurora cameras provide ground-truth visual data to aurora chasers and scientists, but are sparse at midlatitudes. Deploying a light-sensitive video camera and allsky still camera in these areas provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, including ham radio operators in the auroral zone, and demonstrates scientific merit. For example, the analysis of rare phenomena benefits from observations at multiple locations. In addition, NoDDAC data can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes, as well as geomagnetic activity, to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; utilizing dual cameras with COTS equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource, and promoting citizen science make it an accessible resource benefing multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected aurora on more than 20 occasions, as well as unusual events like overhead auroras, STEVEs, and noctilucent clouds.\ 

NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1{\textdegree}N), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network housings weatherproof both cameras, and their proprietary IPTimelapse software uploads images to a web server for analysis. The north-facing camera records video, allowing Zooniverse-style citizen science for small auroral features. Live Aurora Network streams both cameras on their website and app. Ultimately, when aurora is detected IPTimelapse will post a clip of the display to @NODDAC_cameras on Twitter. Automated reports will be mapped on Aurorasaurus, alongside citizen scientist observations. Image data are archived according to open source and FAIR data principles. NoDDAC will also look for crossovers with projects such as the Personal Space Weather Station to provide additional ground-based measurements of the space environment. This presentation will reflect on the data captured with NoDDAC and outline a timeline for its future, and open the floor for collaborations with other citizen science efforts.

}, author = {Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Brandt and Michael McCormack and Steve Collins and Wayne Barkhouse and Timothy Young} } @proceedings {662, title = {Opening Remarks - Friday}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {647, title = {Opportunities for Research and Education with a Small Radio Telescope}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A small radio telescope offers a wide range of opportunities for students and educators to explore the vast universe through radio waves. The incoming radio waves are slightly shifted due to the Doppler effect and the phenomenon is utilized to determine the speeds of target objects.\  This survey serves as a good introduction to Radio Astronomy and understanding the structure of the Milky Way. Using the knowledge and understanding of the galactic survey, further experiments can be conducted.

}, author = {M. Shaaf Sarwar and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Mary Lou West and Richard Russell} } @proceedings {644, title = {An Overview of Oblique Soundings from Chirp Ionosondes}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

An ionospheric sounder, typically known as an ionosonde, is a radar device which is used to make observations of the ionized layer of the Earth{\textquoteright}s upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere. The ionosonde works by transmitting high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio waves and observing the time delay of the ionospheric echoes. Ionosondes play an especially crucial role in our understanding both ionospheric dynamics and how radio wave propagation is impacted by the ionosphere. The data from an ionosonde is displayed in a type of plot known as an ionogram. A chirp ionosonde is a type of ionospheric sounder that produces ionograms by transmitting an HF signal that changes linearly in frequency with time. Conventional chirp ionosondes are used in a vertical sounding mode, in which signals are transmitted directly up to the ionosphere. This allows for measurements of electron density as a function of height for the bottomside ionosphere. Chirp ionosondes may also be used in an oblique sounding configuration, in which the transmitter and receiver are separated by a significant geographic distance. While the measurements of an oblique sounder are more complicated to interpret than a vertical sounder, a single transmitter can be used simultaneously by receivers in many different locations, thus allowing for a cost-effective increase in the number of ionospheric sampling points. The HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station plans to take advantage of this fact by using signals-of-opportunity from the global network of pre-existing chirp ionosonde transmitters. In this presentation, we give a brief overview of chirp ionosondes and their uses in studying ionospheric dynamics.

}, author = {Simal Sami and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Mary Lou West and Dev Raj Joshi and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {649, title = {PHaRLAP: Provision of High-frequency Ray tracing LAboratory for Propagation studies}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

PHaRLAP is a MATLAB-based toolbox created by Australia{\textquoteright}s Defence Science and Technology Group for studying and modelling HF radio wave propagation through the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere. It provides a variety of ray tracing engines and necessary supporting routines. The ray tracing engines include full 3D magneto-ionic numerical ray tracing (3D NRT), 2D numerical ray tracing (2D NRT) and analytic ray tracing (ART). Propagation losses, focusing/defocusing, ionospheric absorption, ground forward scatter and backscatter losses, backscatter due to field aligned irregularities, O-X mode splitting (including power coupled into each mode) are\ all able to be modelled. This presentation describes PHaRLAP and gives examples of its use to solve real-world problems.

}, author = {Manuel Cervera} } @proceedings {636, title = {Porting the MUSIC Algorithm to the SuperDARN pyDARN Library for the Study of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations of the F-region ionosphere with periods of 15 to 60 minutes and horizontal wavelengths of a few hundred kilometers that are often associated with atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs). Understanding differences in characteristics such as wavelength, period, and propagation direction between MSTIDs populations in the northern and southern hemisphere can lead to a better understanding of MSTID sources and upper atmospheric dynamics. Previous studies have used SuperDARN radars to observe MSTIDs and determine these characteristics using an implementation of the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. In this presentation, we port the MUSIC implementation written in Python 2 for use with the deprecated SuperDARN Data and Visualization Toolkit python (DaViTpy) to Python 3 for use with the current pyDARN library. This implementation will be used to study the differences between MSTID populations observed by SuperDARN radars in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles} } @proceedings {637, title = {Potential Science Opportunities for HamSCI in Antarctica}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The maturation and proliferation of passive radio receivers based on software defined radio principles and architecture herald a new era of radio remote sensing in solar-terrestrial physics. Antarctica is a region of interest for deploying HF radio receivers for many reasons. The significant offset of the geographic and magnetic poles allows one to study multiple terrestrial magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere regions of interest, e.g., the polar, auroral, and sub-auroral zones, using ground-based instruments. Additionally, the significant snow and ice coverage in Antarctica is a strong absorber of HF radio waves. This severely mitigates intracontinental multi-hop propagation modes, which may be advantageous for geolocating geophysical features detected by HF radio techniques, thereby improving remote sensing performance. In this poster presentation, we will analyze a case of a QSO between two operators, captured by a receiver located at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. We will discuss the signal characteristics of each transmission and pay particularly close attention to how variations in the CW transmissions may be linked to geophysical processes occurring in the region at the time. The overarching goal of this presentation is to incite discussion on how existing and future passive HF receiving systems in Antarctica can leveraged to advance not only the art of radio but solar-terrestrial physics in Antarctica.

}, author = {Gareth W. Perry and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {635, title = {Preliminary Analysis of WWV Experimental Tone Signals}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

NIST Time station WWV and WWVH have recently been broadcasting a set of audio modulation signals designed by the WWV/H Scientific Modulation Group as an initial exploration of possibilities for using these powerful and ubiquitous time distribution HF transmissions as remote sensing diagnostics of the terrestrial ionosphere.\  Included audio modulations include pseudorandom white noise, swept chirps, controlled amplitude sequences, and single pulses.\  The first task in assessing feasibility for remote sensing is to analyze characteristics of the analog WWV transmitters themselves, in order to gauge the transfer function imposed on the original test transmission.\  Using ground wave recordings from a GNSS locked receiver station maintained by Glenn Elmore N6GN, we present preliminary transmitter-centric analysis of WWV experimental tone signals, focusing on amplitude fidelity, transmission delay, cross-ambiguity examination of frequency and amplitude stability, and pseudorandom noise determinations of audio passband shape.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and William Liles and Philip J Erickson} } @proceedings {622, title = {Properties and Drivers of Plasma Irregularities in the High-Latitude Ionosphere Computed using Novel Incoherent Scatter Radar Techniques}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

To provide new insights into the relationship between geomagnetic conditions and plasma irregularity scale-sizes, high-latitude irregularity spectra are computed using novel Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) techniques. This new technique leverages: 1) the ability of phased array Advanced Modular ISR (AMISR) technology to collect volumetric measurements of plasma density, 2) the slow F-region cross-field plasma diffusion at scales greater than 10 km, and 3) the high dip angle of geomagnetic field lines at high-latitudes. The resulting irregularity spectra are of a higher spatiotemporal resolution than has been previously possible with ISRs. Spatial structures as small as 20 km are resolved in less than two minutes (depending on the radar mode). In this work, we focus on Resolute Bay ISR observations operating in high-beam modes, such as the imaginglp mode. In addition to having an unprecedented view of the size and occurrence of irregularities as they traverse the polar cap, we find that near magnetic local noon the spectral power shifts to scales greater than 50 km, and from 15 to 5 magnetic local time the spectral power shifts to structures less than 50 km. This either reflects the role of polar cap convection in breaking down structures as they travel from the dayside ionosphere to the nightside, or the role of photoionization "smoothing" the dayside ionosphere. Additionally, during periods of enhanced geomagnetic conditions, such as periods with low AL indices, the spectral power shifts to structures 50 km and larger. This presentation will discuss these findings, as well as show seasonal variations.

}, author = {Lindsay V. Goodwin and Gareth W. Perry} } @conference {609, title = {The Radio JOVE Project 2.0}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2022}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Radio JOVE is a well-known public outreach, education, and citizen science project using radio astronomy and a hands-on radio telescope for science inquiry and education. Radio JOVE 2.0 is a new direction using radio spectrographs to provide a path for radio enthusiasts to grow into citizen scientists capable of operating their own radio observatory and providing science-quality data to an archive. Citizen scientists will have opportunities for presenting and publishing scientific papers. Radio JOVE 2.0 uses more capable software defined radios (SDRs) and spectrograph recording software as a low-cost ($300) radio spectrograph that can address more science questions related to heliophysics, planetary and space weather science, and radio wave propagation. Our goals are: (1) Increase participant access and expand an existing radio spectrograph network, (2) Test and develop radio spectrograph hardware and software, (3) Upgrade the science capability of the data archive, and (4) Develop training modules to help a hobbyist become a citizen scientist. We will overview Radio JOVE 2.0 and give a short demonstration of the new radio spectrograph using the SDRplay RSP1A receiver with a dipole antenna and the associated Radio-Sky Spectrograph (RSS) software.

}, author = {C. Higgins and S. Fung and L. Garcia and J. Thieman and J. Sky and D. Typinski and R. Flagg and J. Brown and F. Reyes and J. Gass and L. Dodd and T. Ashcraft and W. Greenman and S. Blair} } @proceedings {641, title = {Ray Tracing in Python Utilizing the PHaRLAP Engine}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Provision of High-Frequency Raytracing Laboratory for Propagation (PHaRLAP) is an ionospheric ray tracing library developed by the Australian Department of Defence (DOD). PHaRLAP is freely available as a MATLAB toolbox downloadable from an Australian DOD website. PHaRLAP is capable of numerically ray tracing radio propagation paths using 2D and 3D algorithms through model ionospheres, most typically the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). In an effort to make PHaRLAP available to a wider user community we are porting the PHaRLAP MATLAB toolbox to the open source Python 3 language while retaining the original core PHaRLAP computational engine. In this presentation, we describe the architecture of the new Python 3 PHaRLAP interface and demonstrate examples of 2D ray traces using the new interface.

}, author = {Alexander Calderon and William Liles and Nathaniel Frissell and Joshua Vega} } @proceedings {617, title = {ScintPi: Scintillation and Total Electron Content (TEC) Monitors for Distributed Observations, Education and Citizen Science Initiatives}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

We devoted efforts towards the development of low-cost ionospheric sensors that, in addition to science, could benefit educational and citizen science efforts. The result of that is ScintPi, a series of GNSS-based monitors that can be used to measure ionospheric perturbations and their effect on transionospheric radio signals. More specifically, the latest version of ScintPi (3.0) can measure the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) along the path of the GNSS signals and the occurrence of amplitude scintillation. In this presentation we will provide an overview of ScintPi followed by a presentation and discussion of observations made with the system. We will also discuss comparisons of our measurements with those made by commercial TEC/scintillation monitors. Finally, we will present an opportunity for those interested in ionospheric science and radio to contribute with distributed observations of the ionosphere over the US using ScintPi 3.0.

}, author = {Josemaria G. Socola and Fabiano S. Rodrigues} } @proceedings {616, title = {Short-Term Variability Associated with 20 Meter Sequential Matched WSPR Observations: A Statistical Exploratory Study}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Automated amateur radio networks such as the Reverse Beacon Network and WSPRnet record details about hundreds of millions of radio contact contacts that investigators can use to study and ultimately predict HF propagation and its relationship to solar phenomena. However, before researchers can undertake such investigations, it is crucial to understand and document the variability inherent in the measurements provided by these networks. Here, we investigated the short-term variability associated with the signal-to-noise(SNR) reports from WSPRnet. Specifically, we analyzed 2,286,311 pairs of 20 meter WSPR SNR reports observed between Jan 2017 and July 2021. Each pair consisted of two sequential WSPR observations between the same two stations, i.e., the paired observations were separated by a single WSPR time slot of two minutes.\  To describe the SNR variability, we present the SNR distributional characteristics and use Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to explore the influence of the time of day, the month of the year, and the azimuth between the stations. The models predicted the absolute SNR difference between the sequential observations. Model errors were adjusted to account for multiple observations of pairs of stations. To account for the non-gaussian data distribution, the GLMs assumed a gamma distribution with a log link. Because this study was exploratory, we included all three covariates as categorical variables rather than imposing a particular model form. The three models reported here consist of a fully specified two-way interaction between two of the three covariates, i.e., both main effects and interaction.\  \ Computing resource limitations limited the complexity of the models investigated. Based upon the predicted model averages, two sequential WSPR reports typically vary by 6 dB. Deviations from this average are apparent by month, hour, and azimuth between the reporting stations, and we show those graphically. Future research should increase the complexity of the models to incorporate other covariates, e.g., distance or latitude, ultimately tying these data to solar and atmospheric phenomena.

}, author = {Robert B. Gerzoff and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {600, title = {SMART -- Expanding Array of Low Cost Magnetometers}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The SMART (Surface Magnetic Assessment in Real Time) Network is a collection of 14 UCLA ground magnetometer systems across the US. Our main objective is to investigate outstanding questions in both travel-time and normal-mode magnetoseismologies. These detectors are very effective but expensive to build and maintain.\  SMART is a project to spread sensors to schools and perhaps private individuals. Broader impacts include training students in magnetic field measurements and geospace science. This provides outreach activities to schools hosting SMART systems and will provide SMART magnetometer data collected in the contiguous US to the public. 2020/2021 was time to investigate various solid state and coil systems to find detectors robust, simple, quiet and precise enough to give us reasonable measurements. Solid state and coil systems were built and compared. Finally, two systems met our requirements: RM3100 and FLC-100 coil sensors. Buried in the ground (away from temperature changes and movement) the two sensor systems compare favorably to the Falcon Search Coil system used here for the past 11 years. We will show comparative data in quiet and active times.\  We also discuss the various sensitivities of these sensors to electronic and temperature\  changes. We present a simple Raspberry Pi system that samples each of these detectors and uploads the data to google and adafuit.com clouds. We present details on construction and wiring of the system. Especially important is how to insulate and bury sensors to they see real magnet changes. Also presented will be estimated costs and availability of components. Our goal is to provide a simple and low-cost system for local measurement of the geomagnetic field.\  Additionally, the SMART team has restored many of the original UCLA sensors to operation and begun collection of data. As others build similar systems, we hope to bring many sensors into our array.

}, author = {Noel Petit and Peter Chi} } @proceedings {598, title = {Systematic Correlation of Local Diurnal Daylight Variations with Local MUF}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

It is well understood that MUF follows the degree of daylight in a general sense, but there has been little study on the correlation between local diurnal daylight conditions and local MUF.\  It is believed that encouraging this sort of study in a large number of locations will aid in the predictability of HF radio propagation.\  Interior Alaska, because of its high latitude, has a large variation in diurnal light between summer and winter, and is an ideal location for doing this study.\  For many months, we have been collecting diurnal light intensity from a northern facing photoresistor, giving us many data points that we can correlate with local ionosonde MUF data.

}, author = {Eric P. Nichols} } @proceedings {629, title = {TangerineSDR Architecture and Hardware Update}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

We will explain the Tangerine ecosystem and how it stacks up against other radio systems. Learn about the Clock Module (CKM), RF Module (RFM), Data Engine (DE), Magnetometer Module, VLF Receiver Module and the two newest modules, the DE Adapter and the CKM Carrier. The modular and useful approach of the TangerineSDR will allow users to build many different radio configurations at many price-points. The hardware status will be presented in light of the current supply-chain shortages.

}, author = {Scott H. Cowling} } @proceedings {625, title = {Three Time-of-Flight Measurement Projects on a Common Hardware Platform}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Three undergraduate electrical engineering project groups at Case Western Reserve University are investigating distributed ionospheric sounding through time-of-flight measurements.\  All use GPS pulse-per-second signals for precise timing of received signals.\  Two use as their "radar signals of opportunity" LF, MF, and HF beacons from the US Department of Commerce National Institute of Science and Technology installations north of Fort Collins, Colorado and near Kekaha, Hawaii (radio stations WWVB, WWV, and WWVH).\  The third project modernizes the on-off telegraphy variant known as "coherent CW" (CCW). CCW uses amateur radio QSO or beacon transmissions as the measured signals.\  It facilitates Technician-licensee participation in active HF research and in keyboard-to-keyboard digital contacts, within FCC regulations.\  Using computed matched-filter techniques along the lines of FT8, CCW has a nearly optimal information-theoretic data recovery.\  With transmission or lookup of station locations, it can provide automated time of flight measurements while making a contact.\  The three projects use a common hardware platform for receiver or transceiver interfacing, involving synchronized analog data collection and front-end data processing with the Teensy variant of the Arduino platform.\  Teensy was chosen primarily for its sampling and computing speed. WWVB{\textquoteright}s signal can be sampled directly with the Teensy front-end and some data processing can done between sample acquisitions through timer interrupt programming.\  WWV/H second ticks delay measurements use inexpensive shortwave radio audio outputs, sampled and processed by the Teensy.\  The CCW sampling and matched filtering, plus synchronized Morse keying, are similarly done by the Teensy. Data presentation, user interface, and data uploading to repositories are done by minimal general purpose computers such as Raspberry Pi boards.\  We will present the common hardware and interrupt strategies along with a brief overview of the three projects.\  Comments and suggestions will be solicited, and of course participation in the projects is invited.\  The three projects are supported by a generous grant to the Case Amateur Radio Club W8EDU from ARDC.\  CARC is providing oversight of the projects and the projects use the club station as a laboratory facility.

}, author = {David Kazdan and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins and Maxwell Bauer and Evan Bender and Ryan Marks and Michael O{\textquoteright}Brien and Olivia O{\textquoteright}Brien and Gabriel Foss and Mari Pugliese and Alejandra Ramos and Carolina Whitaker} } @proceedings {620, title = {On the Use of High Frequency Surface Wave Oceanographic Research Radars as Bistatic Single Frequency Oblique Ionospheric Sounders}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

We present an investigation demonstrating that passively collected high frequency coastal oceanographic radars, with suitable waveform characteristics, can be used as single frequency oblique ionospheric sounders. To our knowledge, this is one of the first demonstrations of dual purpose use of these HF coastal radars, in addition to their primary role as ocean current monitors.\ We present a technique for extracting the virtual height using the E-region as a time calibration; this technique is agnostic of the software defined radio used.\ The application of this investigation may be useful for expanding spatial coverage for traveling ionospheric disturbance studies, day-to-day variability studies, or within data-assimilation routines.\ Additionally, HF coastal radars may be used by the scientific community or radio amateur as an another suitable RF source. We performed an experiment in which we collected 10 days of data in March 2016 from a site in Maryland, USA (MSR) and 21 days of data collected in October 2020 from a site near Clemson, South Carolina, USA (CARL). For both experiments, we used a similar hardware setup utilizing an Ettus USRP N210 software defined radio, including the GPSDO unit.\ We performed radar signal processing to obtain the group delay time from the passively received signal of Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODARs).\ Our observations for both intervals focused on one frequency band at 4.53718 MHz which included three CODAR transmitters located on the Coast of North Carolina and Virigina with callsigns: DUCK, CORE, and LISL. The digisonde located at Wallops Island, VA (WP937) was used as the diagnostic to compare and validate with the observations collected from oblique CODAR-MSR(CARL) paths.

}, author = {Stephen R. Kaeppler and Ethan Miller} } @proceedings {604, title = {Using the ARISS radio systems on ISS for HamSCI}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program has developed an amateur radio facility on-board the International Space Station (ISS), including radios and antennas, that can support observations and communications in the HF, VHF, UHF, L and S bands. These capabilities, on their own or augmented with additional equipment, can enable a myriad of HamSCI space weather and radio propagation observations, including during the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse campaign.\  The ISS is in a unique HamSCI and Space Weather location:\  about 420 km above the Earth.\  Thus, ISS orbits within the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere.\  Notably, ARISS is also working with space agencies to also fly radio systems around and on the Moon.\  ARISS is interested in partnering with the HamSCI community on various experiments using our ISS on-board hardware systems and future Lunar systems to be developed.\  For ISS, science experiments can either employ the already on-board ARISS hardware or they may include spaceflight certified additions to our on-board facility to support HamSCI investigations.\  For science on Lunar missions, ARISS is interested in working with HamSCI to develop ideas and potential small hardware augmentations that can result in science investigations.\  ARISS has a long history of on-orbit experimentation and student engagement.\  We feel this partnership would be significantly beneficial for both HamSCI and ARISS.\  During our presentation, we will outline our on-orbit capabilities on ISS and planned capabilities for Lunar and discuss science ideas for mutual collaboration.\  It is anticipated that a lively question and answer session will follow.

}, author = {Frank H. Bauer and Randy Berger} } @proceedings {618, title = {Viability of Nowcasting Solar Flare-Driven Radio-Blackouts Using SuperDARN HF Radars}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The first space weather impact of a solar flare is radio blackout across the dayside of the Earth. At a delay of just 8 minutes, the arrival of enhanced X-ray and EUV radiation leads to a dramatic increase in ionization density in the lower ionosphere. Operation of HF systems are often completely suppressed due to anomalous absorption, while many RF systems suffer some degradation. While the onset of blackout is very rapid (1-minute), the recovery takes tens of minutes to hours. Furthermore, severe solar flares can disrupt emergency HF communications that support humanitarian aid services, including amateur radio and satellite communication systems. Our current monitoring capability is based on modeling the ionospheric impacts based on GOES satellite observations of solar fluxes. We present a technique to characterize radio blackout following solar flares using HF radar. The future extension of this work is to develop an now-casting system to identify and monitor radio blackouts using HF radars currently deployed to support space science research. Networks of such radars operate continuously in the northern and southern hemisphere as part of the SuperDARN collaboration. Recent studies have shown that radio blackout (also known as shortwave fadeout) is easily detected and characterized using radar observations. We will combine real-time observations from the North American suite of SuperDARN radars to specify the occurrence of radio blackouts in near real-time.

}, author = {Shibaji Chakraborty and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {626, title = {VLF LEAF Module for the Tangerine SDR HamSCI Workshop 2022 Progress Update}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Development of the VLF LEAF Module continues despite the global electronic component shortage. Since the Tangerine SDR cannot be built currently due to long lead times of the Intel Max 10 FPGA, the Max 10 FPGA development board was repurposed for Tangerine SDR Development. An adapter board was designed that allows the Clock Module and RF Module to be interfaced to the Max 10 development board for Verilog development of the Tangerine SDR. Since the LEAF module is too large for the adapter board, the adapter board will include a connector to interface the TI TLV320ADC6140 Evaluation (DUT) board. The DUT board includes the TLV320ADC6140 and all supporting circuitry to spearhead Verilog development of the VLF LEAF module. The FPGA will add GPS timestamping to the recorded samples and reformat the stream to be compatible with vlfrx-tools, an open source signal processing tool set with many applications, including VLF/ULF signal processing.\ 

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @article {663, title = {Why Summer 40 m Propagation Is So Good Between Japan and the US Pacific Coast}, number = {334}, year = {2022}, month = {09/2022}, pages = {14-18}, url = {http://www.arrl.org/qex}, author = {H. Larry Serra} } @proceedings {651, title = {WWV/H Scientific Modulation Working Group: Designing for Citizen Science}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Time standard stations WWV and WWVH have served the National Institute of Standards and Technology{\textquoteright}s time dissemination needs for the past century. Because of the stations{\textquoteright} dependability and the precision of their frequency control, their carriers have served as a measurement signal in ionospheric sensing work for over half that time. Until now, however, the possibilities for additional science-driven modulations have not been fully explored. Here, we report a characterization signal which is currently being broadcast at 8 minutes past the hour on WWV and (44) minutes past the hour on WWVH from 15 November, its design process, and initial measurements made of that signal. (www.hamsci.org/wwv). This signal serves dual purpose: to characterize the stations{\textquoteright} transmitters and to prototype waveforms that can be incorporated into the existing broadcast schedule for citizen science measurements in the future. We discuss opportunities for this signal as a citizen science tool and introduce a planned campaign of measurements April 30-May 1 2022 (www.hamsci.org/sunrisefest).\ 

}, author = {Kristina V. Collins} } @conference {586, title = {Amateur Radio Communications as a Novel Sensor of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (Invited)}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

Amateur (ham) radio high frequency (HF) communications are routinely observed by automated receiving systems on a quasi-global scale. As these signals are modulated by the ionosphere, it is possible to use these observations to remotely sense ionospheric dynamics and the coupled geospace environment. In this presentation, we demonstrate the use of these data to observe Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs), which are quasi-periodic variations in F region electron density with horizontal wavelengths \> 1000 km and periods between 30 to 180 min. On 3 November 2017, LSTID signatures were detected simultaneously over the continental United States in observations made by global HF amateur radio observing networks and the Blackstone (BKS) SuperDARN radar. The amateur radio LSTIDs were observed on the 7 and 14 MHz amateur radio bands as changes in average propagation path length with time, while the LSTIDs were observed by SuperDARN as oscillations of average scatter range. LSTID period lengthened from T ~ 1.5 hr at 12 UT to T ~ 2.25 hr by 21 UT. The amateur radio and BKS SuperDARN radar observations corresponded with Global Navigation Satellite System differential Total Electron Content (GNSS dTEC) measurements. dTEC was used to estimate LSTID parameters: horizontal wavelength 1136 km, phase velocity 1280 km/hr, period 53 min, and propagation azimuth 167{\textdegree}. The LSTID signatures were observed throughout the day following ~400 to 800 nT surges in the Auroral Electrojet (AE) index. As a contrast, 16 May 2017 was identified as a period with significant amateur radio coverage but no LSTID signatures in spite of similar geomagnetic conditions and AE activity as the 3 November event. We hypothesize that atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) sources triggered by auroral electrojet intensifications and associated Joule heating are the source of the LSTIDs, and discuss possible reasons why LSTIDs were observed in November but not May.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/822746}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego F. and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Steven R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @conference {538, title = {Antarctic SuperDARN Observations of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations of the F-region ionosphere with periods of 15 to 60 minutes and horizontal wavelengths of a few hundred kilometers. MSTIDs are typically associated with atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs). Statistical studies of MSTIDs using Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars in the Northern Hemisphere have shown strong correlation with Polar Vortex activity, while a study of MSTIDs using the Antarctic Falkland Islands SuperDARN radar showed populations of MSTIDs with signatures suggestive of both solar wind-magnetosphere coupling sources and lower neutral atmospheric winds sources. The sources of the MSTIDs are still not well understood, and there are limited studies of MSTIDs using SuperDARN radars in the Southern Hemisphere. We present initial results of MSTID observations of using Antarctic SuperDARN radars, including the radar at McMurdo Station.

}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joseph B. H. Baker and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and William Bristow} } @proceedings {475, title = {Beacon Programme to study inland Tropo in South Africa}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

On the West Coast of South Africa contacts via Tropospheric ducting with St Helena Island occur regularly and are generally well predicted on the Hepburn charts. While some sporadic tropospheric conditions inland have resulted in long distance two metre contacts they mostly occurred by accident, someone just happens to be on the air. A few years ago, the South African Radio League (SARL) embarked on a beacon programme with the aim to study Tropospheric and other propagation modes on VHF. It was planned to link the beacon programme with a reverse beacon monitoring system. It turned out that\ CW beacons are not particularly useful as the reverse beacon monitoring system requires a fairly strong signal to identify the beacon signal. This defeated the objective of the study.\ The SARL has now opted for a next generation beacon system of which the first one will go on the air during March 2021. AMSAT SA is partnering with the SARL and has launched a crowd funding initiative to generate more funding to accelerate the process and erect more beacons and expedite a reverse beacon network. The paper will introduce the objectives of the programme, the challenges of being at the southern point of Africa, details of the next generation beacon system and the development of a reverse beacon monitoring system.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=74-34-37-9E-AA-7E-F5-CF-CF-FD-00-3F-96-71-A9-0E}, author = {Hans van de Groenendaal and Brian Jacobs} } @proceedings {508, title = {Characterization of Sporadic E Propagation in WSPRNet Spot Records}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

WSPRNet is a centralized database that collects spot records from amateur radio stations operating weak digital modes. Each of the spot records provides SNR, transmitting power, and geographic information, which can be used to estimate transmission paths. While WSPRNet has primarily used to study propagation paths for HF bands, putative sporadic E propagations at VHF bands have been reported. This on-going exploratory analysis aims to characterize possible Sporadic E Propagations captured in WSPRNet records and possible correlations with solar and other weather conditions. Preliminary results confirms a lack of correlation between sporadic E propagation and F10.7 indices. The geographic distribution pattern of putative sporadic E propagation and its relationship with other space weather indices will be discussed.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=56-9E-0F-03-A5-9D-C6-20-FA-F9-00-80-42-84-4B-EA}, author = {Jeannette Zhou} } @proceedings {575, title = {Climatology of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by HamSCI Amateur Radio with Connections to Geospace and Neutral Atmospheric Sources}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=23773}, author = {Sanchez, Diego F. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Perry, Gareth W. and Engelke, William D. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H. and Harvey, Lynn and Luetzelschwab, R. Carl} } @conference {582, title = {Climatology of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by HamSCI Amateur Radio with Connections to Geospace and Neutral Atmospheric Sources}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are propagating variations in ionospheric electron densities that affect radio communications and can help with understanding energy transport throughout the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-neutral atmosphere system. Large scale TIDs (LSTIDs) have periods T ≈30-180 min, horizontal phase velocities vH≈ 100- 250 m/s, and horizontal wavelengths H\>1000 km and are believed to be generated either by geomagnetic activity or lower atmospheric sources. TIDs create concavities in the ionospheric electron density profile that move horizontally with the TID and cause skip-distance focusing effects for high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio signals propagating through the ionosphere. The signature of this phenomena is manifest as quasi-periodic variations in contact ranges in HF amateur radio communication reports recorded by automated monitoring systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). In this study, members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) present a climatology of LSTID activity using RBN and WSPRNet observations on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur radio bands from 2017. Results will be organized as a function observation frequency, longitudinal sector (North America and Europe), season, and geomagnetic activity level. Connections to geospace are explored via SYM-H and Auroral Electrojet indexes, while neutral atmospheric sources are explored using NASA{\textquoteright}s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 (MERRA-2).

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/1000724}, author = {Sanchez, Diego F. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Perry, Gareth and Harvey, Lynn and Engelke, William D. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @proceedings {579, title = {Coherent CW: A Technician{\textquoteright}s HF Digital Mode}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=5168}, author = {Kazdan, David and Montare Aidan} } @conference {541, title = {Collective Science: Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Atmosphere Coupling and the Building of an Amateur Radio Citizen Science Community (Invited Early Career Highlight)}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {569, title = {Construction and operation of a HamSCI Grape version 1 Personal Space Weather Station: A citizen scientist{\textquoteright}s perspective}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=12718}, author = {Benedict, Robert and Waugh, David A.} } @conference {581, title = {Construction and Operation of a HamSCI Grape Version 1 Personal Space Weather Station: A Citizen Scientist{\textquoteright}s Perspective}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

Measurement of Doppler shifts of high frequency (HF) radio signals emitted by precision frequency transmitters is a well-established technique for the detection of traveling ionospheric disturbances and other perturbations in the bottomside ionosphere. Because Doppler measurements require minimal instrumentation, this technique naturally lends itself to crowdsourced data collection, and purpose-built instrumentation platforms are desirable in order to maximize consistency and repeatability. However, even the best system only has value if it is used, and a robust and engaged community of citizen scientists is vital to sustaining instrumentation platforms. The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) has developed a prototype, low-cost system for making HF Doppler shift measurements of signals from standards stations such as WWV (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) and CHU (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). This system, known as the Personal Space Weather Station Grape Version 1, consists of a low intermediate frequency (IF) mixer board, GPS disciplined oscillator, and Raspberry Pi. In collaboration with funded project scientists and engineers, volunteer HamSCI community members developed instructions for building and operating a Grape Version 1 on the HamSCI website. In this presentation, we explain the process for constructing a Grape Version 1 and discuss the experiences of volunteers who have built and are now operating this system. We also discuss preliminary data from these stations, which show dramatic Doppler shifts during sunrise and sunset and during solar events. Concurrent data from multiple proximal stations show shared features and can be used for validation. These stations constitute the first iteration of the Personal Space Weather Station network.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/845691}, author = {Hobart, Joseph R. and Farmer, James O. and Mikitin, Gary and Waugh, David and Benedict, Robert and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V, and Kazdan, David and Gibbons, John and Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {504, title = {Data Collection from WWV, WWVH, and WWVB: A Histoanatomy of NIST{\textquoteright}s Radio Beacon Transmissions}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, abstract = {

Beacon radio stations WWV, WWVH, and WWVB are maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for frequency and time of day distribution.\  Their accuracy and power level are adequate to make the stations suitable for use as passive beacons in ionospheric sounding.\  The signals{\textquoteright} carriers are useful in measurements, and each of the modulation components has its own separate utility, as well. This poster describes several approaches to determining total path length rate of change from the stations to distant receivers through measurements of various signal parts. Tradeoffs for the several approaches in signal strength to noise ratio, ability to distinguish signals from multiple time standard stations, and other factors are discussed.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=65-9B-EB-D7-81-ED-65-2D-38-C6-5F-CB-F3-ED-B2-B0}, author = {David Kazdan and Kristina V. Collins} } @proceedings {477, title = {December 2020 Eclipse Festival Analysis}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

A crowdsourced science experiment called the December 2020 Eclipse Festival of Frequency Measurement was carried out for the total solar eclipse across South America on December 14, 2020. Over 80 stations around the world recorded WAV files of 10 MHz time standard stations. We have undertaken to process and visualize this data, and identify geophysical features within it. This poster will summarize our work to date.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=24-20-1F-16-09-FF-74-70-E0-78-1D-88-6D-21-D5-3F}, author = {Kristina Collins and David Casente and Joanna Elia and Marius Mereckis and David Meshnick} } @conference {557, title = {Early Results from the Ionospheric Sounding Mode Using Chirp Ionosondes of Opportunity for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {2021 XXXIVth General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI GASS)}, year = {2021}, abstract = {

The objective of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project is to develop a distributed array of ground-based multi-instrument nodes capable of remote sensing the geospace system. This system is being designed with the intention of distribution to a large number of amateur radio and citizen science observers. This will create an unprecedented opportunity to probe the ionosphere at finer resolution in both time and space as all measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis. Individual nodes are being designed to service the needs of the professional space science researcher while being cost-accessible and of interest to amateur radio operators and citizen scientists. At the heart of the HamSCI PSWS will be a high performance 0.1{\textendash}60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) [1] with GNSS-based precision timestamping and frequency reference. This SDR is known as the TangerineSDR and is being developed by the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) amateur radio organization. The primary objective of PSWS system is to gather observations to understand the short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variabilities in the ionosphere-thermosphere system. These variabilities are important for understanding a variety of geophysical phenomena such as Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) [2], Ionospheric absorption events, geomagnetic storms and substorms. We present early results suggesting signature of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) from an ionospheric sounding mode that we intend to implement on the PSWS system, currently implemented on an Ettus N200 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) using the open source GNU Chirpsounder data collection and analysis code.

}, doi = {10.23919/URSIGASS51995.2021.9560441}, author = {Joshi, Dev and Frissell, Nathaniel and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha and Miller, Ethan S.} } @proceedings {564, title = {An Easily Constructed High Resolution 3 Axis Magnetometer for Backyard Citizen Science}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=5631}, author = {Madey, Julius} } @conference {584, title = {An Easily Constructed High Resolution 3 Axis Magnetometer for Backyard Citizen Science}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, abstract = {

An answer to the need of the Hamsci Personal Space Weather Station Project for a low cost easily deployed 3 Axis magnetometer for earth surface geomagnetic field measurements based on the PNI RM3100 magneto-inductive magnetometer module for $31 in single quantities, compatible with Raspberry Pi class Single Board Computer data interfaces. Development of an inexpensive housing using off the shelf (OTF) components and a simple temperature stabilization technique and recommended interface will be discussed. Magnetometer system data will be compared with an appropriate Intermagnet site demonstrating the ability of this low cost instrument to achieve near 5nT resolution and noise, opening the potential for a diverse network of Citizen Scientist sites contributing data to better understand Earth{\textquoteright}s geomagnetic field.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/997017}, author = {Madey, Julius and Witten, David and Kim, Hyomin and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {479, title = {e-POP RRI observations of the April 24, 2020 ARRL Frequency Measuring Test}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

One of the science objectives of the Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) on the CAScade, Smallsat, and Ionospheric Polar Explorer/enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (CASSIOPE/e-POP) satellite is to study ionospheric influences on high frequency (HF) radio wave from low Earth orbit. RRI is made-up of 4, 3-m monopoles which can be electronically arranged into a crossed-dipole configuration.\  On April 24, 2020, RRI tuned to measure the ARRL frequency measuring test (FMT) on 40 m, and successfully recorded part of the {\textquotedblleft}call up{\textquotedblright} and all of the {\textquotedblleft}key down{\textquotedblright} segments of the test.\  The FMT provides a unique chance to study the effects of the ionospheric plasma on stable and reliable radio signals at frequencies that are close to the ionosphere{\textquoteright}s critical frequency, a frequency regime in which the influence of the ionospheric plasma on radio wave propagation conditions is most pronounced.\  In this presentation, we give preliminary results of our analysis of RRI{\textquoteright}s FMT measurements which include an examination of the FMT{\textquoteright}s Doppler characteristics, and the identification tell-tale signatures of ionospheric effects on the transmitted signal such as Faraday rotation and propagation mode delay.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=34-2B-1B-32-C8-FC-4A-0B-5B-51-B9-1D-10-4E-F2-7F}, author = {Brian O{\textquoteright}Donnell and Gareth Perry} } @proceedings {459, title = {Estimation of Ionospheric Layer Height Changes From Doppler Frequency and Time of Flight Measurements on HF Skywave Signals}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The HamSCI community has been studying apparent frequency shifts in the reception of HF skywave signals from radio station WWV in Ft. Collins, CO. WWV is a standard time and frequency station with atomic clock accuracy. If the receiving station uses a GPS Disciplined Oscillator (GPSDO) for a frequency reference, the atomic clock accuracy on both ends guarantees any observed frequency shifts are attributable only to propagation effects through the ionosphere. Causes for frequency shifts in the received signal are recognized as complex and varied. A leading candidate is Doppler shift resulting from dynamic changes in refraction layer height. These, in turn, are caused by the diurnal transitions between night and day, passage of an eclipse shadow, and ionospheric disturbances originating from solar flares or X-ray events. For the case of changing refraction layer height, an analysis of Doppler frequency and Time of Flight (TOF) data can estimate the changes in skywave path length between the transmitter and receiver.\  This data can be used in conjunction with an assumed geometric model and propagation mode to infer the corresponding height profile over time. This paper postulates one possible mechanism for observed frequency swings and presents supporting experimental evidence. Comparisons between the calculated\  height profile derived from Doppler data and data from ray trace programs and ionosonde measurements are given.

}, author = {Steven Cerwin and Kristina V. Collins and Dev Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {572, title = {Experimental and Computational Methods to Analyze Complex Doppler Behavior of Ionospherically Induced Doppler Shifts on HF Signals (Proceedings)}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=18161}, author = {Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @conference {583, title = {Experimental and Computational Methods to Analyze Complex Doppler Behavior of Ionospherically Induced Doppler Shifts on HF Signals}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

The HamSCI community has been studying apparent frequency shifts in the reception of HF skywave signals from radio station WWV in Ft. Collins, CO. Causes for frequency shifts in the received signal are recognized as complex and varied. Leading candidates are Doppler shifts resulting from dynamic changes in refraction layer height and the behavior of modes at incidence angles at the cusp between escape into space and refraction back to earth. Observations have shown the most radical frequency disturbances occur during the diurnal transitions between night and day, with the morning transitions exhibiting more radical behavior than evening. Other changes in solar radiation such as passage of an eclipse shadow or solar flares produce similar results. In all cases the frequency swings were found to follow the rate of change of propagation path length. Specific behaviors studied include mode splitting, where the Doppler shift diverges into multiple overtone-related tracks, modes that abruptly manifest and disappear during the transition, and asymptotic behavior where Doppler tracks exhibit a rapid frequency change followed by extinction. A morning transition spectrogram showing some of these characteristics is shown in the accompanying figure. This paper describes experiments and analytical procedures devised to better understand these phenomena. They include Time-of-Flight measurements reconciled with a geometric model of the ionosphere to infer propagation modes, use of the geometric model to calculate layer height changes from measured Doppler shifts, and comparison of specific features between spectrogram and ionosonde data sets. Data from two morning transitions and the 2017 total eclipse are given. Plausible explanations for several aspects of observed frequency swings are postulated.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/849071}, author = {Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {486, title = {Gallifray: A VLBI Geometric Modelling and Parameter Estimation Framework for Black hole images using Bayesian Techniques}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Recent observations from the EHT of the centre of the M87 galaxy has opened up a whole new era for testing general relativity using BH (Black hole) images generated from VLBI. While different theories have their version of BH solutions, there are some {\textquoteleft}geometric models{\textquoteright} as well which can be approximated to visualise the image of a BH in addition to understand the geometric properties of the radio source such that ring size, width, etc. To incorporate and implement such framework, different methods and techniques are needed to be explored for doing such model comparison. We present {\textquoteleft}Gallifray{\textquoteright} [1], an open-source Python based framework for geometric modelling and estimation/extraction of parameters. We employ Bayesian techniques for the analysis and extraction of parameters. In my presentation, I will talk about the workflow, preliminary results obtained and applications of the library for image/model comparison. I will also talk about the scope of the library in testing Black hole images for any possible deviation from Kerr spacetime.
References:
[1] https://github.com/Relativist1/Gallifray/

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=10-AF-51-02-D7-02-36-CE-C0-BE-73-67-83-DB-7E-DE}, author = {Saurabh and Sourabh Nampalliwar} } @proceedings {492, title = {"Geocaching" in the Ionosphere}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

"Geocaching"\ in the ionosphere {\textendash} The Search for MH370 by the amateur radio community Malaysian Flight MH370, a modern airliner B777, disappeared seven years ago on 2014.03.08 seemingly without a trace. Experts from various fields (i.e. Inmarsat) did not prevail til today. Maybe ham radio can contribute by using stored WSPR data from the database www.wsprnet.org. The data for that night{\textquoteright}s tragedy as well as the SAR operations exist in addition to many air accidents (AF447, MH17,...). The doomed flight happened close to the peak of solar cycle 24. In 2021 we have detected several aircraft in Antarctica such as a B787-9, two Dassault Falcon 900EX, an Iljuschin IL-76TD and a DC3C commuter airplane by conducting WSPR tests between DP0GVN as TX and ZL2005SWL as RX. Reference location data were used from Flightradar24. WSPR stations in Antartica were DP0GVN and the exploration ship Polarstern DP0POL/mm. QFA2904 flights to Anatarctica heading 180 degrees and retour were used to study backscatter effects from Perth (VK6) to Japan (JH3APN). Additional tests have been done in 2020 with repatriation flight QFA114 between JNB and PER over the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO). Other WSPR testing between ZS and KH6 and daily flights SIA478 and 479 have been conducted by monitoring WSPR data on www.wsprnet.org (secondary data) and www.kiwisdr.com (570 receivers worldwide with raw or primary data). Data have been gathered for the whole flight duration of app. 8 hours with signals from 7 MHz to 28 MHz and stations from Europe, Asia, North and South America as well as Australia and New Zealand. WSPR signals indicate the U-turn at 17:22 h UTC. Especially the "end game"\ offers a lot of data for Grayline, night and day reception, possible 28 MHz backscatter, short path (SP) as well as long path (LP) propagation. Trajectories have been studied by means of VOACAP etc. In depth cooperation between radio amateurs and science is encouraged with regard to interpretation of the received HF signals with emphasis on ionospheric behaviour and anomalies at mid-latitude (app. -30 degrees, -90 degrees) in the Southern hemisphere. WSPR data could eventually support the Inmarsat data and debris drift data by means of data fusion. They could also provide evidence if the wreckage is in the SIO or close to the Christmas Islands (VK9) as another theory based on research with hydrophones suggests.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=EA-94-A8-65-0F-B4-9E-48-AF-86-00-56-1C-28-35-64}, author = {Robert Westphal} } @article {549, title = {Ham Radio Creates a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network}, volume = {105}, year = {2021}, month = {08/2021}, pages = {55-58}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and David Kazdan and Nathaniel Frissell} } @article {513, title = {Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network}, journal = {Eos}, volume = {102}, year = {2021}, month = {Sep-02-2021}, doi = {10.1029/2021EO154389}, url = {https://eos.org/features/ham-radio-forms-a-planet-sized-space-weather-sensor-network}, author = {Collins, Kristina and Kazdan, David and Frissell, Nathaniel} } @conference {550, title = {HamSCI Campaign Co-Design (Panel Discussion)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2021}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson and Laura Brandt and Elizabeth MacDonald and Michael Black and Gareth Perry} } @proceedings {559, title = {HamSCI: Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {International Space Weather Action Team (ISWAT)}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H. and Gerzoff, Robert} } @conference {544, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather: Architecture and Applications to Radio Astronomy}, booktitle = {Annual (Summer) Eastern Conference}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, organization = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project is a citizen science initiative to develop a new modular set of ground-based instrumentation for the purpose of studying the structure and dynamics of the terrestrial ionosphere, as well as the larger, coupled geospace system. PSWS system instrumentation includes radio receivers sensitive to frequencies ranging from the very low frequency (VLF) through very high frequency (VHF) bands, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver to provide Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements and serve as a precision time and frequency reference, and a ground magnetometer sensitive to ionospheric and geospace currents. Although the PSWS is designed primarily for space weather and space science, its modular and open design in both hardware and software allows for a variety of use cases. The core radio instrument of the PSWS, the TangerineSDR, is a wideband, direct sampling 100~kHz to 60~MHz field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based software defined radio (SDR) receiver with direct applicability to radio astronomy. In this paper, we describe the PSWS and TangerineSDR architecture, show examples of how the TangerineSDR could be used to observe Jovian decametric emission, and discuss the applicability of the TangerineSDR to radio astronomy in general.

}, url = {https://rasdr.org/store/books/books/journals/proceedings-of-annual-conference}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Scott H. Cowling and Thomas C. McDermott and John Ackermann and David Typinski and William D. Engelke and David R. Larsen and David G. McGaw and Hyomin Kim and David M. Witten, II and Julius M. Madey and Kristina V. Collins and John C. Gibbons and David Kazdan and Aidan Montare and Dev Raj Joshi and Veronica I. Romanek and Cuong D. Nguyen and Stephen A. Cerwin and William Liles and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Ethan S. Miller and Juha Vierinen and Philip J. Erickson and Mary Lou West} } @conference {540, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS): Architecture and Current Status}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Recent advances in geospace remote sensing have shown that large-scale distributed networks of ground-based sensors pay large dividends by providing a big picture view of phenomena that were previously observed only by point-measurements. While existing instrument networks provide excellent insight into ionospheric and space science, the system remains undersampled and more observations are needed to advance understanding. In an effort to generate these additional measurements, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, hamsci.org) is working with the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR, tapr.org), an engineering organization comprised of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS). These instruments that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers as part of the NSF Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) program. A performance-driven PSWS design (~US$500) will be a modular, multi-instrument device that will consist of a dual-channel phase-locked 0.1-60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) receiver, a ground magnetometer with (~10 nT resolution and 1-sec cadence), and GPS/GNSS receiver to provide precision time stamping and serve as a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) to provide stability to the SDR receiver. A low-cost PSWS (\< US$100) that measures Doppler shift of HF signals received from standards stations such as WWV (US) and CHU (Canada) and includes a magnetometer is also being developed. HF sounding algorithms making use of signals of opportunity will be developed for the SDR-based PSWS. All measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis and made available for public access.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Joshi and Veronica I. Romanek and Kristina V. Collins and Aidan Montare and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Travis Atkison and Hyomin Kim and Scott H. Cowling and Thomas C. McDermott and John Ackermann and David Witten and Julius Madey and H. Ward Silver and William Liles and Steven Cerwin and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {561, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS): Fall 2021 Update}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=1990}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Collins, Kristina and Montare Aidan and Kazdan, David and Engelke, William D. and Atkison, Travis and Kim, Hyomin and Cowling, Scott H. and McDermott, Thomas C. and Ackermann, John and Witten, David and Madey, Jules and Silver, H. Ward and Liles, W. and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Erickson, Phillip J. and Miller, Ethan S, and Vierinen, Juha} } @proceedings {558, title = {HamSCI: The Ionosphere from Your Backyard}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {AMSAT-SA}, address = {South Africa (Virtual)}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {576, title = {HamSCI: Today{\textquoteright}s Community and Future Directions}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=1512}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {562, title = {Hardware System Update: Data Engine, RF Module, Clock Module, Magnetometer}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=2886}, author = {Cowling, Scott H.} } @conference {539, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in ionospheric electron density that are often associated with atmospheric gravity waves. TIDs cause amplitude and frequency variations in high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) refracted radio waves. We present observations of TIDs made with a network of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Low-Cost Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS) with nodes located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. The TIDs were detected in the Doppler shifted carrier of the received signal from the 10 MHz WWV frequency and time standard station in Fort Collins, CO. Using a lagged cross correlation analysis, we demonstrate a method for determining TID wavelength, direction, and period using the collected WWV HF Doppler shifted data.

}, author = {Veronica I. Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Joshi and William Liles and Clair Trop and Kristina Collins and Gareth Perry} } @conference {545, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {Annual (Summer) Eastern Conference}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, organization = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in ionospheric electron density that are often associated with atmospheric gravity waves. TIDs cause amplitude and frequency variations in high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) refracted radio waves. One way to detect TIDs is through the use of a Grape Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). The Grape PSWS successfully detected TIDs in the Doppler shifted carrier of the received signal from the 10 MHz WWV frequency and time standard station in Fort Collins, CO. This paper will present an explanation of how the Grape PSWS was used to collect data, and how scientist can use this data to further investigate the ionosphere.

}, url = {https://rasdr.org/store/books/books/journals/proceedings-of-annual-conference}, author = {Veronica I. Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Raj Joshi and William Liles and Claire C. Trop and Kristina V. Collins and Gareth W. Perry} } @proceedings {578, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in the WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=3495}, author = {Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Liles, William and Trop, Claire and Collins, Kristina and Perry, Gareth W.} } @conference {580, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in the WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in ionospheric electron density that are often associated with atmospheric gravity waves. TIDs cause amplitude and frequency variations in high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) refracted radio waves. We present observations of TIDs made with a network of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Low-Cost Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS) with nodes located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. The TIDs were detected in the Doppler shifted carrier of the received signal from the WWV frequency and time standard station near Fort Collins, CO. Using a lagged cross correlation analysis, we demonstrate a method for determining TID wavelength, direction, and period using the collected WWV HF Doppler shifted data.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/888443}, author = {Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Liles, William and Trop, Clair and Collins, Kristina and Perry, Gareth W.} } @proceedings {488, title = {History of Antenna Technology at the Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo Puerto Rico}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The Arecibo Observatory first opened in 1963 and has been a marvel in engineering ever since. It has been a monumental instrument for scientific research in the fields of astronomy, planetary radar, ionospheric probing and HF heating modification, and optical probing of the atmosphere. While the science and the discoveries are well known to many, the antenna technology and engineering are equally as impressive as the discoveries. The original concept, by Prof. William Gordon in the Electrical Engineering Department at Cornell University, was for a 1000 foot parabolic dish aiming only at zenith, with no tracking capability for studies of the ionosphere with the newly developed technique of incoherent scatter radar (ISR). Fortunately, knowledge of some on going research with spherical reflectors was suggested where the feed could be moved to slew the beam. The rest is history that will be the described in this talk up to the collapse. Most of the 430 MHz 96 foot line feed broke off and fell through the dish in 2017 during Hurricane Maria. Then in December 2020, the platform fell into the dish destroying large sections of the dish and the equipment in the platform.\ There is so much more to tell about the engineering at Arecibo that will be the subject of this presentation at HamSCI 2021.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=C9-8F-A9-0F-A8-29-2C-C5-63-16-4B-2E-E7-47-F7-0A}, author = {James K. Breakall} } @proceedings {499, title = {Implementation of a point-to-point ray tracer}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Most ray tracers treat the problem as a Hamiltonian optics problem given an index of refraction, i.e., the ionosphere in this case.\  However, Coleman 2011 developed a method for ray tracing that used a direct variation method.\  The advantage of this method is that the endpoints of the ray remained fixed, while in more standard ray tracer, rays are launched until a link is made between the transmitter and receiver.\  Development of this method may provide a potentially efficient method for determining the link between a transmitter receiver pair, given a model ionosphere.\  We present efforts toward implementing the methodology described by Coleman 2011.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=3A-71-3B-21-F1-51-7F-5B-44-BE-57-61-1A-79-02-6B}, author = {Scott Driggers and Steven R. Kaeppler} } @proceedings {483, title = {InFlaMo {\textendash} an European SID Monitoring Network Celebrates its First Solar Cycle}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The influence of solar X-ray radiation on terrestrial radio communication was found in the early 20ies century. But it was not understood immediately. Radio communication was a challenging topic back then, and became quickly a topic taught in science classes at school. Half a century later {\textendash} with the start of the space age - it became evident, that the study of Earth{\textquoteright}s upper atmosphere was solving this question. Solar and other cosmic radiation is responsible for the condition of the ionosphere and the cause of black-outs in long range radio communication. Today, most of the ionospheric very long frequency (VLF) radio propagation phenomena are known and presumably almost completely understood, though it stays a challenging topic listening to the ionospheric disturbances caused by our Sun. The recent development of low-cost software defined radio wave receivers (SDRs) are an ongoing process and opens many new opportunities for applications in people{\textquoteright}s daily lives and in education. Furthermore, monitoring of Earth{\textquoteright}s lower ionosphere by utilizing VLF monitors, which are based on SDR technology, it offers new indirect insights into what happens on the Sun. Therefore, one aim of this presentation is to reach out to an educator community as well as citizen scientists to make the InFlaMo (Indirect solar Flare Monitoring) project (http://www.inflamo.org) better known. For almost the entire solar cycle 24 VLF data (20 to 30 kHz) was collected and preprocessed. The scientific analysis of the VLF data is an ongoing activity. For scientific and educational use InFlaMo project data is shared with researchers, educators and citizen scientists. The other aim is to enlarge the network of ground based multichannel SDR-receivers from Europe to overseas. The European network stations have been or are presently in Germany, Finland, Russian Federation and Czech Republic. With this rather inexpensive method monitoring the state of the ionosphere and recording the appearance of solar X-ray flares can be made available for class-room usage.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=B3-60-56-B3-59-06-92-97-C6-9C-F3-8A-9B-41-D1-59}, author = {Michael Danielides and V. Skripatchev and J. Chum} } @proceedings {493, title = {Introduction of Activities at Berkeley ARC W6BB}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=19-77-7A-A0-7D-FF-C1-D6-16-E8-BE-1F-D6-F8-9E-8F}, author = {Michael Zuerch} } @proceedings {489, title = {Introduction to Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=8A-8F-52-56-C2-7C-06-F5-1B-EB-50-6C-59-49-F3-62}, author = {Cuong Nguyen} } @conference {472, title = {INVITED AMATEUR RADIO TUTORIAL: Amateur Radio Observations and The Science of Midlatitude Sporadic E}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2021}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ Amateurs may ask, {\textquotedblleft}Why do we see Sporadic E like propagation in November and December, when many of the variables like UV radiation and solar exposure are at a minimum, unlike the very active sporadic-E summer months?{\textquotedblright} How are sporadic-E transatlantic VHF communications possible between North America and Europe? In his tutorial, Joe K1YOW will explain what Sporadic E is, how amateur operators use Sporadic E to enable long-distance VHF communications, current theories of Sporadic E formation, and how we might be able to better understand Es formation by examining amateur radio propagation logs. Joe{\textquoteright}s studies of Sporadic E using amateur radio have been published both in\ QST (2017)\ and\ CQ Magazine (2020).
Bio:\ Joe Dzekevich, K1YOW, was first licensed in 1962 and currently holds an Amateur Extra Class license. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1977 with a B.S. in Industrial Technology and holds a M.B.A. from Clark University (1985). Joe is currently a retired Reliability Engineering Fellow who has worked for Bell Telephone Labs, Digital Equipment Corporation, Chipcom/3Com and Raytheon. Joe is also a senior member of the IEEE Reliability Society, where he held various offices in the local IEEE Boston Reliability Chapter and developed and taught many of the chapter{\textquoteright}s courses. He is a member of NVARC (Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club), the ARRL, and HamSCI. He has always been interested in radio propagation, starting back in 1965 where he subscribed to the CRPL (Central Radio Prediction Lab) Ionospheric Predictions, where one used monthly CRPL prediction maps to chart predicted E-Layer and F-Layer radio paths.
}, author = {Joseph Dzekevich} } @proceedings {471, title = {INVITED SCIENTIST TUTORIAL: Midlatitude Ionospheric Physics}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ The midlatitude portion of the ionosphere is located roughly between 30{\textdegree} and 60{\textdegree} magnetic latitude, where the vast majority of radio amateurs operate. The midlatitude ionosphere has historically been considered less {\textquoteleft}active{\textquoteright} than the high-latitude auroral regions or the low-latitude equatorial zone and has received less scientific attention. However, the bulk of humanity lives at these latitudes and major vulnerabilities to space weather disturbance are found there. Some will be well-known to radio amateurs operating HF communications links. Increased interest in the midlatitude ionosphere has spurred the deployment of new observational facilities such as the midlatitude component of SuperDARN and the Personal Space Weather Station. In this tutorial, Dr. Ruohoniemi will present a review of the physics of the midlatitude ionosphere, discuss recent advancements and open questions at the frontiers of research, and consider means by which the amateur radio community can contribute to advancing scientific understanding and technical capabilities.
Bio:\ Dr. J. Michael Ruohoniemi is a professor of electrical engineering at Virginia Tech and Principal Investigator of the\ Virginia Tech Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Laboratory. Dr. Ruohoniemi earned his B.S. from the University of King{\textquoteright}s College and Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia in 1981 and his Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario in 1986. After graduation he joined the team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory that developed HF radar into the SuperDARN concept to study the auroral (high-latitude) ionosphere. As a faculty member at Virginia Tech, he led a consortium of universities in building a chain of SuperDARN radars at midlatitudes across the U.S. His scientific publications now have over 9,700 citations. Today, 12 of the more than 30 radars in the SuperDARN network make continuous observations of the midlatitude ionosphere in both hemispheres, and these observations have been instrumental in advancing midlatitude ionospheric science in numerous studies.
}, author = {J. Michael Ruohoniemi} } @proceedings {573, title = {Ionospheric Science Motivations and Selected Analysis Techniques for PSWS Grape and Related Data Sets}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=20025}, author = {Erickson, Philip J.} } @proceedings {560, title = {Ionospheric Sounding with Amateur Radio Networks}, year = {2021}, address = {Boulder, CO (Virtual)}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {480, title = {IONSOUND HDX TURBO: Skywave Propagation Prediction Software For Amateur, Professional And Military Applications}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

IONSOUND HDX TURBO is a software propagation prediction program that evolved over a number of years and was primarily marketed in the 1990{\textquoteright}s by its author, W1FM, for use with IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers using DOS. It was intended to produce easy-to-interpret tabular predictions of radio frequency link performance between any two locations on the earth{\textquoteright}s surface. Menu selections within IONSOUND made it possible to compute predictions for comparison with Highest Possible Frequency (HPF), Maximum Possible Frequency (MUF) and Frequency of Optimum Transmission (FOT) predictions derived from U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) IONCAP program as found in ARRL{\textquoteright}s monthly QST Magazine "How{\textquoteright}s DX" Column. Parameters used in predictions included: Transmit and Receive location, Short or Long path, local Receiver Noise condition, Transmit and Receive Antenna/Gain, Receiver Bandwidth,\  Required Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Transmitter Power, Sunspot Number( SSN) or Solar Flux Number (SFN), Minimum Elevation Angle from the horizon, prediction frequencies, prediction months, prediction times, and prediction modes involving E and F layer propagation.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=1A-39-D4-8B-D5-41-92-1D-69-08-CD-7C-3D-30-EB-3F}, author = {Jacob Handwerker} } @proceedings {495, title = {K2MFF: Nearly a Century of Advancing the Radio Art at NJIT}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The New Jersey Institute of Technology Amateur Radio Club (NJITARC), K2MFF, has been an active part of the NJIT community for nearly a century.\  K2MFF has been a diligent community member, volunteering in such large-scale events as the New York City Marathon for over 30 years.\  Not only that, K2MFF, has been a fertile ground for developing young technical talent and advances in the radio art.\  Indeed, K2MFF has been a supporter and contributor to the HamSCI effort since its inception.\  In this presentation, we will offer a brief history of K2MFF, and discuss the current status and activities of the club.\  We will also offer some prognosis of the club{\textquoteright}s future directions.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=6A-73-A8-1F-B3-F9-DE-00-42-92-9A-F7-6B-59-C4-ED}, author = {Gareth W. Perry and F. Chu and Peter Teklinski} } @proceedings {470, title = {KEYNOTE ADDRESS: The History of Radio}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ This talk will explore developments in the history, science, technology, and licensing of radio amateur communities from the early 1900s through to the present day, exploring how individuals and communities contributed to {\textquotedblleft}citizen science{\textquotedblright} long before the term entered popular usage in the 1990s. I will also explore how these community-led developments can inspire the next generation{\textquoteright}s interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), citizen science, and amateur radio.
Bio:\ Dr Elizabeth Bruton is Curator of Technology and Engineering at the Science Museum, London, specializing in the history of communications. Prominent aspects of this role include curator of\ {\textquotedblleft}Top Secret: From ciphers to cyber security{\textquotedblright}\ exhibition, which explored over a century{\textquoteright}s worth of communications intelligence through hand-written documents, declassified files and previously unseen artefacts from the Science Museum Group{\textquoteright}s and GCHQ{\textquoteright}s historic collections, and serving as co-Investigator on the\ {\textquotedblleft}Electrifying Women: Understanding the Long History of Women in Engineering{\textquotedblright}, a nine-month Arts \& Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project with Professor Graeme Gooday at the University of Leeds. Dr Bruton holds three degrees: a BAI in Computer Engineering from Trinity College, Dublin (2004); an MSc in history of science from the University of Oxford (2005) with a dissertation on {\textquotedblleft}Marconi Wireless Telegraphy in the British Army during World War One{\textquotedblright}; and an AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award PhD with BT Archives and IET Archives at the University of Leeds on {\textquotedblleft}Beyond Marconi: the roles of the Admiralty, the Post Office, and the Institution of Electrical Engineers in the invention and development of wireless communication up to 1908{\textquotedblright} (2013). Last and definitely not least, Dr Bruton has been non-licensed member of Oxford \& District Amateur Radio Society since 2014 and their web manager since 2015.
}, author = {Elizabeth Bruton} } @proceedings {467, title = {Long delayed radio echoes - The illusive secret of the ionosphere}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The first radio echoes with long delays were reported in 1927 by J{\o}rgen Hals in Oslo, Norway on 9.54 MHz signals from the Netherlands. His first report exists at the National Library in Oslo and was later reported in Nature [St{\o}rmer, 1928]. Controlled experiments where delays ranged from 3 to 30 seconds confirmed the phenomenon and convinced most skeptics that the phenomenon was real [van der Pol, 1928]. About 15 different hypotheses have been presented over time for their cause [Shlionskiy 1985]. The five most likely ones will be presented here. They involve phenomena with long-distance travel such as around the world many times or reflection from plasma clouds. Another scenario is where the speed of propagation is substantially slower than normal as if there is mode conversion to mechanical waves in the ionosphere with or without nonlinearity [Vidmar, Crawford 1985]. The only one of the five which is understood well is when a signal is ducted in the magnetosphere and reflected from the opposite hemisphere. It may occur for frequencies up to 4 MHz and will give delays of up to 0.5 seconds. The further north, the longer the delay. Therefore, such medium delay echoes may sometimes be confused with round-the-world echoes of 138 ms, which however seldom occur at such low frequencies. There are examples of such echoes from Tasmania and St. Petersburg in the scientific literature. Amateur operator reports from New York, Georgia, California, Newfoundland, Denmark, and the UK [Martinez, 2007] from the last decades will be presented and analyzed and audio from some of them will be demonstrated. The delay is predictable from geomagnetic latitude using a simplified dipole model for the geomagnetic field line [Holm 2009]. The effect occurs during the dark hours and is most likely during winter months of years of low solar activity. A good report of such a phenomenon should involve a digital recording of audio using CW and not SSB signals. Delay measurement with amateur radio equipment is a challenge and needs to compensate for the usual delay between the onsets of the transmitter and sidetone signals.

}, author = {Sverre Holm} } @proceedings {571, title = {Low Cost Personal Space Weather Station Quad Receiver Front End Design}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=16330}, author = {Gibbons, John} } @proceedings {565, title = {Magnetometer Alignment Techniques Using LocalHost}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=8248}, author = {Engelke, William D.} } @proceedings {566, title = {Magnetometer Board RFI Testing (Proceedings)}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=9172}, author = {Engelke, William D.} } @proceedings {458, title = {Mid-latitude Irregularities in the Early Results from the Ionospheric Sounding Mode Using Chirp Ionosondes of Opportunity for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The objective of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project is to develop a distributed array of ground-based multi-instrument nodes capable of remote sensing the geospace system. This system is being designed with the intention of distribution to a large number of amateur radio and citizen science observers. This will create an unprecedented opportunity to probe the ionosphere at finer resolution in both time and space as all measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis. Individual nodes are being designed to service the needs of the professional space science researcher while being cost-accessible and of interest to amateur radio operators and citizen scientists. At the heart of the HamSCI PSWS will be a high performance 1 {\textendash} 50 MHz software defined radio (SDR) with GNSS-based precision timestamping and frequency reference. This SDR is known as the TangerineSDR and is being developed by the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) amateur radio organization. The primary objective of PSWS system is to gather observations to understand the short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variabilities in the ionosphere-thermosphere system. These variabilities are important for understanding a variety of geophysical phenomena such as Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs), Ionospheric absorption events, geomagnetic storms and substorms. We present early results suggesting signatures of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) from an ionospheric sounding mode that we intend to implement on the PSWS system, currently implemented on an Ettus N200 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) using the open source GNU Chirpsounder data collection and analysis code.

}, author = {Dev Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and Juha Vierinen and Ethan S. Miller} } @conference {536, title = {Observations of Mid-latitude Irregularities Using the Oblique Ionosonde Sounding Mode for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

The spread in the echoes of high-frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio waves from the F-region of the ionosphere has been the earliest indication of plasma density irregularities in the mid-latitude F region ionosphere. Although mid-latitude spread F has been widely studied, the plasma instability mechanisms for these irregularities are still largely unknown. This phenomenon can cause radio wave scintillation effects that degrade the performance of man-made technologies such as satellite communications and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Understanding these irregularities so that they can be anticipated and mitigated are important aspects of space weather research. The occurrence climatology and variability can also be helpful in modeling efforts of these irregularities. Here, we present signatures of mid-latitude irregularities observed in oblique ionograms received near Scranton, PA transmitted by the Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) in Chesapeake, Virginia. These observations are collected with the GNU Chirpsounder2 software, an open-source software package capable of creating ionograms from frequency modulated (FM) chirp ionosondes. This ionospheric sounding mode will be implemented in the currently under development Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), a ground-based multi-instrument system designed to remote-sense the ionosphere using signals of opportunity.

}, author = {Dev Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {577, title = {Observations of Mid-latitude Irregularities Using the Oblique Ionosonde Sounding Mode for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (Proceedings)}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=2542}, author = {Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha} } @conference {585, title = {Observations of Mid-latitude Irregularities Using the Oblique Ionosonde Sounding Mode for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

The spread in the echoes of high-frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio waves from the F-region of the ionosphere was one of the earliest indications of plasma density irregularities in the mid-latitude F region ionosphere. Although mid-latitude spread F has been widely studied, the plasma instability mechanisms that create these irregularities are still largely unknown. This phenomenon can cause radio wave scintillation effects that degrade the performance of human-made technologies such as satellite communications and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Understanding these irregularities so that they can be anticipated and mitigated are important aspects of space weather research. The occurrence climatology and variability can also be helpful in validating models of these irregularities. Here, we present signatures of mid-latitude irregularities observed in oblique ionograms received near Scranton, PA transmitted by the Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) in Chesapeake, Virginia. These observations are collected with the GNU Chirpsounder2 software, an open source software package capable of creating ionograms from frequency modulated (FM) chirp ionosondes. This ionospheric sounding mode will be implemented in the currently under-development Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), a ground-based multi-instrument system designed to remote-sense the ionosphere using signals of opportunity. Using the data from the oblique ionograms, we generate the Range Time Intensity (RTI) plots that show ionospheric dynamics through measured path length variations as a function of time. We also compare the RTI plots with Range-Time-Parameter (RTP) plots from the SuperDARN HF radar in Blackstone, Virginia which commonly observes direct backscatter from decameter-scale irregularities within the region of ionosphere traversed by the ROTHR signal.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/875589}, author = {Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sarwar, M. Shaaf and Sami, Simal and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha and Groves, Keith} } @conference {537, title = {Observing Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using HamSCI Amateur Radio: Climatology with Connections to Geospace and Neutral Atmospheric Sources}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling lonospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are propagating variations in ionospheric electron densities that affect radio communications. LSTIDs create concavities in the ionospheric electron density profile that move horizontally with the LSTID and cause skip-distance focusing effects for high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio signals propagating through the ionosphere. This phenomena manifests as quasi-periodic variations in contact ranges in HF amateur radio communications recorded by automated monitoring systems such as RBN and WSPRNet. In this study, members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) present a climatology of LSTID activity as well as using RBN and WSPRNet observations on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur radio bands from 2017. Results will be organized as a function observation frequency, longitudinal sector, season, and geomagnetic activity level. Connections to neutral atmospheric sources are also explored.

}, author = {Diego F. Sanchez and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth W. Perry and William D. Engelke and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {465, title = {Observing Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using HamSCI Amateur Radio: Validation and Climatology}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Traveling lonospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are propagating variations in ionospheric electron densities that affect radio communications and can help with understanding energy transport throughout the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-neutral atmosphere system. Large scale TIDs (LSTIDs) have periods T\ \approx30-180\ min, horizontal phase velocities v_H\approx‍100-‍250 m/s, and horizontal wavelengths \lambda_H\>1000 km and are believed to be generated either by geomagnetic activity or lower atmospheric sources. TIDs create concavities in the ionospheric electron density profile that move horizontally with the TID and cause skip-distance focusing effects for high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio signals propagating through the ionosphere. The signature of this phenomena is manifest as quasi-periodic variations in contact ranges in HF amateur radio communication reports recorded by automated monitoring systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). First in this study, members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) present a case study showing consistency in LSTID signatures in RBN and WSPRNet are also present in Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and ionosonde measurements. Then, we present a climatology of LSTID activity as well as\  using RBN and WSPRNet observations on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur radio bands from 2017. Results will be organized as a function observation frequency, longitudinal sector (North America and Europe), season, and geomagnetic activity level.

}, author = {Diego F. Sanchez and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth W. Perry and William D. Engelke and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {496, title = {The Oldest Cadet Club, Today: W2KGY}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Although the Cadet Amateur Radio Club, callsign W2KGY, boasts the title of {\textquoteleft}Oldest Cadet Club{\textquoteright} since its founding in 1926, it leads cutting-edge innovation on radioscience and sport. The club develops technically adept leaders of character trained on military equipment while maintaining a developmental culture from its amateur background. This poster showcases past accomplishments of the club and presents its future plans as a cornerstone of electromagnetic warfare training for the Corps of Cadets. Further, the poster demonstrates the club{\textquoteright}s usefulness to the academy as a research testbed for satellite operation and propagation studies.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=D0-F7-C3-77-98-1D-B7-4E-B5-9A-70-5F-4A-2E-07-3D}, author = {Nolan Pearce and Pat McGurrin} } @proceedings {517, title = {Overview of the Personal Space Weather Station and Project Update}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

An overview of the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station and general project update.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {487, title = {Plasma Bubble and Blob Events in the F-region Ionosphere}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and plasma blobs (enhancements) are, in general, the nighttime phenomena of ionospheric plasma irregularities in the F-region ionosphere. This study presents plasma bubble and blob events identified from the SWARM satellite constellation when it flies above the American continent. We have also simultaneously examined the behavior of total electron content (TEC), its depletions, and enhancements in the equatorial/low/mid-latitude F-region ionosphere detected from ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in the American sector. The in situ observations of bubble and blob events are concurrently supported by GPS-TEC measurement from the ground. Additionally, the coordinated ground- and satellite-based observations indicate that the ground-based data show the variability of the background ionosphere prior, during, and later than the development time of the EPBs as seen by the SWARM. For this limited analysis, the plasma blob events are mostly seen at/nearby mid-latitude regions. Finally, we discuss the possible mechanism of the generation, evolution, and relationship between EPBs and plasma blobs in the F-region ionosphere.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=51-F0-AC-9D-0C-7E-D9-A3-FC-F1-2E-13-F2-6E-34-90}, author = {Sovit Khadka and Cesar Valladares and Andrew Gerrard} } @proceedings {460, title = {Preliminary Data Analysis of PSWS Magnetometer Data}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

We report on the preliminary analysis of data obtained from newly developed magnetometers as part of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. These systems are designed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf, magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with an adequate field resolution of ~10 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability in unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at three locations across the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby.\ 

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Julius Madey and David M. Witten II and David Larsen and Scott H. Cowling and Nathaniel A. Frissell and James Weygand} } @proceedings {481, title = {prop.kc2g.com: Developing an Open-Source HF Propagation Prediction Tool}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

prop.kc2g.com is a website with the goal of making HF conditions visible at a glance and helping amateurs choose times and frequencies for contacts. The creator will give some highlights of the site{\textquoteright}s genesis and evolution from 2018 to 2021 and explore the mathematical techniques used to combine live observational data with a computerized ionospheric model to get the benefits of both.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=DB-5E-7A-B1-18-CB-2F-57-74-F3-84-EA-E5-DD-AB-D8}, author = {Andrew Rodland} } @proceedings {516, title = {PSWS Grape Hardware: The Second Generation}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

A review of the Grape Version 2 architecture and current progress.

}, author = {John C. Gibbons} } @proceedings {498, title = {PSWS Grape Hardware: Version 1.0 and Pilot Experiments}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

One year into our NSF grant, HamSCI{\textquoteright}s Low-Cost Personal Space Weather Station is undergoing rapid development. Like its namesake, the "Grape" does its best work in bunches, and several early prototypes are already deployed and collecting Doppler data. This talk will present the Grape 1.0 hardware, the data collected by pilot stations, and the lessons this platform has taught us as we move to Grape 2.0.

}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {500, title = {PSWS Ground Magnetometer Hardware}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The path from candidate device for the magnetometer function of the PSWS to practical affordable working 24/7 data collection installations based on the low cost and readily available PNI RM3100 magneto-inductive sensor is discussed.\  Initial support board design using i2c bus connection to the host Odroid or Raspberry Pi class microprocessors with support for remote extension of the sensor to at least 100 feet with common CAT5 networking cable will be described as well as the accompanying test and logging software.\  Details of initial testing which revealed the need for temperature stabilization of the RM3100, verified remote operation to at least 500 feet, the subsequent design of an in-ground sensor housing made from common PVC water pipe and fittings and refinement of the microprocessor adapter board and remote board will be presented.

}, author = {Julius Madey and David Witten, II and Hyomin Kim and David Larsen and Scott H. Cowling and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {563, title = {PSWS Magnetometer Science Update}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=4555}, author = {Kim, Hyomin and Madey, Julius and Witten, David and Larsen, David R. and Cowling, Scott H. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Weygand, James} } @proceedings {463, title = {QRV: Newbie YL Perspectives on Becoming a Ham Citizen Scientist}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

An aurora scientist, a teacher, and a museum educator walk into a ham radio class{\textellipsis}and end up with more than just their Technician licenses! Dr. Liz MacDonald, founder of the aurora citizen science project Aurorasaurus, approached licensing as a plasma physicist, while 5th grade teacher Connie Atkisson and Laura Brandt, the Aurorasaurus project manager, had little prior experience with physics. The different ways they approached the process in 2020{\textemdash}and their various goals for being licensed{\textemdash}provide useful context for the evolving broader community and for citizen science. Join Liz and Laura in conversation about the surprises they encountered while studying for their licenses, how aurora and amateur radio citizen science can collaborate more closely, and ideas drawn from classroom teaching and museum education that hams can use when reaching out to the general public.\ 

}, author = {Laura Brandt and Elizabeth MacDonald and Connie Atkisson} } @proceedings {485, title = {RJOVER: An alternative approach using SDR technology to reduce costs for the NASA Radio JOVE citizen science effort}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The NASA-run citizen science project, Radio JOVE, utilizes widespread distribution of single and dual-dipole antenna receiving stations to study the magnetic interactions between Jupiter and its moon, Io. The citizen science effort has been well established and maintained since 1998, and the Radio JOVE project team has streamlined kit distribution and assembly documentation for amateur data collectors and hobbyists. The antennas, receiver, software, and related components are available for purchase in kits that range in price from depending on the level of {\textquotedblleft}pre-assembly{\textquotedblright}. For instance, we estimate that the prices of un-assembled and fully assembled kit receivers are approximately $95 and $225, respectively. Establishing a Radio JOVE receiving station is no small task, and these prices are reasonable and appropriate. To further data collection accessibility and broaden the participating audience, however, we seek to further reduce these costs-- specifically that of the receiver. Our primary goal is to code, integrate, and test a software-defined radio (SDR) receiver for Radio JOVE data collection to verify whether the technology could be a less expensive alternative to the original distributed kit receiver. By coordinating with the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Research Farm, as well as with guidance from faculty in the CWRU Electrical, Computer, and Science Engineering (ECSE) department and the Radio JOVE Project Team, we hope to establish a Radio JOVE receiving station at CWRU whereupon we can test our alternative SDR receiver for Jovian signal collection. If our alternative receiver works on a level comparable to the existing kit receiver, we can offer a cheaper, more modern and digital age approach that could appeal to a wider audience including those working with a tighter budget and those who are interested in software-defined radio, all of whom simply want to help the scientific effort.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=8D-A5-71-AF-BD-32-32-6C-C3-71-E2-59-AB-87-B0-0D}, author = {Tyler Kovach and Skylar Dannhoff and Jared May} } @proceedings {476, title = {Simulation and Comparison of Weak-Signal VHF Propagation}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Space weather{\textquoteright}s intense variance has a seemingly random effect on radio propagation in the Very High Frequency (VHF) range. Key models are built to analyze and estimate performance of wireless systems in these weak-signal propagation mediums. Chiefly, meteor burst communication, auroral propagation, and earth-moon-earth communication models are built and simulated on MATLAB. The results are confirmed through experimental testing and data comparison. Overall, modeling of these space weather events proves immense usefulness in predicting effectiveness of radio equipment through these weak-signal modes.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=0B-3C-92-BC-7A-A2-35-0C-0B-52-1C-29-5A-03-4F-46}, author = {Nolan Pearce and Kate Duncan} } @proceedings {556, title = {Simultaneous observations of mid-latitude Ionospheric Irregularities in HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station and SuperDARN radar}, year = {2021}, month = {05/2021}, publisher = {SANSA}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.sansa.org.za/events-outreach/superdarn-workshop-2021/}, author = {Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha} } @proceedings {490, title = {SMART Ground Based Magnetometer Array - an Initial Look}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Augsburg University has been involved with ground based magnetometers for the past 25 or so years. These magnetometers monitor the earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field and its changes as the ionospheric field is perturbed by solar wind and other influences. As part of an array of detectors, we monitor the fields here in Minnesota with a flux gate magnetometer as part of the UCLA "Smart" array. This detector is sensitive to about 10 nano tesla and located in an electronically quiet hillside.\ 

In addition, in the past few years a number of solid state detectors have been integrated into easy to monitor circuits and mated with the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. Most of these cost a few dollars and if placed away from metalic influence can give reasonable measurements -- especially of large changes in local field. Specifically, we will show the output from the LIS3MDL magnetometer compared to a high cost fluxgate system. Also discussed are the GY-511(LSM303) and GY-271 (HMC5883L) Compass/Magnetometers.\ 

These data are passed to io.adafruit.com a cloud storage/plotting system that provides access to plots and data for other to monitor. Cloud services allow many users to access a wide network of data without any programming or management of the cloud. With the onset of the next solar cycle, home monitors will become useful in propagation estimates.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=D1-53-61-0E-39-F6-CA-23-13-5A-67-79-FF-84-94-E0}, author = {Noel J. Petit and Peter Chi} } @proceedings {567, title = {Software for Magnetometer Testing and Data Collection}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=10066}, author = {Witten, David} } @conference {542, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in F region electron density with horizontal wavelengths \> 1000 km and periods between 30 to 180 min. On 3 November 2017, LSTID signatures were detected in simultaneously over the continental United States in observations made by global High Frequency (HF) amateur (ham) radio observing networks and the Blackstone (BKS) SuperDARN radar. The amateur radio LSTIDs were observed on the 7 and 14 MHz amateur radio bands as changes in average propagation path length with time, while the LSTIDs were observed by SuperDARN as oscillations of average scatter range. LSTID period lengthened from T ~ 1.5 hr at 12 UT to T ~ 2.25 hr by 21 UT. The amateur radio and BKS SuperDARN radar observations corresponded with Global Navigation Satellite System differential Total Electron Content (GNSS dTEC) measurements. dTEC was used to estimate LSTID parameters: horizontal wavelength 1136 km, phase velocity 1280 km/hr, period 53 min, and propagation azimuth 167{\textdegree}. The LSTID signatures were observed throughout the day following ~400 to 800 nT surges in the Auroral Electrojet (AE) index. As a contrast, 16 May 2017 was identified as a period with significant amateur radio coverage but no LSTID signatures in spite of similar geomagnetic conditions and AE activity as the 3 November event. We hypothesize that atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) sources triggered by auroral electrojet intensifications and associated Joule heating are the source of the LSTIDs, and that seasonal neutral atmospheric conditions may play a role in preventing AGW propagation in May but not in November.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Diego F. Sanchez and Gareth W. Perry and Dev Joshi and William D. Engelke and Evan G. Thomas and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {555, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, year = {2021}, month = {05/2021}, publisher = {SANSA}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.sansa.org.za/events-outreach/superdarn-workshop-2021/}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego F. and Perry, Gareth W. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @proceedings {574, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=22608}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego F. and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @proceedings {468, title = {"Sprinkles" or "Mirrors"? Exploring the true nature of VHF propagation via sporadic-E}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Mid-latitude sporadic-E clouds (commonly abbreviated as {\textquoteleft}Es{\textquoteright}) are a transient feature consisting of thin layers of dense, but patchy, ionization which occur in the E region of the ionosphere. The process of formation is different from that of the rest of the ionosphere and it can produce much higher electron densities, sometimes permitting oblique reflection of radio waves up to 150 MHz.
The mechanism for the oblique reflection of VHF waves from Es layers has not been well described, with candidates including specular reflection, scattering, and magneto-ionic double refraction. The polarization and fading characteristics of waves reflected from Es layers are proposed as a marker for the presence or absence of magneto-ionic effects.\ 
An experimental system has been developed for rapid and accurate polarization and fading measurements at 50 MHz. The overall sensitivity of the system has been optimized by reducing environmental electromagnetic noise, giving the ability to observe weak, short-lived Es propagation events. The effect of the ground reflection on observed polarization has been analyzed and the induced amplitude and phase biases compensated for.
A measurement campaign in the summer of 2018 gathered a large quantity of data, using amateur 50 MHz beacons, at distances between 1,000 km and 1,650 km, as signal sources. The results provide compelling evidence that Es-layer propagation at 50 MHz exhibits the characteristics of magneto-ionic double refraction, but the thin, intense and variable nature of the reflecting region means that the reflected signals can have quite extreme characteristics. Some of the results are surprising, and are yet to be explained convincingly.
In this presentation, an overview of the experimental technique will be given, and the results described. Some of this information has already been published, but much of it is new.

}, author = {Chris Deacon and Ben Witvliet and Cathryn Mitchell and Simon Steendam} } @proceedings {466, title = {Statistical Perspectives On the Human Factor in Spot Data from RBN and WSPR Networks}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The amateur radio reporting networks RBN and WSPRnet generate a wealth of data that can be used to great advantage in scientific research, and previous analyses of these data have shown that space weather events and ionospheric disturbances can be detected through patterns in the spot data. Although the spots recorded by the network undoubtedly reflect such changes in the natural environment, these patterns are confounded with the effects of human behaviors, such as the geographic dispersion of ham radio operators, time preferences among operators, and different levels of activity for different stations.\  Statistical models have the potential to estimate these {\textquotedblleft}human effects{\textquotedblright} and decouple them from the natural process that makes propagation possible. We will present a statistical modeling approach for these data that accounts for the non-probabilistic sampling methods that produce them.\  We will also present Spot Watcher, an app that we are developing for visualization of spots using open source tools, and comment on some of the pre-processing challenges in statistical analysis of spot data.

}, author = {David Campbell and Deborah Kunkel} } @proceedings {501, title = {The Sun and the Earthquakes}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Since 2017 I have been studying and contrasting the turbulence and solar wind data, observing the close relationship between the two, I currently have a YouTube channel where I am dedicated to forecasting these seismic events based on the heliospheric graphs provided by NOAA, the Space weather influences volcanic activity, earthquakes and the climate on earth, I could also observe the negative impact on people, the prolonged zero magnetic index or geomagnetic storms.

}, author = {Edmondo Manuel Vasiu Vasiu} } @proceedings {478, title = {A Survey of HF Doppler TID Signatures Observed Using a Grape in New Jersey}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=6A-B6-94-74-A1-46-CF-D2-AC-BA-F3-58-2E-71-17-97}, author = {Veronica I. Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Joshi and William Liles and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {505, title = {Survey of ionospheric F2 region variability from the lower atmosphere: drivers and responses - Part 1}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, abstract = {

Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, will review the factors that cause the F2 region of the ionosphere to vary in the short-term, on day-to-day and even shorter time scales. These factors can directly affect amateur radio operators through their influence on electron density and therefore on HF propagation. Ionospheric variability drivers will be sorted into three broad categories: 1) solar radiation 2) geomagnetic activity and 3) meteorological sources (neutral atmosphere). Carl will also assess how much F2 ionospheric parameters vary in the short-term during both day and night, and he will also review the contribution of each of the factors to observed F2 region variability.

}, author = {R. Carl Luetzelschwab and Philip J. Erickson} } @proceedings {506, title = {Survey of ionospheric F2 region variability from the lower atmosphere: drivers and responses - Part 2}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Phil Erickson, W1PJE, will follow with a condensed summary of recent community research on the types of physical processes that produce F2 layer ionospheric variations from waves, heating, and other sources in the lower neutral atmosphere (space weather {\textquotedblleft}from below{\textquotedblright}). Examples will include acoustic waves, gravity waves, planetary waves, TADs (traveling atmospheric disturbances), and their influence on TIDs (travelling ionospheric disturbances). Numerical estimates of the various forcing terms provide a useful gauge of the relative importance and impact of these processes. Phil will close by specifically focusing on estimates of the magnitude of electron density variations in the F2 region of the ionosphere due to earthquake effects. In particular, ionospheric density observations from sources such as the global satellite navigation system (GNSS) allow a quantitative, numerate discussion of earthquake drivers in both time and space dimensions as compared to other known lower atmosphere ionospheric variability drivers.\  Phil will conclude with a discussion of the implications for earthquake associated HF propagation effects in the face of observed day-to-day ionospheric density variability.

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and R. Carl Luetzelschwab} } @article {548, title = {A Synopsis of the 2021 HamSCI Virtual Workshop}, volume = {105}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, pages = {58-59}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {Erickson, Philip} } @proceedings {507, title = {TangerineSDR Clock Module Design}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The PSWS clock module provides a high accuracy frequency and time source for the TangerineSDR.\  It will also be available in a standalone version called the "SynthDO" for other time and frequency applications.\  The clock module has gone through a major revision in design philosophy and the current version combines significantly lower component cost with great flexibility in the output configuration.\  This presentation will describe the new architecture and point out some of its pros and cons.

}, author = {John Ackermann} } @proceedings {502, title = {TangerineSDR Data Engine and Overall Architecture}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

First conceived in 2018 at the ARRL/TAPR Alubuquerque Digital Communications Conference, the modular TangerineSDR has gone through many architecture changes and upgrades. The first use case will be the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). The boardset consists of three custom boards: the Data Engine (DE), the Clock Module (CKM) and the RF Module (RFM). Now that we are nearing prototype hardware, here is an overview of the final architecture and the status of the prototype build.

}, author = {Scott H. Cowling and Tom McDermott and John Ackermann} } @proceedings {509, title = {TangerineSDR for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The TangerinSDR is a modular SDR serving several use cases. The first use case will be hardware for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station, or PSWS. Take a look here for hardware details of the TangerineSDR from TAPR and how it will support the HamSCI PSWS!

}, author = {Scott H. Cowling} } @proceedings {503, title = {TangerineSDR Software Demo}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

While doing the hardware engineering for the Tangerine SDR has been in progress, we developed a simulator to act as a Data Engine until the hardware is ready. Using a FlexRadio 6600 to supply the IQ data, we were able to use the simulator to bring the Local Host software to a high level of functionality and readiness for use as part of the Tangerine when the hardware Data Engine is ready. This is a demo of the Tangerine SDR Local Host using the simulator and FlexRadio.

}, author = {William D. Engelke} } @proceedings {482, title = {Thunderstorms as Possible HF Radiation Sources of Propagation Teepee Signatures}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Propagation teepee is a type of HF spectral feature often recorded at 15-30 MHz by a group of citizen scientists whose main interest is in observing radio emissions from Jupiter. The feature is characterized as spectral enhancements with the frequency of enhancement first increasing and then decreasing with time, resulting in a {\textquotedblleft}triangular spectral feature.{\textquotedblright} Its shape is reminiscent of teepee tents (or TPs for short), the moveable dwellings of some groups of native-Americans.\  TPs usually have sharp or well-defined upper frequency limits for both the leading and trailing edges (see figure). While some TPs are observed in isolation, they are often seen in groups, distributed either in time or in apex frequency as a nested group at a particular time. As reported by Fung et al. [2020], most TPs appear to be diffuse even at high time resolution, but a few TPs seen at high time resolution reveal that those TPs consist actually of discrete bursts, strongly suggestive that the band noise could be produced by lightning storms. TP signatures are thus believed to be HF signals produced by remote lightning storms and reflected by the bottom-side ionosphere. By analyzing a few events with TP signatures detected simultaneously by multiple spectrograph stations, we will use a relationship between the TP apex frequency and the distance to its radiation source to identify the lightning storms responsible for the observed TP signatures.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/default.aspx?s=0E-BF-8A-B2-0E-0C-9B-2B-87-78-FC-B8-84-2C-41-FB}, author = {Shing F. Fung and Todd S. Anderson and Thomas Ashcraft and Wes Greenman and David Typinski and James Brown} } @proceedings {462, title = {Toward interpretation of HF propagation data obtained by the HamSCI Community - Ray Tracers and Ionospheric Models}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Perhaps one of the most pressing questions the Ham Sci community needs to address is how data obtained by the tangerineSDR or other platforms will be interpreted to obtain scientifically useful information.\  One approach is to produce an appropriate forward model describing the ionosphere and use ray tracers to convert that model into observables that are measured using SDRs.\  The purpose of this talk is to discuss these issues in general terms, but also to discuss simulation strategies that could be useful for the data collected by a network of radio amateurs.\  I will also present on the development of an open source python-based 3-D Jones Stephenson Ray tracer and other developments out of my laboratory that are relevant to ray tracing, including implementation using cuda and the development of point-to-point ray tracing.

}, author = {Stephen R. Kaeppler and Scott Driggers and Andrew Wetzel and Alexander Murtha and Tedi Godfrey} } @proceedings {464, title = {Traveling ionospheric disturbances tracked through Doppler-shifted AM radio transmissions}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

A comprehensive understanding of the ionosphere is critical for many technologies, particularly those that rely on the propagation of radio waves. This study shows that traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), dawn and dusk signal divergence (terminators), and spread F\ can be tracked and analyzed using clear channel AM radio transmissions and a set of geographically distributed receivers. Early attempts by our research group to track TIDs by AM radio signals reflected from the F region of the ionosphere generated results in conflict with those derived from GPS/TEC mapping methods [Chilcote et al., 2015]. This study seeks to resolve those conflicts with a more sophisticated array of receivers spread throughout the northeastern United States. Specifically, the receivers form a ring around an 810 kHz AM radio station in Schenectady, New York. A minimum of four receivers have been operational from 3/19/20 to the present and Doppler-shifted signals, attributed to TID events, have been consistently visible across several radio channels with frequencies between 800 to 1600kHz. We have focused our study thus far on the terminator signals which appear to be consistent with photochemistry effects and on TID wave characteristic analysis. We have collected a set of exceptional TID events over the past nine months and have correlated our calculated wave characteristics with the data from GNSS TEC, digisonde, and SuperDARN in general finding good agreement between our technique and these established methods. While our study still seeks to clarify discrepancies in our data similar to those seen by Chilcote in the original study, the consistency with which our data typically agrees with other methods supports the validity of using AM radio transmissions to track TIDs in addition to other ionospheric phenomena such as the terminator.\ 

Reference: Chilcote, M., et al. (2015), Detection of traveling ionospheric disturbances by medium-frequency Doppler sounding using AM radio transmissions, Radio Sci., 50, doi:10.1002/2014RS005617.

}, author = {Claire C. Trop and James LaBelle and Philip J. Erickson and Shunrong Zhang and David McGaw and Terrence Kovacs} } @proceedings {491, title = {Use of the Short Wave Radio to prove the ionosphere with students from a public school in Brazil}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Knowledge of the characteristics of the ionosphere is largely based on its effects on electromagnetic waves. For the teaching of the atmosphere layers, in Brazil, as public schools have textbooks, pictures and videos, however, a practical experiment is not often performed . To remedy this gap, using low-cost materials, an experiment was carried out, well known for radio amateurs using two receivers, one portable shortwave (5.950 to 6.200 MHz and 7.100 to 7.300 MHz) and the other to FM (88 to 108 MHz), where shortwave radio stations with foreign language broadcasts were randomly tuned to characterize broadcasts from abroad. It was compared with some FM radio broadcasts from neighboring municipalities, previously researched on the internet and it is reckoned that it was not possible to receive these stations. There was a surprise from the students when they heard transmissions in other languages (from other distant countries) and did not listen to FM radio stations relatively close, thus proving the existence and application of the ionosphere during science classes.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=89-49-DB-01-08-CF-69-14-C0-96-58-9C-AB-F9-C9-A3}, author = {Alexandre Takio Kitagawa} } @proceedings {484, title = {The use of the Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance Radio Telescope to predict the signal and observe the North American 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance (SID) monitor shows significant variations at sunrise and sunset. The Northern Hemisphere experienced a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. This paper showed the development of a mathematical model to predict the signal response of the solar eclipse on the SuperSID radio telescope. The data from several SuperSID observers, who measured data during the eclipse, was obtained and analyzed. The model was applied to each observers{\textquoteright} data to determine its predictive properties. The results show excellent predictive correlation of the actual eclipse observation to the predictive model.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=49-22-13-0F-3A-3B-0A-84-E0-67-13-10-47-91-30-7C}, author = {Richard A. Russel} } @proceedings {469, title = {Viability of nowcasting solar flare-driven radio-blackouts using SuperDARN HF radars}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, abstract = {

The first space weather impact of a solar flare is radio blackout across the dayside of the Earth. At a delay of just 8 minutes, the arrival of enhanced X-ray and EUV radiation leads to a dramatic increase in ionization density in the lower ionosphere. Operation of HF systems are often completely suppressed due to anomalous absorption, while many RF systems suffer some degradation. While the onset of blackout is very rapid (~ minutes), the recovery takes tens of minutes to hours. Furthermore, severe solar flares can disrupt emergency HF communications that support humanitarian aid services, including amateur radio and satellite communication systems. Our current monitoring capability is based on modeling the ionospheric impacts based on GOES satellite observations of solar fluxes. We present a technique to characterize radio blackout following solar flares using HF radar. The future extension of this work is to develop an early warning system to identify \& monitor radio blackouts using HF radars currently deployed to support space science research. Networks of such radars operate continuously in the northern and southern hemisphere as part of the SuperDARN collaboration. Recent studies have shown that radio blackout (also known as shortwave fadeout) is easily detected and characterized using radar observations. We will combine real-time observations from the North American suite of SuperDARN radars to specify the occurrence of radio blackouts in near real-time. In this study, however, we present investigation and recognition techniques of shortwave fadeouts in SuperDARN HF radar.

}, author = {Shibaji Chakraborty and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {473, title = {Visualising propagation to mid-latitudes from a shipboard WSPR transmitter on a passage from 27oN to 70oS using the WsprDaemon database, and how to access the data}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

WSPR transmitters and or receivers on polar research ships provide opportunities for several interesting propagation studies. Such studies include propagation across the Boreal and Austral Auroral Ovals with the ship working in the Polar Regions, or, as in this case, on mid-latitude propagation with the ship on transit. For RV Polarstern{\textquoteright}s voyage from Gran Canaria (27.5oN) to Neumayer III station, Antarctica (70.5oS) from 27 December 2020 {\textendash} 18 January 2021 a WSPR transmitter (DP0POL) operated on all bands 160{\textendash}10 meters. Heatmaps of the number of spots received in Europe and North America each hour, each day, and on each band have been generated from the WSPR data held on the WsprDaemon server. These spot-count heatmaps, proxies for circuit reliability, clearly delineate the diurnal variation in band opening times and how those diurnal variations vary systematically over a 100o span of latitude on the voyage south. However, quantitative assessment of the spot numbers needs care; the number of reporters receiving spots changes with time and distance. Furthermore, there were far fewer distinct reporters for the MF and upper HF bands (11 for 160 m and 14 for 10 m compared with 447 for 40 m and 473 for 20 m). The heatmaps of SNR show several intriguing features, including steps from no decodes to SNRs some 10 dB above the WSPR decoding threshold as bands open and close. A Grafana dashboard is available for all to explore at http://logs1.wsprdaemon.org:3000/d/QGlNSz-Gk_2\  Other ways to obtain WSPR data from the WsprDaemon database are outlined, including using Octave, KNIME, R, Python, PySpark and Clickhouse. A worked example shows how to use Octave to generate a time sequence of great circle maps, as a movie, of where WSPR spots from DP0POL were received on the voyage from 27.5oN to 70.5oS.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=57-BC-D3-11-D9-50-97-40-0D-F8-D2-C5-AA-73-79-6A}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett} } @proceedings {568, title = {VLF LEAF Module for the Tangerine SDR DCC 2021 Update}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=10913}, author = {Rizzo, Jonathan} } @proceedings {461, title = {VLF Module for Tangerine SDR Progress Update}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The VLF Audio Module for the Tangerine SDR has had a design change and now features the TI TLV320ADC6140 4-channel Analog to Digital converter. It features 113dB dynamic range with sampling rates of up to 768kHz. Using a sampling rate of 384kHz, bandwidths of up to 100kHz of VLF spectrum can be captured and will be GPS timestamped by the Tangerine SDR. This design change{\textquoteright}s increase bandwidth capability allows for not only study of natural radio emissions such as whistlers and chorus, but study of the ionosphere with the help of measurements from VLF transmitters in the middle and upper VLF band, such as WWVB.\ \ 

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @proceedings {494, title = {W3USR and The Great Collegiate Shortwave Listening Contest}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/Default.aspx?s=1B-12-5C-9B-5C-AF-F5-8B-AC-62-CD-DD-D5-51-6A-9A}, author = {M. Shaaf Sarwar and Veronica I. Romanek and Thomas Baran and Jonathan Rizzo and Steve Holguin and Jonathan Rizzo and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and Kristina Collins and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {514, title = {W8EDU: Case Amateur Radio Club from 2010 to 2021}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

W8EDU, 2010-2021: In ten years, the Case Amateur Radio Club has grown from a small alumni-based group to a large student organization with extensive curricular and research involvement. This poster shows some of our successful efforts in that time, and highlights how our operating, licensing, curricular and research efforts support one another.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=B5-39-13-BC-26-3A-2E-F1-35-30-97-99-27-96-4D-CD}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and Aidan Montare and David Kazdan} } @proceedings {474, title = {WSPR at Midlatitudes from KN4NBI: A Year of Data at Solar Minimum}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) is potentially a useful tool in the quantitative study of ionospheric propagation. But there are a number of factors to be considered in the use of WSPR to make propagation measurements, and it is useful to have a baseline at solar minimum to compare with measurements as we approach solar maximum in the next five years. One key measurement question is to what degree WSPR is linear, and over what dynamic range, in real-world propagation conditions. Another important issue is the role of noise in WSPR measurements. WSPR spots report SNR, not signal strength, so identification and quantification of various sources of noise is necessary. During a year of analysis of spots of my transmissions on 20 meters from a mid-latitude location (Virginia Beach), I have addressed these questions and made other observations of propagation at solar minimum. My results include:
\ - a determination that WSPR spots are linear with respect to transmit power from around -25 dB SNR to over +10 dB SNR;
\ - that the dynamic range may extend to more than 60 dB; however, a particular receiver{\textquoteright}s dynamic range for simultaneous spots\  may be substantially less than this;
\ - there is an approximately 6 dB noise {\textquotedblleft}fuzz{\textquotedblright} measured from ground wave reception, that can be averaged out, but a cost of time resolution;
\ - there is especially large variability in propagation at sunrise, sunset, and at the edge of the skip zone; on the other hand, long-distance propagation (e.g., to Hawaii or the Canary Islands) can have surprisingly low variability;
\ - even with zero sunspots and low K indices, there is substantial short-term variability in propagation which I have attempted to characterize. Very small changes in the K-index can have major effects on the distance of the skip zone and on nighttime propagation.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=71-EB-95-3E-73-A6-23-3A-7C-13-06-29-21-FF-8D-3A}, author = {Douglas G. Richards} } @proceedings {515, title = {WW0WWV: WWV Amateur Radio Club}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

A history of WW0WWV, WWV Amateur Radio Club.

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=FB-0C-E4-1F-17-B5-54-5E-9C-F1-96-0C-E8-AE-56-0D}, author = {Dave Swartz} } @proceedings {570, title = {WWV/H Scientific Modulation Working Group}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=15420}, author = {Collins, Kristina V.} } @conference {423, title = {2020 Solar Cycle Update and the HF Response to Ionospheric Storms and Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances}, booktitle = {Contest University}, year = {2020}, month = {05/2020}, publisher = {Contest University}, organization = {Contest University}, address = {Dayton, OH (Virtual)}, url = {https://www.contestuniversity.com/}, author = {N. A. Frissell} } @conference {381, title = {Amateur digital mode based remote sensing: FT8 use as a radar signal of opportunity for ionospheric characterization}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The K1JT / WSJT suite of digital modes for amateur QSOs, provided to the community by Joe Taylor K1JT and Steve Franke K9AN, has revolutionized the use of weak signal HF propagation to carry short digital messages. Traffic on the FT8 mode has become a large fraction of all digital transmissions by amateurs since its introduction in 2017 near solar minimum. FT8 is a 15 second cadence, 8-tone FSK mode using a sophisticated combination of stacked low-density parity coding (LDPC) and cyclical redundancy check (CRC) codes. Combined with a deep search retrieval algorithm that takes advantage of the sparse information for messages within typical QSOs, the effective FT8 communications detection threshold is considerably lower than other traditional modes such as CW.

FT8 signals undergo changes on reception caused by ionospheric refraction. Observational study of this feature opens up compelling avenues for research into the time and space dependent behavior of ionospheric variations. A technique long known to the passive radio remote sensing community involves intercepting transmissions of opportunity and processing them to yield information on reflecting targets on the transmit-to-receive path. We present initial simulations and studies of the use of FT8 in this manner as an ionospheric range-Doppler passive radar, and will discuss the qualities of these signals for crowdsourced upper atmospheric research, including an explanation and examples of their effective range-Doppler ambiguity in typical QSO exchanges. Also discussed will be the particular effectiveness for radar applications of the three Costas array frequency/time synchronization sequences used by FT8 in the start, middle, and at the end of transmissions.

}, author = {P. J. Erickson and W. Liles and E. S. Miller} } @conference {397, title = {An Aurorasaurus Citizen Science Database of Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) Observations (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

For many years, amateur aurora observers have reported on unique subauroral aurora or aurora-like structures which they could not classify at first. Later, these structures also puzzled the scientific community. In 2016 members of the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group introduced the name STEVE for these structures. Very recently in 2018 and 2019, first scientific publications have been published linking these subauroral structures with the subauroral ion drift (SAID). Since then the backronym Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement is used in the scientific literature for this phenomenon. The underlying ionospheric processes are still not understood in every detail. Although highly likely STEVE observations have been reported sporadically since nearly the end of the Maunder Minimum their specific character had been almost overlooked for a long time until citizen scientists working with Aurorasaurus started to put a closer view on them and contacted the scientific community reaching for answers to all their questions. A freely accessible event list for worldwide image supported amateur STEVE observations was missing for a long time. The presented work is part of a non-funded volunteer project and has been performed with the aim to fill this gap. STEVE observations posted in Aurora related social media groups but also on aurora observer websites have been analyzed to prepare the list on the basis of data use standards and fair use. The outcome is a list summarizing more than 790 single observations, observations with time for 150 days and 178+ observation days in total. In its current version the event list covers the period January 1999 to December 2019. This presentation gives an overview for the content and development of the list, and briefly summarizes possible analyzes that can be performed based on the content of the event list and how it already supports and furthers the research on the STEVE phenomenon. This work presents an example of how data from citizen scientists can support highly topical space science research.

}, author = {Michael Hunnekuhl and Elizabeth MacDonald} } @conference {392, title = {Aurorasaurus: Citizen Science Observations of the Aurora (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {E. MacDonald} } @conference {440, title = {Characterizing and Optimizing the behavior of a Ground-based Magnetometer for Ionospheric Space Weather Observations}, booktitle = {ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, organization = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Witten III, David and Kim, Hyomin and Madey, Julius and Cowling, Scotty and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @conference {398, title = {Construction of an Aurora Camera in North Dakota to Aid in Citizen Science and Space Weather Applications (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We will present plans for a new student-built aurora camera integrated with a public university, local astronomy groups, and Aurorasaurus citizen science. Live aurora cameras are crucial tools for avid skywatchers, aurora chasers, and scientists.\ \ Globally there are hundreds of cameras providing nowcast views of aurora strength, yet in low-latitude areas, especially in the United States, the number of high-quality, live aurora cameras is extremely limited.\ \ The need for aurora camera coverage in mid-latitudes is apparent; not only will it be another resource for amateur astronomers and aurora-watching communities, but the analysis of many transient auroral phenomena such as substorms and STEVEs benefit from multiple geographical observations.\ \ A north-facing camera will be built near Inkster, North Dakota, on the Martens Observatory location (approximately 48.1oN), broadcasting a public live stream of the night sky while simultaneously offloading images to a storage server.\ \ The Sony a7s2 mirrorless camera, a model employed by other live broadcasts such as the LiveAuroraNetwork, will be used in conjunction with a wide-aperture lens for maximum light-gathering ability.\ \  The entire apparatus will be housed in a weatherproof enclosure and internet will be supplied on-site.\ \ The camera will be integrated with the University of North Dakota{\textquoteright}s Astrophysics and Space Studies department and will be a resource for the local astronomy community, the Northern Sky Astronomical Society.\ \ Working with Aurorasaurus, the aurora camera will {\textquotedblleft}tweet{\textquotedblright} when an aurora is spotted and be shown on the Aurorasaurus auroral oval map along with other citizen scientist observations.\ \ This aurora camera will be a valuable resource for citizen science and will aid scientists in attempting to unravel the mysteries of Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetism.

}, author = {Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Wayne Barkhouse and Timothy Young} } @conference {405, title = {Direction Finding: Analog and Digital Applications (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateur radio encompasses the building of hardware, the programming of different communications devices, and the integration of hardware and software. One popular amateur pastime, radio direction finding, requires a fair amount of technical knowledge to include antenna design and radio wave propagation in the VHF radio band. Participants use specialized directional antennas to find a bearing for an unknown signal. An intense understanding of antenna radiation patterns can be used to accurately identify the source of this signal. Simulation on computer programs through test equipment helps hobbyists fully understand the characteristics of their direction finding devices. However, direction finding can be approached from the electronic realm as well as the physical realm. Instead of just directional antennas, one can utilize Digital Signal Processing (DSP) with software-defined radios to locate and identify unknown signals. Programs such as Matlab and GNURadio combined with hardware such as the KerberosSDR and HackRF fully utilize this avenue of signals intelligence. The dichotomy between {\textquotedblleft}physical{\textquotedblright} direction finding and digital signal processing provides an interesting argument for use of one over another. While antenna-focused direction finding relies on vast technical knowledge of propagation and gain, computer- based direction finding similarly requires computational knowledge with various signals and mathematical techniques. In addition, the two techniques serve almost divided purposes: while analog direction finding can locate a signal real-time, DSP can be used to deconstruct and decode signals after their interception. One technique does not outweigh the other, as both have different use cases and applicability. This presentation will outline the basic approach to each avenue of direction finding and the advantages each technique holds. Hobbyists should learn from both techniques of direction finding to gain applicable skills in electromagnetic wave theory.

}, author = {Nolan Pearce} } @proceedings {433, title = {Early Results of Festival of Frequency Measurement Experiment and June 21, 2020 Asian Eclipse}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Colllins, Kristina V.} } @conference {384, title = {EclipseMob: Initial Planning for 2024}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

During the lead up to the 2017 Solar Eclipse and its aftermath, the EclipseMob team learned many things about crowdsourcing technology development and data collection. We are taking those lessons along with lessons learned from other crowdsourced citizen science programs to improve the EclipseMob experience for the upcoming 2024 Solar Eclipse. One such lesson is to start planning, building, and recruiting much earlier, and we are. EclipseMob is on schedule to finalize the design and testing of a new receiver system this summer. The 2017 Solar Eclipse collection platform relied on participants{\textquoteright} personal smartphones, which supplied the analog to digital converter (ADC), local oscillator, time, location, web access, and computational power. Our platform for 2024 eliminates the need for a smartphone by using a Raspberry Pi (RPi), analog amplifier, ADC, and GPS, in a self-contained unit. By eliminating the smartphone, the new design standardizes the hardware and increases economic accessibility. The 2024 platform is designed to collect WWVB signals at 60 kHz, as was the 2017 platform, but will also collect signals at lower frequencies such as the US Navy VLF transmitters. Those lower frequencies had to be ignored during the 2017 effort due to the limited bandwidth of the ADC in the smart phones. The construction process for the 2024 receiver kit has been heavily simplified, which we expect will result in increased participant success and satisfaction. In addition to modifying the data collection platform, 2024 EclipseMob is also changing its outreach approach. Instead of the centrally recruiting, training, and supporting participants, EclipseMob is switching to a train the trainer model. The EclipseMob team will work with and train a small subset of community leaders (from schools, libraries, ham radio clubs, etc.) to recruit and support participants locally. This should also increase the geospatial distribution of participants. In 2017 most participants were located in areas near the two main schools involved, which resulted in dense sampling in the Boston, MA and Fairfax, VA area. EclipseMob training materials will continue to meet the standards necessary for teacher continuing education credits and student learning.

}, author = {K. C. Kerby-Patel and L. Lukes and J. Nelson and W. Liles} } @conference {403, title = {Electromechanical ELF Transmitters for Wireless Communications in Conductive Environments (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Since the skin depth in ground or seawater is on the order of meters in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band, RF penetration through solids (e.g., into caves) and through water (e.g., to submarines) becomes feasible. This permits emergency communication for search and rescue missions and communication to submarines deep underwater. However, conventional antennas in this band are either impossibly large or highly inefficient (and thus power-hungry). For example, the U.S. military has in the past used ELF communication to communicate with submarines via Project Sanguine, a set of 76 Hz and 45 Hz transmitters with antennas stretching 14 miles and consuming a combined 2.6 MW during transmission. The FCC only regulates frequency bands between 9 kHz and 275 GHz, in part because electrical antennas are so inefficient below this range. This leaves a conveniently unregulated frequency range below 9 kHz (in the ELF and VLF bands) for unrestricted use. Proposed applications include studies of RF penetration through the ground for the study of the earth{\textquoteright}s crust and the study of the ionosphere. Moreover, unlike regulated ham radio bands, this unregulated frequency space has no restrictions on the use of encryption. Thus, communications systems below 9 kHz could be encrypted by any means desired, making this a highly lucrative application for private communications systems. We have developed a mechanically-based ELF antenna which replaces a conventional electrical antenna with a rotating permanent magnet. This radically different approach to wireless transmitter design allows us to take full advantage of the unique properties of the ELF band. Our design utilizes the high remanent flux density in rare earth magnet materials (e.g., NdFeB) to make ELF transmitters more power-efficient and portable. The current prototype operates at 90-110 Hz and supports data rates up to a few bits/sec; the next design iteration will operate at 300-700 Hz, allowing higher transmit data rates. In this presentation we describe the theory behind mechanically-based transmitters, describe the design of a practical transmitter, and show preliminary experimental results.

}, author = {Jarred Glickstein and Soumyajit Mandal} } @proceedings {437, title = {Evaluation of uBlox GPS Receivers Performance}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Ackermann, John} } @proceedings {434, title = {Frequency Estimation Techniques}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Kazdan, David} } @article {428, title = {The Great Collegiate Shortwave Listening Contest}, year = {2020}, author = {Frissell, N. A. and Liles, W. and Collins, K. and Kazdan, D} } @conference {424, title = {HamSCI Distributed Array of Small Instruments Personal Space Weather Station (DASI-PSWS): Architecture and Current Status (Invited)}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2020}, month = {06/2020}, address = {Santa Fe, NM (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Recent advances in geospace remote sensing have shown that large-scale distributed networks of ground-based sensors pay large dividends by providing a big picture view of phenomena that were previously observed only by point-measurements. While existing instrument networks provide excellent insight into ionospheric and space science, the system remains undersampled and more observations are needed to advance understanding. In an effort to generate these additional measurements, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, hamsci.org) is working with the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR, tapr.org), an engineering organization comprised of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS). These instruments that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers as part of the NSF Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) program. A performance-driven PSWS design (~US$500) will be a modular, multi-instrument device that will consist of a dual-channel phase-locked 0.1-60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) receiver, a ground magnetometer with (~10 nT resolution and 1-sec cadence), and GPS/GNSS receiver to provide precision time stamping and serve as a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) to provide stability to the SDR receiver. A low-cost PSWS (\< US$100) that measures Doppler shift of HF signals received from standards stations such as WWV (US) and CHU (Canada) and includes a magnetometer is also being developed. HF sounding algorithms making use of signals of opportunity will be developed for the SDR-based PSWS. All measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis and made available for public access.

}, url = {http://cedarweb.vsp.ucar.edu/wiki/index.php/2020_Workshop:MainVG}, author = {N. A. Frissell and D. Joshi and K. Collins and A. Montare and D. Kazdan and J. Gibbons and S. Mandal and W. Engelke and T. Atkison and H. Kim and A. J. Gerrard and J. S. Vega and S. H. Cowling and T. C. McDermott and J. Ackermann and D. Witten and H. W. Silver and W. Liles and S. Cerwin and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller} } @proceedings {431, title = {HamSCI PSWS Overview and Status}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Frissell, N. A.} } @conference {359, title = {HamSCI: Space Weather Operational Resources and Needs of the Amateur Radio Community}, booktitle = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, publisher = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, organization = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, address = {Boston, MA}, abstract = {

The amateur (ham) radio community is a global community of over 3 million people who use and build radio equipment for communications, experimentation, and science. By definition, amateur radio is a volunteer service, with the operators required to hold government-issued licenses that are typically earned by passing knowledge tests covering radio regulations and practices, radio theory, and electromagnetic theory. In the United States, there are about 750,000 licensed hams, ranging in age from very young to very old, and ranging in experience from neophyte to people with advanced degrees in radio engineering and science. Amateur radio operators are licensed to transmit on bands spread across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, from very low frequency (VLF) up to hundreds of gigahertz. The purpose of these communications range from mission-critical emergency and public service communications to social contacts to highly competitive contests and achievement award programs. Many of these communications rely on trans-ionospheric paths, and therefore are heavily influenced by conditions in near-Earth space, or space weather.
Amateurs today obtain space weather and propagation prediction information from sources such as the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), spaceweather.com, the Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program (VOACAP), amateur radio propagation columnists (ARRL, RSGB, and CQ Magazine), and spaceweatherwoman.com (Dr. Tamitha Skov). In order to predict success for their communications efforts, hams often use parameters such as smoothed sunspot number, 10.7 cm wavelength solar flux proxy, and the planetary Kp and Ap indices as inputs to predict radio propagation performance. Traditionally, these predictions focus on the driving influence of space conditions and the sun{\textquoteright}s output. However, frontier research in the space sciences community has revealed that for improved predictive success, much more information needs to be provided on neutral atmosphere dynamics from the lower atmosphere and its coupled effects on the ionosphere, and predictions need to be available at higher temporal and spatial resolution. Lower atmospheric influences include atmospheric gravity waves that can couple to traveling ionospheric disturbances that can dramatically alter radio propagation paths. Tropospheric phenomena such as temperature inversions and wind shear also affect VHF and UHF propagation. To be most useful, the ham community needs operational products that provide real time nowcasts and multi-day forecasts which predict how space weather through the whole atmosphere affects radio wave propagation on global scale and at all operational wavelengths.
To help with this effort, hams can provide data with unique spatial and temporal coverage back to the research and forecast community. The amateur radio community has already started this process with the creation of multiple global-scale, real-time propagation reporting systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet), PSKReporter, and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). Studies by the Ham radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) have shown that data from these systems, if applied correctly, can effectively be used to study ionospheric space weather events. Experienced amateurs keep detailed records of verified point-to-point contacts and have extensive experience operating under a wide variety of geophysical conditions and locations, both of which can provide unique insights when shared with the professional research community. In this presentation, we will describe efforts led by the HamSCI collective to provide this research community feedback through active HamSCI community email lists and annual HamSCI workshops. We will also describe strategies with good initial success at amateur-professional collaboration, including a HamSCI-led amateur radio community - professional research community partnership to create a network of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS), which will allow citizen scientists to make science-grade space weather observations from their own backyards.

}, url = {https://ams.confex.com/ams/2020Annual/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/370904}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and William Liles and H. Ward Silver and R. Carl Luetzelschwab and Tamitha Skov} } @conference {364, title = {HamSCI {\textendash} The Ionosphere from your Backyard}, booktitle = {HamCation}, year = {2020}, month = {02/2020}, publisher = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, organization = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, address = {Orlando, FL}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @article {357, title = {Hands-On-SDR: TangerineSDR}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, pages = {10-15}, abstract = {

The inspiration for TangerineSDR came from the HamSCI [8] group as a request for SDR hardware that could be used as a Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). Their need resulted in the four-hour Sunday seminar at the TAPR Digital Communications Conference in Albuquerque, NM, on September 16, 2018. At TAPR, our first response was, {\textquotedblleft}Let{\textquoteright}s find a commercial SDR that we can incorporate into a PSWS kit{\textquotedblright}. Existing hardware would be our best bet for a quick solution. After some research and further consultation with the scientists at HamSCI, it became clear that there was no affordable (less than US $500) solution that met PSWS\ requirements. This article explains the TangerineSDR project and requirements.

Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.

}, issn = {0886-8093}, url = {http://www.arrl.org/qex/}, author = {Scotty Cowling} } @proceedings {432, title = {HF Propagation Measurement Techniques and Analyses}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Cerwin, S.} } @conference {396, title = {Into the Ionosphere: Real-Time Aurora Mapping Through Citizen Science (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Aurorasaurus is an award-winning, eight-year-old citizen science project that utilizes crowdsourced and citizen science data to produce the first real-time, global map of auroral visibility. The project has demonstrated scientific value in multiple areas, including the efficacy of social media in detecting large natural events; the success of crowdsourced verification of citizen science data; and the increased accuracy of space weather alerts when integrated with citizen science data. The Aurorasaurus team in collaboration with citizen scientists and the scientific community published the first scientific study of STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), an aurora-like phenomenon that appears closer to the equator and flows from east to west. In addition to discoveries, Aurorasaurus conducts outreach and education across the globe, often through partnerships with local groups of enthusiasts. To establish and maintain these high standards, the Aurorasaurus team utilizes a scientific product inventory approach to evaluation, developing further metrics specific to citizen science that are applicable to other projects. We will give an overview of the project, how to participate, and seek to understand how ham radio and aurora enthusiasts can collaborate further.

}, author = {L. Brandt and E. MacDonald} } @conference {408, title = {The Language of Amateur Radio (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The survival of Amateur Radio demands big changes in the Language of Amateur Radio. Radio Amateurs must think and speak in terms of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math\ \ (STEM) educational concepts that appeal to school and college students. STEM educated young people are critically important in maintaining our country{\textquoteright}s global competitiveness. Another aspect of the Language of Amateur Radio is to reconsider use of the word "hobby" in favor of stronger concepts such as "Enterprise." Amateur Radio in total generates a small but substantial economic impact and provides public service too. No other endeavor touches upon all aspects of STEM subjects so use of the word "hobby" to describe Amateur Radio may be misleading to many people.

}, author = {David Vine} } @conference {390, title = {Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in F region electron density with horizontal wavelengths \> 1000 km and periods between 30 to 180 min. On 3 November 2017, LSTID signatures were detected in observations made by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) for the first time. The RBN and WSPRNet are two large-scale High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) amateur (ham) radio observing networks that provide data to the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI). The LSTIDs were observed on the 7 and 14 MHz amateur radio bands, and are detected by observing changes in average propagation path length with time. LSTID period lengthened from T ~ 1.5 hr at 12 UT to T ~ 2.25 hr by 21 UT. Simultaneous LSTID signatures were present in ham radio observations over the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean, and Europe. LSTIDs observed with amateur radio were consistent with LSTIDs observed by the Blackstone SuperDARN HF radar and in differential GNSS Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements. GNSS TEC maps were used to estimate LSTID parameters: horizontal wavelength 1100 km, phase velocity 950 km/hr, period 70 min, and propagation azimuth 135{\textdegree}. The LSTID signatures were observed throughout the day following ~800 nT surges in the Auroral Electrojet (AE) index at 00 and 12 UT. We will discuss potential generation hypotheses for the observed LSTIDs, including atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) sources triggered by auroral electrojet intensifications
and associated Joule heating.

}, author = {D. Sanchez and N. A. Frissell and G. Perry and W. D. Engelke and A. Coster and P. J. Erickson and J. M. Ruohoniemi and J. B. H. Baker} } @conference {425, title = {Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, GNSS TEC, and Ionosondes}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2020}, month = {06/2020}, address = {Santa Fe, NM (Virtual)}, url = {http://cedarweb.vsp.ucar.edu/wiki/index.php/2020_Workshop:MainVG}, author = {D. F. Sanchez and N. A. Frissell and G. W. Perry and W. D. Engelke and A. Coster and P. J. Erickson and J. M. Ruohoniemi and J. B. H. Baker and R. C. Luetzelschawb} } @proceedings {435, title = {LC-PSWS Engineering Status }, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Gibbons, John} } @conference {391, title = {Let{\textquoteright}s Push the Exploration of the Ionosphere to The Next Level (Invited)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {T. Duffy} } @conference {409, title = {Live Aurora Network}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

How it Started: Live Aurora Network is the brainchild of founders Steve and Tony Collins.\  The brothers traveled around the Northern hemisphere searching for the magical lights, time after time they spent hours sitting in a field looking up at a clear sky with an Aurora predicted, watching all the Apps available to them... with no results! Or there was simply no Aurora forecast. Or it was just too cloudy. Steve and Tony decided they needed real-time alerts and not just a forecast - Live Aurora Network was born. Introduction: Live Aurora Network is an innovative real-time detection system designed to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in person or by viewing remotely. Advances in camera technology, Internet video and social media have given people around the world the opportunity to experience the wonder of the Aurora. The subtlety of the lights previously required long camera exposures of 20 to 30 seconds to capture them. This blurred out some of the details and produced time-lapse videos that were down-sampled versions of the real display. A Solution: Using Sony{\textquoteright}s a7SII camera Live Aurora Network is able to stream Aurora video at 30fps. Audiences are now provided a more authentic aurora display using the Live Aurora Network iPhone/Android App. Live Aurora Network has seven camera systems to-date in Norway, Iceland and Alaska and with plans for more installations. An Aurora detection algorithm developed in coordination with our partner, Michael McCormack (HAM callsign NQ1O) detects the presence of Aurora in a live image instantly alerting App users to the presence of Aurora. Scientific Use: Following discussions with scientists specializing in the field of The Northern Lights, it became apparent that the data might be of use to the scientific community. Live Aurora Network has also collaborated with Aurorasaurus (@tweetaurora) which is a citizen science project gathering real-time data about aurora sightings notifying users when the Northern Lights are likely visible in their area. Live Aurora Network smartphone App is available for download at the App store.

}, author = {Michael McCormack} } @conference {376, title = {Magnetometer Support for the Personal Space Weather Station and Related Projects}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Personal Space Weather Station project requires the use of a high performance, yet affordable, ground based magnetometer component. Here we describe the design and testing of a magnetometer support module for that purpose. A sufficiently cost effective magnetometer offers the opportunity to capture new science by allowing construction of large and well populated grids of instruments. The module chosen makes use of sensor components based on magneto-inductive effects. Many types of magnetometer exist, all trading cost for performance across a huge range. Our goal was to design a sensitive instrument around commercially available components that would be versatile and low enough in cost to allow its deployment in novel ways.

}, author = {D. Witten III and F. Bonte and H. Kim} } @conference {401, title = {Neutral Winds in the Equatorial Thermosphere as Measured With the SOFDI Instrument (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Second-generation, Optimized, Fabry-Perot Doppler Imager (SOFDI), a triple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer, is designed to measure both nighttime and daytime thermospheric winds from OI 630-nm emission. These continual 24-hour observations of thermospheric winds made with SOFDI under the geomagnetic equator at Huancayo, Peru, during northern summer, provide a unique data set. Results obtained from these data set are compared to the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) derived from\ \ total electron content (TEC) and Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar (ISR) measurements of the pre-reversal enhancement (PRE). We investigate the dynamics of the EIA asymmetry in response to measured thermospheric winds. A direct relationship between the afternoon winds and the magnitude of the PRE is also reported. The large variability of winds is observed in the afternoon which is likely caused by synoptic tidal activity modulating gravity waves. Also, a comparison between the measured neutral winds to that obtained from Horizontal Wind Model 14 is demonstrated. These results confirm the role that the thermospheric winds play in modulating equatorial dynamics and further demonstrate the need for both zonal and meridional components of the wind flow.

}, author = {Sovit Khadka and Andrew Gerrard and John Meriwether} } @conference {385, title = {A new CHAIN site in New Brunswick: low-cost HF and GNSS instruments for Solar Eclipse 2024}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) is an array of ground-based radio instruments deployed in the Canadian Arctic and operated by the University of New Brunswick. The network consists of 25 GISTMs/GPS receivers and 9 ionosondes located in Canada at high geographic latitudes spanning between 56{\textdegree} and 80{\textdegree} and has been expanded recently with a new mid-latitude station in New Brunswick, Canada. The coordinates of the new station (Blissville, 45.6 N, 66.54 W) make the station an ideal location to host space weather instrumentation for study of the Solar Eclipse 2024. The predicted path of the total solar eclipse is passing through the site. The Blissville station is equipped with a range of scientific grade instruments, including a multi-constellation GNSS scintillation monitor and CADI ionosonde. Likewise, this station is hosting a low-cost, low-power HF-radar and a low-cost dual frequency GNSS receiver. The ongoing tests are showing good performance with room for potential improvements of the low-cost devices with respect to the citizen science applications. The results of the data comparison of the scientific grade and low-cost space weather instruments will be presented. Possibilities for collaboration with amateur radio community will be discussed.

}, author = {A. Farnham and A. Kashcheyev and T. Kelly and P. T. Jayachandran} } @conference {395, title = {Nikola Tesla {\textendash} The Pioneer who Paved the Road to the World and Ham Radio as We Know It (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

I presented a talk in 2006 at Penn State that was the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, the inventor of many things that we still use today. That talk presented the history and life of Tesla who is one of the most interesting scientists and persons of all time. He has a cult following and is the subject of many conspiracies and mysteries. He was at the forefront of the current wars at the time (DC vs AC), and his system of power generation is still the basic system we use to this day, quite a feat for something in engineering to last that long. Nikola Tesla also had some very eccentric personality traits that I will discuss as well. His Tesla Coil invention is still a popular item to be built and cause fascination by many Tesla hobbyists. This talk will essentially be an abbreviated version to what was given at Penn State. Many of Tesla{\textquoteright}s most important inventions and patents will be discussed and how they changed the world as we know it now. Guglielmo Marconi is usually credited with inventing radio, but it was shown after a long fight in 1943 that Tesla was indeed the first, and his much earlier patent proved it. Unfortunately, Tesla{\textquoteright}s death occurred about 6 months before the patent office corrected the history. In the talk at Penn State, many demos were performed and recorded on video. Some of these videos of the demos will be shown of various Tesla Coils including some playing music. Tesla{\textquoteright}s work and inventions would clearly be something similar in the spirit of today{\textquoteright}s HamSCI charter.

}, author = {J. Breakall} } @conference {399, title = {Novel methods for characterizing ionospheric irregularities in the high-latitude ionosphere (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Plasma structuring in the high-latitude ionosphere impacts over-the-horizon radio communication and global navigation systems, and is an important space weather effect. Therefore, characterizing the formation and evolution of these structures is critically important. It is useful to create {\textquoteleft}{\textquoteleft}irregularity spectra", which quantify the sizes of plasma structures in the high-latitude ionosphere.\ \ The shape of the spectra (and other characteristics) can provide insight into the source of the irregularities. From this information it is then possible to forecast the occurrence of irregularities and predict their impact on radio wave propagation and communications. We are able to compute irregularity spectra by leveraging the phased array design of several incoherent scatter radars (ISRs), and using some unique properties of the F-region plasma at high-latitudes.\ \ In this presentation we will describe how we develop and apply a novel technique for ISR measurements to resolve high-latitude ionospheric irregularity spectra at a finer resolution than has been previously possible with ground-based instruments. We will motivate the newly developed ISR technique, describe its methodology, and provide some first results demonstrating its effectiveness. This technique will enable future studies that will directly link high-latitude ionospheric plasma structure drivers to their impact on radio wave communications.

}, author = {Lindsay V. Goodwin and Gareth Perry} } @conference {383, title = {Observations and Modeling Studies of the Effects of the 2017 Solar Eclipse on SuperDARN HF Propagation}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The total solar eclipses offer a unique opportunity to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. Unique responses may be witnessed during eclipses, including changes in radio frequency (RF) propagation at high frequency (HF). Such changes in RF propagation were observed by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars in Christmas Valley, Oregon and in Fort Hayes, Kansas during the 2017 solar eclipse. At each site, the westward looking radar observed an increase in slant range of the backscattered signal during the eclipse onset followed by a decrease after totality. In order to investigate the underlying processes governing the ionospheric response to the eclipse, we employed the HF propagation toolbox (PHaRLAP), created by Dr. Manuel Cervera, to simulate SuperDARN data for different models of the eclipsed ionosphere. By invoking different hypotheses and comparing simulated results to SuperDARN measurements we could study the underlying processes governing the ionosphere and improve our model of the F-Region responses to an eclipse. This method was used in three studies to: identify the cause of the increase in the distance radio waves traveled during the eclipse; evaluate different models of change in eclipse magnitude over time; and investigate the effect of the neutral wind velocity on the simulated eclipse data. This presentation will discuss observations made by SuperDARN during the 2017 eclipse, major results from our raytrace studies, and unanswered questions that may be useful to consider when planning HamSCI{\textquoteright}s campaign and/or similar ionospheric studies for the next eclipse over the United States in 2024.

}, author = {M. Moses and L. Kordella and G. D. Earle and D. Drob and J. Huba and J. M. Ruohoniemi} } @conference {393, title = {Observing Radio Signals of Auroral Origin (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

For decades, scientists have deployed instruments similar to amateur radio receiving systems to investigate radio signals of auroral origin observable at ground level in the Arctic and Antarctic. These naturally emitted signals fall into roughly four categories: (1) auroral "roar" occurs in relatively narrow ~100-kHz-wide bands centered around approximately 2.8, 4.2, 5.6, and 6.8 MHz, with center frequency depending on location of observation; (2) auroral "burst" has typical bandwidth 1 MHz occurring between about 1.5 and 4.5 MHz, and usually lasting only a few minutes; (3) auroral "hiss" is a broadband emission extending up to 1 MHz, also of short duration; and (4) "auroral kilometric radiation," also known as AKR, occurs in the frequency range 100-900 kHz and is observed often from spacecraft but much more rarely at ground level and primarily in Antarctica. Most of these signals are optimally received at locations 100-500 km poleward of the aurora. Most of the scientific studies have exploited Arctic and Antarctic research facilities, but there are potential observing locations accessible to intrepid amateurs who have mobile equipment. There are a number of unanswered questions about these signals, including possible existence of other types or sub-types, which could be targets of citizen science.

}, author = {J. LaBelle} } @conference {394, title = {Operating Auroral Mode Ham Radio (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {D. Hallidy} } @conference {371, title = {Overview of the Personal Space Weather Station and Project Update}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

An overview of the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station and general project update.

}, author = {N. A. Frissell} } @conference {400, title = {Patterns in Received Noise: Methods, Observations and Questions (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

There are valid concerns that local noise, often as common mode, is an increasing problem for radio amateurs. By adding two noise measurement algorithms to a robust Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) processing and reporting package\ -\ wsprdaemon\ -\ we now have the capability to record and share noise level measurements from over twenty amateur stations. With locations from Maui to Moscow, and ranging from very quiet rural Northern California, Utah, and Austria to more typical suburban noise environments we have observed a multitude of patterns in received noise on the LF to HF bands (136 kHz to 28 MHz). These patterns show clearly where and when the local noise floor becomes a limiting factor. More intriguingly, we have observed coherent fluctuations in the noise over periods of hours at a pair stations 1000 km apart. Now with observations from a {\textquoteright}diamond{\textquoteright} of four stations we can look in more detail at the timing of these coherent fluctuations. With over six months of observations every two minutes from several stations we can show systematic seasonal variations in the daily noise patterns. We think we understand the root causes of some of the features, such as the local noon minimum and the post-sunset maximum in late spring and summer. However, we have yet to reach a satisfactory understanding for some patterns, including a transition to a daytime noise maximum in autumn. The challenging task of calibration to a field strength in free space will not be ignored, but for this presentation it will be set aside as we concentrate on patterns and not absolute noise levels. This presentation will outline the noise measurement methods, show examples of noise patterns from several stations, introduce the on-line database and its Grafana interface that delegates will be able to explore, and we will seek comments, insights and suggestions as to causes for the patterns and next steps for this collaborative effort.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett and Glenn Elmore and Clint Turner and Tom Bunch and Dennis Benischek} } @conference {386, title = {Propagation Teepee: A High Frequency (HF) Radio Spectral Feature Identified by Citizen Scientists}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We report on the observations of a high frequency (HF) spectral feature that appears often in ground-based spectral data at 15-30 MHz.The feature, likely of terrestrial origin, is often recorded by a group of amateur radio astronomers, the Spectrograph User Group (SUG), whose main interest is in observing radio emissions from Jupiter. The feature appears as spectral enhancements with the frequency of enhancement first increasing and then decreasing with time, resulting in a {\textquotedblleft}triangular spectral feature.{\textquotedblright} Its shape is reminiscent of teepee tents (or TPs for short), the moveable dwellings of some groups of native-Americans. TPs usually have sharp or well-defined upper frequency limits for both the leading and trailing edges. While some TPs are observed in isolation, they are often seen in groups, distributed either in time or in frequency as a nested group at a particular time. Most TPs appear to be diffuse even at high time resolution, but a few TPs seen at high time resolution reveal that those TPs consist actually of discrete bursts, strongly suggestive that the band noise produced from lightning as possible radiation sources of the TPs. In this paper, we investigate the possible generation of TPs as a result of ionospheric reflection of band noise produced by remote lightning storms.

}, author = {S. F. Fung and D. Typinski and R. F. Flagg and T. Ashcraft and W. Greenman and C. Higgins and J. Brown and L. Dodd and A. S. Mount and F. J. Reyes and J. Sky and J. Thieman and L. N. Garcia} } @proceedings {436, title = {PSWS Control Software and Database}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Engelke, William D.} } @article {450, title = {Rapid and Accurate Measurement of Polarization and Fading of Weak VHF Signals Obliquely Reflected from Sporadic-E Layers}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation}, year = {2020}, abstract = {

In the E-region of the ionosphere, at heights between 90 and 130 km, thin patches of enhanced ionization occur intermittently. The electron density in these sporadic-E (Es) clouds can sometimes be so high that radio waves with frequencies up to 150 MHz are obliquely reflected. While this phenomenon is well known, the reflection mechanism itself is not well understood. To investigate this question, an experimental system has been developed for accurate polarimetric and fading measurements of 50 MHz radio waves obliquely reflected by mid-latitude Es layers. The overall sensitivity of the system is optimized by reducing environmental electromagnetic noise, giving the ability to observe weak, short-lived 50 MHz Es propagation events. The effect of the ground reflection on observed polarization is analyzed and the induced amplitude and phase biases are compensated for. It is found that accurate measurements are only possible below the pseudo-Brewster angle. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, initial empirical results are presented which provide clear evidence of magneto-ionic double refraction.

}, keywords = {Brewster angle, ionosphere, radio noise, Radio wave propagation, VHF}, issn = {0018-926X}, url = {https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/rapid-and-accurate-measurement-of-polarization-and-fading-of-weak}, author = {Chris Deacon and Witvliet, Ben A. and Cathryn Mitchell and Simon Steendam} } @article {414, title = {The Rebirth of HF}, year = {2020}, month = {05/2020}, institution = {Rohde and Schwarz}, type = {White Paper}, address = {Munich, Germany}, abstract = {

HF stands for {\textquoteleft}high frequency{\textquoteright} and is usually used to refer to signals with frequencies in the range of 3 MHz to 30 MHz, although in many cases the practical definition of HF has be extended down to frequencies as low as 1.5 MHz. HF is also sometimes referred to, somewhat loosely, as {\textquoteleft}shortwave,{\textquoteright} especially in the context of broadcasting. These HF frequencies correspond to wavelengths in the range of approximately 10 to 100 meters. Given that modern homes contain Wi-Fi access points operating in the gigahertz range and that some 5G deployments are taking place in so-called millimeter-wave bands, the names {\textquotedblleft}high{\textquotedblright} frequency and "shortwave" may seem a bit misplaced, but it is worth nothing that the first experiments in long-distance radio communication by Marconi around the year 1900 used even lower frequency signals.

One of the best-known applications of HF is worldwide or global communications. Both government and commercial broadcasters can reach listeners worldwide using HF frequencies. This global reach is also extremely useful in many government and military applications, and HF is used extensively by amateur radio operators around the world. This paper will begin with an exploration of the unique properties of HF that enable global communications.

}, author = {Paul Denisowski} } @conference {388, title = {Statistical Study of Open Closed Boundaries (OCB) using ULF Wave Observations from Antarctic AGOs, McMurdo Station, and South Pole Station}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We present a statistical study using ground magnetometer data from the Antarctic Automated Geophysical Observatories (AGOs) to characterize open-closed boundary (OCB) behavior during geomagnetically quiet times. Knowledge of the location and dynamics of the magnetic field line OCB provides insight to space physics processes such as substorms, particle precipitation events, and magnetospheric configuration. Prior studies have shown that determination of the OCB location can be made by examining the ULF wave power in data from a latitudinal chain of ground based magnetometers extending from the auroral zone into the deep polar cap. In this statistical study, AGOs 1, 2, 3, and 5, along with McMurdo (MCM) and South Pole Station (SPA) were studied. The seasons chosen were centered around the four cardinal dates, March 20th, June 21st, September 22nd, and December 21st. For each season, 60 days were selected centered around the cardinal date; any days with a planetary Ap greater than 30 were discarded. Using the H-component fluxgate data from South Pole Station, McMurdo Station and the AGO systems, an average daily residual power spectra was calculated. The spectrograms for SPA, MCM, and AGO show signatures of whether the station is located in an open or closed magnetic region. This results of the OCB is compared to the Tsyganenko Model. We will discuss the seasonal climatology as calculated from raw data and compared to a model as well as how OCB depends on seasons and magnetic latitude.

}, author = {R. M. Frissell and H. Kim and A. J. Gerrard} } @conference {406, title = {Super Cheap Scintillation Console: Literate-Pancake (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The goal of this project is to make yet another "low cost" console for calculating scintillation caused by ionospheric irregularities. Using some of the cheapest devices that come up in a simple google search for gps receivers and computers we{\textquoteright}ve kept cost below $60 USD. As an exercise in seeing if anything useful can be obtained by bashing the cheapest stuff on the internet together, who knows, they may even be capable of making useful observations to detect ionospheric irregularities. At this low barrier to entry, both in terms of cost and programming experience, this is intended to be an introductory project using GPS that goes beyond location tracking, and involves ionospheric science that Ham Radio operators are already familiar with. Some basic software has been produced to process the NMEA data from the device and process it enough to produce the scintillation data product. Currently under development, this software is public and open source. Although this device is certainly of a lower quality than many more expensive set ups, the end result is at least superficially comparable to some of the other inexpensive devices that are still several times more expensive. Some rudimentary scinillation detection can be performed, obtaining where and when scintillation is occurring. The hard part now, is finding the right combination of data product and online accesss to make historical scintillation data available to future scientists. With mass market parts and completely free and open source software, perhaps this community can even find novel uses for this data beyond the intent of this work.

}, author = {Jonathan M. Smith and Brian Espinal-Juarez} } @conference {378, title = {Synchronized Multiple Radio Telescope Microwave SETI}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Almost all radio SETI experiments conducted to date have used antenna and receiver systems that search for semi-continuous CW beacons. Amateur radio operators are now conducting a different type of radio SETI experiment that we believe has not yet been tried. We utilize multiple geographically-spaced, synchronized radio telescopes to simultaneously scan the sky, searching for narrow bandwidth pulses and hypothetical modulated signals, containing information transmitted by extraterrestrial intelligence. We determine if pulses are simultaneously received on the same frequency, at the same time, on two or more of the radio telescopes. The signal detection system eliminates almost all terrestrial and space-based radio frequency interference. Three radio telescopes currently comprise the system: 60 foot diameter dish near Haswell, Colorado operated by Steve Plock KL7IZW, 40 foot diameter dish at the Green Bank Observatory, West Virginia, operated by Skip Crilly K7ETI, and 26 foot diameter dish in New Hampshire, remotely operated by Skip. We transit scan -7.6 degree declination and synchronously receive signals in the range of 1395 to 1455 MHz, in 16 million 3.7 Hz bandwidth channels, using four high speed computers with programmed SDR. Synchronized radio telescope observations have been conducted between late 2017 and December 2019. All raw data from observations is immediately made available upon request to interested students and researchers, to allow searches for interesting signals. Since August 2018, a total of nine anomalous simultaneous pulse events have been observed on pairs of synchronized radio telescopes, from an apparent single celestial pointing direction, at approximately 5.2 hours Right Ascension and -7.6 degrees Declination, near Rigel in Orion. A presence of modulated signals at the time of simultaneous pulses is indicated. A noise-based hypothesis has been refuted to high statistical significance. Satellite tracking experts are helping with distant space RFI hypotheses and analysis of data. Follow-up observations and system enhancement are underway. This presentation will describe the system, observations, hypothesis development and testing, and future plans. We seek ideas from listeners.

}, author = {W. J. Crilly} } @conference {374, title = {TangerineSDR Clock Module Design}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Overview of clock module design for TangerineSDR along with a report on PPS performance of several GPS receivers.

}, author = {J. Ackermann} } @conference {372, title = {TangerineSDR Data Engine and Overall Architecture}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A quick hardware feature review and project status of the TangerineSDR Data Engine (DE) board. Hardware components will be described, as well as a schedule time line for completion.

}, author = {S. Cowling} } @conference {375, title = {TangerineSDR Database and Control System Architecture}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

In support of the Personal Space Weather Station Network, a team at the University of Alabama are working on two parallel software efforts. First, an embedded system is being developed for the small board computer that will be a part of the TangerineSDR. This package includes a web interface for user friendliness and a main controller written in C to handle high speed data. Second, a Central Control System will be developed that users can log into and upload data they collect. This central system will be used for aggregating and analyzing data, as well as to coordinate data collection. The embedded system and central control will work together so that science data collection is easy for the user. As an added bonus, the TangerineSDR will give each user tools for observing propagation at their own location, as an aid to their ham radio activities.

}, author = {W. Engelke} } @conference {373, title = {TangerineSDR Dual-Receiver RF Module Design}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

An overview of the dual-receiver module designed for TangerineSDR, unique features of the module, and some application scenarios.

}, author = {T. McDermott} } @proceedings {438, title = {TangerineSDR Hardware Update}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Cowling, Scotty and Ackermann, John and McDermott, Tom} } @conference {365, title = {TangerineSDR System Architecture}, booktitle = {HamCation}, year = {2020}, month = {02/2020}, publisher = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, organization = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, address = {Orlando, FL}, author = {William D. Engelke} } @conference {439, title = {TangerineSDR VLF Module (A new module!)}, booktitle = {ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, organization = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Rizzo, Jonathan} } @conference {389, title = {Temporal and Spatial Development of TEC Enhancements during Substorms}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Total electron count (TEC) enhancements due to space weather are a threat to communications and global positioning systems (GPS). It is known that TEC enhancements occur during magnetic storms and can cover large areas for many hours, but it is also not uncommon for TEC enhancements as large as 10 TEC units to occur during substorms. Although much is known about storm-associated TECs, the temporal and spatial characteristics of substorm-associated TECs are not well established. By combining two dimensional maps of TECs over North America and Greenland and with maps of ionospheric currents derived with the spherical elementary current method [Weygand et al., 2011], we investigate the temporal and spatial changes of TEC enhancement events for both a single substorm and for multiple substorms combined using a two dimensional superposed epoch analysis. Both the single event analysis and the statistical analysis show an increase of TECs during the expansion phase. Substorm values of the TEC enhancements peak within 10 min after auroral onset and recover to nominal levels after about 40 min. TEC enhancements occur mainly within the night side region 1 current system and cover millions of square kilometers. Furthermore, these enhancements appear to be associated with enhanced precipitating electron fluxes. These results address one of goals of the Space Weather Action Plan, which are to establish benchmarks for space weather events and improve modeling and prediction of their impacts on infrastructure.

}, author = {J. Weygand} } @conference {380, title = {Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed Using Doppler Measurements of Clear-Channel AM Broadcast Transmitters}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A system has been developed and is being deployed around the Northeast US using an SDR and Raspberry Pi to receive and measure the Doppler shift of the carrier frequencies of AM broadcast stations to detect Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances.

}, author = {D. McGaw and J. LaBelle} } @conference {382, title = {Update on the Golden Ears Project}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI), part of the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) science payload on the Cascade, Smallsat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer (CASSIOPE) spacecraft, has recorded continuous wave (CW; Morse code) transmissions during the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day exercises since 2015. Perry et al. (2018) demonstrated the value of such transmissions to radio science. By identifying a handful of hams in the RRI data collected during the 2015 Field Day and inputting their transmitting locations into a high frequency (HF) ray tracing model, Perry et al. were able to accurately estimate foF2 over a portion of the midwestern United States. They were also able to diagnose the periodic fading in the amplitude of one ham{\textquoteright}s transmission as a multipath propagation effect unique to transionospheric propagation.

One lesson from the Perry et al. analysis was that decoding the transmissions using CW {\textquotedblleft}skimmers{\textquotedblright}, software capable of decoding large bands of CW signal, was not feasible with the RRI data. This is likely due to the fact that the signals disperse and degrade as they transit from the ground, through the ionosphere, and up to the spacecraft. As a result, the Perry et al. transmissions had to be decoded aurally by the article{\textquoteright}s co-authors. Since 2015, RRI has collected several hours of ARRL Field Day transmissions, necessitating a more organized decoding effort, rather that the ad hoc methodology employed thus far.

Accordingly, the {\textquotedblleft}Golden Ears Project{\textquotedblright} was initiated following the RRI operations for the 2019 ARRL Field Day. The goal of the project is straightforward: use members of the ham community with a distinct aptitude for aurally decoding CW signals (i.e., individuals with {\textquotedblleft}Golden Ears{\textquotedblright}) to decode data collected by RRI in thorough and organized way. In this presentation we will disseminate the first project{\textquoteright}s first results from 2019 Field Day operations. We will describe the experimental setup, methodology used to prepare the data from the decoders, discuss their results, and outline the future directions of the project.

Perry, G. W., Frissell, N. A., Miller, E. S., Moses, M., Shovkoplyas, A., Howarth, A. D., \& Yau, A. W. (2018). Citizen Radio Science: An Analysis of Amateur Radio Transmissions With e-POP RRI. Radio Science, 933{\textendash}947. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017RS006496

}, author = {G. Perry and P. J. Erickson and B. D. Blain and R. Reif and N. A. Frissell} } @conference {377, title = {Update on the Low-Cost Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {K. Collins and D. Kazdan and J. Gibbons} } @conference {402, title = {Using a PVC Pipe Antenna and a Raspberry Pi to Detect VLF Natural Radio (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

It{\textquoteright}s possible to detect half of the world{\textquoteright}s lightning anywhere on Earth. Because most of a lightning discharge{\textquoteright}s spectral power is within the Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) bands, the emissions from lightning discharges (sferics) propagate rather easily across the globe. These propagation conditions allow for other natural radio events like tweeks, whistlers, and chorus to propagate well within the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Using a simple E-Field VLF receiver, a GPS timing receiver, a Raspberry Pi with Audioinjector soundcard, it is possible to build a fully contained low power VLF reception system to detect natural radio events in the VLF/ULF band using open source software that will capture, GPS timestamp, and filter (remove mains hum) the VLF audio feed and record, detect individual events, detect sudden ionospheric disturbances, and perform analysis on detected events. VLF event data, recordings, and live streaming is possible, all from a PVC pipe active E-Field antenna receiver, GPS timing receiver, and a Raspberry Pi.

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo} } @conference {387, title = {Using amateur radio to validate model-based properties of earth{\textquoteright}s protective shield}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateur radio has the capability of assisting researchers with the validation process of model-based studies of the magnetosphereionosphere (M-I) system. Over the years many model-based studies have demonstrated that several key M-I systems exhibit a Universal Time (UT) dependence. Our recent study shows that the dayside of the open/closed boundary of the geomagnetic field exhibits a UTdependent variation. We demonstrated that this variation can be as much as 15 degrees in latitude. Recent results have shown that the proton energy cutoff latitude for protons with energy between 1-20 MeV shows a significant UT-dependent variation. This variation could have important consequences related to predicting the level of high frequency (HF) absorption in the D-region of the ionosphere during so-called polar cap absorption (PCA) events. HF communication continues to be of considerable importance in and around earth{\textquoteright}s Polar Regions. Commercial aviators use HF radio communications during transpolar flights. During PCA events it is critical that commercial airlines have up-to-date information regarding HF communication forecasts to properly route their aircraft to ensure crewmember and passenger safety. Generating observational evidence for this suggestion is particularly challenging. A ground station is by definition located at one longitude. Hence, a unique UT and Local Time (LT) are associated with its location. Therefore, many ground-based sites would be needed to have long-term data sets such that the UT dependence could be separated from space weather effects. Satellites perhaps have a better likelihood to have data streams capable of identifying the cutoff latitude, but this would require large satellite constellations coordinated in such manner that the spacecraft would be near the polar cusp region simultaneously. Such a constellation does not yet exist. Amateur radio could assist with gathering observational data to test the model-based results. Using existing systems such as WSPRnet it could be possible to gather HF propagation data near earth{\textquoteright}s Polar Regions during quiescent times as well as during PCA events. The newly-proposed Personal Space Weather Station could prove useful. Over time, a substantial data set could exist that would allow examination of the proposed UT-dependent variation. This presentation will discuss the model-based results and potential amateur radio involvement.

}, author = {D. A. Smith and J. Sojka} } @unpublished {442, title = {Using Fldigi for the ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT)}, year = {2020}, month = {10/2020}, type = {Technical Instructions}, url = {https://fmt.arrl.org/}, author = {Bob Howard} } @conference {404, title = {Visualizing the Electromagnetic Spectrum in the Time Domain (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Since the advent of the Software Defined Radio (SDR), the ability to collect raw signal information from the electromagnetic spectrum has become ubiquitous.\ \ Typically, the received Inphase and Quadrature (IQ) data is processed with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm to display the signal information in the frequency domain.\ \ While this has many advantages, to include displaying a waterfall to show the energy per frequency over time, the waterfall visual representation does not visually represent the entire signal.\ \ This work demonstrates a novel method to view the electromagnetic spectrum in the time domain by directly plotting the IQ data in 3- dimensional space.\ \ The Visualization Tool Kit (VTK) is utilized to provide this representation and Paraview is utilized in viewing the 3D data.\ \ The goal is twofold; first to visualize the electromagnetic spectrum for educational use and second to determine if weak signals near strong signals can be visualized where they have traditionally been obscured by the computation of the signal{\textquoteright}s FFT.

}, author = {Stephen Hamilton and Charles Suslowicz} } @article {447, title = {Winter Sporadic-E-Like Propagation on 6 Meters}, volume = {76}, year = {2020}, month = {11/2020}, pages = {28-32}, abstract = {

The question was asked: why do we see sporadic-E like propagation in November and December, when many of the variables like UV radiation and solar exposure are at a minimum, unlike the very active sporadic-E summer months?\  Much like it was shown that North Atlantic transatlantic 6m propagation during the summer was made more possible by strategically placed weather storm systems, it looks like a similar effect with very strong jet stream boundaries also affect sporadic-E\ like communications during the winter months.\  This citizen science study is another example how amateur radio can contribute to science, and illustrates the great potentials for studies using ham radio data.\  We have many amateur radio stations on the air, using modes like FT8 which make contacts on propagation paths that we thought were previously impossible.\ 

}, url = {https://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/}, author = {Joseph A. Dzekevich} } @conference {379, title = {WWV Time Tick Arrival Time Study to Investigate Multiple Modes During Daily Dawn and Dusk Transitions}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

High resolution spectral waterfall measurements of the 5 MHz WWV carrier frequency from Ft. Collins, CO to San Antonio, TX have shown the carrier to divide into the primary and additional frequency shifted copies during the night to day sunrise transition. In many cases the morning positive Doppler shifts associated with these frequencies appeared to follow a geometric progression. This timing study was conducted in an effort to learn more about multipath propagation during the dawn and dusk transitions. Timing measurements were made to arrival times of the first and delayed copies WWV 1-second timing ticks referenced to the 1 pps timing pulse available from a GPS Disciplined Oscillator. The primary and delayed arrival times were observed to cluster in a geometric progression that were consistent with ray trace programs predicting Time-Of-Flight for 1, 2, and 3 hop propagation modes. This talk presents the measurement techniques used, measured data for January 29, 2020, and correlations with a simplified geometric analysis, PHaRLAP, and Proplab Pro ray trace programs.

}, author = {S. Cerwin} } @conference {410, title = {WWV Time Tick Observations: Towards an Automated Approached}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As described by\ Cerwin (2020), the timing ticks that mark each second on WWV can be used to observe multipath propagation. We present our setup, which is similar to Cerwin{\textquoteright}s, and describe our work towards automating the collection of timing tick observations. We demonstrate methods of collecting this data by using trace-collection features of certain Rigol oscilloscopes, as well as features of associated computer control software. We also discuss software libraries for a general approach suited to many oscilloscopes, and how these data might be collected by the in-development Personal Space Weather Station. We conclude with a request to the HamSCI community to help develop this technique and broaden its scientific applications.

}, author = {Aidan Montare and John Gibbons} } @conference {310, title = {Affordable Scientific Grade Ground Magnetometer (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Hyomin Kim} } @conference {301, title = {ARISS: Talking to the astronauts via ham radio and how it inspires students}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The ARISS (Amateur Radio on ISS) program is an international consortium of amateur radio organizations and space agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Their goal is to allow students worldwide to talk to the International Space Station (ISS) astronauts with the hopes of inspiring students to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) while introducing them to amateur radio. The NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club (NGARC) in collaboration with the NASA Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) at NASA Glenn Research Center helped the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) make contact with the ISS astronauts using ARISS. The specific activities undertaken by each of these organizations will be discussed starting from the proposal selection, throughout planning to the eventual contact the Girl Scouts made with the ISS astronauts. In addition, this presentation will discuss how schools and youth organizations are able to utilize the ARISS radio contact to enhance their educational objectives to support not only STEM goals but also other areas like foreign languages, geography, music and the arts. The space station, as it travels around the Earth, is a perfect way to discuss not only orbital mechanics but geography to students, while the questions asked by students allow them to learn about science concepts based on responses from the astronauts to their specific science questions. As the time from proposal selection to the actual contact could be up to a year, schools and youth organizations are able to engage all age groups in this year-long preparation as well as plan activities with their local community. Together the end result is to ultimately help students make a 10-minute contact with the ISS astronauts that is unforgettable for all in attendance.

}, author = {Nancy R. Hall} } @conference {341, title = {Balloon Pico Races}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {William Brown} } @conference {299, title = {Conquering The Skip Zone: Short Range Voice and Digital NVIS Communication}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Stephen Hamilton and B. Lebiednik and K. Hager} } @conference {339, title = {Contesting with FT4 - Issues and Opportunities Going Forward}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {John Pescatore} } @conference {298, title = {Crazy Antennas}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Everyone here is familiar with traditional antennas, time-honored favorites like dipoles and solid parabolic reflectors. But occasionally, circumstances call for something peculiar. This paper will describe a number of unusual antennas for particular communications scenarios that have been developed at the NASA Glenn Research over the past decade or so. The list includes: a K-band scanning ferroelectric reflectarray; a UHF {\textquotedblleft}Vivaldi{\textquotedblright} for cellular connectivity to unmanned aerial vehicles; a Ku-band array that develops a top-hat pattern to feed a zone plate antenna; an active antenna that toggles between Iridium and GPS bands; a VHF hybrid spiral/dipole for orientation determination on Venus; and a Ku-band deployable reflector that strongly resembles a giant beach ball. Design strategy and performance results will be included, and trends towards cognitive antennas will be discussed.

}, author = {Romanofsky, Robert} } @conference {300, title = {Digital Mobile Radio Support of High Altitude Balloons for a 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Cloud Formation Experiment}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS, eoss.org) is a Denver, Colorado based non-profit organization that promotes science and education by exploring frontiers in amateur radio and high altitude balloons. Two years prior to the total eclipse of the sun (21AUG17) we were approached by Colorado University Boulder Space Grant Consortium \& NASA about flying a pair of balloons with high resolution cameras for the eclipse. They wanted a specific altitude (85,000 foot) at the total eclipse for their cameras which was going to occur in Southeastern Wyoming. They were looking for cloud formation during the eclipse and this was coordinated with three mobile Doppler radar trucks. We did a survey of the predicted landing zone (Southeastern Wyoming/Western Nebraska) and found that there was little to no cellular service and zero amateur repeater coverage. Terrain considerations negated the use of 2M or UHF simplex and HF didn{\textquoteright}t have the right propagation. We designed a 4 site Motorola Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) system using IPSite connect with a combination of microwave and VSAT backhaul. We coordinated 4 sets of Emergency Special Event UHF DMR repeater frequencies from the Wyoming Frequency coordinator (W7QQA, Leonard Pearce). We located 4 sites and negotiated with the owners (including the use of the City of Torrington, Wyoming water tower) and ran Longley Rice coverage studies from each location. We rented and programmed 10 Motorola 4550 mobiles and installed them in the tracking and recovery crew vehicles and trained then on how to use them. We programmed up the mobiles with roaming lists and the system {\textquotedblleft}pinged{\textquotedblright} every 15 seconds (1/4 mile at 60 MPH). All the tracking and recovery teams had to do was push the PTT and wait for the {\textquotedblleft}go tone{\textquotedblright}. We used the second time slot to communicate with the Goshen County Sheriff Department who{\textquoteright}s main 911 dispatcher during the eclipse was a Ham for use in the event there was a public safety issue in a location without cell coverage. We built and tested all of the repeaters and duplexers and double conversion UPS and kitted them up together with the feed lines and antennas. One site used Telewave ANT450D6 antenna set to cardioid pattern to put the RF energy where we needed it. Our Comms team of 6 installed the system over one weekend a week before the event. We did a {\textquotedblleft}drive test{\textquotedblright} and determined that our Longley-Rice pattern studies were very conservative and the system coverage significantly exceeded the predicted coverage. The system covered more than 7,600 square miles of Southeastern Wyoming.

}, author = {Michael Pappas} } @conference {294, title = {Doppler Shift from Earth-Orbiting Satellites}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSC}, organization = {HamSC}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Doppler shift, which is easily observable as a change in frequency, is due to a change in the phase path between an emitter and observer over time.\  The changing phase path contains information about the position of the emitter as well as the propagation medium.\  This presentation describes an effort to estimate the Doppler shift of the now-defunct VO-52 ({\textquotedblleft}HAMSAT{\textquotedblright}) satellite at 145 MHz and theoretical concepts of orbit determination by trilateration.\  It is similar to work performed in the West during the early weeks of the Space Race that determined the orbit of Sputnik-I and led to the development of the satellite Doppler navigation (TRANSIT) technique.

}, author = {Michael S. Miller and Ethan S. Miller} } @conference {413, title = {Emerging Trend in 5G, IoT and SDR}, booktitle = {IEEE North Jersey MTT/AP \& ED/CAS Chapters Seminar}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {IEEE North Jersey MTT/AP \& ED/CAS Chapters}, organization = {IEEE North Jersey MTT/AP \& ED/CAS Chapters}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

2019_sdr_rohde_njit_041219.pdf

}, author = {Ulrich L. Rohde} } @conference {312, title = {FPGA-based HF transceiver running on an RPi with a MW loop antenna that works well indoors (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Cowling, Scotty} } @conference {324, title = {GPS Time Synchronization and Radio Detection for Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

In this talk, we will review GPS timing schemes and receiver selection for the synchronization of timing over the large distances of the Pierre Auger Observatory. An Experiment looking at spatial correlations of GPS timing errors will be discussed and then we{\textquoteright}ll move on to a brief introduction to radio methods for the detection of Extensive Air Showers.

}, author = {Rob Halliday} } @conference {317, title = {GPS-disciplined MEMS oscillators for amateur radio applications (Poster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Islam - HamSCI 2019 Abstract.pdf

The frequency stability of reference oscillators (ROs) is a key performance limiter for all applications that require a timing or frequency reference, including precision sensing, inertial navigation systems, and reconfigurable radio transceivers for amateur radio. ROs based on ultra-high-Q micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators are promising replacements for conventional designs based on quartz crystals due to their compactness, amenability to monolithic integration with CMOS fabrication processes, low cost, and low power consumption. In this presentation, we will demonstrate i) a custom-designed single-chip CMOS sustaining amplifier, and ii) a highly-stable RO based on combining the amplifier with a vacuum-encapsulated breath-mode single-crystal silicon resonator (Q ≈ 105).

The free-running RO has a short-term Allan deviation $\sigma_{A}(\tau)$\ ≈ 1{\texttimes}10-8 at relatively small oscillation amplitudes (Posc ≈ -5 dBm). Further improvements in stability are obtained by increasing the oscillation amplitude such that the resonator becomes significantly nonlinear. In particular, Posc is adjusted in order to operate the resonator near one of its bifurcation points defined by electrostatic spring softening. The conversion of amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM-to-PM) is greatly reduced near such points, thus reducing phase noise to levels that cannot be obtained using linear resonators. Thus, operation of MEMS resonators beyond the threshold of nonlinearity is promising for improving short- and medium-term RO stability. Moreover, the proposed RO can also be locked to GPS for greatly-improved long-term stability, thus enabling its use as a miniaturized, low-cost, and rugged secondary frequency standard in amateur radio applications.

}, author = {Mohammad S. Islam and George Xereas and Vamsy P. Chodavarapu and Soumyajit Mandal} } @conference {303, title = {Ham Radio 2.0 - Science, Service, Skill (Keynote Address)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur radio sits at the junction of technology, volunteerism, and craft.\  Which of those doors by which you enter the world of ham radio - science, service, skill - colors your expectations and interests, often for life.\  Yet the technical and demographic changes sweeping through society have not overlooked amateur radio.\  The service faces many challenges to long-held traditions and assumptions.\  What tools can we provide to not just meet the challenges but prosper, keeping amateur radio vibrant and enjoyable in order to develop our skills and support our fellow citizens, fulfilling our Basis and Purpose along the way?\  Speaking from a technical background to a technical audience, we{\textquoteright}ll consider both our opportunities and obligations to amateur radio writ large while enjoying a chuckle or two, as well.

}, author = {H. Ward Silver} } @conference {304, title = {Ham Radio for Space Scientists (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Due to inadvertent interference to commercial and military communications, Amateur Radio operators (hams) were forced to wavelengths of 200 meters and shorter by the Radio Act of 1912. This exile, along with a {\textquotedblleft}we{\textquoteright}ll show them{\textquotedblright} spirit, provided new opportunities for important discoveries and data taking by hams. Initially the sheer number of hams provided wide geographic data coverage. In recent years, data-taking systems have been developed by hams. With the focus of this Workshop being {\textquotedblleft}Ionospheric Effects and Sensing{\textquotedblright}, this presentation will review the contribution by hams to propagation science and their collaboration with the scientific community on propagation issues. Some of the topics covered will be trans-equatorial propagation, long-delayed echoes (LDEs), MINIMUF propagation predictions, fading tests with the Bureau of Standards, the ARRL-IGY propagation research project, the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) and data from DXpeditions.

}, author = {R. Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {302, title = {Hams: The First Makers}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur radio operators were the first Makers. In the early days of radio, they constructed the first receivers in the form of crude crystal radio sets. As those receivers became more complex, they scoured the neighborhoods for parts that were cast aside or other broken electronics to make their own transmitters. They developed the first computers and attached them to transceivers, creating the digital modes we use today. Every Ham is part machinist, electronics technician, and computer scientist, driven by the magic that is radio. Today{\textquoteright}s Makers have many of the same traits as a Ham. They love to create technology and put it to use to benefit others. However, Makers require key resources and know-how to continue creating or making. Just as radio clubs bring together Hams to solve problems and share solutions, MakerSpaces provide the geographic location for Makers to gather. This gives them access to specialized equipment and allows them opportunities for group creativity and cooperation among like-minded tinkers. MakerSpaces, such as Think[box] at Case Western and The Point at Otterbein University, are centers with tools and equipment to enable Makers to complete projects and share ideas. This presentation will detail the various types of equipment typically found in a MakerSpace, how one can utilize a MakerSpace as a ham radio operator to fulfill learning and technological needs, and where to find MakerSpaces. We will go on to show how Ham radio can benefit from Makers, and how MakerSpaces can evolve through the inclusion of Hams.

}, author = {Frankie Bonte and Seamus Bonte} } @conference {283, title = {HamSCI HF Receiver Requirements}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This paper outlines general requirements for the HAMSCI HF receiver equipment. The objectives of Scientific Research prescribe maximum performance and flexibility while the needs of the citizen science community impose significant cost constraints. The general requirements therefore balance the science capability of the HF receiver with the cost. The paper covers architecture of the receiver, key performance metrics, and trade-offs in performance. The actual equipment realization is not covered in this paper.

}, author = {T. C. McDermott} } @conference {287, title = {HamSCI Magnetometer Network for Space Weather Monitoring}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Besides auroral observations, magnetic field measurements are one of the traditional ways of observing the space weather phenomena on the ground. To that end, magnetic sensors, {\textquotedblleft}magnetometer{\textquotedblright}, are typically used for space research. The instrument has a wide range of applications including metal detection, non-contact switch, non-destructive testing, oil/coal exploration, military as well as space research. Magnetometers on the ground provide critical information about how solar activities impact the earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic fields (magnetosphere) and ionosphere. In particular, geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) due to temporal changes in magnetic fields (dB/dt) are a very important issue in space weather. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, as proposed in the HamSCI space weather station project, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability in unprecedented spatial extent. Here, we propose and compare three types of inexpensive, simple, mid-grade magnetometers utilizing the anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR), magneto-inductive and fluxgate technologies. The proposed magnetometers will be designed to measure large- and medium-scale geomagnetic activities approximately from a few to hundreds of nT. Preliminary prototype test results and their design, fabrication, calibration and installation plans are presented.

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @conference {274, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station: A New Tool for Citizen Science Geospace Research}, booktitle = {USNC{\textendash}URSI National Radio Science Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {01/2019}, publisher = {U.S. National Committee for URSI}, organization = {U.S. National Committee for URSI}, address = {Boulder, CO}, abstract = {

Recent advances in geospace remote sensing have shown that large-scale distributed networks of ground-based sensors pay large dividends by providing a big picture view of phenomena that were previously observed only by point-measurements. Notable examples include the improved understanding of traveling ionospheric disturbance (TID) sources based on observations from the high frequency (HF) Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars and GNSS-based total electron content remote sensing networks. While these existing networks provide excellent insight into TID science, the system remains undersampled (especially at HF) and more observations are needed to advance understanding. Additionally, previous measurements have revealed that characteristics of medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed on the bottomside ionosphere using oblique HF sounding by SuperDARN differ from integrated ionospheric measurements of MSTIDs made using GNSS-TEC. These differences have yet to be accounted for, and additional observations could aid in understanding the propagation of MSTIDs from the bottom to the top of the ionosphere. In an effort to generate these additional measurements, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, hamsci.org) is working with the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR, tapr.org), an engineering organization comprising of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers. These measurements will play a key role in the characterization of ionospheric variability across the geographic regions in which these stations are deployed. We will describe concepts, key software patterns for radio science, and proposed timelines for the Personal Space Weather Station project. A particular focus will be assembling the proper metadata for science grade observations, and strategies for lightweight calibration of radio sensors. Initial project efforts concentrate on a wideband receiving station and backing software data distribution system.

}, url = {https://nrsmboulder.org/}, author = {J. S. Vega and N. A. Frissell and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard} } @conference {318, title = {HF Spectrum Playback using Gnuradio (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {John Ackermann} } @article {275, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, journal = {Space Weather}, year = {2019}, month = {2019/01/11}, abstract = {

Abstract Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection (CME) induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high frequency (HF, 3--30 MHz) radio communications from 4-14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm-time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm withKpmax\ =\ 8\ +\ and?SYM\ ?\ Hmin\ =\ \ ?\ 146?nT occurring 7-10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at~1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Geomagnetic Storm, Ham Radio, HF Radio Propagation, Radio Blackout, Solar Flare}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2018SW002008}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018SW002008}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Vega, Joshua S. and Markowitz, Evan and Gerrard, Andrew J. and Engelke, William D. and Erickson, Philip J. and Miller, Ethan S. and Luetzelschwab, R. Carl and Bortnik, Jacob} } @conference {295, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection-induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high-frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio communications from 4{\textendash}14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm with Kpmax = 8+ and SYM-Hmin = -146 nT occurring 7{\textendash}10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at \~{}1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joshua S. Vega and Evan Markowitz and Andrew J. Gerrard and William D. Engelke and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and R. Carl Luetzelschwab and Jacob Bortnik} } @conference {314, title = {History of Case ARC and W8EDU}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {James Galm} } @conference {340, title = {How Real-Time Scoreboards Change Contesting}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Victor Androsov and Randy Thompson} } @conference {285, title = {Introduction to the KiwiSDR}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The KiwiSDR is a standalone 14 bit ADC 0-30 MHz receiver that attaches to your local network and is optionally accessed through the Internet where a browser is used to connect to the user interface.\  In addition to standard AM/SSB/CW listening modes, it includes a number of user developed extensions like WSPR logging, CW decoding, IQ display and transmitter location.\  There are more than 100 publicly available Kiwis around the world available for signal captures, many with excellent antennas and very accurate clocks and oscillators.\  The presentation will include a live demonstration of the use of Kiwis at KPH in California and N6GN in Colorado near WWV.

}, author = {Robert S. Robinett} } @conference {289, title = {Ionospheric Disturbances at Dawn, Dusk, and During the 2017 Eclipse}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The author recently participated in the HamSCI propagation experiments during the August 2017 total solar eclipse and the ARRL November 2017 Frequency Measuring Test. This paper presents some interesting propagation phenomenon observed during both activities. For the eclipse experiment a well-defined propagation enhancement of both 60 kHz WWVB and 5 MHz WWV for a path between Ft. Collins, CO and San Antonio, TX was documented. Additionally, deep propagation nulls of WWVB over this path were observed to occur every morning and evening, suggesting predictable multipath interference between competing daytime and nighttime modes. During the Frequency Measuring Test, propagation-induced frequency variations of 5 MHz WWV were observed to occur at night and especially during dawn and dusk.

}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @conference {328, title = {Ionospheric Disturbances at Dawn, Dusk, and During the 2017 Eclipse}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

The author recently participated in the HamSCI propagation experiments during the August 2017 total solar eclipse and the ARRL November 2017 Frequency Measuring Test. This paper presents some interesting propagation phenomenon observed during both activities. For the eclipse experiment a well-defined propagation enhancement of both 60 kHz WWVB and 5 MHz WWV for a path between Ft. Collins, CO and San Antonio, TX was documented. Additionally, deep propagation nulls of WWVB over this path were observed to occur every morning and evening, suggesting predictable multipath interference between competing daytime and nighttime modes. During the Frequency Measuring Test, propagation-induced frequency variations of 5 MHz WWV were observed to occur at night and especially during dawn and dusk.

}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @conference {290, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

For decades, an AM modulated time signal has been broadcast at multiple HF frequencies by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).\  Shortwave radio stations WWV in Colorado and WWVH in Hawaii use these frequencies for the broad dissemination of accurate coordinated universal time information.\  As the HF signal traverses the ionosphere, propagation effects ensue, and the high temporal precision of the original transmitted signal provides an attractive potential for wide-sense monitoring of ionospheric variations.\  We present the results of an ongoing set of data collections and statistical analysis of the received variation in WWV timing signals aimed at extracting ionospheric propagation effects.\  The work includes design of a software defined receiver (SDR) for processing the amplitude modulated dual sideband (AM-DSB) timing signal. By observing the time shift between consecutive seconds of the 10MHz WWV timing signal, reflected from the ionosphere, the change in the effective height of the ionosphere can be estimated.\  Simultaneous measurements taken from different observation angles allow a more accurate sensing of ionospheric electron density variability as projected into refractive effects.\  The project also has a goal of creating a straightforward and reliable way for hobbyists and citizen scientists to demodulate and process their own NIST timing data. We describe a sample analysis of several blocks of WWV received data, both on remote paths and locally through groundwave propagation near the Colorado transmit array, including simultaneous collects. To process the timing data, several approaches will be described, including a heterodyne SDR with a digital phase-locked-loop (PLL).\  Carrier offset tracking using PLL techniques produce Doppler shifts that are associated with traveling ionospheric disturbances and inherent electron density variability.\  Demodulation and amplitude/phase analysis of the 100 Hz subcarrier of WWV can also provide precise delta-time information on ionospheric propagation through examination of variability in arrival of the leading edge of 1 pulse-per-second ticks.\  Results to date suggest that variation between consecutive second markers is a uniformly distributed Gaussian random variable with at least some of this variation due to ionospheric factors, although systematics must be addressed.

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {329, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

For decades, an AM modulated time signal has been broadcast at multiple HF frequencies by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).\  Shortwave radio stations WWV in Colorado and WWVH in Hawaii use these frequencies for the broad dissemination of accurate coordinated universal time information.\  As the HF signal traverses the ionosphere, propagation effects ensue, and the high temporal precision of the original transmitted signal provides an attractive potential for wide-sense monitoring of ionospheric variations.\  We present the results of an ongoing set of data collections and statistical analysis of the received variation in WWV timing signals aimed at extracting ionospheric propagation effects.\  The work includes design of a software defined receiver (SDR) for processing the amplitude modulated dual sideband (AM-DSB) timing signal. By observing the time shift between consecutive seconds of the 10MHz WWV timing signal, reflected from the ionosphere, the change in the effective height of the ionosphere can be estimated.\  Simultaneous measurements taken from different observation angles allow a more accurate sensing of ionospheric electron density variability as projected into refractive effects.\  The project also has a goal of creating a straightforward and reliable way for hobbyists and citizen scientists to demodulate and process their own NIST timing data. We describe a sample analysis of several blocks of WWV received data, both on remote paths and locally through groundwave propagation near the Colorado transmit array, including simultaneous collects. To process the timing data, several approaches will be described, including a heterodyne SDR with a digital phase-locked-loop (PLL).\  Carrier offset tracking using PLL techniques produce Doppler shifts that are associated with traveling ionospheric disturbances and inherent electron density variability.\  Demodulation and amplitude/phase analysis of the 100 Hz subcarrier of WWV can also provide precise delta-time information on ionospheric propagation through examination of variability in arrival of the leading edge of 1 pulse-per-second ticks.\  Results to date suggest that variation between consecutive second markers is a uniformly distributed Gaussian random variable with at least some of this variation due to ionospheric factors, although systematics must be addressed.

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {316, title = {KiwiSDR (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Robert S. Robinett} } @conference {361, title = {Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) are quasi-periodic variations in F region electron density with horizontal wavelengths \> 1000 km and periods between 30 to 180 min. On 3 November 2017, LSTID signatures were detected in observations made by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) for the first time. The RBN and WSPRNet are two large-scale High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) amateur (ham) radio observing networks that provide data to the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI). The LSTIDs were observed on the 7 and 14 MHz amateur radio bands, and are detected by observing changes in average propagation path length with time. LSTID period lengthened from T ~ 1.5 hr at 12 UT to T ~ 2.25 hr by 21 UT. Simultaneous LSTID signatures were present in ham radio observations over the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean, and Europe. LSTIDs observed with amateur radio were consistent with LSTIDs observed by the Blackstone SuperDARN HF radar and in differential GNSS Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements. GNSS TEC maps were used to estimate LSTID parameters: horizontal wavelength 1100 km, phase velocity 950 km/hr, period 70 min, and propagation azimuth 135{\textdegree}. The LSTID signatures were observed throughout the day following ~800 nT surges in the Auroral Electrojet (AE) index at 00 and 12 UT. We will discuss potential generation hypotheses for the observed LSTIDs, including atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) sources triggered by auroral electrojet intensifications and associated Joule heating.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm19/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/581488}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Diego F. Sanchez and Evan Markowitz and Gareth W. Perry and William D. Engelke and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @conference {360, title = {A Low-Cost Citizen Science HF Doppler Receiver for Measuring Ionospheric Variability}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

Advancement in understanding short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variability requires global high time and spatial resolution measurements. Professional ionospheric sounding networks are extensive and capable, yet more measurements are still needed due to the strongly magnetized nature and large extent of the ionosphere. High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio signals are refracted by the ionosphere, and therefore are modulated by processes such as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) and geomagnetic storms. By measuring the amplitude and Doppler shift of trans-ionospheric HF signals, it is possible to detect signatures of ionospheric absorption and changes in propagation path length. We present a design for a low-cost citizen science HF multi-band receiver that measures the amplitude and Doppler shift of reference signals of opportunity from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology station WWV and the Canadian Institute for National Measurement Standards station CHU. The receiver will make 1 s cadence measurements on nine HF beacon frequencies and subsequently upload the results to a central server for scientific analysis. The local user will be able to review data daily, both locally and in aggregate on a web server, and participate in discussion of the ionospheric measurements. This receiver forms one component of the low-cost version of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), and is designed with the intention of distribution to hundreds to thousands of citizen science observers. Preliminary results from the prototype receiver will be presented.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm19/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/602677}, author = {Kristina Collins and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and Aidan Montare and Skylar Dannhoff and Philip J. Erickson and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @conference {306, title = {Meteor scattering communication using JS8CALL and its possibilities}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nagakura, Dai} } @conference {286, title = {A Modular SDR for HamSCI and Other Users}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This presentation covers some actual hardware that can be used to fulfill the requirements of the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station project. A new modular hardware architecture is proposed that will fulfill the requirements not only of PSWxS users, but possibly of Phase 4 Satellite Ground Station, academic research, experimenter and general SDR users as well.

}, author = {Scotty Cowling} } @conference {338, title = {Moonbounce Via the MIT Remote Linked EME Station}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Marty Sullaway} } @conference {320, title = {N2PK Vector Network Analyzer; A sophisticated portable HF VNA for field work (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Robert Melville} } @conference {297, title = {The New Arecibo Ionospheric Modification HF Facility Dual Array Cassegrain Antenna {\textendash} History and Design}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, abstract = {

A new HF facility has been built at Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico, that has replaced the prior Islote heater that was destroyed by Hurricane Georges in 1998. It was decided to use the 1000 foot dish for this new heater antenna instead of rebuilding the previous installation. This will make it possible to have all research activities with ionospheric modification including the 430 MHz incoherent scatter radar (ISR) to be located at the Observatory. This will be perfect to provide the ability to study the upper atmosphere, study plasma effects, and other future experiments. Historically, ionospheric modification has been carried out before at Arecibo using originally a Yagi and later a crossed-log periodic antenna hanging from the platform. These both had logistic and electrical arcing problems, and that was what led to the construction of the Islote facility on the north coast of Puerto Rico. The Islote facility also had logistic and arcing problems from both the wires in the antenna and the wire cage pseudo-coaxial transmission lines. The transmission lines were upgraded, and this improved performance and reliability greatly just before the hurricane destroyed the facility. The first feasible concept to be considered for the current design was a dual-band crossed-Yagi that would hang with cables from pulleys and winches on the three support towers. The total power for each polarization would then travel up a 4-wire open transmission line from below. A combining and phasing system design was formulated for the six 100 kilowatt transmitters in this concept. It was later decided to use another design based on a Cassegrain concept of a phased-array at the bottom of the dish feeding energy to a sub-reflector mesh hanging from cables and winches from the three support towers. This paper will describe some of the history and the design of the present antenna that is currently being used for ionospheric modification at Arecibo.

}, author = {James K. Breakall} } @conference {292, title = {New Directions in Sporadic-E Research}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A complete understanding of the causes of Sporadic-E propagation has so far defied analysis. The large number of possible parameters, many of which are non-linear and/or stochastic (random) in nature, has made it very difficult to model the system well enough to tease apart the causes and effects so as to be able to predict this phenomenon. This research effort, spurred in part by Joe Dzekovich{\textquoteright}s (K1YOW) QST article which suggested a possible relationship between Upper Level Lows and Sporadic E on 6 meters, is applying methods of Deep Learning (a branch of Artificial Intelligence) combined with traditional analytics to better understand what make the 6-meter {\textquotedblleft}magic{\textquotedblright} band work. The HamSCI HARC spots database is used along with data from NOAA, NASA, and meteorite monitoring networks. This is a progress briefing on research which is ongoing and not yet complete.

}, author = {William Engelke} } @conference {291, title = {Plans for EclipseMob 2024}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

During the 2017 solar eclipse, the EclipseMob project conducted a collaborative effort to crowdsource a large-scale geographically distributed measurement of LF radio wave propagation. Do-it-yourself antenna and receiver kits were distributed to libraries, schools, and citizen scientists across the United States, paired with a smartphone app that provided data recording and software-defined radio functionality. While the data collection was ultimately not successful because of a problem with the receiver-smartphone interface, the EclipseMob crowdsourced measurement model still has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the study of the iono- sphere. The availability of low-cost electronic components and modern GPS-based location services presents an opportunity to coordinate nationwide radio measurements that can be performed by hobbyists, students, educators and other citizen scientists. At present, EclipseMob is actively planning for the 2024 eclipse in the eastern United States. The EclipseMob kit will be redesigned for the 2024 eclipse, both to address the previous kit{\textquoteright}s issues and to accommodate recent changes in smartphone technology such as the elimination of the headphone jack on many newer phone models. EclipseMob also envisions a much larger data collection effort in 2024, so outreach, recruitment, and training efforts will need to be conducted on a much larger scale. This talk will discuss how we plan to address some of the logistical and outreach challenges faced by the new, expanded incarnation of EclipseMob.

}, author = {J. Ayala and K. C. Kerby-Patel and William Liles and H. McElderry and J. Nelson and L. Lukes} } @conference {333, title = {The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) and VY0ERC: Atmospheric Science and Ham Radio at 80N (Booth Talk)}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

Located at 80N, 86W on Ellesmere Island (IOTA NA-008) in the far north of Canada is the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) .\  PEARL has been in operation since 2005 and consists of 3 distinct atmospheric observatories housing\  instrumentation that sounds the atmosphere from the ground to approximately 100 km altitude.\  PEARL measurements are mostly aimed at determining atmospheric composition through\  the measurement of solar and atmospheric radiation, atmospheric particles, and signals from lidars and radars.\  Located within the PEARL Ridge Laboratory (PRL) is the Eureka Amateur Radio Club station VY0ERC.\  VY0ERC has been on the air since 2015 and is operated mainly by PEARL scientists VE1RUS and VE3KTB.\ 

}, author = {Pierre Fogal} } @conference {335, title = {Propagation on 630m and 2200m (Booth Talk)}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Xenia,OH}, abstract = {

Propagation on 630m and 2200m: Our two new bands provide interesting propagation opportunities. Ionospheric absorption, polarization and refraction will be reviewed on these bands, and compared to 160m and HF (3-30 MHz). General guidelines will be given to enhance your experience on 630m and 2200m.\ \ 

}, author = {Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {315, title = {PSWS Science Requirements Panel Discussion (Panel)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Moderator: Ward Silver, N0AX

  1. Phil Erickson, W1PJE, MIT Haystack Observatory, Radio, Ionospheric, \& Magnetospheric Science
  2. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, NJIT, Radio, Ionospheric, \& Magnetospheric Science
  3. Hyomin Kim, KD2MCR, NJIT, Magnetospheric Physics
  4. Bill Liles, NQ6Z, VLF Science
  5. John Ackermann, N8UR, TAPR, Radio Engineering
  6. Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI, TAPR, Radio Engineering
  7. Tom McDermott, N5EG, TAPR, Radio Engineering
}, author = {John Ackermann and Scotty Cowling and Philip J. Erickson and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Hyomin Kim and William Liles and Thomas McDermott and Ward Silver} } @conference {308, title = {Red Pitaya SDR Recorder for Antarctica (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Melville, Robert and Stillinger, Andrew and Jeffer, Gil} } @conference {313, title = {A Research Quality, Low Power and Cost Magnetometer Package for use in Citizen Science (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A high precision low cost magnetometer package combining GPS time keeping, data logging, real time graphing, and wifi data distribution is under development by the Moldwin Magnetics Laboratory at the University of Michigan. The prototype collects data for use in geomagnetic sensing. The system includes a Solar panel, a 12V lead acid battery, and a charge controller. All electronics are enclosed in a weatherproof plastic case, except for the magnetometer, which is housed separately to reduce noise. Data is processed by a raspberry pi and displayed on a color HDMI LCD screen. Our goal of keeping costs low helps distribute the system to citizens to form a network of magnetometers to better monitor our environment.

}, author = {Mark Moldwin and Kit Ng and Jacob Thoma and Leonardo Regoli and Maya Pandya} } @conference {284, title = {Review of SDR Hardware for the Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This presentation is a survey of currently available SDR receivers for HF use, focusing on devices aimed at the amateur radio and experimenter community at a price point of $1000 or less.\  That scope includes a lot of commercially-available radios, and it is the goal of this presentation to gather information about the characteristics of each device that are relevant to the HAMSCI requirements: frequency range; dynamic range; frequency control; possibility to timestamp samples; IQ streaming capability, and openness of development platform.\  Where applicable, additional interesting features of the devices are noted. While primarily focused on HF receivers, transceivers and units with higher frequency coverage are included where they also provide useful HF receive performance.

}, author = {J. R. Ackermann} } @conference {282, title = {Science Questions for a Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Introduction and Overview to the Personal Space Weather Station Project

}, author = {Frissell, N. A.} } @article {332, title = {Solar Eclipse 2017 DX from Western America}, year = {2019}, month = {04/2019}, institution = {HamSCI}, author = {Nick Hall-Patch} } @article {270, title = {Solar Eclipse QSO Party Wrap-Up}, volume = {47}, year = {2019}, month = {01/2019}, pages = {7-11}, url = {http://ncjweb.com/features/janfeb19feat.pdf}, author = {N. A. Frissell} } @conference {343, title = {SOTA and New Methods of Portable Operating}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Paula Uscian} } @conference {325, title = {Sounding the Ionosphere with Signals of Opportunity in the High-Frequency (HF) Band}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The explosion of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) education- and consumer-grade hardware supporting software-defined radio (SDR) over the past two decades has revolutionized many aspects of radio science, bringing the cost and calibration of traditionally complex receiver hardware within the grasp of even advanced amateur experimenters. Transmission has now become the limiter of access in many cases, particularly through spectrum management and licensing considerations. Fortunately, several classes of signals endemic to the HF band lend themselves to processing for ionospheric characteristics: time and frequency standard broadcasters, surface-wave oceanographic radars, amateur radio transmissions, and ionospheric sounders.

This presentation is a tour of these signals of opportunity and techniques for collecting and processing them into ionospheric characteristics, with emphasis on distributed receivers collecting on a small number (four or fewer) of coherent channels. Receiving techniques will be discussed for near-vertical ({\textquotedblleft}quasi-vertical{\textquotedblright}) incidence skywave (NVIS or QVI), long-distance oblique soundings, and transionospheric sounding. Soundings will be demonstrated from space-based, ground-based, and maritime platforms.

Binary, Doppler, delay, cone angle of arrival, and polarization observations will be exploited, depending on the signal type and capability of the collector. Each of these techniques conveys different, but not always {\textquotedblleft}orthogonal,{\textquotedblright} information about the ionospheric skywave channel. The information content of each datum will be discussed with respect to the implications for inverting the local or regional ionosphere from the observations. More importantly than inverting the full ionosphere, some of these techniques are sensitive indicators of ionospheric irregularities, structures, and instabilities, that might otherwise be difficult to study due to limited geographic coverage with larger, more exquisite instrumentation.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and Gary S. Bust and Gareth W. Perry and Stephen R. Kaeppler and Juha Vierinen and Nathaniel A. Frissell and A. A. Knuth and Philip J. Erickson and Romina Nikoukar and Alexander T. Chartier and P. Santos and C. Brum and J. T. Fentzke and T. R. Hanley and Andrew J. Gerrard} } @conference {305, title = {Space Science for Ham Radio Operators (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Despite decades of academic research, space science remains a field full of unanswered questions. Ionospheric research, as a portion of space science, has its fair share of unanswered questions that have important implications for short-wave radio wave propagation. While average behavior of ionosphere is reasonably well understood and is reflected in empirical models, surprisingly large day-to-day variability in ionospheric parameters remains a topic of active research. Ionospheric disturbances can exist on a variety of temporal scales, from several minutes to multi-day, and cover vastly varying geographic regions, from several degrees in latitude/longitude to the entire hemisphere.\  This presentation will discuss several types of ionospheric disturbances related to\  geomagnetic storms, including positive and negative storm effects, SED (Storm Enhanced Density), and LSTIDs (Large-Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances). It will also discuss ionospheric disturbances related to influences from lower atmosphere, including gravity waves and associated MSTIDs (Medium-Scale Travelling ionospheric Disturbances), thunderstorms, tides, and sudden stratospheric warmings. In addition to a variety of natural phenomena, ionospheric electron density and, consequently, radio wave propagation can be affected by human activity, for example by rocket or missile launches. As ionospheric system remains strongly undersampled by traditional observation methods, networks developed by amateur radio operators can provide critical information with a potential to advance physical understanding of near-Earth space environment.

}, author = {Goncharenko, Larisa} } @conference {293, title = {Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs) and Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This presentation will deal with Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs), what they are, what their effects are, how they can be observed easily at home, and observations combined with others to form a more complete view of the ionosphere. SIDs are disturbances on the Sun but can be observed through monitoring VLF transmitters and noticing the change in propagation. Since the transmitters are usually at 30 kHz and less, they are easily observed using just an antenna, amplifier and a computer sound card with appropriate software. There is a worldwide network of collection sites which feeds data to Stanford University. The equipment is easy to build but can also be procured from the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA). Different types of equipment will be discussed and shown, including home built and the SARA kit. The antennas used are mainly simple multi-tun loop antennas. Images of different antennas will be shown and it is planned to show an actual antenna. Data collected from SID systems will be displayed and discussed. The presentation will include how people can get involved with SID monitoring and feeding the collective database at Stanford University.

}, author = {Ethan S. Grace and George Lemaster} } @conference {327, title = {Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs) and Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

This presentation will deal with Sudden Ionospheric Disturbances (SIDs), what they are, what their effects are, how they can be observed easily at home, and observations combined with others to form a more complete view of the ionosphere. SIDs are disturbances on the Sun but can be observed through monitoring VLF transmitters and noticing the change in propagation. Since the transmitters are usually at 30 kHz and less, they are easily observed using just an antenna, amplifier and a computer sound card with appropriate software. There is a worldwide network of collection sites which feeds data to Stanford University. The equipment is easy to build but can also be procured from the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA). Different types of equipment will be discussed and shown, including home built and the SARA kit. The antennas used are mainly simple multi-tun loop antennas. Images of different antennas will be shown and it is planned to show an actual antenna. Data collected from SID systems will be displayed and discussed. The presentation will include how people can get involved with SID monitoring and feeding the collective database at Stanford University.

}, author = {Ethan S. Grace and George Lemaster} } @conference {334, title = {The Third Source of F2 Region Variability (Booth Talk)}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

The Third Source of F2 Region Variability: Although solar radiation instigates the ionization process and causes it to vary in the long-term (e.g., monthly and over a solar cycle) and in the short-term (daily), two other sources of short-term variability contribute significantly to the amount of F2 region ionization at any given location. These are geomagnetic field activity and events in the lower atmosphere coupling up to the ionosphere. This short talk will focus on this third source - events in the lower atmosphere coupling up to the ionosphere.

}, author = {Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {330, title = {Update on Personal Space Weather Station \& SDR Hardware}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

The Personal Space Weather Station is a HamSCI project to create a distributed network of ground-based ionospheric and space science instrumentation. This presentation will discuss the current mission objectives and project requirements, as well as the status of current hardware development.

}, author = {Scotty Cowling} } @conference {311, title = {VLF Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance Receiver (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Liles, William} } @conference {309, title = {Web-Based Scientific Visualizations of RBN/WSPR Data (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Evan Markowitz and Diego Sanchez and William D. Engelke} } @conference {344, title = {What is HamSCI?}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

A brief overview of HamSCI{\textquoteright}s mission, people, and projects are presented.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @conference {319, title = {Wideband Spectrum Analyzer using HackRF One (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {John Ackermann} } @conference {307, title = {WWV Doppler Receiver (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Kazdan, David} } @conference {296, title = {WWV Doppler Shift Observations}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {David Kazdan and Skylar Dannhoff and Aidan Montare and John Gibbons} } @conference {342, title = {Youth Contesting Program in North America and Europe}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Jocelyn Brault and Bryant Rascoll and Philipp Springer} } @article {255, title = {Citizen radio science: an analysis of Amateur Radio transmissions with e-POP RRI}, journal = {Radio Science}, year = {2018}, abstract = {

We report the results of a radio science experiment involving citizen scientists conducted on 28 June 2015, in which the Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) on the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) tuned-in to the 40 and 80 m Ham Radio bands during the 2015 American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. We have aurally decoded the Morse coded call signs of 14 Hams (amateur operators) from RRI{\textquoteright}s data to help ascertain their locations during the experiment. Through careful analysis of the Hams{\textquoteright} transmissions, and with the aid of ray tracing tools, we have identified two notable magnetoionic effects in the received signals: plasma cutoff and single-mode fading. The signature of the former effect appeared approximately 30 seconds into the experiment, with the sudden cessation of signals received by RRI despite measurements from a network of ground-based receivers showing that the Hams{\textquoteright} transmissions were unabated throughout the experiment. The latter effect, single-mode fading, was detected as a double-peak modulation on the individual {\textquotedblleft}dots{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}dashes{\textquotedblright} of one the Ham{\textquoteright}s Morse coded transmissions. We show that the modulation in the Ham{\textquoteright}s signal agrees with expected fading rate for single-mode fading. The results of this experiment demonstrate that Ham Radio transmissions are a valuable tool for studying radio wave propagation and remotely sensing the ionosphere. The analysis and results provide a basis for future collaborations in radio science between traditional researchers in academia and industry, and citizen scientists in which novel and compelling experiments can be performed.

}, keywords = {Citizen Science, ionosphere, Radio Propagation, Radio Science, Satellite}, doi = {10.1029/2017RS006496}, url = {https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2017RS006496}, author = {Perry, G. W. and Frissell, N. A. and Miller, E. S. and Moses, M. and Shovkoplyas, A. and Howarth, A. D. and Yau, A. W.} } @conference {276, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, booktitle = {Fall AGU}, year = {2018}, month = {12/2018}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington, DC}, abstract = {

Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection (CME) induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio communications from 4-14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm-time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm withKpmax = 8 + and SYM - Hmin = - 146 nT occurring 7-10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at\ 1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Geomagnetic Storm, Ham Radio, HF Radio Propagation, Radio Blackout, Solar Flare}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/419847}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Vega, Joshua S. and Markowitz, Evan and Gerrard, Andrew J. and Engelke, William D. and Erickson, Philip J. and Miller, Ethan S. and Luetzelschwab, R. Carl and Bortnik, Jacob} } @conference {236, title = {Initial Results of HamSCI Ham Radio 21 August 2017 Eclipse Ionospheric Experiments}, booktitle = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, year = {2018}, month = {01/2018}, publisher = {American Meteorological Society}, organization = {American Meteorological Society}, address = {Austin, TX}, abstract = {

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse will cause the shadow of the moon to traverse the United States from Oregon to South Carolina in just over 90 minutes. The sudden absence of sunlight due to the eclipse, especially solar UV and x-rays, provides an impulse function to the upper atmosphere that modifies the neutral dynamics, plasma concentrations, and related properties. Despite more than 60 years of research, questions remain regarding eclipse-induced ionospheric impacts. Ham radio operators{\textquoteright} advanced technical skills and inherent interest in ionospheric science make the amateur radio community ideal for contributing to and and participating in large-scale ionospheric sounding experiments. We present initial results from three amateur radio experiments designed to study the 2017 total solar eclipse: the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP), the HF Wideband Recording Experiment, and the Eclipse Frequency Measurement Test (FMT). These experiments are coordinated by HamSCI, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, a citizen science organization that connects the amateur radio community to the professional space science research community for mutual benefit.

}, url = {https://ams.confex.com/ams/98Annual/webprogram/Paper337094.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and D. Bern and F. Ceglia and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. Gerzoff and P. Gladstone and S. W. Gunning and J. D. Huba and J. D. Katz and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and S. E. Reyer and S. W. Rose and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and P. Smith and J. S. Vega and M. L. West and R. Williams} } @article {262, title = {Ionospheric Disturbances at Dawn, Dusk, and During the 2017 Eclipse}, journal = {QEX}, year = {2018}, month = {09/2018}, pages = {8-14}, chapter = {8}, abstract = {

The author recently participated in the HamSCI propagation experiments during the August 2017 total solar eclipse, and the ARRL November 2017 Frequency Measuring Test (FMT). This article presents some interesting propagation phenomena observed during both activities. For the eclipse experiment, well-defined propagation enhancements of both 60 kHz WWVB and 5 MHz WWV for a path between Ft. Collins, CO and San Antonio, TX were documented. Additionally, deep propagation nulls of WWVB over this path were observed to occur every morning and evening, suggesting predictable multipath interference between competing daytime and nighttime modes. During the Frequency Measuring Test, propagation-induced frequency variations of 5 MHz WWV were observed at night and especially during dawn and dusk. One observed dawn frequency perturbation was particularly interesting because it occurred at a fundamental frequency shift plus two harmonically related overtones, indicating a nonlinear ionospheric response to rapidly increasing solar radiation.

}, issn = {0886-8093}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @article {248, title = {Modeling Amateur Radio Soundings of the Ionospheric Response to the 2017 Great American Eclipse}, journal = {Geophysical Research Letters}, volume = {45}, year = {2018}, month = {05/2018}, type = {Research Letter}, abstract = {

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse traversed the continental United States and caused large-scale changes in ionospheric densities. These were detected as changes in medium and high frequency radio propagation by the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) citizen science experiment organized by the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (hamsci.org). This is the first eclipse-ionospheric study to make use of measurements from a citizen-operated, global-scale HF propagation network and develop tools for comparison to a physics-based model ionosphere. Eclipse effects were observed {\textpm}0.3 hr on 1.8 MHz, {\textpm}0.75 hr on 3.5 and 7 MHz, and {\textpm}1 hr on 14 MHz and are consistent with eclipse-induced ionospheric densities. Observations were simulated using the PHaRLAP raytracing toolkit in conjunction with the eclipsed SAMI3 ionospheric model. Model results suggest 1.8, 3.5, and 7 MHz refracted at\ h >= 125 km altitude with elevation angles\ θ >= 22{\textdegree}, while 14 MHz signals refracted at\ h \< 125 km with elevation angles\ θ \< 10{\textdegree}.

}, issn = {1944-8007}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077324}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077324}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and G. D. Earle and M. L. Moses and M. L. West and J. D. Huba and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and R. B. Gerzoff and W. Liles and H. W. Silver} } @conference {277, title = {Modeling Amateur Radio Soundings of the Ionospheric Response to the 2017 Great American Eclipse}, booktitle = {Fall AGU}, year = {2018}, month = {12/2018}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union Meeting}, organization = {American Geophysical Union Meeting}, address = {Washington, DC}, abstract = {

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse traversed the continental United States and caused large-scale changes in ionospheric densities. These were detected as changes in medium- and high-frequency radio propagation by the Solar Eclipse QSO Party citizen science experiment organized by the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (hamsci.org). This is the first eclipse-ionospheric study to make use of measurements from a citizen-operated, global-scale HF propagation network and develop tools for comparison to a physics-based model ionosphere. Eclipse effects were observed {\textpm}0.3 hr on 1.8 MHz, {\textpm}0.75 hr on 3.5 and 7 MHz, and {\textpm}1 hr on 14 MHz and are consistent with eclipse-induced ionospheric densities. Observations were simulated using the PHaRLAP raytracing toolkit in conjunction with the eclipsed SAMI3 ionospheric model. Model results suggest 1.8, 3.5, and 7 MHz refracted at h>=125 km altitude with elevation angles θ>=22{\textdegree}, while 14 MHz signals refracted at h \< 125 km with elevation angles θ \< 10{\textdegree}.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Citizen Science, Ham Radio, HF propagation, ionosphere, solar eclipse}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/418915}, author = {Frissell, N. A. and Katz, J. D. and Gunning, S. W. and Vega, J. S. and Gerrard, A. J. and Earle, G. D. and Moses, M. L. and West, M. L. and Huba, J. D. and Erickson, P. J. and Miller, E. S. and Gerzoff, R. B. and Liles, W. and Silver, H. W.} } @article {257, title = {The Personal Space Weather Station}, volume = {102}, year = {2018}, month = {04/2018}, pages = {38-41}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {http://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {H. Ward Silver} } @article {261, title = {Simple and Accurate Variable Frequency RF Signal Generator}, journal = {QEX}, year = {2018}, month = {09/2018}, pages = {3-7}, chapter = {3}, abstract = {

This generator produces any frequency between 500 kHz and 40 MHz with an accu- racy approaching one part in 109, for example 0.01 Hz at 10 MHz. It uses an Arduino Nano, a GPS receiver with antenna, a digital encoder, a small TFT LCD color display, and the Silicon Labs Si5351A direct digital syn- thesizer (DDS). Together these parts cost me about $150. I will also share some interesting applications for this device.

}, issn = {0886-8093}, author = {Elwood Downey} } @article {251, title = {A Virtuous Cycle: Hams and Scientists Helping Each Other}, volume = {74}, year = {2018}, month = {05/2018}, pages = {32-35}, issn = {0007-893X}, url = {http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/}, author = {Rich Moseson} } @conference {216, title = {Amateur Radio in the 21st Century}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {S. Nichols} } @conference {172, title = {Analysis of the August 2017 Eclipse{\textquoteright}s Effect on Radio Wave Propagation Employing a Raytrace Algorithm}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, abstract = {

The upcoming total solar eclipse over the continental United States on August 21 offers an unique opportunity to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the west-to-east motion of the eclipse terminator, the duration of the event, the solar zenith angle, and the continued visibility of the corona. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses, as measured by changes in radio frequency (RF) propagation. High Frequency (HF) propagation varies greatly depending on ionospheric conditions. Hence, our analysis will include data collected during the eclipse by several HF systems shown in Figure 1 including SuperDARN, temporary radio transceiver sites, and amateur radio networks such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network (WSPRNet). The data analysis will be guided by raytrace models of HF propagation through an eclipsed ionosphere employing the HF propagation toolbox, PHaRLAP (created by Dr. Manuel Cervera).

}, author = {M. L. Moses and S. Burujupali and K. Brosie and S. Dixit and G. D. Earle and L. Kordella and N. A. Frissell and C. Chitale} } @conference {219, title = {Anthropogenic Space Weather}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {P. J. Erickson and T. I. Gombosi and D. N. Baker and A. Balogh and J. D. Huba and L. J. Lanzerotti and J. C. Foster and J. M. Albert and J. F. Fennell and E. V. Mishin and M. J. Starks and A. N. Jaynes and X. Li and S. G. Kanekal and C. Kletzing} } @conference {223, title = {Collaborative Use of Solar Eclipses to Study the Ionosphere}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {W. C. Liles and C. N. Mitchell and K. C. Kerby-Patel and J. Nelson and L. Lukes} } @conference {209, title = {Developing a Solar Eclipse Simulation for Greater Good}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {

This paper presents our methodology for simulating the upcoming total solar eclipse that will be taking place on August 21, 2017. By taking advantage of a high-performance distributed computing cluster as well as a number of third-party scientific computing libraries we were able to efficiently simulate a large number of HF amateur radio contacts before, during, and after the upcoming eclipse. The data generated from the simulations allows us to peek into how the amateur radio community and radio propagation as a whole will be affected in preparation for the actual eclipse.

}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {J. S. Vega and N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and J. D. Huba} } @conference {235, title = {Effects of the 2017 Solar Eclipse on HF Radio Propagation and the D-Region Ionosphere: Citizen Science Investigation}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

August 21, 2017 provided a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of the total solar eclipse on high frequency (HF) radio propagation and ionospheric variability. In Marshall Space Flight Center{\textquoteright}s partnership with the US Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) and Austin Peay State University (APSU), we engaged students and citizen scientists in an investigation of the eclipse effects on the mid-latitude ionosphere. The Amateur Radio community has developed several automated receiving and reporting networks that draw from widely-distributed, automated and manual radio stations to build a near-real time, global picture of changing radio propagation conditions. We used these networks and employed HF radio propagation modeling in our investigation. A Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) collaboration with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ensured that many thousands of amateur radio operators would be {\textquotedblleft}on the air{\textquotedblright} communicating on eclipse day, promising an extremely large quantity of data would be collected. Activities included implementing and configuring software, monitoring the HF Amateur Radio frequency bands and collecting radio transmission data on days before, the day of, and days after the eclipse to build a continuous record of changing propagation conditions as the moon{\textquoteright}s shadow marched across the United States. Our expectations were the D-Region ionosphere would be most impacted by the eclipse, enabling over-the-horizon radio propagation on lower HF frequencies (3.5 and 7 MHz) that are typically closed during the middle of the day. Post-eclipse radio propagation analysis provided insights into ionospheric variability due to the eclipse. We report on results, interpretation, and conclusions of these investigations.

}, author = {C. D. Fry and L. Rawlins and L. H. Krause and R. M. Suggs and J. K. McTernan and M. L. Adams and D. L. Gallagher and S. Anderson and R. Allsbrooks IV} } @article {231, title = {Faraday Rotation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Signals as a Method of Ionospheric Characterization}, journal = {Radio Sci.}, volume = {52}, year = {2017}, month = {2017}, pages = {1293 - 1300}, abstract = {

Radio waves propagating through plasma in the Earth{\textquoteright}s ambient magnetic field experience Faraday rotation; the plane of the electric field of a linearly polarized wave changes as a function of the distance travelled through a plasma. Linearly polarized radio waves at 1090 MHz frequency are emitted by Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) devices that are installed on most commercial aircraft. These radio waves can be detected by satellites in low Earth orbits, and the change of the polarization angle caused by propagation through the terrestrial ionosphere can be measured. In this manuscript we discuss how these measurements can be used to characterize the ionospheric conditions. In the present study, we compute the amount of Faraday rotation from a prescribed total electron content value and two of the profile parameters of the NeQuick ionospheric model.

}, keywords = {2443 Midlatitude ionosphere, 2447 Modeling and forecasting, 2467 Plasma temperature and density, 2494 Instruments and techniques, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcst (ADS-B), electron density, Faraday rotation, ionosphere, total electron content (TEC)}, isbn = {1944-799X}, doi = {10.1002/2017RS006319}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2017RS006319}, author = {Cushley, A. C. and Kabin, K. and No{\"e}l, J.-M.} } @conference {176, title = {Fitting Ionospheric Models Using Real-Time HF Amateur Radio Observations}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {J. D. Katz and N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and F. Ceglia and D. Pascoe and N. Sinanis and P. Smith and R. Williams and A. Shovkoplyas} } @conference {175, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and S. W. Gunning and M. Hirsch and J. D. Katz and S. R. Kaeppller and R. W. McGwier and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and G. Perry and S. E. Reyer and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and J. S. Vega and RBN Team} } @conference {213, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {N. A. Frissell and W. Engelke and J. D. Katz and J. S. Vega} } @conference {226, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {2017 Annual Meeting of the APS Mid-Atlantic Section}, year = {2017}, month = {11/2017}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, organization = {American Physical Society}, address = {Newark, NJ}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and M. L. West and G. D. Earle and M. L. Moses and H. W. Silver} } @conference {230, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and M. L. West and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and R. Gerzoff and H. Ward Silver} } @conference {207, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (Experiment Description)}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse will cause the shadow of the moon to traverse the United States from Oregon to South Carolina in just over 90 minutes. The sudden absence of sunlight due to the eclipse, especially solar UV and x-rays, provides an impulse function to the upper atmosphere that modifies the neutral dynamics, plasma concentrations, and related properties. In spite of more than 60 years of research, open questions remain regarding eclipse-induced ionospheric impacts. Ham radio operators{\textquoteright} advanced technical skills and inherent interest in ionospheric science make the amateur radio community ideal for contributing to and and participating in large-scale ionospheric sounding experiments. This pa- per describes the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP), the HF Wideband Recording Experiment, and the Eclipse Frequency Measurement Test (FMT), three amateur radio experiments designed to study the 2017 total solar eclipse. These experi- ments are coordinated by HamSCI, the Ham radio Science Citizen Investigation, a citizen science organization that connects the amateur radio community to the professional space science research community for mutual benefit.

}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and A. J. Gerrard and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and E. S. Miller and J. D. Huba and M. Hirsch and H. W. Silver and S. E. Reyer and J. R. Ackermann and M. D. Suhar and D. Bern} } @conference {210, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (First Results)}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and W. Engelke and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega} } @conference {174, title = {HamSCI: The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (Banquet Presentation)}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and J. Dzekevich and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and S. W. Gunning and M. Hirsch and J. D. Katz and S. R. Kaeppler and R. W. McGwier and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and G. Perry and S. E. Reyer and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and J. S. Vega and RBN Team} } @conference {208, title = {The H.A.R.C. Database and Visualization Utilities}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {

HamSCI{\textquoteright}s goal is to construct a symbiotic relationship between the formal research community and the Amateur Radio community. To facilitate this transfer of knowledge HamSCI must pioneer technologies that allow scientists to easily obtain and understand Amateur Radio data. This task necessitates the creation of warehousing and visualization facilities that allow scientists to easily understand and make use of our data sets. We are currently testing a database and visualization toolkit designed to handle our existing 2 billion-record long QSO log. This data set represents a compiled version of data gathered by the Reverse Beacon Network, WSPRNet, and PSKReporter. Our goal is to build a robust, fast, and queryable front end to the massive, and currently underuti- lized, data sources created by Amateur Radio operators.

}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {J. D. Katz and W. Engelke and N. A. Frissell} } @conference {161, title = {Introduction to Space Weather and Propagation}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

A broad overview of space weather and the effects on propagation is presented, including a review of general band characteristics, and a discussion of expectations for the bands during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.

}, author = {Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {163, title = {Ionospheric Impacts of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Magalina Moses and Gregory Earle and Sushma Burujupalli and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Lee Kordella and Snehal Dixit and Charudatta Chitale and Xiayou Han} } @conference {173, title = {Ionospheric Simulations of the 2017 Solar Eclipse QSO Party}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and J. D. Katz and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and S. W. Gunning and A. J. Gerrard and E. S. Miller and M. L. West and F. Ceglia and D. Pascoe and N. Sinanis and P. Smith and R. Williams and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver} } @conference {221, title = {Magnetometers and Riometers}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {F. Honary} } @conference {215, title = {Outstanding Problems in Radio Propagation}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {C. Luetzelschwab} } @conference {218, title = {Practical investigation of the polarisation of 50MHz signals}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {C. Deacon} } @article {238, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party}, volume = {93}, year = {2017}, month = {08/2017}, pages = {22}, issn = {1367-1499}, author = {H. W. Silver} } @article {155, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party (HamSCI)}, volume = {101}, year = {2017}, month = {02/2017}, pages = {82-84}, issn = {0033-4812}, author = {H. W. Silver} } @conference {165, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: Ionospheric Sounding Using Ham Radio QSOs}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse is expected to temporarily induce profound changes on ionospheric structure, dynamics, and radio propagation. The ARRL and HamSCI are sponsoring a Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) that will be used to generate to assist in imaging ionospheric changes before, during, and after the eclipse. Data will be collected through participant submitted logs and the use of automated tools such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), PSKReporter, and WSPRNet. SEQP rules and a prediction of results will be presented.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joshua D. Katz and Andrew J. Gerrard and Magdalina Moses and Gregory D. Earle and Robert W. McGwier and Ethan S. Miller and Stephen Kaeppler and H. W. Silver} } @article {229, title = {Solar Eclipse QSO Party Update}, volume = {101}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, issn = {0033-4812}, author = {H. W. Silver} } @conference {217, title = {Summary of Findings Associated with the 5 MHz Experiment}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {M. C. Walden} } @conference {162, title = {Upper Level Lows and Six Meter 50 Mhz Sporadic E}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur radio is used to explore possible correlations between weather storm systems and sporadic E clouds to see if they are collocated. While some of the main causes of sporadic E propagation are wind shear, meteor strikes and upper atmospheric tides (ultimately coming from solar EUV energy inputs), radio operators have noticed that sporadic E propagation is also changed significantly by hurricanes and storms. \ Specific cases where K1YOW used amateur radio to investigate the effects of low pressure weather storms on the formation and/or enhancement of 6 meter sporadic E clouds are presented. DX Maps and earth wide weather model charts combined with operations on 6 meters are used to examine possible correlations between the location of the sporadic E clouds and the low pressure weather storm systems. \ Initial findings show a high degree of correlation when magnetic field strength is taken into consideration.

}, author = {Joseph A. Dzekevich and Philip J. Erickson} } @article {227, title = {Upper-Level Lows and 6-Meter Sporadic E}, volume = {101}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, pages = {30-35}, abstract = {

Amateur radio is used to explore possible correlations between weather storm systems and sporadic E clouds to see if they are collocated. While some of the main causes of sporadic E propagation are wind shear, meteor strikes and upper atmospheric tides (ultimately coming from solar EUV energy inputs), radio operators have noticed that sporadic E propagation is also changed significantly by hurricanes and storms. \ Specific cases where K1YOW used amateur radio to investigate the effects of low pressure weather storms on the formation and/or enhancement of 6 meter sporadic E clouds are presented. DX Maps and earth wide weather model charts combined with operations on 6 meters are used to examine possible correlations between the location of the sporadic E clouds and the low pressure weather storm systems. \ Initial findings show a high degree of correlation when magnetic field strength is taken into consideration.\ \ 

}, issn = {0033-4812}, author = {J. Dzekevich} } @conference {158, title = {On the use of solar eclipses to study the ionosphere}, booktitle = {15th International Ionospheric Effects Symposium IES2017}, year = {2017}, month = {05/2017}, address = {Alexandria, VA}, abstract = {

Exploring the effects of solar eclipses on radio wave propagation has been an active area of research since the first experiments conducted in 1912. In the first few decades of ionospheric physics, researchers started to explore the natural laboratory of the upper atmosphere. Solar eclipses offered a rare opportunity to undertake an active experiment. The results stimulated much scientific discussion.
Early users of radio noticed that propagation was different during night and day. A solar eclipse provided the opportunity to study this day/night effect with much sharper boundaries than at sunrise and sunset, when gradual changes occur along with temperature changes in the atmosphere and variations in the sun angle.
Plots of amplitude time series were hypothesized to indicate the recombination rates and re- ionization rates of the ionosphere during and after the eclipse, though not all time-amplitude plots showed the same curve shapes. A few studies used multiple receivers paired with one transmitter for one eclipse, with a 5:1 ratio as the upper bound. In these cases, the signal amplitude plots generated for data received from the five receive sites for one transmitter varied greatly in shape.

}, author = {W. Liles and C. Mitchell and M. Cohen and G. Earle and N. Frissell and K. Kirby-Patel and L. Lukes and E. Miller and M. Moses and J. Nelson and J. Rockway} } @conference {164, title = {VLF/LF and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

Previous solar eclipse studies have observed different propagation effects at VLF/LF frequencies (3-300 kHz) compared with those observed at HF (3-30 MHz) frequencies. These differences are primarily due to the much longer wavelengths at lower frequencies in concert with ionospheric D layer interactions. To better understand the unusual eclipse-induced effects at VLF/LF frequencies, we present EclipseMob, a crowdsourced collection effort that will use smart phones as simple VLF/LF software defined radio (SDR) receivers to record changes in propagation from known transmitters during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.

}, author = {William Liles and L. Lukes and J. Nelson and K. Kerby-Patel} } @conference {160, title = {What is HamSCI?}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

A brief overview of HamSCI{\textquoteright}s mission, people, and projects are presented.

}, author = {N. A. Frissell} } @conference {214, title = {What{\textquoteright}s the difference? Amateur Radio and Radio Science}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {B. A. Witvliet} } @conference {144, title = {Characterizing the Ionosphere Using a Commercial Off the Shelf Software Defined Radio System}, booktitle = {Fall 2016 American Geophysical Union}, year = {2016}, month = {12/2016}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francsico}, abstract = {

On August 21, 2017, there will be a total solar eclipse over the continental United States (US). Solar eclipses offer a way to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the east-west motion of the eclipse terminator, the speed of the transition, and the continued visibility of the corona throughout the eclipse interval. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses including variations in the density and altitude of the F2 peak. In order to study these changes, we will establish four temporary field stations along the path of totality to track the maximum usable frequency (MUF) across the US over the course of the eclipse. Each field station shall consist of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) software defined radio (SDR) transceiver, a laptop computer running automatic link establishment (ALE) software, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for timing, and a COTS antenna. Custom ALE software will automate the sites{\textquoteright} operation during the experiment to determine the MUF. As a validation test prior to the eclipse, we established three sites along the east coast to confirm that the SDRs are capable of inferring ionospheric conditions. The preliminary results characterize the effects of the sunrise/sunset terminator on our system{\textquoteright}s measurements as well as the change in foF2 during different seasons and under different geomagnetic conditions.

}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2016_AGU_Moses.pdf}, author = {Magdalina L. Moses and S. Dixit and Gregory D. Earle and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Lee Kordella and Xiaoyu Han and Charudatta Chitale} } @article {137, title = {HamSCI: Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, volume = {100}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, pages = {68-71}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/201608_QST_Silver_HamSCI.pdf}, author = {H. W. Silver} } @conference {143, title = {HamSCI: The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, booktitle = {Fall 2016 American Geophysical Union}, year = {2016}, month = {12/2016}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco}, abstract = {

Amateur (or {\textquotedblleft}ham{\textquotedblright}) radio operators are individuals with a non-pecuniary interest in radio technology, engineering, communications, science, and public service. They are licensed by their national governments to transmit on\ amateur radio frequencies. In many jurisdictions, there is no age requirement for a ham radio license, and operators from diverse backgrounds participate. There are more than 740,000 hams in the US, and over 3 million (estimated)\ worldwide. Many amateur communications are conducted using transionospheric links and thus affected by space weather and ionospheric processes. Recent technological advances have enabled the development of\ automated ham radio observation networks (e.g. the Reverse Beacon Network,\ www.reversebeacon.net) and specialized operating modes for the study of weak-signal propagation. The data from these networks have been\ shown to be useful for the study of ionospheric processes. In order to connect professional researchers with the volunteer-based ham radio community, HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation,\ www.hamsci.org) has\ been established. HamSCI is a platform for publicizing and promoting projects that are consistent with the following objectives: (1) Advance scientific research and understanding through amateur radio activities. (2) Encourage\ the development of new technologies to support this research. (3) Provide educational opportunities for the amateur community and the general public. HamSCI researchers are working with the American Radio Relay League\ (ARRL,\ www.arrl.org) to publicize these objectives and recruit interested hams. The ARRL is the US national organization for amateur radio with a membership of over 170,000 and a monthly magazine, QST. HamSCI is\ currently preparing to support ionospheric research connected to the 21 Aug 2017 Total Solar Eclipse by expanding coverage of the Reverse Beacon Network and organizing a large-scale ham radio operating event ({\textquotedblleft}QSO\ Party{\textquotedblright}) to generate data during the eclipse.

}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2016_AGU_Frissell_HamSCI.pdf}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Magdalina L. Moses and Gregory Earle and Robert W. McGwier and Ethan S. Miller and Steven R. Kaeppler and H. Ward Silver and Felipe Ceglia and David Pascoe and Nicholas Sinanis and Peter Smith and Richard Williams and Alex Shovkoplyas and Andrew J. Gerrard} } @article {139, title = {The New Sunspot Numbers}, volume = {100}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, pages = {38-41}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201610/index.php}, author = {Carl Luetzelschwab} } @article {138, title = {The Reverse Beacon Network}, volume = {100}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, pages = {30-32}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201610/index.php}, author = {Pete Smith and H. W. Silver} } @conference {54, title = {Dayside Ionospheric Response to X-Class Solar Flare Events Observed with Reverse Beacon Network High Frequency Communication Links}, booktitle = {Virginia Tech REU Symposium - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {07/2015}, publisher = {Virginia Tech REU Program}, organization = {Virginia Tech REU Program}, address = {Blacksburg, VA}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/article/file/Csquibb_REU2015_Poster.pdf}, author = {Carson O. Squibb and Nathaniel A. Frissell and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker and Robyn Fiori and Magdalina L. Moses} } @conference {51, title = {e-POP Radio Science Using Amateur Radio Transmissions}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

A major component of the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) mission is to utilize artificially generated radio emissions to study High Frequency (HF) radio wave propagation in the ionosphere. In the North American and European sectors, communications between amateur radio operators are a persistent and abundant source source of HF transmissions. We present the results of HF radio wave propagation experiments using amateur radio transmissions as an HF source for e-POP RRI. We detail how a distributed and autonomously operated amateur radio network can be leveraged to study HF radio wave propagation as well as the structuring and dynamics of the ionosphere over a large geographic region. In one case, the sudden disappearance of nearly two-dozen amateur radio HF sources located in the midwestern United States was used to detect a enhancement in foF2 in that same region. We compare our results to those from other more conventional radio instruments and models of the ionosphere to demonstrate the scientific merit of incorporating amateur radio networks for radio science at HF.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth Perry and Ethan S. Miller and Alex Shovkoplyas and Magdalina Moses and H. James and Andrew Yau} } @conference {52, title = {Experiment Design to Assess Ionospheric Perturbations During the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

On August 21, 2017, there will be a total solar eclipse over the United States traveling from Oregon to South Carolina. Solar eclipses offer a way to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the east-west motion of the eclipse terminator, the speed of the transition, and the continued visibility of the corona throughout the eclipse interval. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses. These include changes in the ionospheric electric fields, changes in the Total Electron Content (TEC) along paths through the eclipsed region, and variations in the density and altitude of the F2 peak. Several studies over the past century investigated these effects; however, some of the results from these studies are contradictory. These contradictions and the studies{\textquoteright} limited spatial resolution leave many fundamental questions unanswered. The advent of several mid-latitude Global Positioning System (GPS) and radar networks in the past few decades, such as the Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) system and the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar system, have enabled ionospheric observations with hitherto unprecedented spatial resolution. Also, the establishment of several nationwide amateur radio reporting systems, such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) that monitors radio wave propagation on the high frequency (HF) bands, offers the potential for evaluating changes in ionospheric conditions with unprecedented spatial resolution. We propose to study the effects of the total solar eclipse on the ionosphere using a combination of GPS receivers, the SuperDARN radar system, HF band amateur radio, and plasma modeling. The overall objectives of this study are to characterize the changes in F-region plasma morphology during the eclipse over a larger spatial domain than any previous eclipse experiment. In addition, the amateur radio component of our study offers a unique opportunity to further engage the amateur radio community nationwide in a scientific study.

}, author = {Magdalina Moses and Gregory Earle and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen Kaeppler} } @booklet {668, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (HamSCI Founding Document)}, year = {2015}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/hamsci-and-2017-total-solar-eclipse-hamsci-founding-document}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Magdalina L. Moses and Gregory D. Earle and Robert McGwier and H. Ward Silver} } @conference {53, title = {The Ionosphere{\textquoteright}s Pocket Litter: Exploiting Crowd-Sourced Observations}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Oral Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

One of the biggest challenges faced in developing and testing our understanding of the ionosphere is acquiring data that characterizes the latitudinal and longitudinal variability of the ionosphere. While there are extensive networks of ground sites that sample the vertical distribution, we have rather poor coverage over the oceans and in parts of the southern hemisphere. Our ability to validate the ionospheric models is limited by the lack of point measurements and those measurements that essentially constitute characterization of horizontal gradients. In this talk, we discuss and demonstrate the use of various types of crowd-sourced information that enables us to extend our coverage over these regions. We will discuss new sources of these data, concepts for new experiments and the use of these data in assimilative models. We note that there are new, low cost options for obtaining data that broaden the participation beyond the aeronomy/ionospheric community.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen Kaeppler and Robert Demajistre and Andrew Knuth} } @article {45, title = {Ionospheric Sounding Using Real-Time Amateur Radio Reporting Networks}, journal = {Space Weather}, volume = {12}, year = {2014}, pages = {651{\textendash}656}, abstract = {

Amateur radio reporting networks, such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), PSKReporter, and the Weak Signal Propagation Network, are powerful tools for remote sensing the ionosphere. These voluntarily constructed and operated networks provide real-time and archival data that could be used for space weather operations, forecasting, and research. The potential exists for the study of both global and localized effects. The capability of one such network to detect space weather disturbances is demonstrated by examining the impacts on RBN-observed HF propagation paths of an X2.9 class solar flare detected by the GOES 15 satellite. Prior to the solar flare, the RBN observed strong HF propagation conditions between multiple continents, primarily Europe, North America, and South America. Immediately following the GOES 15 detection of the solar flare, the number of reported global RBN propagation paths dropped to less than 35\% that of prior observations. After the flare, the RBN showed the gradual recovery of HF propagation conditions.

}, keywords = {Instruments and techniques, ionosphere, Ionospheric effects on radio waves, Solar effects}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1002/2014SW001132}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2014_SpaceWeather_Frissell_RBN.pdf}, author = {Frissell, N. A. and Miller, E. S. and Kaeppler, S. R. and Ceglia, F. and Pascoe, D. and Sinanis, N. and Smith, P. and Williams, R. and Shovkoplyas, A.} }