@proceedings {1029, title = {An Atlas of Forms Seen on HF Personal Space Weather Station Traces, to Help Users Recognize and Analyze Events}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

The ionosphere and our high frequency communications probing it are complicated. We are writing an atlas of forms to aid people in recognizing and understanding things seen on GRAPE/WSPRDaemon traces. Examples include a solar eclipse, a CME hitting theEarth{\textquoteright}s magnetosphere, a solar flare, and two-hop side scatter. Entries would be categorized by date as well as by type of event. Users are encouraged to submit puzzling examples to be considered by a content review team. We propose that this atlas be added to the HamSCI website. Further, we seek to expand this effort by encouraging contributions from operators of all types of Personal Space Weather Stations in the HamSCI network.

}, author = {Robert Mattaliano and Gwyn Griffiths and Dave Swartz and Mary Lou West and Gary Mikiti} } @article {1007, title = {Detecting changes in along-path HF propagation during the April 2024 total solar eclipse with radio amateurs and low-cost instrumentation}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, year = {2026}, month = {Feb/2026}, abstract = {

The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 presented a uniquely favorable circumstance for radio science. The Moon{\textquoteright}s shadow passed near Canadian time standard station CHU, which transmits in the high frequency (HF,\ i.e., 3{\textendash}30 MHz) band. It was therefore possible to observe signal changes due to shifting ionospheric conditions along the path of the eclipse by using CHU as a signal of opportunity. In under 3 months, our undergraduate team developed and deployed low-cost instrumentation to record CHU for timing and amplitude analysis. 18 units were distributed across 6 locations roughly aligned with the eclipse path. Each unit contained a radio recorder which retained time traceability to UTC via GPS time synchronization, allowing capture of the CHU signal with no unbounded error beyond the 50 {\textmu}s sampling interval. Seven units captured changes in the received signal during the eclipse, most notably a tenfold increase in the signal strength at 7.85 MHz for a unit in Little Rock, AR. Its timing suggests a one-hop propagation path reflecting in the ionosphere over Cleveland, OH. The stations were deployed to and maintained by volunteers contacted through the amateur radio and citizen science community. This campaign demonstrates the accessibility and effectiveness of research using low-cost instrumentation and the power of citizen science.

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2025.1720301}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2025.1720301/full}, author = {Maris Usis and Adam Goodman and Laura Schwartz and David Kazdan and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and Shashank Sastry and Lucy Ayres and Christopher Brault and Seth Byas and Michael Dimple and Michelle Dowell and Rowan Eggert and Aras Erdag and James Ervin and Dave Goodwin and Scarlett Nelson and Stephen Nichols and Olivia Tulgetske and Christian Zorman} } @proceedings {1024, title = {Electromagnetic Vector Sensor Ionospheric Sounder (EMVSIS)}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {Ground-based ionosondes, also known as ionospheric sounders, are a bedrock sensor modality used by the space science community to monitor the bottom-side ionosphere. These HF radar systems have been used for decades to remotely measure the electron density and ion-drifts of this charged layer of the atmosphere. These systems have evolved as new technologies have come on the scene; one current example are electro-magnetic vector sensor antennas, which are compact arrays that measure the six components of an impinging electro-magnetic wave, allowing for estimation of direction of arrival and polarization. We will present a design that uses this new antenna technology, takes advantage of MIMO radar concepts and new waveform coding techniques. We call this system the Electro-Magnetic Vector Sensor Ionospheric Sounder (EMVSIS). The various design decisions and challenges will be discussed along with future improvements. We will preliminary results from various measurement campaigns and the types of validation and verification methods we are performing.}, author = {John Swoboda and Ryan Volz and Juha Vierinen and Frank Lind} } @proceedings {1023, title = {Geographic Correlation Analysis of WWV Ionospheric Propagation: Phase Stability and Fading Statistics for Adaptive HF Radio}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

We present an analysis of the characteristics of the WWV time signal observed simultaneously at two geographically separated receivers in eastern Massachusetts. Our work has applications in assessing the feasibility of adaptive correction for ionospheric phase distortion in HF communications {\textemdash} analogous to adaptive optics in astronomy. Using KiwiSDR software-defined radio receivers connected to magnetic dipole antennas at Cambridge and Sudbury MA (\~{}32 km apart), we recorded IQ samples at 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, and 25.0 MHz over multiple 88-second intervals. The receiver in Cambridge uses a hybrid coupler to extract circular polarization from orthogonal magnetic loops. We measure carrier phase, characterize fading statistics, and compute the phase structure function D(τ ) to quantify phase stability over 20 ms intervals. This time lag corresponds to the round-trip travel time for active compensation of ionospheric variation over a 2000 km path. Results show that 5 MHz exhibits excellent phase stability (RMS \~{}0.08{\textendash}0.20 rad at 20 ms lag) during morning hours, while 25 MHz shows even better stability (RMS \~{}0.12 rad at 20 ms lag) during the afternoon when the ionosphere supports skywave propagation at higher frequencies. Fading events are uncorrelated between the two sites, indicating that the RF scintillation pattern on the ground has its dominant structure on spatial scales smaller than 32 km.

}, author = {Obinna Modilim and Christopher Stubbs} } @proceedings {1022, title = {A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying the Ionospheric Impacts of Space Weather}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, 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, and computational efficiency enable the size, cost, and power demands of an ionosonde system to be reduced. An Ettus N200 Universal Radio Peripheral was used in our system to verify the reliability of our methods, and during the 2024 total solar eclipse, the system was successfully used to sound the ionosphere. It recorded virtual layer height data comparable to multimillion-dollar ionosonde systems. Since then, we have updated the system to use the newer Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16. This more affordable board is able to sound the ionosphere, using the same methods as the Ettus based system. Additionally, the system is now in a smaller and more portable form. Currently, we are improving its ability to collect data automatically and be controlled remotely. Furthermore, we are continuing to improve our sounding methods to obtain more data using the same hardware.}, author = {Gerard Piccini and Andrew Rodland and Robert McGwier and Robert Spalletta and Nathaniel Frissell and Majid Mokhtari and Philip Erickson} } @proceedings {1041, title = {Meteor Scatter Science}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, author = {Robert Suggs} } @proceedings {1014, title = {Multi-Year Climatology of Large-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed with High Frequency Amateur Radio Receiving Networks Using a Novel Automated Detection Algorithm}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {We present a fully automated, deterministic technique for detecting and characterizing Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) using 14 MHz amateur (ham) radio data. The method isolates wave periods between 1{\textendash}5 hours and applies sinusoidal curve fitting to the first-hop skip-distance edge of observed communication ranges, yielding quantitative estimates of LSTID amplitude and period. Data from the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet), the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), and PSKReporter, which is now merged and available on the CEDAR Madrigal database, were used produce a unified multi-year climatology of LSTID activity over the continental United States (2016{\textendash}2023). Results show clear seasonal patterns: enhanced LSTID occurrence during winter, weaker activity in spring and fall, and modest summer increases. These results are consistent with prior studies and suggest modulation by neutral wind filtering, sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), vertical coupling, and solar activity.}, author = {Diego Sanchez and Mary Lou West and Nathaniel Frissell and Gareth Perry and V. Lynn Harve and Bill Engelke and Nicholas Callahan and Philip Erickso and Erich Becker and Sharon Vadas} } @proceedings {1048, title = {Phase Coding in Digital SuperDARN Radars to Observe Oblique Scattering}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a network of HF radars in the mid to high-latitude regions that observe space weather effects on the ionosphere and magnetosphere. These radars typically transmit a single frequency multi-pulse sequence in the 8-22MHz range in a monostatic configuration. Between 2019 and 2020, two radars were reconfigured at certain times to carry out bistatic operations to demonstrate detecting oblique scatter. These operations were limited to intersecting fields-of-view of both radars, and forcing one radar to be receive-only, disrupting regular radar operation. The results of these operations showed a need for a more flexible approach that is not constrained by mode or field-of-view. Since then, some radars in the network have been converted to a Software Defined Radio (SDR) based system. An SDR-based system enables greater configurability in the transmit waveform the radar uses, including the possibility to encode unique radar IDs into the pulse. Operating modes incorporating phase coding are currently in use for their increased range resolution, so phase coding an ID in the transmit pulse would not affect the normal operation of the radar. This work proposes that SuperDARN radar waveforms with phase-coded IDs could be received by low-cost SDRs similar to the PSWS Grape receivers, to study propagation and oblique scattering in the ionosphere.}, author = {Allison Pitzl and Kevin Sterne and Mike Ruohoniemi and Joseph Baker and Bharat Kunduri and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {1020, title = {Starting a Low-Cost SDR Beacon Receiver Project for Studying Extended Tropospheric Propagation on 432/902/1296 MHz}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

In this project, we are beginning to build and test a low cost SDR based receive system to study extended tropospheric propagation on 432 MHz, 902 MHz, and 1296 MHz, with the main goal of understanding when and how radio signals travel far beyond normal line of sight due to atmospheric or other tropospheric conditions such as refraction, inversion layer ducting, troposcatter, and aircraft scatter. These extended propagation events are important not only for amateur radio operators who monitor weak signals, but also for synchronized wireless systems where late arriving signals can create interference or affect timing. Our first step at the University of Scranton is to deploy a receiving station using an RTL SDR class device, a low noise preamplifier, and band appropriate antennas, so we can start monitoring known beacons and signals of opportunity. We will collect time stamped RSSI values, CW and WSJT mode decode results (including WSPR, FT8, and Q65). In parallel, we will gather atmospheric data at 15{\textendash}60 minute intervals along or near the propagation path so we can compare signal behavior against weather patterns such as temperature inversions, humidity changes, fog, or pressure gradients. Since this is the first year and the project is just starting, our main focus is on building a stable receive chain, confirming consistent beacon reception, and creating a data pipeline that supports long term propagation studies. When we have stable data, we plan to analyze the signatures of extended propagation events and explore which atmospheric features are most responsible for them, and later we will attempt an initial machine learning model to predict {\textquotedblleft}event vs. no event.{\textquotedblright} The project is a new collaboration between the University of Scranton, HamSCI, VIAVI Solutions, and the Texas A\&M MTT S student group, and we also plan to create simple documentation and deployment guides so students, clubs, and under resourced schools can reproduce this low cost system and join the research effort over time.

}, author = {Navid Shahrouzi and Nathaniel Frissell and Gordon Beattie Jr} } @proceedings {1016, title = {What is the ITU-R-HF Model and How Could it Be Used in a HF Contesting Dashboard?}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, abstract = {The ITU-R HF propagation model is a method for mathematically determining the chance as a percentage of being able to reach a given performance criterion. It can be used to model an expected Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF), or Field Strength over a given month. It uses known mathematical models of the ionosphere to determine generalized propagation through the E and F2 layers of the ionosphere and gives considerably accurate predictions. Our goal is to use this method with a currently existing HF contesting dashboard that utilizes the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) to determine if appropriate conditions exist for making a contact in real time. Through ITU-R recommendations and with programming assistance from Anthropic{\textquoteright}s Claude.ai, we are working to integrate these scientific modeling methods with real-time data with the PSWS. After successful implementation of the ITU-R HF model, we can use model assimilation techniques to achieve higher accuracy predictions. Using the technology, we will be able to achieve more accurate band opening prediction, DX propagation prediction, and ionospheric modeling.}, author = {Liam Miller and Nathaniel Frissell and Bud Trench and Ray Sokola} } @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 {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} } @article {1055, title = {conjugate_map: A Python package for calculating geomagnetic conjugate points}, journal = {SoftwareX}, volume = {32}, year = {2025}, month = {01/2025}, pages = {102354}, abstract = {

The Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field is dominated by the dipole moment, which magnetically connects the northern and southern hemispheres. Because ionospheric and magnetospheric plasmas preferentially move along magnetic field lines, local processes that affect the ionosphere or magnetosphere in one hemisphere can cause changes in the opposite hemisphere. The polar regions are uniquely valuable in geospace science, in part because much of the solar wind{\textquoteright}s energy enters the system in polar regions and their magnetospheric, ionospheric, and atmospheric connections are markedly different from the lower latitudes. Geomagnetic conjugates are points in the northern and southern hemispheres linked by Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic field, including both points connected by closed magnetic field lines and points in open-field line regions that are in similar magnetic domains. Conjugate locations are both affected asymmetrically by external factors and have also been shown to alter each other{\textquoteright}s environment on the order of minutes, which makes interhemispheric comparisons crucial to understanding the full dynamics of the geospace system. Here, we present\ conjugate_map, a Python library for flexible geomagnetic coordinate conversions that was designed to facilitate interhemispheric comparisons of geospace events and deployment of polar geospace instruments. As the fifth International Polar Year approaches in 2032{\textendash}33, this work will help researchers to incorporate interhemispheric geospace investigations into the instrument planning process.

}, issn = {23527110}, doi = {10.1016/j.softx.2025.102354}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352711025003206$\#$d1e1057}, author = {Collins, Kristina and Hartinger, Michael and Zimmerman, Kelsey and Salzano, Michelle and Burrell, Angeline} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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 {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} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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 {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 {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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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 {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} } @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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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 {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} } @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} } @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.} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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} } @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} } @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} } @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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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 {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} } @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 {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} } @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 {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 {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 {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} } @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} } @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 {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} } @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} } @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.} }