Trial of applying PHaRLAP raytracing to reproduce Ham spot data

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