@proceedings {830, title = {Operating GBO{\textquoteright}s 20m Radio Telescope with Ham Radio Students}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, author = {Gamal Zayed} } @proceedings {703, title = {Observing Auroral Radio Emissions in Conjugate Hemispheres}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

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

}, author = {Steve Cerwin and Paul Bilberry} } @proceedings {662, title = {Opening Remarks - Friday}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {647, title = {Opportunities for Research and Education with a Small Radio Telescope}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {Dev Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and Juha Vierinen} } @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} } @proceedings {577, title = {Observations of Mid-latitude Irregularities Using the Oblique Ionosonde Sounding Mode for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (Proceedings)}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=2542}, author = {Joshi, Dev Raj and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha} } @conference {537, title = {Observing Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using HamSCI Amateur Radio: Climatology with Connections to Geospace and Neutral Atmospheric Sources}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {N. A. Frissell} } @conference {215, title = {Outstanding Problems in Radio Propagation}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {C. Luetzelschwab} }