@proceedings {1053, title = {The Influence Of Solar Activity On High-Frequency Communications: A Systemic Risk To Global Communication}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

Radio blackouts, phenomena resulting from the interaction between solar activity and the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere, constitute an invisible and underestimated societal risk with significant potential to impact High-Frequency (HF) communications. Such communications are vital for the safety and operation of aircraft, maritime vessels, broadcasting systems, emergency services, and amateur radio networks. This study was conducted by seventh-grade elementary school students from a public school in Santa Catarina, Brazil, as a research project within the Civil Defense in Schools Program. Its objective was to record the frequency and intensity of radio blackouts, aiming to assess the viability of a low-cost approach for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education by integrating space weather risks into the educational environment. The methodology employed consisted of data collection from May to December 2025 using the Space Weather application. Data were recorded whenever the application issued a notification regarding an event occurrence. These events were classified according to the official nomenclature of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration{\textquoteright}s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), which categorizes solar flares into three classes (C, M, and X) and radio blackouts on an intensity scale from R1 to R5. An average of 12 monthly occurrences were recorded, including a high-intensity X2.62-class blackout in May, which was registered and reported by various news outlets. The results confirmed the fluctuating nature of solar activity during the analyzed period. While it was not possible to directly correlate the recorded events with specific communication failures documented in amateur radio logs, NOTAMs, or NAVAREA Warnings, the study underscores the relevance of promoting research and employing low-cost tools for the educational monitoring of space weather phenomena. This approach effectively illustrates the connection between solar activity and the vulnerabilities of modern technological infrastructure. By overlaying blackout-affected areas with major air and maritime routes, the systemic nature of this risk is reinforced. For future work, it is recommended to correlate these observational records with communication failures effectively reported by critical sectors, aiming to deepen the understanding of operational impacts.

}, author = {Alexandre Takio Kitagawa and Rebeca Wegner Geisler and Kathellen Thayenne Pereira Nogueira and Emillin Rocha} } @proceedings {1040, title = {Introduction to Baseband Processing}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {Today, much RF digital signal processing is done at baseband, defined here as a signal with frequencies centered around DC or 0 Hz. Baseband processing is somewhat analogous to using an intermediate frequency (IF), as done in a superheterodyne receiver with typical IF frequencies of 455 kHz (AM) or 10.7 MHz (FM), but where the IF is at 0 Hz and where the resulting baseband signal contains both positive and negative frequencies. Just as intermediate frequencies of superheterodyne receivers gave advantages in analog receivers, baseband processing gives certain advantages in digital receivers. Furthermore, most modern Software Defined Radios output in-phase / quadrature (IQ) data streams, containing both amplitude and phase information and centered at baseband. This includes the IQ output of the popular {\textquotedblleft}ka9q-radio{\textquotedblright} software environment used in HamSCI development of the Personal Space Weather Station system. A good understanding of baseband processing and its typical applications is thus useful. In this tutorial, we will introduce a common definition of baseband processing and explore its uses. The presentation will include a reminder of Fourier / frequency domain and complex signal representations. We will discuss the advantages of processing of IQ signals at baseband and will give examples of their use in common tasks. These include signal demodulation and filtering, including asymmetric filtering around 0 Hz. A brief discussion on creating a baseband signal from a non-baseband signal and converting a baseband signal to a non-baseband signal will also be presented. Interactive demonstrations will be provided as well for active learning, easy modification, and experimentation. }, author = {Bill Liles and Philip Erickson and Ethan Miller} } @proceedings {975, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course: A Progress Report}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {Steve Stroh and Martin Alcock} } @proceedings {862, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {David Kazdan and Adam Goodman and Laura Schwartz and Maris Usis} } @proceedings {697, title = {Identifying 14 MHz Propagation Modes Using FST4W SNR and Spectral Spread}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {Ron Wilcox} } @proceedings {627, title = {Installation and Operation of the KC3EEY/W2NAF VLF Reception System}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Jonathan Rizzo and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {648, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
In an effort to introduce research and scientific writing earlier to physics and engineering undergraduate students, we designed a Space Physics Project in Fall of 2021 to add to Foundations of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton. To complete the project, students worked with data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spacecraft, as well as amateur (ham) radio data collected by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN, reversebeacon.net) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet, wsprnet.org).
}, author = {Rachel (Umbel) Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {630, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/introducing-undergraduates-research-through-solar-flares-python-and-amateur-radio}, author = {Rachel M. Frissell and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {602, title = {An Investigation of Enhanced Summertime 7MHz trans-Pacific Propagation}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, author = {David de la Torre and Enrique Rojas} } @proceedings {633, title = {The Ionospheric Impacts of Space Weather and our Heightened Awareness of its Effects on Society (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
Abstract:\ The paradigm shift that space weather is real, relevant and knowable to a general audience is not as impossible as once imagined. Although it remains a difficult topic to convey, new methods of teaching and communicating the hazards of the space environment to the technical non-expert and the public alike are far more accessible than in the past. In return, the appetite for more timely and accurate space weather information by these informed audiences is driving more robust observation and forecast methodologies. In this tutorial we will review how different kinds of space weather events impact the near-Earth space environment, driving different effects in the upper ionosphere. We will discuss several events and show how a heightened visibility of the space environment is creating more accountability in operational space weather forecasting, as well as broadening the need for space weather education. Emerging private and public beneficiaries of these improvements in forecasting and education will also be highlighted, along with a discussion of advances beyond academia that demonstrate a growing intersection of heliospheric science, meteorology, and the public use of space weather information.
Bio:\ The invited scientist tutorial will be presented by\ Dr. Tamitha Skov WX6SWW\ and will focus on the ionospheric impacts of space weather. Dr. Skov holds B.S. degrees in physics and physical chemistry, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geophysics and planetary physics from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She joined the\ Aerospace Corporation\ in 2004, where she is currently a Research Scientist in the Physical Sciences Laboratory. At Aerospace, she works primarily in the fields of solar and space physics research and in the testing of spacecraft materials in realistic space radiation environments. In 2020, Dr. Skov joined\ Millersville University\ as an adjunct professor and is now teaching graduate courses in meteorology, serving as a pioneer in the field of "Broadcast Space Weather{\textquotedblright}. Dr. Skov is well-known to the amateur radio community as\ {\textquotedblleft}The Space Weather Woman{\textquotedblright}\ through her\ innovative YouTube space weather forecasts.
}, author = {Tamitha Skov} } @proceedings {499, title = {Implementation of a point-to-point ray tracer}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=1A-39-D4-8B-D5-41-92-1D-69-08-CD-7C-3D-30-EB-3F}, author = {Jacob Handwerker} } @conference {396, title = {Into the Ionosphere: Real-Time Aurora Mapping Through Citizen Science (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {L. Brandt and E. MacDonald} } @conference {285, title = {Introduction to the KiwiSDR}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @conference {329, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {290, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {236, title = {Initial Results of HamSCI Ham Radio 21 August 2017 Eclipse Ionospheric Experiments}, booktitle = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, year = {2018}, month = {01/2018}, publisher = {American Meteorological Society}, organization = {American Meteorological Society}, address = {Austin, TX}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, issn = {0886-8093}, author = {Steve Cerwin} } @conference {161, title = {Introduction to Space Weather and Propagation}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {163, title = {Ionospheric Impacts of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Magalina Moses and Gregory Earle and Sushma Burujupalli and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Lee Kordella and Snehal Dixit and Charudatta Chitale and Xiayou Han} } @conference {173, title = {Ionospheric Simulations of the 2017 Solar Eclipse QSO Party}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and J. D. Katz and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and S. W. Gunning and A. J. Gerrard and E. S. Miller and M. L. West and F. Ceglia and D. Pascoe and N. Sinanis and P. Smith and R. Williams and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver} } @conference {53, title = {The Ionosphere{\textquoteright}s Pocket Litter: Exploiting Crowd-Sourced Observations}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Oral Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

One of the biggest challenges faced in developing and testing our understanding of the ionosphere is acquiring data that characterizes the latitudinal and longitudinal variability of the ionosphere. While there are extensive networks of ground sites that sample the vertical distribution, we have rather poor coverage over the oceans and in parts of the southern hemisphere. Our ability to validate the ionospheric models is limited by the lack of point measurements and those measurements that essentially constitute characterization of horizontal gradients. In this talk, we discuss and demonstrate the use of various types of crowd-sourced information that enables us to extend our coverage over these regions. We will discuss new sources of these data, concepts for new experiments and the use of these data in assimilative models. We note that there are new, low cost options for obtaining data that broaden the participation beyond the aeronomy/ionospheric community.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen Kaeppler and Robert Demajistre and Andrew Knuth} } @article {45, title = {Ionospheric Sounding Using Real-Time Amateur Radio Reporting Networks}, journal = {Space Weather}, volume = {12}, year = {2014}, pages = {651{\textendash}656}, abstract = {

Amateur radio reporting networks, such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), PSKReporter, and the Weak Signal Propagation Network, are powerful tools for remote sensing the ionosphere. These voluntarily constructed and operated networks provide real-time and archival data that could be used for space weather operations, forecasting, and research. The potential exists for the study of both global and localized effects. The capability of one such network to detect space weather disturbances is demonstrated by examining the impacts on RBN-observed HF propagation paths of an X2.9 class solar flare detected by the GOES 15 satellite. Prior to the solar flare, the RBN observed strong HF propagation conditions between multiple continents, primarily Europe, North America, and South America. Immediately following the GOES 15 detection of the solar flare, the number of reported global RBN propagation paths dropped to less than 35\% that of prior observations. After the flare, the RBN showed the gradual recovery of HF propagation conditions.

}, keywords = {Instruments and techniques, ionosphere, Ionospheric effects on radio waves, Solar effects}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1002/2014SW001132}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2014_SpaceWeather_Frissell_RBN.pdf}, author = {Frissell, N. A. and Miller, E. S. and Kaeppler, S. R. and Ceglia, F. and Pascoe, D. and Sinanis, N. and Smith, P. and Williams, R. and Shovkoplyas, A.} }