@proceedings {1026, title = {Analyzing Meteor Scatter Communications Through Citizen Science and Data Driven Methods}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

Meteor scatter communication is a radio propagation technique that exploits ionized trails produced by meteoroids as they enter Earth{\textquoteright}s atmosphere, enabling brief long-distance radio contacts. As meteors enter the Earth{\textquoteright}s atmosphere, they produce ionized trails which amateur radio operators utilize to bounce signals off, enabling short bursts of long-distance communication. This research investigates the historical growth, practical impact, and physical principles of the effect meteor scatter has on radio communication. Taking advantage of major meteor scatter events, including the Perseids and Geminids, data was collected during organized Meteor Scatter QSO Parties (MSQP). Amateur radio citizen scientists study ionospheric propagation by making contacts using meteor trails using diverse equipment and the WSJT-X digital communication software. The collected data sets from everyone containing a mixture of meteor scatter signals, aircraft scatter, and other propagations are compiled and submitted to an online public database for approval. To deal with the immense amount of data, a machine learning program was created to filter and classify data as meteor scatter events. This research indicates the usefulness of machine learning to isolate events within large scale data sets while gaining a deeper understanding of utilizing meteor induced ionization and its role in radio propagation.

}, author = {Nina Tormann and Nathaniel Frissell and Robert Suggs and Jay Weitzen and Gary Mikitin and Kuldeep Pandey and Mary Lou West} } @article {1062, title = {Characterizing ionospheric variability through HF Doppler measurements: a statistical and numerical ray tracing analysis}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, volume = {13}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, abstract = {

High-frequency (HF) skywave propagation relies on the ionosphere, making it susceptible to ionospheric variability. This study analyzes long-term Doppler residual measurements of a 10 MHz HF link between Fort Collins, CO, and Newark, NJ, to characterize the impact of ionospheric conditions on the link. We report that daytime measurements of Doppler variability exhibit Cauchy statistics, while nighttime measurements show a combination of exponential and log-normal statistics. These patterns correlate with solar activity and solar zenith angle. We also use PHaRLAP numerical ray tracing simulations through the IRI 2020 ionosphere to provide insights into signal ray paths and the altitudes of the ionosphere contributing to the observed Doppler shifts. By examining diurnal variations and statistical properties of Doppler residuals, this study aims to enhance our understanding of ionospheric dynamics and their influence on HF signal characteristics.

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2026.1713968}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2026.1713968/fullhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2026.1713968/full}, author = {Fernandes, Sabastian and Perry, Gareth W. and Trigo, Tiago and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Gibbons, John and Collins, Kristina} } @proceedings {1009, title = {A Citizen-Science Path to TEC: Using GNSS Measurements to Track the Ionosphere}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

Total Electron Content (TEC) is a key ionospheric parameter that affects HF propagation and introduces delay in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. This poster provides an overview of what a GNSS receiver measures and how those measurements can be used to estimate TEC. The primary GNSS observables, including code (pseudorange) and carrier phase, are introduced, and dual-frequency measurements are used to isolate the ionospheric contribution through dispersive delay. The standard steps for computing slant TEC and relating it to vertical TEC are outlined using simple mapping assumptions. The poster also discusses how low-cost, off-the-shelf dual-frequency GNSS receivers, commonly marketed for Real Time Kinematic (RTK) applications, can support TEC estimation when raw observables are available, and how a distributed network of such receivers aligns with the HamSCI citizen-science model for expanding ionospheric monitoring coverage. Example systems based on the EclipseNB network developed at the University of New Brunswick are presented, including a brief note on deployments for operation in Antarctica, along with progress toward a public guide to help others replicate these stations.

}, author = {Jeremy McLynch and Hyomin Kim and Anton Kashcheyev and Joshua Turi} } @proceedings {1030, title = {Communication, Education, and Radio Technologies Summit Teacher Training Model in T{\"u}rkiye}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, author = {Ceren T{\"u}yl{\"u} and Hanife K{\i}l{\i}{\c c}} } @article {1007, title = {Detecting changes in along-path HF propagation during the April 2024 total solar eclipse with radio amateurs and low-cost instrumentation}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, year = {2026}, month = {Feb/2026}, abstract = {

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

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2025.1720301}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2025.1720301/full}, author = {Maris Usis and Adam Goodman and Laura Schwartz and David Kazdan and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and Shashank Sastry and Lucy Ayres and Christopher Brault and Seth Byas and Michael Dimple and Michelle Dowell and Rowan Eggert and Aras Erdag and James Ervin and Dave Goodwin and Scarlett Nelson and Stephen Nichols and Olivia Tulgetske and Christian Zorman} } @proceedings {1061, title = {Development of a Contesting and DXing Dashboard for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

This project aims to develop a dashboard display specifically for amateur radio HF contesting, DXing, and general operations using data from the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station as well as potentially adding other local and remote real time data. The HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station is a multi-instrument system designed to measure space weather for both scientific research and amateur radio operations. The core of the PSWS is the RX-888/KA9Q-radio WSPRDaemon-Grape High Frequency (HF) software-defined radio (SDR), capable of capturing and analyzing signals across the 0.3-30 MHz range. While most PSWS development efforts thus far have focused on strictly scientific objectives, this project will aim to make the data available and useful in real time for Ham Radio Operators. The dashboard has a goal of enhancing real-time HF propagation assessments for amateur radio operators. By decoding WSPR, FT8, and FT4 spots and integrating with external space weather observations, this dashboard will provide propagation insights on an individual station basis through both an interactive map view and a regional band-opening table. A working prototype of the dashboard is currently operational, demonstrating real-time spot visualization. The dashboard will also contribute to a larger understanding of both localized and global HF conditions. This should allow amateur radio operators to optimize their transmissions based on real-time ionospheric conditions, which can help improve contesting efficiency and DXing success. This project will involve the HamSCI Community, the Frankford Radio Club, and W3USR. This project aims to advance amateur radio capabilities and strengthen science contributions to space weather research.

}, author = {Owen Ruzanski and Liam Miller and Nathaniel Frissell and Ray Sokola and Bud Trench} } @article {1056, title = {HamSCI HF multipath propagation mode analysis using amateur radios and audio waveforms sensitive to time difference of arrival}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, volume = {13}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, abstract = {

This study describes a method to deduce the ionization layer virtual height and propagation path geometry responsible for communication between two HF radio stations a fixed distance apart. The method measures the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) between multipath propagation modes involving the active ionospheric layers and reconciles the data with a virtual height model of the ionosphere. The TDOA approach was implemented by transmitting audio signals that are sensitive to a time delay when summed together as happens in a receiver during multipath reception. The TDOA method eliminates the need for any absolute time references or extensive equipment calibration that would be required for an absolute time of flight (TOF) measurement. The audio waveforms used by the method included 1-cycle audio bursts, linear audio chirps of controlled sweep rate, and pseudorandom noise (PN) bursts.

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2026.1723511}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/astronomy-and-space-sciences/articles/10.3389/fspas.2026.1723511/full}, author = {Cerwin, Stephen A. and McMahan, Jesse T. and Papadopoulos, Alexandros S. and Piccini, Gerard N. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Collins, Kristina V. and Montare, Aidan and Bilberry, Paul and Blackshear, Samuel and Themens, David R.} } @proceedings {1012, title = {The observation of Sporadic E using FT8 in JAPAN.}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

Sporadic E can have dramatic effects on communication in the HF and VHF bands. When sporadic E occurs, it enables communication over very long distances on these bands. Many studies, including those using ionosondes and GNSS-TEC observations, have been conducted to observe sporadic E all over the world. In this study, sporadic E propagation was investigated using FT8, one of the amateur radio digital modes, at 50 MHz in Japan. A large number of reception reports were directly collected during sporadic E events. For each received signal, the transmitting amateur radio station was identified, and its geographical location was determined from a call sign database. The midpoint between the transmitter and receiver was then used as an approximation of the reflection location of the sporadic E layer. By combining a large number of such propagation paths, the spatial distribution and movement of sporadic E were analyzed. Most of the observed structures exhibited an overall shape extending in the east{\textendash}west direction, or slightly in the north{\textendash}south direction, and no structures purely elongated along the north{\textendash}south axis of the Japanese archipelago were observed. This tendency is consistent with observations obtained from GNSS and related measurement techniques. This study also discusses the advantages, limitations, and points for improvement of the method. The results show the effectiveness of using amateur radio stations to observe ionospheric phenomena.

}, author = {Ryusuke Takata} } @proceedings {1044, title = {A Python data analysis and synthesis toolbox for PSWS Doppler data: A time-of flight case study}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

A prototype Python toolbox is available to aid HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) data interpretation1. The toolbox currently has two themes. First, a set of frequency- (FFT) and time-domain (autocorrelation) scripts for estimating and plotting Doppler frequency, Doppler spread and signal level of PSWS digital_RF data. For bimodal spectra an experimental script estimates Doppler of two peaks, assigns to propagation modes and tries to track even if they cross. Second, a set of scripts invoking PyLap 2D and 3D ray tracing to obtain synthetic spectrograms of one- and two-hop E and F region, low and high ray, propagation modes. Time series of take-off angle, reflection apogee and time of flight (ToF) are derived from automated PyLap simulations. Novel ToF measurements between WWV and KD7EFG, Utah, provide an interpretation challenge case study. Apogee height simulation time series show expected propagation modes, importantly showing periods with two co-propagating modes, and, by omission, suggesting when sporadic E (Es) was present. 5 MHz Es propagation, with minimal vertical height variability, and ToF of 2.12 ms, provided the benchmark to show consistent ToF measurements within 60 us. The more dynamic F region gave rise to commensurate variations in ToF. However, ToF estimates became scattered with two co-propagating modes from WWV (e.g. 5 MHz E and F). 15 MHz Es propagation showed consistent ToF of 2.19 ms from a weak signal 50 dB below one-hop F2. Fascinatingly, an interval with ToF of 14 ms reducing to 8 ms from a weak but strengthening signal was attributed, with certainty, to two-hop sidescatter using 3D PyLap simulation. One-hop via F region only occurred briefly, with correct ToF of 2.81 ms. As the 15 MHz path from WWVH opened, with a strong signal seen in Doppler shift, ToF measurements on the path from WWV, of weak two hop sidescatter, became very scattered. This case study shows the importance of being able to use PSWS Doppler analysis to interpret new ToF measurements. In conclusion, these results herald a significant advance in the HamSCI Community{\textquoteright}s ability to characterize ionospheric propagation channels.

}, author = {Gwyn Griffiths and Scott Newell and Paul Elliott and Clint Turner and Brett Anderson and Michael Hauan and Rob Robinett} } @proceedings {1036, title = {Radio Propagation Time Of Flight Measurements:}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newington, CT}, abstract = {

Time Of Flight measurements over multiple paths can be a valuable tool when validating and refining radio propagation models. This presentation will discuss current methods in use and several new projects and designs that are being developed for the HamSCI PSWS program. These will include the {\textquotedblleft}Time-Sync Injector{\textquotedblright} and associated software, which is used with an Software Defined Radio such as the RX-888 to allow accurate Time Of Arrival measurement of received signals. Also described will be the {\textquotedblleft}Time-Stamp Transmitter{\textquotedblright}, which generates flexible-format time-stamped signals, and a new receiver design, based on the RX-888, but intended to serve as a platform for future time and frequency measurement projects.

}, author = {Nathaniel Frissell and Scott Newell and Rob Robinett and Clinton Turner and Gwyn Griffiths and Paul Elliott} } @proceedings {1016, title = {What is the ITU-R-HF Model and How Could it Be Used in a HF Contesting Dashboard?}, year = {2026}, month = {03/2026}, abstract = {

The ITU-R HF propagation model is a method for mathematically determining the chance as a percentage of being able to reach a given performance criterion. It can be used to model an expected Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF), or Field Strength over a given month. It uses known mathematical models of the ionosphere to determine generalized propagation through the E and F2 layers of the ionosphere and gives considerably accurate predictions. Our goal is to use this method with a currently existing HF contesting dashboard that utilizes the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) to determine if appropriate conditions exist for making a contact in real time. Through ITU-R recommendations and with programming assistance from Anthropic{\textquoteright}s Claude.ai, we are working to integrate these scientific modeling methods with real-time data with the PSWS. After successful implementation of the ITU-R HF model, we can use model assimilation techniques to achieve higher accuracy predictions. Using the technology, we will be able to achieve more accurate band opening prediction, DX propagation prediction, and ionospheric modeling.

}, author = {Liam Miller and Owen Ruzanski and Nathaniel Frissell and Bud Trench and Ray Sokola} } @proceedings {971, title = {Development of a Contesting and DXing Dashboard for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Owen Ruzanski and Nathaniel Frissell and Ray Sokola and Bud Trench} } @proceedings {973, title = {Electron thermionic emission and tunneling transport in spherically symmetric charged grains in dusty plasmas}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Rebecca Potter and Nina Tormann and Argyrios Varonides} } @proceedings {957, title = {How Do We Put a HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station in Antarctica?}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Rebecca Potter and Nina Tormann and Christine Zakzewski and Majid Mokhtari and Nathaniel Frissell and Ken Martin and Jermey McLynch and Hyomin Kim and Gareth Perry and David McGaw and James LaBelle and Tedi Godfrey and Michael Hartje and Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett and Paul Elliott} } @proceedings {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 {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 {959, title = {A Statistical Study of Ion Temperature Anisotropy Using AMISR Data}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Aidan Thayer and Lindsay Goodwin and William Longley and Jean Pierre St Maurice} } @proceedings {860, title = {Construction of a Table-Top Antenna Range for Learning Electromagnetics Concepts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Augustine Brapoh and Matthew Dittmar and Aidan Szabo and Robert Troy and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen A. Cerwin} } @proceedings {823, title = {Exploring Ionospheric Variability Through Doppler Residuals: A Study Utilizing the HamSCI Grape V1 Receiver}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Sabastian Fernandes and Gareth W. Perry and Tiago Trigo and Nathaniel A. Frissell and John Gibbons} } @proceedings {861, title = {Learning Communications Systems Using Amateur Radio Satellites}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Augustine Brapoh and James Hankee and Aidan Szabo and Robert Troy and Robert W. McGwier and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {871, title = {Signatures of Space Weather in the NJIT V1 Grape Low-IF Receiver}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Tiago Trigo and Gareth W. Perry and Sebastian Fernandes and John Gibbons and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {863, title = {University of Michigan Space Weather Sensor Package}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Theodore Masterson and Mark B. Moldwin and Lauro Ojeda and Julio Vata and Isaac Fertig and Alex Hofmann and Brian Tsang} } @proceedings {750, title = {AC Motor Drive With Power Factor Correction Using Arduino}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Christian D. Chakiris and Robert C. Brudnicki and Robert D. Troy and John A. Nelson and Matthew K. Dittmar and Augustine D. Brapoh Jr. and Milton Andrade and Sade Lugo and Aidan T. Szabo and Kenneth Dudeck} } @proceedings {742, title = {Electrostatic and Quantum Size Effects in Short Channel MOSFETs}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {
Two dimensional electrostatics and quantum size effects have become important features of modern short channel MOSFET device design where the surface potential becomes spatially dependent affecting the threshold voltage Several nanometer channel lengths between Source and Drain cause quantum effects that need to be addressed in modern MOSFET design. We present a model of electron transport in the 2D inversion layer, where (a) electrostatic and (b) quantum size effects are pointed out.
}, author = {Robert Troy and Aidan Szabo and Argyros Varonides} } @proceedings {724, title = {Field-Aligned Potential Drops in an Ionospheric Streamer}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Jason Derr and Sina Sadegzadeh and Richard Wolf and Frank Toffoletto and Jian Yang and Weiqin Sun} } @article {801, title = {Heliophysics and amateur radio: citizen science collaborations for atmospheric, ionospheric, and space physics research and operations}, journal = {Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences}, volume = {10}, year = {2023}, month = {Apr-11-2024}, abstract = {

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

}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171}, url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171/fullhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1184171/full}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Ackermann, John R. and Alexander, Jesse N. and Benedict, Robert L. and Blackwell, William C. and Boedicker, Rachel K. and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V. and Cowling, Scott H. and Deacon, Chris and Diehl, Devin M. and Di Mare, Francesca and Duffy, Timothy J. and Edson, Laura Brandt and Engelke, William D. and Farmer, James O. and Frissell, Rachel M. and Gerzoff, Robert B. and Gibbons, John and Griffiths, Gwyn and Holm, Sverre and Howell, Frank M. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Kavanagh, George and Kazdan, David and Kim, Hyomin and Larsen, David R. and Ledvina, Vincent E. and Liles, William and Lo, Sam and Lombardi, Michael A. and MacDonald, Elizabeth A. and Madey, Julius and McDermott, Thomas C. and McGaw, David G. and McGwier, Robert W. and Mikitin, Gary A. and Miller, Ethan S. and Mitchell, Cathryn and Montare, Aidan and Nguyen, Cuong D. and Nordberg, Peter N. and Perry, Gareth W. and Piccini, Gerard N. and Pozerski, Stanley W. and Reif, Robert H. and Rizzo, Jonathan D. and Robinett, Robert S. and Romanek, Veronica I. and Sami, Simal and Sanchez, Diego F. and Sarwar, Muhammad Shaaf and Schwartz, Jay A. and Serra, H. Lawrence and Silver, H. Ward and Skov, Tamitha Mulligan and Swartz, David A. and Themens, David R. and Tholley, Francis H. and West, Mary Lou and Wilcox, Ronald C. and Witten, David and Witvliet, Ben A. and Yadav, Nisha} } @proceedings {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 {764, title = {Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances and their Connection to the Lower and Middle Atmosphere}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Francis Tholley and V. Lynn Harvey and Sophie R. Phillips and Katrina Bossert and Sevag Derghazarian and Larisa Goncharenko and Richard Collins and Mary Lou West and Diego F. Sanchez and Gareth W. Perry and Robert B. Gerzoff and Philip J. Erickson and William D. Engelke and Nicholas Callahan and Lucas Underbakke and Travis Atkison and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {843, title = {A New Web Interface to the SuperDARN MSTID Analysis Toolkit}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {745, title = {Power Factor Detection and Correction of a Variable Speed AC motor}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Christian Chakirus and Robert Brudnicki and Robert Troy and Kenneth Dudeck} } @proceedings {699, title = {Project HALO: An Effort to Provide Continuous Meteorological Observations of the April 8th, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Wesley Taylor and Allison Krantz and Joshua Kinsky and Nichole Behrenhauser and Alex Colgate and Melodie Martinez-Manahan} } @article {802, title = {Validating Ionospheric Models Against Technologically Relevant MetricsAbstractPlain Language SummaryKey Points}, journal = {Space Weather}, volume = {21}, year = {2023}, month = {Jan-12-2023}, abstract = {

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

}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2023SW003590}, url = {https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023SW003590https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2023SW003590https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/2023SW003590}, author = {Chartier, A. T. and Steele, J. and Sugar, G. and Themens, D. R. and Vines, S. K. and Huba, J. D.} } @proceedings {605, title = {40-m Domestic Propagation at November 2022 at FT8 QSO Party in Japan}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and Tyler Jordan and Joseph Tholley and Vaibhavi Patel} } @article {667, title = {Amateur Radio: An Integral Tool for Atmospheric, Ionospheric, and Space Physics Research and Operations}, journal = {White Paper Submitted to the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.3847/25c2cfeb.18632d86}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Laura Brandt and Stephen A. Cerwin and Kristina V. Collins and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Rachel M. Frissell and Robert B. Gerzoff and Stephen R. Kaeppler and Vincent Ledvina and William Liles and Michael Lombardi and Elizabeth MacDonald and Francesca Di Mare and Ethan S. Miller and Gareth W. Perry and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Diego F. Sanchez and H. Lawrence Serra and H. Ward Silver and David R. Themens and Mary Lou West} } @proceedings {623, title = {Broadband Loop Antennas and Preamplifiers for Receiving VLF to HF}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {David McGaw and Mike Trimpi and James LaBelle} } @proceedings {624, title = {Detecting Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances using Feature Recognition and Amateur Radio Data}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {William D. Engelke and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Travis Atkison and Philip J. Erickson and Francis Tholley} } @proceedings {630, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/introducing-undergraduates-research-through-solar-flares-python-and-amateur-radio}, author = {Rachel M. Frissell and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {648, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
In an effort to introduce research and scientific writing earlier to physics and engineering undergraduate students, we designed a Space Physics Project in Fall of 2021 to add to Foundations of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton. To complete the project, students worked with data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spacecraft, as well as amateur (ham) radio data collected by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN, reversebeacon.net) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet, wsprnet.org).
}, author = {Rachel (Umbel) Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {601, title = {NASA/HPD/Space Weather/Citizen Science Programs Contributions to the HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

NASA/HPD ROSES programs solicit research proposals so that amateur radio observations could be utilized for innovative science and technology research. NASA/HPD anticipates creating opportunities to enhance participation of the HamSCI community in observations of natural events in the 2023-2024 timeframe: The Heliophysics Big Year (HBY) including the upcoming annular solar eclipse (Oct 14, 2023) and total solar eclipse (Apr 8, 2024) over North America as well as the next solar max. NASA/HPD anticipates supporting HamSCI activities through space-based observations that can be leveraged by amateur radio scientists to enhance scientific contribution of the HamSCI community.
}, author = {E. Shume and J. Spann and J. Woodroffe and R. Friedel and J. Favors and W. Twetten and E. MacDonald and A. Rymer and S. Finn and J. Kozyra and K. Korreck} } @proceedings {636, title = {Porting the MUSIC Algorithm to the SuperDARN pyDARN Library for the Study of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles} } @conference {609, title = {The Radio JOVE Project 2.0}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2022}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {C. Higgins and S. Fung and L. Garcia and J. Thieman and J. Sky and D. Typinski and R. Flagg and J. Brown and F. Reyes and J. Gass and L. Dodd and T. Ashcraft and W. Greenman and S. Blair} } @conference {586, title = {Amateur Radio Communications as a Novel Sensor of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (Invited)}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, author = {Francis Tholley and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joseph B. H. Baker and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and William Bristow} } @proceedings {559, title = {HamSCI: Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {International Space Weather Action Team (ISWAT)}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H. and Gerzoff, Robert} } @conference {544, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather: Architecture and Applications to Radio Astronomy}, booktitle = {Annual (Summer) Eastern Conference}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, organization = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://rasdr.org/store/books/books/journals/proceedings-of-annual-conference}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Scott H. Cowling and Thomas C. McDermott and John Ackermann and David Typinski and William D. Engelke and David R. Larsen and David G. McGaw and Hyomin Kim and David M. Witten, II and Julius M. Madey and Kristina V. Collins and John C. Gibbons and David Kazdan and Aidan Montare and Dev Raj Joshi and Veronica I. Romanek and Cuong D. Nguyen and Stephen A. Cerwin and William Liles and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Ethan S. Miller and Juha Vierinen and Philip J. Erickson and Mary Lou West} } @conference {539, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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

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

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/888443}, author = {Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Liles, William and Trop, Clair and Collins, Kristina and Perry, Gareth W.} } @proceedings {495, title = {K2MFF: Nearly a Century of Advancing the Radio Art at NJIT}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=6A-73-A8-1F-B3-F9-DE-00-42-92-9A-F7-6B-59-C4-ED}, author = {Gareth W. Perry and F. Chu and Peter Teklinski} } @conference {542, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Diego F. Sanchez and Gareth W. Perry and Dev Joshi and William D. Engelke and Evan G. Thomas and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @proceedings {555, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, year = {2021}, month = {05/2021}, publisher = {SANSA}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.sansa.org.za/events-outreach/superdarn-workshop-2021/}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego F. and Perry, Gareth W. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @proceedings {574, title = {Sources of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=22608}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego F. and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H.} } @proceedings {482, title = {Thunderstorms as Possible HF Radiation Sources of Propagation Teepee Signatures}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/default.aspx?s=0E-BF-8A-B2-0E-0C-9B-2B-87-78-FC-B8-84-2C-41-FB}, author = {Shing F. Fung and Todd S. Anderson and Thomas Ashcraft and Wes Greenman and David Typinski and James Brown} } @proceedings {464, title = {Traveling ionospheric disturbances tracked through Doppler-shifted AM radio transmissions}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

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

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

}, author = {Claire C. Trop and James LaBelle and Philip J. Erickson and Shunrong Zhang and David McGaw and Terrence Kovacs} } @conference {400, title = {Patterns in Received Noise: Methods, Observations and Questions (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, author = {S. F. Fung and D. Typinski and R. F. Flagg and T. Ashcraft and W. Greenman and C. Higgins and J. Brown and L. Dodd and A. S. Mount and F. J. Reyes and J. Sky and J. Thieman and L. N. Garcia} } @conference {340, title = {How Real-Time Scoreboards Change Contesting}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Victor Androsov and Randy Thompson} } @conference {313, title = {A Research Quality, Low Power and Cost Magnetometer Package for use in Citizen Science (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Mark Moldwin and Kit Ng and Jacob Thoma and Leonardo Regoli and Maya Pandya} } @conference {175, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and S. W. Gunning and M. Hirsch and J. D. Katz and S. R. Kaeppller and R. W. McGwier and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and G. Perry and S. E. Reyer and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and J. S. Vega and RBN Team} } @conference {174, title = {HamSCI: The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (Banquet Presentation)}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and J. Dzekevich and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and S. W. Gunning and M. Hirsch and J. D. Katz and S. R. Kaeppler and R. W. McGwier and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and G. Perry and S. E. Reyer and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and J. S. Vega and RBN Team} }