@article {255, title = {Citizen radio science: an analysis of Amateur Radio transmissions with e-POP RRI}, journal = {Radio Science}, year = {2018}, abstract = {

We report the results of a radio science experiment involving citizen scientists conducted on 28 June 2015, in which the Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) on the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) tuned-in to the 40 and 80 m Ham Radio bands during the 2015 American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. We have aurally decoded the Morse coded call signs of 14 Hams (amateur operators) from RRI{\textquoteright}s data to help ascertain their locations during the experiment. Through careful analysis of the Hams{\textquoteright} transmissions, and with the aid of ray tracing tools, we have identified two notable magnetoionic effects in the received signals: plasma cutoff and single-mode fading. The signature of the former effect appeared approximately 30 seconds into the experiment, with the sudden cessation of signals received by RRI despite measurements from a network of ground-based receivers showing that the Hams{\textquoteright} transmissions were unabated throughout the experiment. The latter effect, single-mode fading, was detected as a double-peak modulation on the individual {\textquotedblleft}dots{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}dashes{\textquotedblright} of one the Ham{\textquoteright}s Morse coded transmissions. We show that the modulation in the Ham{\textquoteright}s signal agrees with expected fading rate for single-mode fading. The results of this experiment demonstrate that Ham Radio transmissions are a valuable tool for studying radio wave propagation and remotely sensing the ionosphere. The analysis and results provide a basis for future collaborations in radio science between traditional researchers in academia and industry, and citizen scientists in which novel and compelling experiments can be performed.

}, keywords = {Citizen Science, ionosphere, Radio Propagation, Radio Science, Satellite}, doi = {10.1029/2017RS006496}, url = {https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2017RS006496}, author = {Perry, G. W. and Frissell, N. A. and Miller, E. S. and Moses, M. and Shovkoplyas, A. and Howarth, A. D. and Yau, A. W.} } @conference {277, title = {Modeling Amateur Radio Soundings of the Ionospheric Response to the 2017 Great American Eclipse}, booktitle = {Fall AGU}, year = {2018}, month = {12/2018}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union Meeting}, organization = {American Geophysical Union Meeting}, address = {Washington, DC}, abstract = {

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse traversed the continental United States and caused large-scale changes in ionospheric densities. These were detected as changes in medium- and high-frequency radio propagation by the Solar Eclipse QSO Party citizen science experiment organized by the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (hamsci.org). This is the first eclipse-ionospheric study to make use of measurements from a citizen-operated, global-scale HF propagation network and develop tools for comparison to a physics-based model ionosphere. Eclipse effects were observed {\textpm}0.3 hr on 1.8 MHz, {\textpm}0.75 hr on 3.5 and 7 MHz, and {\textpm}1 hr on 14 MHz and are consistent with eclipse-induced ionospheric densities. Observations were simulated using the PHaRLAP raytracing toolkit in conjunction with the eclipsed SAMI3 ionospheric model. Model results suggest 1.8, 3.5, and 7 MHz refracted at h>=125 km altitude with elevation angles θ>=22{\textdegree}, while 14 MHz signals refracted at h \< 125 km with elevation angles θ \< 10{\textdegree}.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Citizen Science, Ham Radio, HF propagation, ionosphere, solar eclipse}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/418915}, author = {Frissell, N. A. and Katz, J. D. and Gunning, S. W. and Vega, J. S. and Gerrard, A. J. and Earle, G. D. and Moses, M. L. and West, M. L. and Huba, J. D. and Erickson, P. J. and Miller, E. S. and Gerzoff, R. B. and Liles, W. and Silver, H. W.} } @article {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.} }