@proceedings {931, title = {Analysis by Citizen Scientists of Doppler Radio Observations of the April, 2024 Solar Eclipse}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The HamSCI community (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation) has analyzed high frequency radio observations of the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 and found interesting correlations. Nearly fifty ham radio operators recorded over 200 Doppler time series of the national time standard transmitters WWV in Colorado and CHU in Canada using specialized GRAPE (Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment) receivers. These observations are archived at the Personal Space Weather Station website, and cover ten frequencies from 0.6 to 25 MHz. There were over sixty different paths from transmitter to receiver at various angles across and along the path of totality from Texas to Maine. For each observation six citizen scientists collected demographic data, found distances and midpoints (where radio signals are reflected from the ionosphere), noted local eclipse information, measured the maximum Doppler shifts, counted multi-path signals, and judged the symmetry of the S-shaped Doppler curves over ingress and egress time periods. We found that the Doppler shifts depend mostly on the Sun{\textquoteright}s obscuration at the midpoint, but also on the carrier frequency and the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. At closer distances a radio wave measured a greater change in the path length as the bottom of the ionosphere retreated skyward and then returned as the Moon uncovered the Sun. \ 

}, author = {Mary Lou West and Nathaniel Frissell and Gary Mikitin and Gregory Popelas and Ronald Wilcox and McKenzie Denton and Robert Spalletta and William Engelke and Gwyn Griffiths and Steve Cerwin} } @proceedings {932, title = {Analysis of the HamSCI Solar Eclipse High Frequency Time Difference of Arrival Experiment Observations Using Automated Techniques}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The objective of our research is to use narrowband linear audio pulses, which are sensitive to time displacement, and transmit them through High Frequency (HF) commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) single-sideband (SSB) amateur radios to measure changes in ionospheric reflection heights, specifically during a solar eclipse. This will be accomplished and automated using programming techniques learned in the Digital Signal Processing course at the University of Scranton, where the primary objective is to use TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival), a technique that measures the time displacement of single/multiple paths as they reach a receiving station. These TDOA values will be manipulated using a virtual height model that will yield different values of ionospheric layer heights based on the locations of the receiving and transmitting stations. During the October 2023 and April 2024 solar eclipses, WA5FRF transmitted a series of linear audio pulses (chirps) every 10{\textendash}15 minutes to various receiving stations on the 5, 7, and 14 MHz amateur radio bands. Received signals were squared and filtered to detect the waveform envelope. Correlation with a matched signal was then used to identify the start time of each chirp, after which a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was used to identify the beat-note frequency generated by multipath propagation. The October 2023 eclipse automated analysis shows that the F region reflection point was raised from 262.5 km at 17:00 UTC to 300 km at eclipse maximum at 17:30 UTC. The April 2024 eclipse analysis shows no real maximum reflection point; however, it does indicate an increase in layer height following maximum obscuration at 18:30 UTC. Both analyses are in good agreement with the hmf2 observations of the Austin Ionosonde. The intended purpose was to monitor multipath interference for 1{\textendash}2 hops off of the F2 layer; however, recent developments in this automated process yield additional data for other modes.

}, author = {Alexandros Papadopoulo and Gerard Piccini and Nathaniel Frissell and Steve Cerwin and Jesse McMahan and Paul Bilberry and Blackshear Samuel and Aidan Montaigne and Kristina Collins and Robert Spalletta} } @proceedings {927, title = {EZIE-Mag: A low cost, science quality, magnetometer suite enabling global coverage}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

EZIE-Mag suite is an ultra-low cost, science quality measurements that enable the global observational coverage that is required to produce space weather nowcasting and forecasting. Industry have developed solutions that allow a low cost solution. We show the hardware solution, the OS, the post-processing solution, and the educational package.

}, author = {Jesper Gjerloev and R. Barnes and E. Adebayo and L. Kepko and T. Cline and N. Mosavi-Hoyer and J. Leibert and L. Regoli and M. Freil and D. Oztruk and A. Cohen and J. Fitzer} } @proceedings {929, title = {HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP): Observations and Modeling on Ionospheric Effects}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This study investigates the ionospheric changes during the solar eclipse of April 2024 using data from the HamSCI Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP). SEQP collected radio communication data reported by ham radio operators and global automated receiving networks (e.g., WSPRNet, the Reverse Beacon Network, and PSKReporter). The datasets include radio communications at multiple frequencies in the high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) bands. Thousands of ham radio operators across the contiguous United States (CONUS) and around the globe contributed to the observations with unprecedented temporal, spatial, and spectral coverage. SEQP datasets are used to infer ionospheric state before, during, and after the solar eclipse. We use the ham radio datasets along with PHaRLAP raytrace modeling to infer the ionospheric response of the solar eclipse and also evaluate the outputs of the physics-based model SAMI3 for the eclipse ionosphere. Our findings suggest that the solar eclipse increased the range of radio communications at lower HF band (3.5, 7, 10 MHz), but decreased the longer range communications at higher HF band (21, 24, 28 MHz). Ham radio datasets from stations continually operated during the eclipse show an earlier opening of radio links between the US and Europe on the eclipse day. We are conducting modeling studies to understand the causes of changes in ham radio observations and to examine the potential combined effect of the sunset terminator and eclipse shadow during the later phase of the eclipse.

}, author = {Kuldeep Pandey and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel Frissell and Travis Atkinson and William Engelke and Joseph Huba and Mary Lou West and Philip Gladstone and Cameron Cushing and McKenzie Denton and Edward Efchak and Gary Mikitin and H. Ward Silver} } @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 {975, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course: A Progress Report}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Jeremy McLynch and Joseph Visone and Dominick Santelli and Sergio Santelli and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel Frissell and Gary Mikitin and John Gibbons and David Witten} } @proceedings {953, title = {Integration \& Validation of a Standardized Library \& File Format for PyDARNMUSIC \& DARNtids: Migrating From Legacy Pickle Files to HDF5 \& Implementing a Comprehensive Testing Suite}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Nicholas Guerra and James Fox and Thomas Pisano and Michael Molzen and Nathaniel Frissell and Paul Jackowitz and Joseph B. H. Baker and J. Michael Ruohoniemi} } @proceedings {972, title = {Investigating January 2016 Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Causes with SuperDARN}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, author = {Alexandre Takio Kitagawa and Anni Carolini Maffezzolli and Ana Carolina Hemmer de Oliveira and Emanuella Brandl} } @proceedings {961, title = {A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere characterized by both ions and electrons. It is highly active and experiences changes in parameters such as electron density at different altitudes, based on the energy absorbed from the sun. Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere by transmitting a signal towards the ionosphere.\  This signal is refracted back to the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface and received in such a manner that return echoes can be timed to calculate the height profile of the bottomside ionosphere. Traditional ionosondes require large antenna systems and high amounts of power. Recent advancements in software defined radio (SDR) technology, advanced digital signal processing (DSP), and computational efficiency enable the size, cost, and power demands of an ionosonde system to be reduced. Two systems are currently used in this project: the Ettus N200 Universal Radio Peripheral (USRP) and the newer Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16. Using amateur radio fan dipoles and GNU Radio code, the Ettus system was used successfully to sound the ionosphere during the 2024 total solar eclipse. It recorded virtual layer height data comparable to multimillion-dollar ionosonde systems. We are now working to assemble the Red Pitaya system into a smaller form that can be assembled inexpensively and operated with ease. In the following weeks we will improve our sounding methods to be able to obtain more data.

}, author = {Gerard Piccini and Robert McGwier and Robert Spaletta and Nathaniel Frissell and Majid Mokhtari and Philip Erickson} } @proceedings {946, title = {PACS e-Lab{\textquoteright}s Space Education Initiatives in Africa through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) event allows students and the public to connect directly with astronauts aboard the ISS via amateur radio, engaging in live Q\&A sessions about space science, life in space, and current missions. This initiative aims to inspire interest in STEM fields through real-time interactions with space professionals.
This project has been around since 2001 and has been widely utilized by entities in developed countries for educational purposes. In Africa, only a handful of entities in Africa have participated especially in Morocco and South. It was recently discovered by the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) team.
PACS e-Lab is a nonprofit educational platform dedicated to promoting astronomy and space science in Africa through hands-on projects, advancing space exploration, and enhancing space education and outreach.
We applied for the ARISS event, and our application was accepted. We are now preparing to host it across the continent between January and June 2025. PACS e-Lab is also leading efforts to expand the program across Africa, providing guidance to educational and space institutions on the application process and ensuring the success of the event, at no cost.
At the 2025 HamSCI Workshop, we will discuss our preparations and how we are leading the ARISS campaign in Africa.

}, author = {Miracle Chibuzor Marcel} } @proceedings {945, title = {Predictive Implications of Space Weather on Quantum Network Functionality}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Quantum communication networks leverage the unique quantum-mechanical properties of photons to enable secure communications and advanced sensing capabilities. Precision distributed timing and polarization compensation, which must be maintained within stringent tolerances, are critical for enabling quantum network protocols such as Bell state distribution. Previous studies have demonstrated that environmental factors significantly impact network performance in these critical areas. Motivated by unusual observations during the 2024 total solar eclipse on DC-QNet---a quantum network testbed in the national capital region---this research aims to quantify the effect of space weather phenomena on quantum network performance. In this preliminary study, we analyze daily geomagnetic data, 10.7 cm radio flux, and sunspot numbers as predictors in correlation and regression analyses. These analyses use daily aggregated data related to White Rabbit time synchronization errors from several DC-QNet experiments. Initial results suggest that some space weather indicators, such as radio flux and sunspot numbers, exhibit moderate correlation with time synchronization errors over a single, predominantly aerial fiber optic link. However, higher-resolution magnetometer and X-ray flux data show negligible correlation, even after various data transformations. Additionally, model performance is weak across the board, with general linear model assumptions violated in most cases. These findings demonstrate the complexity of linking space weather fluctuations to quantum network performance and suggest that other environmental or operational factors may play a more significant role.

}, author = {Brett Martin and Douglas Hodson and Michael Grimalia and Torrey Wagner} } @proceedings {970, title = {Southern Hemisphere MSTID response to a Sudden Stratospheric Warming Observed by the Falkland Islands SuperDARN Radar}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present a study of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) observed by the Falkland Islands Radar (FIR) in the Southern Hemisphere in response to a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event. MSTIDs are quasi-periodic variations in the upper atmospheric (~250 km altitude) plasma with phase speeds of ~100-250 m/s, periods from ~15-60 minutes, and horizontal wavelengths of several hundred kilometers. Daytime MSTIDs are known to be associated with gravity waves (GWs) that originate in the lower and middle atmosphere and propagate upward into the F-region. Neutral wind filtering of these GWs creates a strong dependence of GW-associated MSTIDs on stratospheric and mesospheric zonal wind direction and speed, which is tied to polar vortex strength during fall, winter, and spring months. This dependence manifests as both seasonal and sub-seasonal variability of MSTID amplitudes. Most existing SuperDARN MSTID studies have focused on observations from the Northern Hemisphere. This work uses an automated spectral approach previously used to study Northern Hemisphere winter daytime SuperDARN MSTIDs and applied it to all radars in both hemispheres for all times of day and all seasons for the years 2010-2021. This helped us identify the Southern Hemisphere radars with the highest quality data. One radar for which the retrievals worked particularly well was FIR which illustrates suppressed MSTID activity following the minor SSW beginning on 6 September 2019. This suggests that Southern Hemisphere MSTIDs, like their Northern Hemisphere counterparts, have GW sources in the lower/middle neutral atmosphere and are modulated by the polar vortex jet.\ 

}, author = {James Fox and Nicholas Guerra and Thomas Pisano and Michael Molzen and Nathaniel Frissell and Lynn Harvey and Joseph Klobusicky and Mark Fenner and Joseph Baker and Michael Ruohoniemi} } @proceedings {956, title = {Understanding HamSCI Magnetometers Measurements and Observations}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Measurements and observations are important to any project. Understanding where the measurements came from and how they are collected is vital. In this presentation, we will aim to describe what a magnetometer is, how it works, and what information it can tell us about space weather/physics. We will focus on what measurements and observations we can collect from the magnetometers{\textendash} specifically HamSCI magnetometers as various magnetometers will have different capabilities. Furthermore, we will outline an experimental procedure to help the user better understand the collected measurements and observations from the HamSCI magnetometer. We will focus on some questions such as, what can HamSCI magnetometer measurements and observations tell us? How do we know good vs bad HamSCI magnetometer data? Do we need to calibrate the measurements and observations of the HamSCI magnetometer data? Why do we collect three components of the magnetic field yet primarily use only the horizontal component. How does the internal magnetic field of the Earth impact the magnetic field around the Earth? Where can we see and access the raw measurements and observations from the HamSCI magnetometers? How are the measurements and observations displayed? By answering these questions and outlining the experiment(s), we hope to provide an education guide to help users better understand how the HamSCI magnetometers record observations and measurements and what insight they can give us into better understanding various space weather/physics phenomena.

}, author = {Rachel Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Majid Mokhtari and David Witten and Hyomin Kim} } @proceedings {976, title = {University of Scranton W3USR Teaching Amateur Radio at the Lackawanna Blind Association}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

Access to amateur radio can be life-changing for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Radio communication provides an accessible, independent, and engaging way to connect with others; it helps foster both technical skills and social interactions. The University of Scranton W3USR, working in collaboration with local amateur radio operators and the Lackawanna Blind Association (LBA), has launched a program to teach amateur radio to people who are blind and visually impaired using the Handiham curriculum. This initiative enables blind and visually impaired individuals to engage with and become licensed amateur radio operators through an accessible learning experience that they look forward to each week. This project has support from all different angles and has shown some promising results.

}, author = {Thomas Pisano and Owen Ruzanski and Alexandros Papadopoulos and Lucero Alvarez and Ken Martin and William Gallagher and Christine Zakzewski and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {858, title = {Analysis of the HamSCI Solar Eclipse High Frequency Time Difference of Arrival Experiment Observations Using Automated Techniques}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The objective of our research is to analyze the effects of a solar eclipse on High Frequency (HF) radio by extracting the time difference of arrival (TDOA) due to multiple ionospheric paths of ~3 kHz bandwidth chirp signals sent and received with unmodified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) single sideband (SSB) amateur radio transceivers. We use programming techniques learned in the Digital Signal Processing course at The University of Scranton in the Python language to automate this process. On the day of the 14 October 2023 eclipse in Texas, WA5FRF transmitted a series of chirps every 15 minutes to receiving stations N5DUP and AB5YO on 5.3 MHz and 7.2 MHz. Received signals were digitized, then squared and low-pass filtered to detect the waveform envelope. Correlation with a matched signal is then used to identify the start time of each chirp, after which a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is used to identify the beat-frequency (and TDOA value) generated by the multipath propagation. This TDOA value is then used to compute an ionospheric reflection height. On the WA5FRF-N5DUP path, this analysis shows that the F region reflection point raised from 262.5 km at 17:00 UTC to 300 km at eclipse maximum at 17:30 UTC and then returned to approximately 280 km at 18:00 UTC. This result is in good agreement with the hmF2 observations of the Austin ionosonde.

}, author = {Alexandros Papadopoulos and Gerrard Piccini and Thomas Pisano and Nicholas Guerra and Matthew Felicia and Evan Hromisin and Aidan Montare and Kristina Collins and Paul Bilberry and Samuel Blackshear and Steve Cerwin and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {820, title = {Citizen Science: Development of a Low-Cost Magnetometer System for a Coordinated Space Weather Monitoring}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

As part of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of ~3 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Crowd-sourced data from the PSWS systems will be collected into a central archive for the purpose of public access and analyzation along with space weather research. Ultimately, data from the PSWS network will combine the magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances and events due to drivers from space and the atmosphere alike. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that the performance is entirely satisfactory for scientific investigations.

}, author = {Joseph Visone and Hyomin Kim and David Witten and Julius Madey and Nathaniel A. Frissell and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Anderson Liddle and Nicholas Muscolino and Zhaoshu Cao} } @article {913, title = {Citizen science: Development of a low-cost magnetometer system for a coordinated space weather monitoring}, journal = {HardwareX}, volume = {20}, year = {2024}, month = {Jan-12-2024}, pages = {e00580}, abstract = {
As part of Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of\ 3 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. The measurement range of the sensor is\ \ nT) and is valid over a temperature range of -40 {\textdegree}C to +85 {\textdegree}C. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that the performance is very adequate for scientific investigations.
}, keywords = {magnetometer}, issn = {24680672}, doi = {10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00580}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067224000749}, author = {Kim, Hyomin and Witten, David and Madey, Julius and Frissell, Nathaniel and Gibbons, John and Engelke, William and Liddle, Anderson and Muscolino, Nicholas and Visone, Joseph and Cao, Zhaoshu} } @article {884, title = {Contesting via One-Way Signals...During an Eclipse}, volume = {52}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, pages = {5-6}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

Virtually all competitive amateur radio events involve two-way contacts.\  HamSCI is breaking that paradigm by sponsoring the The Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, purposefully being held during the April, 2024 North American total solar eclipse.

All ham radio contesters should be\ familiar with {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright}, automated records of received signals. The spotting networks help us find other stations to contact,\ new {\textquoteright}unworked{\textquoteright} locales, and, in general, raise our scores. Spots have never been given their very own competition - but that is about to change, thanks to the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge (GSSC). The GSSC is being held for a very simple yet impactful reason: To create research-worthy spot data under {\textquoteleft}controlled{\textquoteright} ionospheric conditions, as the moon passes between the sun and the earth at supersonic speeds, an event better known as a solar eclipse.

}, issn = {0899-0131}, url = {ncjweb.org}, author = {G. Mikitin} } @proceedings {864, title = {Design and 3D Printing of the Grape 2 Enclosure}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This poster presents the design of the 3D printed enclosure for the Grape 2 Personal Space Weather Station HF Doppler Receiver.

}, author = {Majid Mokhtari and John Gibbons and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {859, title = {Estimation of Ionospheric Layer Height by Measuring the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) Between 1 and 2 Hop Propagation Modes. 2023 Annular Eclipse Observations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A HamSCI science objective for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses is to use amateur radio stations to measure how the ionosphere changes with eclipse passage. Of particular interest is the change in effective ionization layer height caused by the momentary blockage of solar radiation. Layer height between two stations can be deduced from a Time of Flight (TOF) measurement but doing so requires complexity beyond the capability of most amateur radio stations. Particularly difficult requirements are precision absolute time references for both stations and calibration of the lengthy time delays incurred in modern DSP based transceivers. A simpler method that can be just as effective is to measure the Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) between the 1- and 2- hop modes over paths and frequencies that support both modes. The 1-hop mode is shorter and arrives first, followed by the longer 2-hop mode. Geometric models based on virtual height or refractive ray tracing can be used to mathematically relate 1-2 hop TDOA to layer height. The measurement can be implemented by transmitting audio signals that are sensitive to a time delay when summed together, as happens in the receiver during simultaneous 1 and 2 hop propagation. Suitable audio waveforms include a 1-cycle audio burst, audio chirps of controlled sweep rate, and a pseudorandom noise burst. The TDOA measurement using the short pulses is performed by directly measuring the time difference between the two received pulses. The summation of a chirp waveform with a delayed copy of itself produces a beat note equal to the product of the sweep rate and the time delay that can be used to calculate TDOA. The TDOA can be extracted from both the PN bursts and chirps through an autocorrelation technique. The audio signals can simply be fed to the microphone input and recovered from the speaker output of ordinary SSB amateur radio equipment using audio .wav programs. This paper gives details of the method and of on-air experiments both before and during the 2023 Annular Eclipse.

}, author = {Steven A. Cerwin and Paul Bilberry and Sam Blackshear and Jesse T. McMahan and Kristina V. Collins and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {841, title = {On Final Approach To Solar Maximum: Testing A Hypothesis In Real Time (Keynote)}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

A bit more than ten years ago we made a discovery. We identified, and then archaeologically re-identified, a relationship between magnetic objects on the Sun at a range of spatial scales and the Sun{\textquoteright}s 22 year Magnetic (or Hale) Cycle. That pattern (unfortunately) is called the "extended solar cycle". Further, that investigation identified a specific event that occurs at the very end of Hale Cycles, the {\textquoteright}terminator,{\textquoteright} as being a critical component NECESSARY to explain how the Hale Cycle shapes the Sun{\textquoteright}s 11(-ish) year activity cycle. Fast forward a decade and we have successfully identified the terminator events going back beyond the earliest photography of the Sun (1860) to the mid-eighteenth century. Those 24 events permitted a forecast of Sunspot Cycle 25 to be made. That forecast became a {\textquoteright}litmus test{\textquoteright} for what we understand about the solar activity cycle and the mechanism that generates and sustains the Sun{\textquoteright}s large-scale magnetic field. Why? Because the forecast we arrived at was 100\% greater than that resulting from an assessment of the spectrum of models and forecasts in the community. We have been testing our hypothesis of the Sun{\textquoteright}s magnetism in real time since 2019. In this presentation we{\textquoteright}ll discuss the present status and talk about where things could go from here.

}, author = {Scott W. McIntosh} } @proceedings {862, title = {Incorporating HamSCI Project into a College Physics Course}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Lindsay Goodwin and Gareth Perry and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {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 {857, title = {A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The ionosphere is a region of the atmosphere characterized by both ions and electrons. It is highly active and experiences changes in parameters such as electron density at different altitudes, based on the energy absorbed from the sun.\  Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere by transmitting a signal towards the ionosphere.\  This signal is refracted back to the Earth{\textquoteright}s surface and received in such a manner that return echoes can be timed to calculate the height profile of the bottomside ionosphere. Traditional ionosondes require large antenna systems and high amounts of power. Recent advancements in software defined radio (SDR) technology, advanced digital signal processing (DSP), and computational efficiency enable the size, cost, and power demands of an ionosonde system to be reduced. In this poster, we present our recent efforts to implement a low-cost, low power ionosonde. Two systems are currently used in this project: the Ettus N200 Universal Radio Peripheral (USRP) and the newer Red Pitaya SDRlab 122-16. The Red Pitaya system is still being developed while the Ettus enables us to test the rest of the hardware and collect data during the 2024 eclipse. Using amateur radio fan dipoles and GNU Radio code, the system will sound the ionosphere during the upcoming eclipse. Over the following weeks the system will be improved in preparation for the upcoming eclipse.

}, author = {Gerard Piccini and Robert McGwier and Robert A. Spalletta and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {830, title = {Operating GBO{\textquoteright}s 20m Radio Telescope with Ham Radio Students}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Mia Bridges and Alia Wofford and Erin McDonald and Xander Whittington-Speck and Danielle Rowland and Brenne Gregory and Daniel E. Reichart and Joshua B. Haislip and Vladimir V. Kouprianov and Steve White and Frank Ghigo} } @proceedings {829, title = {Plans to Observe Changes to the Ionosphere During the April 8 Eclipse Using Doppler Shifts of AM Broadcast Stations}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Variations in the ionosphere can be tracked by observing the Doppler-shifted carriers of clear-channel AM broadcast stations.\  An expansive system of receivers using Software-Defined Radios, frequency stabilized by GPS is being deployed to collect data in the eastern United States.\  This network is expected to be able to detect and track changes due to the shadow of the April 8, 2024 Total Eclipse of the Sun.

}, author = {David McGaw and James LaBelle and John Griffin and Terrence Kovacs and Margaret Klein and Jack Bonneau and Justin Lewis and Jackson Gosler} } @proceedings {839, title = {Results from the 2023 SEQP and GSSC}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Presenting operating results from the Solar Eclipse QSO Party and the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, two of the HamSCI Festival of Eclipse Ionospheric Science events held concurrently with the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse over North and South America.\  Details on how to participate in the next running of both events, to be held during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse over North America, will be given.

}, author = {Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {876, title = {Reworking the MUSIC Algorithm to Mitigate MSTID Direction Estimation Bias Associated with SuperDARN Radar Field-of-View Geometry}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are variations in the F region ionospheric electron density. MSTIDs can be associated with atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and provide critical information for understanding the ionosphere, which is an electrically charged region of the atmosphere. Previous SuperDARN studies of MSTIDs have used the Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm to determine the size, speed, and direction of these disturbances in the ionosphere. Upon analyzing MSTID MUSIC results from ten North American SuperDARN radars over a period of twelve winter seasons (2010-2022), we found a bias in the SuperDARN MSTID MUSIC direction estimation algorithm that preferentially reports waves as traveling along the boresight direction of the radars. We demonstrate that this bias is caused by the radar Field-of-View geometry and report on the progress algorithm development for removing this bias.

}, author = {Michael Molzen and Thomas Pisano and Nicholas Guerra and Juan Serna and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {831, title = {Student Reflections of NRAO{\textquoteright}s Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum - Ham Radio Program}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum is a two-semester-long program hosted by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) designed to promote diversity in amateur radio. Through this program, two cohorts of young adults, totaling thirty people, are working towards the goal of receiving their technician{\textquoteright}s and/or general class license. For the second cohort of students, three students also became peer mentors. To complete the program, students complete lessons on an online platform, attend weekly Zoom classes, and listen to presentations given by guest speakers. The students are also building lasting relationships with their peers and mentors. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop a curriculum for amateur radio clubs, schools, and other interested individuals. In this presentation, three of the students will share their personal experiences with the program.

}, author = {Nejon McBride-Stubbs and Abigail Swanberg and Danielle Rowland} } @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 {875, title = {Wave Activity in Thermospheric Vertical Winds and Temperatures at Subauroral Latitudes}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The need for high precision measurements of vertical winds with uncertainties less than 3-5 m/s and a temporal cadence of 1-2 min has made it exceedingly difficult to study the response of the thermosphere to gravity wave activity.\  Herein we present subauroral, midlatitude thermospheric wave measurements of 630 nm OI emission from a 15 cm narrow field Fabry Perot Interferometer, named the Hot Oxygen Doppler Imager (HODI).\  These measurements of temperature and vertical wind velocities are from a first light campaign at Jenny Jump Observatory (40.9 N, 74.9 W) located in northwestern New Jersey. The heightened sensitivity of HODI enables analysis of gravity wave behavior with uncertainties of 3-5 m/s for vertical wind speeds and 10-15 K for temperatures for two-minute exposures. Data was collected during periods of geomagnetically quiet and active conditions, and apparent wave structures were seen during both conditions.\  One detailed observation, taken the night of July 25, 2022, enabled the ~90-deg phase shift between vertical winds and temperatures to be inferred, as per standard gravity wave polarization relations with viscous dissipation.\  However, most other observations found to have little correlation between the temperature and vertical winds, which we speculate may be a result of the propagation and interaction of multiple wave events. Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are often described as the ionospheric signature of the passage of gravity waves, and we provide comparisons of select wave events to medium scale TIDs using differential total electron count (TEC) maps.

}, author = {Anneliese Schmidt and John W. Meriwether and Matthew B. Cooper and Andrew J. Gerrard and Lindsay V. Goodwin and Shun-Rong Zhang and Gilbert Jeffer and Chris Callie} } @proceedings {833, title = {When Life isn{\textquoteright}t Gaussian: The Allan Deviation Family of Statistics}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, abstract = {

When analyzing data, it is common to assume a Gaussian distribution of noise around a "true"\ mean value. But real life often isn{\textquoteright}t Gaussian, so how do we deal with other kinds of noise? How do we think about data that does not have a well-defined mean? The Allan deviation family of statistics offers a series of tools to address these problems. Originally developed for characterizing the performance of oscillators, the family of statistics is now a mainstay of all kinds of time and frequency measurement and has found a growing range of applications across fields. In this presentation, I give a brief introduction to the Allan variance, highlight some other related statistics, and show their use in a variety of problem areas. I provide example code in Python and suggest a starting point for exploring these concepts with simulation.

}, author = {Aidan Montare} } @proceedings {725, title = {Amateur Radio Through the Ages (Exhibit)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Amateur Radio Through the Ages Exhibit is an exhibit of historical amateur radios, QSL cards, QST magazines, and radio accessories on display at the University of Scranton Loyola Science Center / Hope Horn Gallery during the Spring 2023 semester. This exhibit is presented by the Murgas Amateur Radio Club K3YTL, The University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club W3USR, and The University of Scranton Department of Physics and Engineering, especially Tom Mayka W3TRM, Bill Gallagher WA3RA, Herb Krumich K2LNS, Ian Kellman K3IK, Phil Galasso K2PG, Elaine Kollar K3VQR, Dave Kirby N3SRO, Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, and Dr. Nathaniel Frissell W2NAF.

}, url = {https://photos.app.goo.gl/68gA9i32piVyM9C59}, author = {Tom Mayka and William Gallagher and Herb Krumich and Ian Kelleman and Phil Galasso and Elaine Kollar and Dave Kirby and Darlene Miller-Lanning and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @article {797, title = {Crowdsourced Doppler measurements of time standard stations demonstrating ionospheric variability}, journal = {Earth System Science Data}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {Jan-01-2023}, pages = {1403 - 1418}, abstract = {

Ionospheric variability produces measurable effects in Doppler shift of HF (high-frequency, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) skywave signals. These effects are straightforward to measure with low-cost equipment and are conducive to citizen science campaigns. The low-cost Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) network is a modular network of community-maintained, open-source receivers, which measure Doppler shift in the precise carrier signals of time standard stations. The primary goal of this paper is to explain the types of measurements this instrument can make and some of its use cases, demonstrating its role as the building block for a large-scale ionospheric and HF propagation measurement network which complements existing professional networks. Here, data from the PSWS network are presented for a period of time spanning late 2019 to early 2022. Software tools for the visualization and analysis of this living dataset are also discussed and provided. These tools are robust to data interruptions and to the addition, removal or modification of stations, allowing both short- and long-term visualization at higher density and faster cadence than other methods. These data may be used to supplement observations made with other geospace instruments in event-based analyses, e.g., traveling ionospheric disturbances and solar flares, and to assess the accuracy of the bottomside estimates of ionospheric models by comparing the oblique paths obtained by ionospheric ray tracers with those obtained by these receivers. The data are archived at\ https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6622111(Collins,\ 2022).

}, doi = {10.5194/essd-15-1403-2023}, url = {https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1403/2023/https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1403/2023/essd-15-1403-2023.pdf}, author = {Collins, Kristina and Gibbons, John and Frissell, Nathaniel and Montare, Aidan and Kazdan, David and Kalmbach, Darren and Swartz, David and Benedict, Robert and Romanek, Veronica and Boedicker, Rachel and Liles, William and Engelke, William and McGaw, David G. and Farmer, James and Mikitin, Gary and Hobart, Joseph and Kavanagh, George and Chakraborty, Shibaji} } @proceedings {762, title = {Development of HamSCI PSWS Ground Magnetometer and Data Visualization on the PSWS Central Website}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Nathaniel A. Frissell and David Witten and Julius Madey and William D. Engelke and Tom Holmes and Majid Mokhtari and Scotty Cowling and Anderson Liddle and Nicholas Muscolino and Zhaoshu Cao} } @proceedings {695, title = {Engaging the Amateur Radio Community with the Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

HamSCI{\textquoteright}s launching of the Solar Eclipse QSO Party in 2017 was, by any measure, a resounding success.\  Millions of data points were generated by amateur (ham) radio operators and they contributed greatly to research on ionospheric variability.\  \ The challenge before the HamSCI organization prior to the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses appearing in North America:\  How to build on that success, engaging more participants, further assisting the geophysics community to answer the science questions to be raised by The Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science (FoEIS)?\  The first step was reviewing what worked well in 2017, then building upon that success.\  Much like 2017, a QSO party, aptly named the Solar Eclipse QSO Party 2.0, was defined.\  For that event, amateurs will use their existing stations to contact one another in a friendly, competitive manner, using a mix of voice, Morse code and digital methods.\  Step two was the creation of a new event, the Gladstone Signal Spotting Challenge, which primarily makes use of digital communication techniques.\  It should attract those amateurs (and non-licensed short wave hobbyists) with a demonstrated interest in radio wave propagation.\  Having created an umbrella event, the FoEIS, plus two distinct competitions will allow HamSCI to promote the Festival to the general amateur radio community as before but also to more targeted audiences.\  Additional events will likely be added to the Festival, and they can be promoted to the ham community in a similar fashion.\  It is hoped the collective effort will lead to increased participation during the FoEIS as well as growth in the number of citizen scientists participating in HamSCI for the long term.

}, author = {Gary Mikitin} } @proceedings {690, title = {Evaluation of Global Ionospheric TEC Using Simultaneous Observations from Amateur Radio Networks, International Space Station, and NeQuickG Model for Space Weather Prediction}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Ionospheric electron density plays a significant role in long-distance communications and sky-wave propagation. Prediction of the accurate state of the ionosphere is necessary to understand the accurate signal perturbations thereby estimating the critical parameters for better signal transmission. The space weather impacts on such trans-ionospheric technological systems are evident. In this work, a web application is developed to represent the global day-to-day electron density variations from the NeQuickG model. Also, the ground-based HAM radio broadcast network hop data with different wavelengths (eg. 10 m and 20 m) and simultaneous top-side electron density with space-based International Space Station (ISS) probe data from floating point measurement units are examined. The electron density variations for the year 2017 are clearly represented. Optimization techniques are necessary to frame a denser spatial grid-based ionospheric electron density map from all the observations. It is essential to estimate the optimal weight function that can distribute the observation influence over empty grid bins with minimum error variance through a probabilistic approach. User-understandable metrics development exclusively for Amateur radio operators and civil aviation sectors is focused. In the near future, the developed web-based application could serve as a better visualization platform for space weather forecasting.

This project, Fellowship of the Ionosphere,\ is a Global Finalist in the 2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge.\ NASA Space Apps 2022 had 31,400+ registered participants from 162 counties and territories, with\ over 3000 submissions from 5327 teams. Global Finalists are ranked as one of the top 35 projects from all submissions.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Marcin Lesniowski and Pasumarthi Babu Sree Harsha and Matthew Downs and Daniel Metcalfe and Sila Kardelen Karabulut} } @proceedings {719, title = {An Expanded System to Track Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances and Other Effects Using Doppler-shifts of AM Broadcast Stations}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances, propagating variations in the ionosphere, can be tracked by observing the Doppler-shifted carriers of clear-channel AM broadcast stations.\  A system of receivers using Software-Defined Radios frequency stabilized by GPS has been developed, deployed and collecting data in the northeast United States.\  The existing system of 6 receivers will be built out to as many as 15 to cover much of the eastern US.\  This expanded network promises to be able to detect and track these TIDs as well as terminator, Spread-F and eclipse effects.

}, author = {David McGaw and Jackson Gosler and Justin Lewis and James LaBelle} } @article {799, title = {HamSCI Workshop 2023: A Radio Science Collaboration}, volume = {107}, year = {2023}, month = {10/2023}, pages = {59-61}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {
More than 150 space physics researchers, educators, engineers, college students, licensed amateurs, and members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) community came together at the sixth annual HamSCI Workshop on March 17 {\textendash} 18, 2023, where they listened, learned, and contributed to scientific investigations involving the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere and magnetosphere. This year{\textquoteright}s workshop was presented by The University of Scranton, and it emphasized cooperation between HamSCI{\textquoteright}s professional science community and its volunteer citizen scientists, many of whom are active amateur radio operators.
}, issn = {0033:4812}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {Mikitin, G} } @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 {711, title = {Listening to the Heliosphere: Making Space Data Audible for Citizen Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Heliophysics research relies heavily on time series measurements. While this data is often analyzed visually, it also lends itself naturally to our sense of sound. Ham radio operators have long recognized this with radio waves, but it is also true for many other phenomena with frequencies well outside the human audible range.\  For example, classification schemes are needed to identify and model plasma waves in near-Earth space that affect space weather, but existing classifications often break down during active periods or when there are superpositions of multiple wave modes. Audification {\textendash} a one-to-one mapping of data samples to audio samples {\textendash} was recently used in a UK-based citizen science project to successfully identify a complex yet repeatable multi-day pattern in the progression of plasma wave activity with frequencies far below the human audible range. I{\textquoteright}ll review these results and recent efforts to adapt this citizen science project to a US-based virtual audience as part of the {\textquotedblleft}Heliophysics Audified: Resonances in Plasmas{\textquotedblright} project launching in April 2023: the development of a streamlined graphical user interface, recently published results from a public dialogue aiming to identify the best methods for rendering plasma waves audible, and early results from citizen science analysis of plasma waves identified by NASA{\textquoteright}s THEMIS satellites. I{\textquoteright}ll also discuss (1) ways that members of the public can contribute to cutting-edge Heliophysics research by listening to plasma waves and taking advantage of the unique pattern recognition capabilities of the human auditory system and (2) possible future collaborations with the ham radio community including knowledge transfer related to visual-audio analysis and observational campaigns combining ham radio with other satellite/ground-based datasets.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7773015}, author = {Michael Hartinger and Martin Archer and Emmanuel Masongsong} } @proceedings {758, title = {Low-Cost Low-Power Ionosonde}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Ionosondes are a type of radar used to gather data about the height of the ionosphere. Typically, these systems can easily cost thousands of dollars and demand a lot of power. Using newer software defined radio technology, our goal is to develop a low cost, low power ionosonde.

}, author = {Gerard N. Piccini and Robert W. McGwier and Robert A. Spalletta and Majid Mokhtari and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson} } @proceedings {702, title = {The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera Version 2.0 (NoDDAC2.0), a Platform for Citizen Science and a Use Case for Implementing Best Practices in Open Data and Collaboration}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is an interdisciplinary project created in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), Live Aurora Network, and Aurorasaurus. Aurora cameras provide ground-truth visual data to aurora chasers and scientists but are sparse at midlatitudes (35-55{\textdegree}N). Deploying light-sensitive video and all-sky still cameras at these midlatitudes provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, as well as amateur radio operators in the auroral zone. In addition, NoDDAC data demonstrate scientific merit, as it can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; the practices of utilizing dual cameras with consumer-off-the-shelf equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource and promoting citizen science make NoDDAC an accessible resource benefiting multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected hundreds of auroras as well as notable events like STEVEs (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement). NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1{\textdegree}N, 97.6{\textdegree}W), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network provides weatherproof camera housings and their proprietary IPTimelapse software which allows for remote control of the cameras. This year we present NoDDAC2.0, the next evolution of NoDDAC funded by NASA{\textquoteright}s EPSCoR program. NoDDAC2.0 will upgrade the all-sky camera and feature a robust open-data platform to share aurora data with the public and scientists. We outline a strategy to increase the science utility of NoDDAC data, incorporating a citizen science project launching on the Zooniverse platform. We also present plans to integrate NoDDAC data into the AuroraX conjunction finder system so that satellite data can be easily correlated to aurora images. Most importantly, we are collaborating with the Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to install an independent aurora camera system in North Dakota. Not only does this represent a unique collaborative opportunity, but at a separation distance of 300 miles from Martens Observatory, this second camera will allow us to explore research questions relating to the precise location, height, and spatial extent of certain auroral phenomena.

}, author = {Timothy Young and Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Brandt and Wayne Barkhouse and Alex Schultz and Cody Payne and Anne Mitchell and Kristian Haugen and Will Shearer and Kerry Hartman and Sasha Sillitti and Michael McCormack and Steve Collins} } @proceedings {703, title = {Observing Auroral Radio Emissions in Conjugate Hemispheres}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {James LaBelle and David McGaw and T. Kovacs and A. Kashcheyev and P.T. Jayachandran} } @proceedings {688, title = {Personal Space Weather Station Central Control and Database System}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As part of the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, our team has been developing the Central Control System and Central Database System that will be used to collect and store the data generated by the stations. The Central Control System functionality is being developed using Django, a Python based web framework. It is used to define how users will interact with the web server where their collected data will be uploaded, organized, and analyzed. It is also used to define models for the data being collected and how it will be stored in the Central Database System. In the server{\textquoteright}s current state, users can register accounts and stations as well as view lists of uploaded observations. Observation data can also be downloaded individually for analysis. The availability of the PSWS will allow a much larger sample of data to be collected daily. With this data, more accurate models of the ionosphere can be created, granting a better ability to predict how radio waves will be precisely affected by the ionosphere at any given moment and supporting ionospheric science.

}, author = {Anderson B. Liddle and Nicholas Muscalino and William D. Engleke and Travis Atkison} } @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} } @proceedings {752, title = {A Review of "Climatology of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by the Midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN Radar"}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This poster is a review of Frissell et al. (2014) by undergraduate students for the purpose of learning about SuperDARN and MSTIDs as part of a
research project to study the differences between MSTIDs observed in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Frissell, N. A., Baker, J. B. H., Ruohoniemi, J. M., Gerrard, A. J., Miller, E. S., Marini, J. P., West, M. L., and Bristow, W. A. (2014), Climatology of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances observed by the midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN radar, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 119, 7679{\textendash} 7697, doi:10.1002/2014JA019870.

}, author = {Nicholas Guerra and Michael Molzen and James Fox and Juan Serna and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {714, title = {SDRs in Time and Frequency Metrology}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

What piece of equipment do an Ytterbium optical clock lab and an amateur radio operator{\textquoteright}s station have in common? One likely candidate is the software-defined radio. Identical SDR hardware has found equal popularity among those making precision measurements and those trying to catch the rarest DX stations. I present several examples of time and frequency measurements using SDRs, and how those techniques relate to amateur radio use cases. After a few detours into ongoing work using SDRs at NIST, I show how SDR measurements can answer time and frequency questions related to HamSCI projects.

}, author = {Aidan Montare} } @article {800, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: A Fun Way to Support Radio Science}, year = {2023}, month = {09/2023}, pages = {14-15}, type = {General Interest}, abstract = {

You can be a volunteer citizen-scientist and provide data on upcoming solar eclipses - just by getting on the air!

On October 14, 2023 and again on April 8, 2024, solar eclipses will pass across the United States, presenting exceptional opportunities for hams to practice citizen-science. \ No special skill, education or background is required; all you need is the desire to make meaningful contributions to the understanding of the world around us, and the ability to get on the air and make contacts. \ Teams of researchers will be studying how each eclipse affects ham radio signals as they travel between transmitters and receivers across the US, and all you have to do to contribute data is get on the air, make contacts and submit your log.

}, issn = {2691-4638}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine}, author = {Mikitin, G} } @proceedings {687, title = {Tangerine SDR Integration Update}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This presentation will cover the current status of FPGA firmware and module testing
on the Tangerine SDR system. The system is currently using the MAX10 Development
kit, the Tangerine receiver module and clock module, and an adaptor between the
components and the Development board. The development system used Intel Quartus
version 20.1 on Linux.

}, author = {Tom McDermott and Scotty Cowling and John Ackermann} } @proceedings {715, title = {Temperature Modeling and Control on Multi-Core System-on-Chip}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As semiconductor technology continues its marching toward the deep sub-micron domain, soaring power consumption and rising temperature have become major concerns for modern embedded systems design. A series of numerical and analytical system-level power and thermal modeling methodologies have been developed for power and temperature analysis on different system scales and architectures. In this work, we study stable state power and temperature modeling using ZYNQ SoC embedded architecture. First, we compare the power models{\textquoteright}\ accuracy with and without leakage-temperature dependency. Then, we study the single-core and multi-core temperature modeling in the thermal stable state. At last, we validate the theoretical models using deep neural network applications.

}, author = {Sarah Azaizeh and Olivia Marsh and Shi Sha} } @proceedings {751, title = {Toward Developing an Algorithm for Separation of Transmitters of High Frequency Chirp Signals of Opportunity for the Purpose of Ionospheric Sounding}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Simal Sami and Nisha Yadav and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Robert Spalletta and Declan Mulhall and Dev Raj Joshi and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {763, title = {Updating a Homebrewed Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Apparatus for the Advanced Lab}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Protons are like little magnets, and little magnets are characterized by a single number, the magnetic moment μ. It{\textquoteright}s possible to measure the magnetic moment of the proton in the undergraduate lab with a modest circuit called a marginal oscillator. We will demonstrate a few of these circuits in action, and solicit advice on how to use varactors to modulate the frequency of oscillation of these circuits.\ 

}, author = {Declan Mulhall} } @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 {603, title = {Consolidated Amateur Radio Reports as Indicators of Intense Sporadic-E Layers}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A case study is presented to demonstrate the usefulness and validity of consolidated amateur ({\textquoteleft}ham{\textquoteright}) radio signal reports as indicators of the presence of ionospheric sporadic-E (Es). It is shown that amateur data can provide an important supplement to other techniques, allowing the detection of Es where no suitable ionosonde or satellite radio occultation measurements are available. The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated by reference to ionosonde data, and the advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed.

}, author = {Chris Deacon and Cathryn Mitchell and Robert Watson} } @proceedings {608, title = {Forecasting Spread F at Jicamarca}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Spread F is a phenomenon that occurs in the F layer of the Ionosphere and is characterized by plasma depletions. It can have a negative impact on radio communication systems and because of this, it is of interest to develop a model that can predict its occurrence. Radars like digisondes and JULIA (Jicamarca Unattended Long-term Investigations of the Ionosphere and Atmosphere) have observed the Ionosphere at Jicamarca for decades. The datasets that resulted from a collection of these observations joined with geophysical parameters measurements were harnessed to train a Machine Learning model that predicts Spread F. In addition, we compared our model to FIRST (Forecasting Ionospheric Real-time Scintillation Tool) and obtained promising results. Although our model has only been validated with Jicamarca{\textquoteright}s dataset it may be used for other longitudes. Furthermore, since the only local measurements used during training were Spread F occurrences and the virtual height of the F layer, the retraining process can easily be done on a single station with an ionosonde receiver.

}, author = {Reynaldo O. Rojas and Enrique L. Rojas and Jhassmin A. Aricoch{\'e} and Marco A. Milla} } @article {670, title = {Fostering Collaborations with the Amateur Radio Community}, 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.09fe22b4}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Laura Brandt and Stephen A. Cerwin and Kristina V. Collins and Timothy J. Duffy 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 Elizabeth MacDonald and Gareth W. Perry and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Diego F. Sanchez and H. Lawrence Serra and H. Ward Silver and Tamitha Mulligan Skov and Mary Lou West} } @proceedings {650, title = {Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling Studies Using the PSWS Magnetometer Network}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

As part of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project, a low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf magnetometer, which measures magnetic field strength and direction, has been developed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ a magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with a field resolution of ~6 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability to an unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at various locations in the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby, demonstrating that its performance is very adequate for scientific investigations.

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Sadaf Ansari and Julius Madey and David Witten and David Larsen and Scotty Cowling and Nathaniel Frissell and James Weygand} } @proceedings {610, title = {Modeling ionograms with Deep Neural Networks: Applications to Nowcasting}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The state parameters of the ionosphere are of fundamental importance not only for space weather studies but also for technological applications such as satellite radio communications. As with many geophysical phenomena, the ionosphere dynamics are governed by nonlinear processes that make ionospheric forecasting a challenging endeavor. However, we have enormous datasets and ubiquitous experimental sources that can help us find the complex regularities in these phenomena. We forecasted ionograms for different solar activity times and database sizes using regression deep neural networks. Due to the neural network{\textquoteright}s extrapolation of virtual heights for all frequencies given to the model, we estimated foF2 using two embedded different models to identify the last frequency of each ionogram. Furthermore, we made hyperparameter tuning for each training set applying the k-fold cross-validation method. The predictions were compared to measurements collected with the Digisonde system at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory, a persistence model, IRI, and the SAMI2 model estimations. Finally, we will present preliminary results on a new virtual heights model that predicts the difference between consecutive ionograms and preliminary results from a model to estimate electron densities.

}, author = {Jhassmin Aricoch{\'e} and Enrique Rojas and Marco Milla and Reynaldo Rojas} } @proceedings {599, title = {Moonbased Ham Repeater Station Project}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Just as Jules Verne dreamed that man would one day reach the Moon, many radio amateurs have thought of having an amateur radio repeater on our natural satellite. Why not lay the theoretical foundations to reach this end and be able to detect the tasks to be solved? Let{\textquoteright}s try to calculate and design a repeater station and an earth station that are capable of communicating with each other and that are affordable for the average ham pocket. Today it cannot be done, but what about in 50 years?

}, author = {Carlos Mascare{\~n}as} } @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 {614, title = {The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC), A Student-led Citizen Science Project: Data Showcase, Future Developments, and Scientific Potential}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera (NoDDAC) is a student-led project in collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND), Live Aurora Network, and Aurorasaurus. Aurora cameras provide ground-truth visual data to aurora chasers and scientists, but are sparse at midlatitudes. Deploying a light-sensitive video camera and allsky still camera in these areas provides a valuable resource to aurora-chasing communities, including ham radio operators in the auroral zone, and demonstrates scientific merit. For example, the analysis of rare phenomena benefits from observations at multiple locations. In addition, NoDDAC data can be correlated with radio and ionospheric propagation changes, as well as geomagnetic activity, to investigate the connection between optical aurora and radio science. This project is unique; utilizing dual cameras with COTS equipment, emphasizing open data as a responsive community resource, and promoting citizen science make it an accessible resource benefing multiple audiences. Since early 2021, NoDDAC has detected aurora on more than 20 occasions, as well as unusual events like overhead auroras, STEVEs, and noctilucent clouds.\ 

NoDDAC is stationed at Martens Observatory (48.1{\textdegree}N), which is operated by the UND Department of Physics and Astrophysics. Live Aurora Network housings weatherproof both cameras, and their proprietary IPTimelapse software uploads images to a web server for analysis. The north-facing camera records video, allowing Zooniverse-style citizen science for small auroral features. Live Aurora Network streams both cameras on their website and app. Ultimately, when aurora is detected IPTimelapse will post a clip of the display to @NODDAC_cameras on Twitter. Automated reports will be mapped on Aurorasaurus, alongside citizen scientist observations. Image data are archived according to open source and FAIR data principles. NoDDAC will also look for crossovers with projects such as the Personal Space Weather Station to provide additional ground-based measurements of the space environment. This presentation will reflect on the data captured with NoDDAC and outline a timeline for its future, and open the floor for collaborations with other citizen science efforts.

}, author = {Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Laura Brandt and Michael McCormack and Steve Collins and Wayne Barkhouse and Timothy Young} } @proceedings {635, title = {Preliminary Analysis of WWV Experimental Tone Signals}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

NIST Time station WWV and WWVH have recently been broadcasting a set of audio modulation signals designed by the WWV/H Scientific Modulation Group as an initial exploration of possibilities for using these powerful and ubiquitous time distribution HF transmissions as remote sensing diagnostics of the terrestrial ionosphere.\  Included audio modulations include pseudorandom white noise, swept chirps, controlled amplitude sequences, and single pulses.\  The first task in assessing feasibility for remote sensing is to analyze characteristics of the analog WWV transmitters themselves, in order to gauge the transfer function imposed on the original test transmission.\  Using ground wave recordings from a GNSS locked receiver station maintained by Glenn Elmore N6GN, we present preliminary transmitter-centric analysis of WWV experimental tone signals, focusing on amplitude fidelity, transmission delay, cross-ambiguity examination of frequency and amplitude stability, and pseudorandom noise determinations of audio passband shape.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and William Liles and Philip J Erickson} } @proceedings {625, title = {Three Time-of-Flight Measurement Projects on a Common Hardware Platform}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Three undergraduate electrical engineering project groups at Case Western Reserve University are investigating distributed ionospheric sounding through time-of-flight measurements.\  All use GPS pulse-per-second signals for precise timing of received signals.\  Two use as their "radar signals of opportunity" LF, MF, and HF beacons from the US Department of Commerce National Institute of Science and Technology installations north of Fort Collins, Colorado and near Kekaha, Hawaii (radio stations WWVB, WWV, and WWVH).\  The third project modernizes the on-off telegraphy variant known as "coherent CW" (CCW). CCW uses amateur radio QSO or beacon transmissions as the measured signals.\  It facilitates Technician-licensee participation in active HF research and in keyboard-to-keyboard digital contacts, within FCC regulations.\  Using computed matched-filter techniques along the lines of FT8, CCW has a nearly optimal information-theoretic data recovery.\  With transmission or lookup of station locations, it can provide automated time of flight measurements while making a contact.\  The three projects use a common hardware platform for receiver or transceiver interfacing, involving synchronized analog data collection and front-end data processing with the Teensy variant of the Arduino platform.\  Teensy was chosen primarily for its sampling and computing speed. WWVB{\textquoteright}s signal can be sampled directly with the Teensy front-end and some data processing can done between sample acquisitions through timer interrupt programming.\  WWV/H second ticks delay measurements use inexpensive shortwave radio audio outputs, sampled and processed by the Teensy.\  The CCW sampling and matched filtering, plus synchronized Morse keying, are similarly done by the Teensy. Data presentation, user interface, and data uploading to repositories are done by minimal general purpose computers such as Raspberry Pi boards.\  We will present the common hardware and interrupt strategies along with a brief overview of the three projects.\  Comments and suggestions will be solicited, and of course participation in the projects is invited.\  The three projects are supported by a generous grant to the Case Amateur Radio Club W8EDU from ARDC.\  CARC is providing oversight of the projects and the projects use the club station as a laboratory facility.

}, author = {David Kazdan and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins and Maxwell Bauer and Evan Bender and Ryan Marks and Michael O{\textquoteright}Brien and Olivia O{\textquoteright}Brien and Gabriel Foss and Mari Pugliese and Alejandra Ramos and Carolina Whitaker} } @proceedings {620, title = {On the Use of High Frequency Surface Wave Oceanographic Research Radars as Bistatic Single Frequency Oblique Ionospheric Sounders}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

We present an investigation demonstrating that passively collected high frequency coastal oceanographic radars, with suitable waveform characteristics, can be used as single frequency oblique ionospheric sounders. To our knowledge, this is one of the first demonstrations of dual purpose use of these HF coastal radars, in addition to their primary role as ocean current monitors.\ We present a technique for extracting the virtual height using the E-region as a time calibration; this technique is agnostic of the software defined radio used.\ The application of this investigation may be useful for expanding spatial coverage for traveling ionospheric disturbance studies, day-to-day variability studies, or within data-assimilation routines.\ Additionally, HF coastal radars may be used by the scientific community or radio amateur as an another suitable RF source. We performed an experiment in which we collected 10 days of data in March 2016 from a site in Maryland, USA (MSR) and 21 days of data collected in October 2020 from a site near Clemson, South Carolina, USA (CARL). For both experiments, we used a similar hardware setup utilizing an Ettus USRP N210 software defined radio, including the GPSDO unit.\ We performed radar signal processing to obtain the group delay time from the passively received signal of Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODARs).\ Our observations for both intervals focused on one frequency band at 4.53718 MHz which included three CODAR transmitters located on the Coast of North Carolina and Virigina with callsigns: DUCK, CORE, and LISL. The digisonde located at Wallops Island, VA (WP937) was used as the diagnostic to compare and validate with the observations collected from oblique CODAR-MSR(CARL) paths.

}, author = {Stephen R. Kaeppler and Ethan Miller} } @conference {581, title = {Construction and Operation of a HamSCI Grape Version 1 Personal Space Weather Station: A Citizen Scientist{\textquoteright}s Perspective}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

Measurement of Doppler shifts of high frequency (HF) radio signals emitted by precision frequency transmitters is a well-established technique for the detection of traveling ionospheric disturbances and other perturbations in the bottomside ionosphere. Because Doppler measurements require minimal instrumentation, this technique naturally lends itself to crowdsourced data collection, and purpose-built instrumentation platforms are desirable in order to maximize consistency and repeatability. However, even the best system only has value if it is used, and a robust and engaged community of citizen scientists is vital to sustaining instrumentation platforms. The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) has developed a prototype, low-cost system for making HF Doppler shift measurements of signals from standards stations such as WWV (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) and CHU (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). This system, known as the Personal Space Weather Station Grape Version 1, consists of a low intermediate frequency (IF) mixer board, GPS disciplined oscillator, and Raspberry Pi. In collaboration with funded project scientists and engineers, volunteer HamSCI community members developed instructions for building and operating a Grape Version 1 on the HamSCI website. In this presentation, we explain the process for constructing a Grape Version 1 and discuss the experiences of volunteers who have built and are now operating this system. We also discuss preliminary data from these stations, which show dramatic Doppler shifts during sunrise and sunset and during solar events. Concurrent data from multiple proximal stations show shared features and can be used for validation. These stations constitute the first iteration of the Personal Space Weather Station network.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/845691}, author = {Hobart, Joseph R. and Farmer, James O. and Mikitin, Gary and Waugh, David and Benedict, Robert and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Collins, Kristina V, and Kazdan, David and Gibbons, John and Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {477, title = {December 2020 Eclipse Festival Analysis}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

A crowdsourced science experiment called the December 2020 Eclipse Festival of Frequency Measurement was carried out for the total solar eclipse across South America on December 14, 2020. Over 80 stations around the world recorded WAV files of 10 MHz time standard stations. We have undertaken to process and visualize this data, and identify geophysical features within it. This poster will summarize our work to date.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=24-20-1F-16-09-FF-74-70-E0-78-1D-88-6D-21-D5-3F}, author = {Kristina Collins and David Casente and Joanna Elia and Marius Mereckis and David Meshnick} } @conference {557, title = {Early Results from the Ionospheric Sounding Mode Using Chirp Ionosondes of Opportunity for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, booktitle = {2021 XXXIVth General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI GASS)}, year = {2021}, abstract = {

The objective of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project is to develop a distributed array of ground-based multi-instrument nodes capable of remote sensing the geospace system. This system is being designed with the intention of distribution to a large number of amateur radio and citizen science observers. This will create an unprecedented opportunity to probe the ionosphere at finer resolution in both time and space as all measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis. Individual nodes are being designed to service the needs of the professional space science researcher while being cost-accessible and of interest to amateur radio operators and citizen scientists. At the heart of the HamSCI PSWS will be a high performance 0.1{\textendash}60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) [1] with GNSS-based precision timestamping and frequency reference. This SDR is known as the TangerineSDR and is being developed by the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) amateur radio organization. The primary objective of PSWS system is to gather observations to understand the short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variabilities in the ionosphere-thermosphere system. These variabilities are important for understanding a variety of geophysical phenomena such as Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) [2], Ionospheric absorption events, geomagnetic storms and substorms. We present early results suggesting signature of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) from an ionospheric sounding mode that we intend to implement on the PSWS system, currently implemented on an Ettus N200 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) using the open source GNU Chirpsounder data collection and analysis code.

}, doi = {10.23919/URSIGASS51995.2021.9560441}, author = {Joshi, Dev and Frissell, Nathaniel and Liles, William and Vierinen, Juha and Miller, Ethan S.} } @proceedings {564, title = {An Easily Constructed High Resolution 3 Axis Magnetometer for Backyard Citizen Science}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=5631}, author = {Madey, Julius} } @conference {584, title = {An Easily Constructed High Resolution 3 Axis Magnetometer for Backyard Citizen Science}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, abstract = {

An answer to the need of the Hamsci Personal Space Weather Station Project for a low cost easily deployed 3 Axis magnetometer for earth surface geomagnetic field measurements based on the PNI RM3100 magneto-inductive magnetometer module for $31 in single quantities, compatible with Raspberry Pi class Single Board Computer data interfaces. Development of an inexpensive housing using off the shelf (OTF) components and a simple temperature stabilization technique and recommended interface will be discussed. Magnetometer system data will be compared with an appropriate Intermagnet site demonstrating the ability of this low cost instrument to achieve near 5nT resolution and noise, opening the potential for a diverse network of Citizen Scientist sites contributing data to better understand Earth{\textquoteright}s geomagnetic field.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/997017}, author = {Madey, Julius and Witten, David and Kim, Hyomin and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @conference {550, title = {HamSCI Campaign Co-Design (Panel Discussion)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2021}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson and Laura Brandt and Elizabeth MacDonald and Michael Black and Gareth Perry} } @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 {540, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS): Architecture and Current Status}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

Recent advances in geospace remote sensing have shown that large-scale distributed networks of ground-based sensors pay large dividends by providing a big picture view of phenomena that were previously observed only by point-measurements. While existing instrument networks provide excellent insight into ionospheric and space science, the system remains undersampled and more observations are needed to advance understanding. In an effort to generate these additional measurements, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, hamsci.org) is working with the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR, tapr.org), an engineering organization comprised of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS). These instruments that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers as part of the NSF Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) program. A performance-driven PSWS design (~US$500) will be a modular, multi-instrument device that will consist of a dual-channel phase-locked 0.1-60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) receiver, a ground magnetometer with (~10 nT resolution and 1-sec cadence), and GPS/GNSS receiver to provide precision time stamping and serve as a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) to provide stability to the SDR receiver. A low-cost PSWS (\< US$100) that measures Doppler shift of HF signals received from standards stations such as WWV (US) and CHU (Canada) and includes a magnetometer is also being developed. HF sounding algorithms making use of signals of opportunity will be developed for the SDR-based PSWS. All measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis and made available for public access.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Joshi and Veronica I. Romanek and Kristina V. Collins and Aidan Montare and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and William D. Engelke and Travis Atkison and Hyomin Kim and Scott H. Cowling and Thomas C. McDermott and John Ackermann and David Witten and Julius Madey and H. Ward Silver and William Liles and Steven Cerwin and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and Juha Vierinen} } @proceedings {561, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS): Fall 2021 Update}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=1990}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Collins, Kristina and Montare Aidan and Kazdan, David and Engelke, William D. and Atkison, Travis and Kim, Hyomin and Cowling, Scott H. and McDermott, Thomas C. and Ackermann, John and Witten, David and Madey, Jules and Silver, H. Ward and Liles, W. and Cerwin, Stephen A. and Erickson, Phillip J. and Miller, Ethan S, and Vierinen, Juha} } @proceedings {458, title = {Mid-latitude Irregularities in the Early Results from the Ionospheric Sounding Mode Using Chirp Ionosondes of Opportunity for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The objective of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project is to develop a distributed array of ground-based multi-instrument nodes capable of remote sensing the geospace system. This system is being designed with the intention of distribution to a large number of amateur radio and citizen science observers. This will create an unprecedented opportunity to probe the ionosphere at finer resolution in both time and space as all measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis. Individual nodes are being designed to service the needs of the professional space science researcher while being cost-accessible and of interest to amateur radio operators and citizen scientists. At the heart of the HamSCI PSWS will be a high performance 1 {\textendash} 50 MHz software defined radio (SDR) with GNSS-based precision timestamping and frequency reference. This SDR is known as the TangerineSDR and is being developed by the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) amateur radio organization. The primary objective of PSWS system is to gather observations to understand the short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variabilities in the ionosphere-thermosphere system. These variabilities are important for understanding a variety of geophysical phenomena such as Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs), Ionospheric absorption events, geomagnetic storms and substorms. We present early results suggesting signatures of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) from an ionospheric sounding mode that we intend to implement on the PSWS system, currently implemented on an Ettus N200 Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) using the open source GNU Chirpsounder data collection and analysis code.

}, author = {Dev Joshi and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and Juha Vierinen and Ethan S. Miller} } @proceedings {496, title = {The Oldest Cadet Club, Today: W2KGY}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=D0-F7-C3-77-98-1D-B7-4E-B5-9A-70-5F-4A-2E-07-3D}, author = {Nolan Pearce and Pat McGurrin} } @proceedings {460, title = {Preliminary Data Analysis of PSWS Magnetometer Data}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

We report on the preliminary analysis of data obtained from newly developed magnetometers as part of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. These systems are designed to provide quantitative and qualitative measurements of the geospace environment from the ground for both scientific and operational purposes at a cost that will allow for crowd-sourced data contributions. The PSWS magnetometers employ low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf, magneto-inductive sensor technology to record three-axis magnetic field variations with an adequate field resolution of ~10 nT at a 1 Hz sample rate. Data from the PSWS network will combine these magnetometer measurements with high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio observations to monitor large-scale current systems and ionospheric disturbances due to drivers from both space and the atmosphere. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, once established, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability in unprecedented spatial extent. Magnetic field data obtained by the magnetometers installed at three locations across the US are presented and compared with the existing magnetometers nearby.\ 

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Julius Madey and David M. Witten II and David Larsen and Scott H. Cowling and Nathaniel A. Frissell and James Weygand} } @proceedings {500, title = {PSWS Ground Magnetometer Hardware}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The path from candidate device for the magnetometer function of the PSWS to practical affordable working 24/7 data collection installations based on the low cost and readily available PNI RM3100 magneto-inductive sensor is discussed.\  Initial support board design using i2c bus connection to the host Odroid or Raspberry Pi class microprocessors with support for remote extension of the sensor to at least 100 feet with common CAT5 networking cable will be described as well as the accompanying test and logging software.\  Details of initial testing which revealed the need for temperature stabilization of the RM3100, verified remote operation to at least 500 feet, the subsequent design of an in-ground sensor housing made from common PVC water pipe and fittings and refinement of the microprocessor adapter board and remote board will be presented.

}, author = {Julius Madey and David Witten, II and Hyomin Kim and David Larsen and Scott H. Cowling and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {563, title = {PSWS Magnetometer Science Update}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=4555}, author = {Kim, Hyomin and Madey, Julius and Witten, David and Larsen, David R. and Cowling, Scott H. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Weygand, James} } @proceedings {463, title = {QRV: Newbie YL Perspectives on Becoming a Ham Citizen Scientist}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

An aurora scientist, a teacher, and a museum educator walk into a ham radio class{\textellipsis}and end up with more than just their Technician licenses! Dr. Liz MacDonald, founder of the aurora citizen science project Aurorasaurus, approached licensing as a plasma physicist, while 5th grade teacher Connie Atkisson and Laura Brandt, the Aurorasaurus project manager, had little prior experience with physics. The different ways they approached the process in 2020{\textemdash}and their various goals for being licensed{\textemdash}provide useful context for the evolving broader community and for citizen science. Join Liz and Laura in conversation about the surprises they encountered while studying for their licenses, how aurora and amateur radio citizen science can collaborate more closely, and ideas drawn from classroom teaching and museum education that hams can use when reaching out to the general public.\ 

}, author = {Laura Brandt and Elizabeth MacDonald and Connie Atkisson} } @proceedings {485, title = {RJOVER: An alternative approach using SDR technology to reduce costs for the NASA Radio JOVE citizen science effort}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The NASA-run citizen science project, Radio JOVE, utilizes widespread distribution of single and dual-dipole antenna receiving stations to study the magnetic interactions between Jupiter and its moon, Io. The citizen science effort has been well established and maintained since 1998, and the Radio JOVE project team has streamlined kit distribution and assembly documentation for amateur data collectors and hobbyists. The antennas, receiver, software, and related components are available for purchase in kits that range in price from depending on the level of {\textquotedblleft}pre-assembly{\textquotedblright}. For instance, we estimate that the prices of un-assembled and fully assembled kit receivers are approximately $95 and $225, respectively. Establishing a Radio JOVE receiving station is no small task, and these prices are reasonable and appropriate. To further data collection accessibility and broaden the participating audience, however, we seek to further reduce these costs-- specifically that of the receiver. Our primary goal is to code, integrate, and test a software-defined radio (SDR) receiver for Radio JOVE data collection to verify whether the technology could be a less expensive alternative to the original distributed kit receiver. By coordinating with the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Research Farm, as well as with guidance from faculty in the CWRU Electrical, Computer, and Science Engineering (ECSE) department and the Radio JOVE Project Team, we hope to establish a Radio JOVE receiving station at CWRU whereupon we can test our alternative SDR receiver for Jovian signal collection. If our alternative receiver works on a level comparable to the existing kit receiver, we can offer a cheaper, more modern and digital age approach that could appeal to a wider audience including those working with a tighter budget and those who are interested in software-defined radio, all of whom simply want to help the scientific effort.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=8D-A5-71-AF-BD-32-32-6C-C3-71-E2-59-AB-87-B0-0D}, author = {Tyler Kovach and Skylar Dannhoff and Jared May} } @proceedings {468, title = {"Sprinkles" or "Mirrors"? Exploring the true nature of VHF propagation via sporadic-E}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Mid-latitude sporadic-E clouds (commonly abbreviated as {\textquoteleft}Es{\textquoteright}) are a transient feature consisting of thin layers of dense, but patchy, ionization which occur in the E region of the ionosphere. The process of formation is different from that of the rest of the ionosphere and it can produce much higher electron densities, sometimes permitting oblique reflection of radio waves up to 150 MHz.
The mechanism for the oblique reflection of VHF waves from Es layers has not been well described, with candidates including specular reflection, scattering, and magneto-ionic double refraction. The polarization and fading characteristics of waves reflected from Es layers are proposed as a marker for the presence or absence of magneto-ionic effects.\ 
An experimental system has been developed for rapid and accurate polarization and fading measurements at 50 MHz. The overall sensitivity of the system has been optimized by reducing environmental electromagnetic noise, giving the ability to observe weak, short-lived Es propagation events. The effect of the ground reflection on observed polarization has been analyzed and the induced amplitude and phase biases compensated for.
A measurement campaign in the summer of 2018 gathered a large quantity of data, using amateur 50 MHz beacons, at distances between 1,000 km and 1,650 km, as signal sources. The results provide compelling evidence that Es-layer propagation at 50 MHz exhibits the characteristics of magneto-ionic double refraction, but the thin, intense and variable nature of the reflecting region means that the reflected signals can have quite extreme characteristics. Some of the results are surprising, and are yet to be explained convincingly.
In this presentation, an overview of the experimental technique will be given, and the results described. Some of this information has already been published, but much of it is new.

}, author = {Chris Deacon and Ben Witvliet and Cathryn Mitchell and Simon Steendam} } @proceedings {502, title = {TangerineSDR Data Engine and Overall Architecture}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

First conceived in 2018 at the ARRL/TAPR Alubuquerque Digital Communications Conference, the modular TangerineSDR has gone through many architecture changes and upgrades. The first use case will be the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). The boardset consists of three custom boards: the Data Engine (DE), the Clock Module (CKM) and the RF Module (RFM). Now that we are nearing prototype hardware, here is an overview of the final architecture and the status of the prototype build.

}, author = {Scott H. Cowling and Tom McDermott and John Ackermann} } @proceedings {462, title = {Toward interpretation of HF propagation data obtained by the HamSCI Community - Ray Tracers and Ionospheric Models}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Perhaps one of the most pressing questions the Ham Sci community needs to address is how data obtained by the tangerineSDR or other platforms will be interpreted to obtain scientifically useful information.\  One approach is to produce an appropriate forward model describing the ionosphere and use ray tracers to convert that model into observables that are measured using SDRs.\  The purpose of this talk is to discuss these issues in general terms, but also to discuss simulation strategies that could be useful for the data collected by a network of radio amateurs.\  I will also present on the development of an open source python-based 3-D Jones Stephenson Ray tracer and other developments out of my laboratory that are relevant to ray tracing, including implementation using cuda and the development of point-to-point ray tracing.

}, author = {Stephen R. Kaeppler and Scott Driggers and Andrew Wetzel and Alexander Murtha and Tedi Godfrey} } @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} } @proceedings {514, title = {W8EDU: Case Amateur Radio Club from 2010 to 2021}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

W8EDU, 2010-2021: In ten years, the Case Amateur Radio Club has grown from a small alumni-based group to a large student organization with extensive curricular and research involvement. This poster shows some of our successful efforts in that time, and highlights how our operating, licensing, curricular and research efforts support one another.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=B5-39-13-BC-26-3A-2E-F1-35-30-97-99-27-96-4D-CD}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and Aidan Montare and David Kazdan} } @conference {381, title = {Amateur digital mode based remote sensing: FT8 use as a radar signal of opportunity for ionospheric characterization}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The K1JT / WSJT suite of digital modes for amateur QSOs, provided to the community by Joe Taylor K1JT and Steve Franke K9AN, has revolutionized the use of weak signal HF propagation to carry short digital messages. Traffic on the FT8 mode has become a large fraction of all digital transmissions by amateurs since its introduction in 2017 near solar minimum. FT8 is a 15 second cadence, 8-tone FSK mode using a sophisticated combination of stacked low-density parity coding (LDPC) and cyclical redundancy check (CRC) codes. Combined with a deep search retrieval algorithm that takes advantage of the sparse information for messages within typical QSOs, the effective FT8 communications detection threshold is considerably lower than other traditional modes such as CW.

FT8 signals undergo changes on reception caused by ionospheric refraction. Observational study of this feature opens up compelling avenues for research into the time and space dependent behavior of ionospheric variations. A technique long known to the passive radio remote sensing community involves intercepting transmissions of opportunity and processing them to yield information on reflecting targets on the transmit-to-receive path. We present initial simulations and studies of the use of FT8 in this manner as an ionospheric range-Doppler passive radar, and will discuss the qualities of these signals for crowdsourced upper atmospheric research, including an explanation and examples of their effective range-Doppler ambiguity in typical QSO exchanges. Also discussed will be the particular effectiveness for radar applications of the three Costas array frequency/time synchronization sequences used by FT8 in the start, middle, and at the end of transmissions.

}, author = {P. J. Erickson and W. Liles and E. S. Miller} } @conference {397, title = {An Aurorasaurus Citizen Science Database of Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) Observations (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

For many years, amateur aurora observers have reported on unique subauroral aurora or aurora-like structures which they could not classify at first. Later, these structures also puzzled the scientific community. In 2016 members of the Alberta Aurora Chasers Facebook group introduced the name STEVE for these structures. Very recently in 2018 and 2019, first scientific publications have been published linking these subauroral structures with the subauroral ion drift (SAID). Since then the backronym Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement is used in the scientific literature for this phenomenon. The underlying ionospheric processes are still not understood in every detail. Although highly likely STEVE observations have been reported sporadically since nearly the end of the Maunder Minimum their specific character had been almost overlooked for a long time until citizen scientists working with Aurorasaurus started to put a closer view on them and contacted the scientific community reaching for answers to all their questions. A freely accessible event list for worldwide image supported amateur STEVE observations was missing for a long time. The presented work is part of a non-funded volunteer project and has been performed with the aim to fill this gap. STEVE observations posted in Aurora related social media groups but also on aurora observer websites have been analyzed to prepare the list on the basis of data use standards and fair use. The outcome is a list summarizing more than 790 single observations, observations with time for 150 days and 178+ observation days in total. In its current version the event list covers the period January 1999 to December 2019. This presentation gives an overview for the content and development of the list, and briefly summarizes possible analyzes that can be performed based on the content of the event list and how it already supports and furthers the research on the STEVE phenomenon. This work presents an example of how data from citizen scientists can support highly topical space science research.

}, author = {Michael Hunnekuhl and Elizabeth MacDonald} } @conference {392, title = {Aurorasaurus: Citizen Science Observations of the Aurora (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {E. MacDonald} } @conference {440, title = {Characterizing and Optimizing the behavior of a Ground-based Magnetometer for Ionospheric Space Weather Observations}, booktitle = {ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, organization = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Witten III, David and Kim, Hyomin and Madey, Julius and Cowling, Scotty and Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @conference {398, title = {Construction of an Aurora Camera in North Dakota to Aid in Citizen Science and Space Weather Applications (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

We will present plans for a new student-built aurora camera integrated with a public university, local astronomy groups, and Aurorasaurus citizen science. Live aurora cameras are crucial tools for avid skywatchers, aurora chasers, and scientists.\ \ Globally there are hundreds of cameras providing nowcast views of aurora strength, yet in low-latitude areas, especially in the United States, the number of high-quality, live aurora cameras is extremely limited.\ \ The need for aurora camera coverage in mid-latitudes is apparent; not only will it be another resource for amateur astronomers and aurora-watching communities, but the analysis of many transient auroral phenomena such as substorms and STEVEs benefit from multiple geographical observations.\ \ A north-facing camera will be built near Inkster, North Dakota, on the Martens Observatory location (approximately 48.1oN), broadcasting a public live stream of the night sky while simultaneously offloading images to a storage server.\ \ The Sony a7s2 mirrorless camera, a model employed by other live broadcasts such as the LiveAuroraNetwork, will be used in conjunction with a wide-aperture lens for maximum light-gathering ability.\ \  The entire apparatus will be housed in a weatherproof enclosure and internet will be supplied on-site.\ \ The camera will be integrated with the University of North Dakota{\textquoteright}s Astrophysics and Space Studies department and will be a resource for the local astronomy community, the Northern Sky Astronomical Society.\ \ Working with Aurorasaurus, the aurora camera will {\textquotedblleft}tweet{\textquotedblright} when an aurora is spotted and be shown on the Aurorasaurus auroral oval map along with other citizen scientist observations.\ \ This aurora camera will be a valuable resource for citizen science and will aid scientists in attempting to unravel the mysteries of Earth{\textquoteright}s magnetism.

}, author = {Vincent Ledvina and Elizabeth MacDonald and Wayne Barkhouse and Timothy Young} } @conference {403, title = {Electromechanical ELF Transmitters for Wireless Communications in Conductive Environments (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Since the skin depth in ground or seawater is on the order of meters in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band, RF penetration through solids (e.g., into caves) and through water (e.g., to submarines) becomes feasible. This permits emergency communication for search and rescue missions and communication to submarines deep underwater. However, conventional antennas in this band are either impossibly large or highly inefficient (and thus power-hungry). For example, the U.S. military has in the past used ELF communication to communicate with submarines via Project Sanguine, a set of 76 Hz and 45 Hz transmitters with antennas stretching 14 miles and consuming a combined 2.6 MW during transmission. The FCC only regulates frequency bands between 9 kHz and 275 GHz, in part because electrical antennas are so inefficient below this range. This leaves a conveniently unregulated frequency range below 9 kHz (in the ELF and VLF bands) for unrestricted use. Proposed applications include studies of RF penetration through the ground for the study of the earth{\textquoteright}s crust and the study of the ionosphere. Moreover, unlike regulated ham radio bands, this unregulated frequency space has no restrictions on the use of encryption. Thus, communications systems below 9 kHz could be encrypted by any means desired, making this a highly lucrative application for private communications systems. We have developed a mechanically-based ELF antenna which replaces a conventional electrical antenna with a rotating permanent magnet. This radically different approach to wireless transmitter design allows us to take full advantage of the unique properties of the ELF band. Our design utilizes the high remanent flux density in rare earth magnet materials (e.g., NdFeB) to make ELF transmitters more power-efficient and portable. The current prototype operates at 90-110 Hz and supports data rates up to a few bits/sec; the next design iteration will operate at 300-700 Hz, allowing higher transmit data rates. In this presentation we describe the theory behind mechanically-based transmitters, describe the design of a practical transmitter, and show preliminary experimental results.

}, author = {Jarred Glickstein and Soumyajit Mandal} } @conference {424, title = {HamSCI Distributed Array of Small Instruments Personal Space Weather Station (DASI-PSWS): Architecture and Current Status (Invited)}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2020}, month = {06/2020}, address = {Santa Fe, NM (Virtual)}, abstract = {

Recent advances in geospace remote sensing have shown that large-scale distributed networks of ground-based sensors pay large dividends by providing a big picture view of phenomena that were previously observed only by point-measurements. While existing instrument networks provide excellent insight into ionospheric and space science, the system remains undersampled and more observations are needed to advance understanding. In an effort to generate these additional measurements, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI, hamsci.org) is working with the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR, tapr.org), an engineering organization comprised of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS). These instruments that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers as part of the NSF Distributed Array of Small Instruments (DASI) program. A performance-driven PSWS design (~US$500) will be a modular, multi-instrument device that will consist of a dual-channel phase-locked 0.1-60 MHz software defined radio (SDR) receiver, a ground magnetometer with (~10 nT resolution and 1-sec cadence), and GPS/GNSS receiver to provide precision time stamping and serve as a GPS disciplined oscillator (GPSDO) to provide stability to the SDR receiver. A low-cost PSWS (\< US$100) that measures Doppler shift of HF signals received from standards stations such as WWV (US) and CHU (Canada) and includes a magnetometer is also being developed. HF sounding algorithms making use of signals of opportunity will be developed for the SDR-based PSWS. All measurements will be collected into a central database for coordinated analysis and made available for public access.

}, url = {http://cedarweb.vsp.ucar.edu/wiki/index.php/2020_Workshop:MainVG}, author = {N. A. Frissell and D. Joshi and K. Collins and A. Montare and D. Kazdan and J. Gibbons and S. Mandal and W. Engelke and T. Atkison and H. Kim and A. J. Gerrard and J. S. Vega and S. H. Cowling and T. C. McDermott and J. Ackermann and D. Witten and H. W. Silver and W. Liles and S. Cerwin and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller} } @conference {359, title = {HamSCI: Space Weather Operational Resources and Needs of the Amateur Radio Community}, booktitle = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, publisher = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, organization = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, address = {Boston, MA}, abstract = {

The amateur (ham) radio community is a global community of over 3 million people who use and build radio equipment for communications, experimentation, and science. By definition, amateur radio is a volunteer service, with the operators required to hold government-issued licenses that are typically earned by passing knowledge tests covering radio regulations and practices, radio theory, and electromagnetic theory. In the United States, there are about 750,000 licensed hams, ranging in age from very young to very old, and ranging in experience from neophyte to people with advanced degrees in radio engineering and science. Amateur radio operators are licensed to transmit on bands spread across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum, from very low frequency (VLF) up to hundreds of gigahertz. The purpose of these communications range from mission-critical emergency and public service communications to social contacts to highly competitive contests and achievement award programs. Many of these communications rely on trans-ionospheric paths, and therefore are heavily influenced by conditions in near-Earth space, or space weather.
Amateurs today obtain space weather and propagation prediction information from sources such as the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), spaceweather.com, the Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program (VOACAP), amateur radio propagation columnists (ARRL, RSGB, and CQ Magazine), and spaceweatherwoman.com (Dr. Tamitha Skov). In order to predict success for their communications efforts, hams often use parameters such as smoothed sunspot number, 10.7 cm wavelength solar flux proxy, and the planetary Kp and Ap indices as inputs to predict radio propagation performance. Traditionally, these predictions focus on the driving influence of space conditions and the sun{\textquoteright}s output. However, frontier research in the space sciences community has revealed that for improved predictive success, much more information needs to be provided on neutral atmosphere dynamics from the lower atmosphere and its coupled effects on the ionosphere, and predictions need to be available at higher temporal and spatial resolution. Lower atmospheric influences include atmospheric gravity waves that can couple to traveling ionospheric disturbances that can dramatically alter radio propagation paths. Tropospheric phenomena such as temperature inversions and wind shear also affect VHF and UHF propagation. To be most useful, the ham community needs operational products that provide real time nowcasts and multi-day forecasts which predict how space weather through the whole atmosphere affects radio wave propagation on global scale and at all operational wavelengths.
To help with this effort, hams can provide data with unique spatial and temporal coverage back to the research and forecast community. The amateur radio community has already started this process with the creation of multiple global-scale, real-time propagation reporting systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet), PSKReporter, and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). Studies by the Ham radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) have shown that data from these systems, if applied correctly, can effectively be used to study ionospheric space weather events. Experienced amateurs keep detailed records of verified point-to-point contacts and have extensive experience operating under a wide variety of geophysical conditions and locations, both of which can provide unique insights when shared with the professional research community. In this presentation, we will describe efforts led by the HamSCI collective to provide this research community feedback through active HamSCI community email lists and annual HamSCI workshops. We will also describe strategies with good initial success at amateur-professional collaboration, including a HamSCI-led amateur radio community - professional research community partnership to create a network of HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS), which will allow citizen scientists to make science-grade space weather observations from their own backyards.

}, url = {https://ams.confex.com/ams/2020Annual/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/370904}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and William Liles and H. Ward Silver and R. Carl Luetzelschwab and Tamitha Skov} } @conference {396, title = {Into the Ionosphere: Real-Time Aurora Mapping Through Citizen Science (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {L. Brandt and E. MacDonald} } @conference {409, title = {Live Aurora Network}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

How it Started: Live Aurora Network is the brainchild of founders Steve and Tony Collins.\  The brothers traveled around the Northern hemisphere searching for the magical lights, time after time they spent hours sitting in a field looking up at a clear sky with an Aurora predicted, watching all the Apps available to them... with no results! Or there was simply no Aurora forecast. Or it was just too cloudy. Steve and Tony decided they needed real-time alerts and not just a forecast - Live Aurora Network was born. Introduction: Live Aurora Network is an innovative real-time detection system designed to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in person or by viewing remotely. Advances in camera technology, Internet video and social media have given people around the world the opportunity to experience the wonder of the Aurora. The subtlety of the lights previously required long camera exposures of 20 to 30 seconds to capture them. This blurred out some of the details and produced time-lapse videos that were down-sampled versions of the real display. A Solution: Using Sony{\textquoteright}s a7SII camera Live Aurora Network is able to stream Aurora video at 30fps. Audiences are now provided a more authentic aurora display using the Live Aurora Network iPhone/Android App. Live Aurora Network has seven camera systems to-date in Norway, Iceland and Alaska and with plans for more installations. An Aurora detection algorithm developed in coordination with our partner, Michael McCormack (HAM callsign NQ1O) detects the presence of Aurora in a live image instantly alerting App users to the presence of Aurora. Scientific Use: Following discussions with scientists specializing in the field of The Northern Lights, it became apparent that the data might be of use to the scientific community. Live Aurora Network has also collaborated with Aurorasaurus (@tweetaurora) which is a citizen science project gathering real-time data about aurora sightings notifying users when the Northern Lights are likely visible in their area. Live Aurora Network smartphone App is available for download at the App store.

}, author = {Michael McCormack} } @conference {401, title = {Neutral Winds in the Equatorial Thermosphere as Measured With the SOFDI Instrument (ePoster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The Second-generation, Optimized, Fabry-Perot Doppler Imager (SOFDI), a triple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer, is designed to measure both nighttime and daytime thermospheric winds from OI 630-nm emission. These continual 24-hour observations of thermospheric winds made with SOFDI under the geomagnetic equator at Huancayo, Peru, during northern summer, provide a unique data set. Results obtained from these data set are compared to the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) derived from\ \ total electron content (TEC) and Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar (ISR) measurements of the pre-reversal enhancement (PRE). We investigate the dynamics of the EIA asymmetry in response to measured thermospheric winds. A direct relationship between the afternoon winds and the magnitude of the PRE is also reported. The large variability of winds is observed in the afternoon which is likely caused by synoptic tidal activity modulating gravity waves. Also, a comparison between the measured neutral winds to that obtained from Horizontal Wind Model 14 is demonstrated. These results confirm the role that the thermospheric winds play in modulating equatorial dynamics and further demonstrate the need for both zonal and meridional components of the wind flow.

}, author = {Sovit Khadka and Andrew Gerrard and John Meriwether} } @conference {383, title = {Observations and Modeling Studies of the Effects of the 2017 Solar Eclipse on SuperDARN HF Propagation}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {M. Moses and L. Kordella and G. D. Earle and D. Drob and J. Huba and J. M. Ruohoniemi} } @conference {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} } @article {450, title = {Rapid and Accurate Measurement of Polarization and Fading of Weak VHF Signals Obliquely Reflected from Sporadic-E Layers}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation}, year = {2020}, abstract = {

In the E-region of the ionosphere, at heights between 90 and 130 km, thin patches of enhanced ionization occur intermittently. The electron density in these sporadic-E (Es) clouds can sometimes be so high that radio waves with frequencies up to 150 MHz are obliquely reflected. While this phenomenon is well known, the reflection mechanism itself is not well understood. To investigate this question, an experimental system has been developed for accurate polarimetric and fading measurements of 50 MHz radio waves obliquely reflected by mid-latitude Es layers. The overall sensitivity of the system is optimized by reducing environmental electromagnetic noise, giving the ability to observe weak, short-lived 50 MHz Es propagation events. The effect of the ground reflection on observed polarization is analyzed and the induced amplitude and phase biases are compensated for. It is found that accurate measurements are only possible below the pseudo-Brewster angle. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, initial empirical results are presented which provide clear evidence of magneto-ionic double refraction.

}, keywords = {Brewster angle, ionosphere, radio noise, Radio wave propagation, VHF}, issn = {0018-926X}, url = {https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/rapid-and-accurate-measurement-of-polarization-and-fading-of-weak}, author = {Chris Deacon and Witvliet, Ben A. and Cathryn Mitchell and Simon Steendam} } @conference {373, title = {TangerineSDR Dual-Receiver RF Module Design}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

An overview of the dual-receiver module designed for TangerineSDR, unique features of the module, and some application scenarios.

}, author = {T. McDermott} } @proceedings {438, title = {TangerineSDR Hardware Update}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Cowling, Scotty and Ackermann, John and McDermott, Tom} } @conference {380, title = {Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed Using Doppler Measurements of Clear-Channel AM Broadcast Transmitters}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

A system has been developed and is being deployed around the Northeast US using an SDR and Raspberry Pi to receive and measure the Doppler shift of the carrier frequencies of AM broadcast stations to detect Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances.

}, author = {D. McGaw and J. LaBelle} } @conference {410, title = {WWV Time Tick Observations: Towards an Automated Approached}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2020}, year = {2020}, month = {03/2020}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

As described by\ Cerwin (2020), the timing ticks that mark each second on WWV can be used to observe multipath propagation. We present our setup, which is similar to Cerwin{\textquoteright}s, and describe our work towards automating the collection of timing tick observations. We demonstrate methods of collecting this data by using trace-collection features of certain Rigol oscilloscopes, as well as features of associated computer control software. We also discuss software libraries for a general approach suited to many oscilloscopes, and how these data might be collected by the in-development Personal Space Weather Station. We conclude with a request to the HamSCI community to help develop this technique and broaden its scientific applications.

}, author = {Aidan Montare and John Gibbons} } @conference {294, title = {Doppler Shift from Earth-Orbiting Satellites}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSC}, organization = {HamSC}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Doppler shift, which is easily observable as a change in frequency, is due to a change in the phase path between an emitter and observer over time.\  The changing phase path contains information about the position of the emitter as well as the propagation medium.\  This presentation describes an effort to estimate the Doppler shift of the now-defunct VO-52 ({\textquotedblleft}HAMSAT{\textquotedblright}) satellite at 145 MHz and theoretical concepts of orbit determination by trilateration.\  It is similar to work performed in the West during the early weeks of the Space Race that determined the orbit of Sputnik-I and led to the development of the satellite Doppler navigation (TRANSIT) technique.

}, author = {Michael S. Miller and Ethan S. Miller} } @conference {317, title = {GPS-disciplined MEMS oscillators for amateur radio applications (Poster)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Islam - HamSCI 2019 Abstract.pdf

The frequency stability of reference oscillators (ROs) is a key performance limiter for all applications that require a timing or frequency reference, including precision sensing, inertial navigation systems, and reconfigurable radio transceivers for amateur radio. ROs based on ultra-high-Q micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators are promising replacements for conventional designs based on quartz crystals due to their compactness, amenability to monolithic integration with CMOS fabrication processes, low cost, and low power consumption. In this presentation, we will demonstrate i) a custom-designed single-chip CMOS sustaining amplifier, and ii) a highly-stable RO based on combining the amplifier with a vacuum-encapsulated breath-mode single-crystal silicon resonator (Q ≈ 105).

The free-running RO has a short-term Allan deviation $\sigma_{A}(\tau)$\ ≈ 1{\texttimes}10-8 at relatively small oscillation amplitudes (Posc ≈ -5 dBm). Further improvements in stability are obtained by increasing the oscillation amplitude such that the resonator becomes significantly nonlinear. In particular, Posc is adjusted in order to operate the resonator near one of its bifurcation points defined by electrostatic spring softening. The conversion of amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM-to-PM) is greatly reduced near such points, thus reducing phase noise to levels that cannot be obtained using linear resonators. Thus, operation of MEMS resonators beyond the threshold of nonlinearity is promising for improving short- and medium-term RO stability. Moreover, the proposed RO can also be locked to GPS for greatly-improved long-term stability, thus enabling its use as a miniaturized, low-cost, and rugged secondary frequency standard in amateur radio applications.

}, author = {Mohammad S. Islam and George Xereas and Vamsy P. Chodavarapu and Soumyajit Mandal} } @conference {283, title = {HamSCI HF Receiver Requirements}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This paper outlines general requirements for the HAMSCI HF receiver equipment. The objectives of Scientific Research prescribe maximum performance and flexibility while the needs of the citizen science community impose significant cost constraints. The general requirements therefore balance the science capability of the HF receiver with the cost. The paper covers architecture of the receiver, key performance metrics, and trade-offs in performance. The actual equipment realization is not covered in this paper.

}, author = {T. C. McDermott} } @article {275, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, journal = {Space Weather}, year = {2019}, month = {2019/01/11}, abstract = {

Abstract Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection (CME) induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high frequency (HF, 3--30 MHz) radio communications from 4-14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm-time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm withKpmax\ =\ 8\ +\ and?SYM\ ?\ Hmin\ =\ \ ?\ 146?nT occurring 7-10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at~1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Geomagnetic Storm, Ham Radio, HF Radio Propagation, Radio Blackout, Solar Flare}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2018SW002008}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018SW002008}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Vega, Joshua S. and Markowitz, Evan and Gerrard, Andrew J. and Engelke, William D. and Erickson, Philip J. and Miller, Ethan S. and Luetzelschwab, R. Carl and Bortnik, Jacob} } @conference {295, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection-induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high-frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio communications from 4{\textendash}14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm with Kpmax = 8+ and SYM-Hmin = -146 nT occurring 7{\textendash}10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at \~{}1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joshua S. Vega and Evan Markowitz and Andrew J. Gerrard and William D. Engelke and Philip J. Erickson and Ethan S. Miller and R. Carl Luetzelschwab and Jacob Bortnik} } @conference {290, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {329, title = {IonTV: Using WWV Timing Reference Signals to Observe Ionospheric Variation}, booktitle = {Hamvention HamSCI Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, organization = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Philip J. Erickson and William Liles and J. Dusenbury and K.C. Kerby-Patel and Ethan Miller and Gary Bust and Cathryn Mitchell} } @conference {361, title = {Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed using HamSCI Amateur Radio, SuperDARN, and GNSS TEC}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, 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 observations made by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) for the first time. The RBN and WSPRNet are two large-scale High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) amateur (ham) radio observing networks that provide data to the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI). The LSTIDs were observed on the 7 and 14 MHz amateur radio bands, and are detected by observing changes in average propagation path length with time. LSTID period lengthened from T ~ 1.5 hr at 12 UT to T ~ 2.25 hr by 21 UT. Simultaneous LSTID signatures were present in ham radio observations over the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean, and Europe. LSTIDs observed with amateur radio were consistent with LSTIDs observed by the Blackstone SuperDARN HF radar and in differential GNSS Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements. GNSS TEC maps were used to estimate LSTID parameters: horizontal wavelength 1100 km, phase velocity 950 km/hr, period 70 min, and propagation azimuth 135{\textdegree}. The LSTID signatures were observed throughout the day following ~800 nT surges in the Auroral Electrojet (AE) index at 00 and 12 UT. We will discuss potential generation hypotheses for the observed LSTIDs, including atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) sources triggered by auroral electrojet intensifications and associated Joule heating.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm19/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/581488}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Diego F. Sanchez and Evan Markowitz and Gareth W. Perry and William D. Engelke and Anthea Coster and Philip J. Erickson and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker} } @conference {360, title = {A Low-Cost Citizen Science HF Doppler Receiver for Measuring Ionospheric Variability}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

Advancement in understanding short term and small spatial scale ionospheric variability requires global high time and spatial resolution measurements. Professional ionospheric sounding networks are extensive and capable, yet more measurements are still needed due to the strongly magnetized nature and large extent of the ionosphere. High Frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) radio signals are refracted by the ionosphere, and therefore are modulated by processes such as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) and geomagnetic storms. By measuring the amplitude and Doppler shift of trans-ionospheric HF signals, it is possible to detect signatures of ionospheric absorption and changes in propagation path length. We present a design for a low-cost citizen science HF multi-band receiver that measures the amplitude and Doppler shift of reference signals of opportunity from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology station WWV and the Canadian Institute for National Measurement Standards station CHU. The receiver will make 1 s cadence measurements on nine HF beacon frequencies and subsequently upload the results to a central server for scientific analysis. The local user will be able to review data daily, both locally and in aggregate on a web server, and participate in discussion of the ionospheric measurements. This receiver forms one component of the low-cost version of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), and is designed with the intention of distribution to hundreds to thousands of citizen science observers. Preliminary results from the prototype receiver will be presented.

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm19/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/602677}, author = {Kristina Collins and David Kazdan and John Gibbons and Aidan Montare and Skylar Dannhoff and Philip J. Erickson and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @conference {320, title = {N2PK Vector Network Analyzer; A sophisticated portable HF VNA for field work (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Robert Melville} } @conference {291, title = {Plans for EclipseMob 2024}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

During the 2017 solar eclipse, the EclipseMob project conducted a collaborative effort to crowdsource a large-scale geographically distributed measurement of LF radio wave propagation. Do-it-yourself antenna and receiver kits were distributed to libraries, schools, and citizen scientists across the United States, paired with a smartphone app that provided data recording and software-defined radio functionality. While the data collection was ultimately not successful because of a problem with the receiver-smartphone interface, the EclipseMob crowdsourced measurement model still has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the study of the iono- sphere. The availability of low-cost electronic components and modern GPS-based location services presents an opportunity to coordinate nationwide radio measurements that can be performed by hobbyists, students, educators and other citizen scientists. At present, EclipseMob is actively planning for the 2024 eclipse in the eastern United States. The EclipseMob kit will be redesigned for the 2024 eclipse, both to address the previous kit{\textquoteright}s issues and to accommodate recent changes in smartphone technology such as the elimination of the headphone jack on many newer phone models. EclipseMob also envisions a much larger data collection effort in 2024, so outreach, recruitment, and training efforts will need to be conducted on a much larger scale. This talk will discuss how we plan to address some of the logistical and outreach challenges faced by the new, expanded incarnation of EclipseMob.

}, author = {J. Ayala and K. C. Kerby-Patel and William Liles and H. McElderry and J. Nelson and L. Lukes} } @conference {315, title = {PSWS Science Requirements Panel Discussion (Panel)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Moderator: Ward Silver, N0AX

  1. Phil Erickson, W1PJE, MIT Haystack Observatory, Radio, Ionospheric, \& Magnetospheric Science
  2. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, NJIT, Radio, Ionospheric, \& Magnetospheric Science
  3. Hyomin Kim, KD2MCR, NJIT, Magnetospheric Physics
  4. Bill Liles, NQ6Z, VLF Science
  5. John Ackermann, N8UR, TAPR, Radio Engineering
  6. Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI, TAPR, Radio Engineering
  7. Tom McDermott, N5EG, TAPR, Radio Engineering
}, author = {John Ackermann and Scotty Cowling and Philip J. Erickson and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Hyomin Kim and William Liles and Thomas McDermott and Ward Silver} } @conference {308, title = {Red Pitaya SDR Recorder for Antarctica (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Melville, Robert and Stillinger, Andrew and Jeffer, Gil} } @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 {325, title = {Sounding the Ionosphere with Signals of Opportunity in the High-Frequency (HF) Band}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

The explosion of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) education- and consumer-grade hardware supporting software-defined radio (SDR) over the past two decades has revolutionized many aspects of radio science, bringing the cost and calibration of traditionally complex receiver hardware within the grasp of even advanced amateur experimenters. Transmission has now become the limiter of access in many cases, particularly through spectrum management and licensing considerations. Fortunately, several classes of signals endemic to the HF band lend themselves to processing for ionospheric characteristics: time and frequency standard broadcasters, surface-wave oceanographic radars, amateur radio transmissions, and ionospheric sounders.

This presentation is a tour of these signals of opportunity and techniques for collecting and processing them into ionospheric characteristics, with emphasis on distributed receivers collecting on a small number (four or fewer) of coherent channels. Receiving techniques will be discussed for near-vertical ({\textquotedblleft}quasi-vertical{\textquotedblright}) incidence skywave (NVIS or QVI), long-distance oblique soundings, and transionospheric sounding. Soundings will be demonstrated from space-based, ground-based, and maritime platforms.

Binary, Doppler, delay, cone angle of arrival, and polarization observations will be exploited, depending on the signal type and capability of the collector. Each of these techniques conveys different, but not always {\textquotedblleft}orthogonal,{\textquotedblright} information about the ionospheric skywave channel. The information content of each datum will be discussed with respect to the implications for inverting the local or regional ionosphere from the observations. More importantly than inverting the full ionosphere, some of these techniques are sensitive indicators of ionospheric irregularities, structures, and instabilities, that might otherwise be difficult to study due to limited geographic coverage with larger, more exquisite instrumentation.

}, author = {Ethan S. Miller and Gary S. Bust and Gareth W. Perry and Stephen R. Kaeppler and Juha Vierinen and Nathaniel A. Frissell and A. A. Knuth and Philip J. Erickson and Romina Nikoukar and Alexander T. Chartier and P. Santos and C. Brum and J. T. Fentzke and T. R. Hanley and Andrew J. Gerrard} } @conference {309, title = {Web-Based Scientific Visualizations of RBN/WSPR Data (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Evan Markowitz and Diego Sanchez and William D. Engelke} } @conference {296, title = {WWV Doppler Shift Observations}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {David Kazdan and Skylar Dannhoff and Aidan Montare and John Gibbons} } @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 {276, title = {High Frequency Communications Response to Solar Activity in September 2017 as Observed by Amateur Radio Networks}, booktitle = {Fall AGU}, year = {2018}, month = {12/2018}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington, DC}, abstract = {

Numerous solar flares and coronal mass ejection (CME) induced interplanetary shocks associated with solar active region AR12673 caused disturbances to terrestrial high frequency (HF, 3{\textendash}30 MHz) radio communications from 4-14 September 2017. Simultaneously, Hurricanes Irma and Jose caused significant damage to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Florida. The coincidental timing of both the space weather activity and hurricanes was unfortunate, as HF radio was needed for emergency communications. This paper presents the response of HF amateur radio propagation as observed by the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) to the space weather events of that period. Distributed data coverage from these dense sources provided a unique mix of global and regional coverage of ionospheric response and recovery that revealed several features of storm-time HF propagation dynamics. X-class flares on 6, 7, and 10 September caused acute radio blackouts during the day in the Caribbean with recovery times of tens of minutes to hours, based on the decay time of the flare. A severe geomagnetic storm withKpmax = 8 + and SYM - Hmin = - 146 nT occurring 7-10 September wiped out ionospheric communications first on 14 MHz and then on 7 MHz starting at\ 1200 UT 8 September. This storm, combined with affects from additional flare and geomagnetic activity, contributed to a significant suppression of effective HF propagation bands both globally and in the Caribbean for a period of 12 to 15 days.

}, keywords = {Amateur Radio, Geomagnetic Storm, Ham Radio, HF Radio Propagation, Radio Blackout, Solar Flare}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/419847}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Vega, Joshua S. and Markowitz, Evan and Gerrard, Andrew J. and Engelke, William D. and Erickson, Philip J. and Miller, Ethan S. and Luetzelschwab, R. Carl and Bortnik, Jacob} } @conference {236, title = {Initial Results of HamSCI Ham Radio 21 August 2017 Eclipse Ionospheric Experiments}, booktitle = {American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting}, year = {2018}, month = {01/2018}, publisher = {American Meteorological Society}, organization = {American Meteorological Society}, address = {Austin, TX}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://ams.confex.com/ams/98Annual/webprogram/Paper337094.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. R. Ackermann and D. Bern and F. Ceglia and G. D. Earle and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard and R. Gerzoff and P. Gladstone and S. W. Gunning and J. D. Huba and J. D. Katz and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and S. E. Reyer and S. W. Rose and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver and P. Smith and J. S. Vega and M. L. West and R. Williams} } @article {248, title = {Modeling Amateur Radio Soundings of the Ionospheric Response to the 2017 Great American Eclipse}, journal = {Geophysical Research Letters}, volume = {45}, year = {2018}, month = {05/2018}, type = {Research Letter}, 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 (SEQP) 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}.

}, issn = {1944-8007}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077324}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL077324}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and G. D. Earle and M. L. Moses and M. L. West and J. D. Huba and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and R. B. Gerzoff and W. Liles and H. W. Silver} } @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 {251, title = {A Virtuous Cycle: Hams and Scientists Helping Each Other}, volume = {74}, year = {2018}, month = {05/2018}, pages = {32-35}, issn = {0007-893X}, url = {http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/}, author = {Rich Moseson} } @conference {172, title = {Analysis of the August 2017 Eclipse{\textquoteright}s Effect on Radio Wave Propagation Employing a Raytrace Algorithm}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, abstract = {

The upcoming total solar eclipse over the continental United States on August 21 offers an unique opportunity to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the west-to-east motion of the eclipse terminator, the duration of the event, the solar zenith angle, and the continued visibility of the corona. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses, as measured by changes in radio frequency (RF) propagation. High Frequency (HF) propagation varies greatly depending on ionospheric conditions. Hence, our analysis will include data collected during the eclipse by several HF systems shown in Figure 1 including SuperDARN, temporary radio transceiver sites, and amateur radio networks such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network (WSPRNet). The data analysis will be guided by raytrace models of HF propagation through an eclipsed ionosphere employing the HF propagation toolbox, PHaRLAP (created by Dr. Manuel Cervera).

}, author = {M. L. Moses and S. Burujupali and K. Brosie and S. Dixit and G. D. Earle and L. Kordella and N. A. Frissell and C. Chitale} } @conference {219, title = {Anthropogenic Space Weather}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {P. J. Erickson and T. I. Gombosi and D. N. Baker and A. Balogh and J. D. Huba and L. J. Lanzerotti and J. C. Foster and J. M. Albert and J. F. Fennell and E. V. Mishin and M. J. Starks and A. N. Jaynes and X. Li and S. G. Kanekal and C. Kletzing} } @conference {223, title = {Collaborative Use of Solar Eclipses to Study the Ionosphere}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {W. C. Liles and C. N. Mitchell and K. C. Kerby-Patel and J. Nelson and L. Lukes} } @conference {235, title = {Effects of the 2017 Solar Eclipse on HF Radio Propagation and the D-Region Ionosphere: Citizen Science Investigation}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

August 21, 2017 provided a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of the total solar eclipse on high frequency (HF) radio propagation and ionospheric variability. In Marshall Space Flight Center{\textquoteright}s partnership with the US Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) and Austin Peay State University (APSU), we engaged students and citizen scientists in an investigation of the eclipse effects on the mid-latitude ionosphere. The Amateur Radio community has developed several automated receiving and reporting networks that draw from widely-distributed, automated and manual radio stations to build a near-real time, global picture of changing radio propagation conditions. We used these networks and employed HF radio propagation modeling in our investigation. A Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) collaboration with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ensured that many thousands of amateur radio operators would be {\textquotedblleft}on the air{\textquotedblright} communicating on eclipse day, promising an extremely large quantity of data would be collected. Activities included implementing and configuring software, monitoring the HF Amateur Radio frequency bands and collecting radio transmission data on days before, the day of, and days after the eclipse to build a continuous record of changing propagation conditions as the moon{\textquoteright}s shadow marched across the United States. Our expectations were the D-Region ionosphere would be most impacted by the eclipse, enabling over-the-horizon radio propagation on lower HF frequencies (3.5 and 7 MHz) that are typically closed during the middle of the day. Post-eclipse radio propagation analysis provided insights into ionospheric variability due to the eclipse. We report on results, interpretation, and conclusions of these investigations.

}, author = {C. D. Fry and L. Rawlins and L. H. Krause and R. M. Suggs and J. K. McTernan and M. L. Adams and D. L. Gallagher and S. Anderson and R. Allsbrooks IV} } @conference {176, title = {Fitting Ionospheric Models Using Real-Time HF Amateur Radio Observations}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {J. D. Katz and N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and R. B. Gerzoff and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and M. L. Moses and F. Ceglia and D. Pascoe and N. Sinanis and P. Smith and R. Williams and A. Shovkoplyas} } @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 {226, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {2017 Annual Meeting of the APS Mid-Atlantic Section}, year = {2017}, month = {11/2017}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, organization = {American Physical Society}, address = {Newark, NJ}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and M. L. West and G. D. Earle and M. L. Moses and H. W. Silver} } @conference {230, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega and A. J. Gerrard and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and M. L. West and P. J. Erickson and E. S. Miller and R. Gerzoff and H. Ward Silver} } @conference {207, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (Experiment Description)}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and A. J. Gerrard and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and E. S. Miller and J. D. Huba and M. Hirsch and H. W. Silver and S. E. Reyer and J. R. Ackermann and M. D. Suhar and D. Bern} } @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} } @conference {163, title = {Ionospheric Impacts of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Magalina Moses and Gregory Earle and Sushma Burujupalli and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Lee Kordella and Snehal Dixit and Charudatta Chitale and Xiayou Han} } @conference {173, title = {Ionospheric Simulations of the 2017 Solar Eclipse QSO Party}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2017}, month = {06/2017}, address = {Keystone, CO}, author = {N. A. Frissell and J. S. Vega and J. D. Katz and M. L. Moses and G. D. Earle and S. W. Gunning and A. J. Gerrard and E. S. Miller and M. L. West and F. Ceglia and D. Pascoe and N. Sinanis and P. Smith and R. Williams and A. Shovkoplyas and H. W. Silver} } @conference {165, title = {The Solar Eclipse QSO Party: Ionospheric Sounding Using Ham Radio QSOs}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2017}, address = {Xenia, OH}, abstract = {

The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse is expected to temporarily induce profound changes on ionospheric structure, dynamics, and radio propagation. The ARRL and HamSCI are sponsoring a Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) that will be used to generate to assist in imaging ionospheric changes before, during, and after the eclipse. Data will be collected through participant submitted logs and the use of automated tools such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), PSKReporter, and WSPRNet. SEQP rules and a prediction of results will be presented.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Joshua D. Katz and Andrew J. Gerrard and Magdalina Moses and Gregory D. Earle and Robert W. McGwier and Ethan S. Miller and Stephen Kaeppler and H. W. Silver} } @conference {158, title = {On the use of solar eclipses to study the ionosphere}, booktitle = {15th International Ionospheric Effects Symposium IES2017}, year = {2017}, month = {05/2017}, address = {Alexandria, VA}, abstract = {

Exploring the effects of solar eclipses on radio wave propagation has been an active area of research since the first experiments conducted in 1912. In the first few decades of ionospheric physics, researchers started to explore the natural laboratory of the upper atmosphere. Solar eclipses offered a rare opportunity to undertake an active experiment. The results stimulated much scientific discussion.
Early users of radio noticed that propagation was different during night and day. A solar eclipse provided the opportunity to study this day/night effect with much sharper boundaries than at sunrise and sunset, when gradual changes occur along with temperature changes in the atmosphere and variations in the sun angle.
Plots of amplitude time series were hypothesized to indicate the recombination rates and re- ionization rates of the ionosphere during and after the eclipse, though not all time-amplitude plots showed the same curve shapes. A few studies used multiple receivers paired with one transmitter for one eclipse, with a 5:1 ratio as the upper bound. In these cases, the signal amplitude plots generated for data received from the five receive sites for one transmitter varied greatly in shape.

}, author = {W. Liles and C. Mitchell and M. Cohen and G. Earle and N. Frissell and K. Kirby-Patel and L. Lukes and E. Miller and M. Moses and J. Nelson and J. Rockway} } @conference {144, title = {Characterizing the Ionosphere Using a Commercial Off the Shelf Software Defined Radio System}, booktitle = {Fall 2016 American Geophysical Union}, year = {2016}, month = {12/2016}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francsico}, abstract = {

On August 21, 2017, there will be a total solar eclipse over the continental United States (US). Solar eclipses offer a way to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the east-west motion of the eclipse terminator, the speed of the transition, and the continued visibility of the corona throughout the eclipse interval. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses including variations in the density and altitude of the F2 peak. In order to study these changes, we will establish four temporary field stations along the path of totality to track the maximum usable frequency (MUF) across the US over the course of the eclipse. Each field station shall consist of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) software defined radio (SDR) transceiver, a laptop computer running automatic link establishment (ALE) software, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for timing, and a COTS antenna. Custom ALE software will automate the sites{\textquoteright} operation during the experiment to determine the MUF. As a validation test prior to the eclipse, we established three sites along the east coast to confirm that the SDRs are capable of inferring ionospheric conditions. The preliminary results characterize the effects of the sunrise/sunset terminator on our system{\textquoteright}s measurements as well as the change in foF2 during different seasons and under different geomagnetic conditions.

}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2016_AGU_Moses.pdf}, author = {Magdalina L. Moses and S. Dixit and Gregory D. Earle and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Lee Kordella and Xiaoyu Han and Charudatta Chitale} } @conference {143, title = {HamSCI: The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, booktitle = {Fall 2016 American Geophysical Union}, year = {2016}, month = {12/2016}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco}, abstract = {

Amateur (or {\textquotedblleft}ham{\textquotedblright}) radio operators are individuals with a non-pecuniary interest in radio technology, engineering, communications, science, and public service. They are licensed by their national governments to transmit on\ amateur radio frequencies. In many jurisdictions, there is no age requirement for a ham radio license, and operators from diverse backgrounds participate. There are more than 740,000 hams in the US, and over 3 million (estimated)\ worldwide. Many amateur communications are conducted using transionospheric links and thus affected by space weather and ionospheric processes. Recent technological advances have enabled the development of\ automated ham radio observation networks (e.g. the Reverse Beacon Network,\ www.reversebeacon.net) and specialized operating modes for the study of weak-signal propagation. The data from these networks have been\ shown to be useful for the study of ionospheric processes. In order to connect professional researchers with the volunteer-based ham radio community, HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation,\ www.hamsci.org) has\ been established. HamSCI is a platform for publicizing and promoting projects that are consistent with the following objectives: (1) Advance scientific research and understanding through amateur radio activities. (2) Encourage\ the development of new technologies to support this research. (3) Provide educational opportunities for the amateur community and the general public. HamSCI researchers are working with the American Radio Relay League\ (ARRL,\ www.arrl.org) to publicize these objectives and recruit interested hams. The ARRL is the US national organization for amateur radio with a membership of over 170,000 and a monthly magazine, QST. HamSCI is\ currently preparing to support ionospheric research connected to the 21 Aug 2017 Total Solar Eclipse by expanding coverage of the Reverse Beacon Network and organizing a large-scale ham radio operating event ({\textquotedblleft}QSO\ Party{\textquotedblright}) to generate data during the eclipse.

}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/2016_AGU_Frissell_HamSCI.pdf}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Magdalina L. Moses and Gregory Earle and Robert W. McGwier and Ethan S. Miller and Steven R. Kaeppler and H. Ward Silver and Felipe Ceglia and David Pascoe and Nicholas Sinanis and Peter Smith and Richard Williams and Alex Shovkoplyas and Andrew J. Gerrard} } @conference {54, title = {Dayside Ionospheric Response to X-Class Solar Flare Events Observed with Reverse Beacon Network High Frequency Communication Links}, booktitle = {Virginia Tech REU Symposium - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {07/2015}, publisher = {Virginia Tech REU Program}, organization = {Virginia Tech REU Program}, address = {Blacksburg, VA}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/article/file/Csquibb_REU2015_Poster.pdf}, author = {Carson O. Squibb and Nathaniel A. Frissell and J. Michael Ruohoniemi and Joseph B. H. Baker and Robyn Fiori and Magdalina L. Moses} } @conference {51, title = {e-POP Radio Science Using Amateur Radio Transmissions}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

A major component of the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) mission is to utilize artificially generated radio emissions to study High Frequency (HF) radio wave propagation in the ionosphere. In the North American and European sectors, communications between amateur radio operators are a persistent and abundant source source of HF transmissions. We present the results of HF radio wave propagation experiments using amateur radio transmissions as an HF source for e-POP RRI. We detail how a distributed and autonomously operated amateur radio network can be leveraged to study HF radio wave propagation as well as the structuring and dynamics of the ionosphere over a large geographic region. In one case, the sudden disappearance of nearly two-dozen amateur radio HF sources located in the midwestern United States was used to detect a enhancement in foF2 in that same region. We compare our results to those from other more conventional radio instruments and models of the ionosphere to demonstrate the scientific merit of incorporating amateur radio networks for radio science at HF.

}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Gareth Perry and Ethan S. Miller and Alex Shovkoplyas and Magdalina Moses and H. James and Andrew Yau} } @conference {52, title = {Experiment Design to Assess Ionospheric Perturbations During the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Poster Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

On August 21, 2017, there will be a total solar eclipse over the United States traveling from Oregon to South Carolina. Solar eclipses offer a way to study the dependence of the ionospheric density and morphology on incident solar radiation. There are significant differences between the conditions during a solar eclipse and the conditions normally experienced at sunset and sunrise, including the east-west motion of the eclipse terminator, the speed of the transition, and the continued visibility of the corona throughout the eclipse interval. Taken together, these factors imply that unique ionospheric responses may be witnessed during eclipses. These include changes in the ionospheric electric fields, changes in the Total Electron Content (TEC) along paths through the eclipsed region, and variations in the density and altitude of the F2 peak. Several studies over the past century investigated these effects; however, some of the results from these studies are contradictory. These contradictions and the studies{\textquoteright} limited spatial resolution leave many fundamental questions unanswered. The advent of several mid-latitude Global Positioning System (GPS) and radar networks in the past few decades, such as the Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) system and the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar system, have enabled ionospheric observations with hitherto unprecedented spatial resolution. Also, the establishment of several nationwide amateur radio reporting systems, such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) that monitors radio wave propagation on the high frequency (HF) bands, offers the potential for evaluating changes in ionospheric conditions with unprecedented spatial resolution. We propose to study the effects of the total solar eclipse on the ionosphere using a combination of GPS receivers, the SuperDARN radar system, HF band amateur radio, and plasma modeling. The overall objectives of this study are to characterize the changes in F-region plasma morphology during the eclipse over a larger spatial domain than any previous eclipse experiment. In addition, the amateur radio component of our study offers a unique opportunity to further engage the amateur radio community nationwide in a scientific study.

}, author = {Magdalina Moses and Gregory Earle and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen Kaeppler} } @booklet {668, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (HamSCI Founding Document)}, year = {2015}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/hamsci-and-2017-total-solar-eclipse-hamsci-founding-document}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Magdalina L. Moses and Gregory D. Earle and Robert McGwier and H. Ward Silver} } @conference {53, title = {The Ionosphere{\textquoteright}s Pocket Litter: Exploiting Crowd-Sourced Observations}, booktitle = {Fall AGU - Oral Presentation}, year = {2015}, month = {12/2015}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {San Francisco, CA}, abstract = {

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

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

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

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