@proceedings {958, title = {HamSCI as a Tool for Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Study}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, author = {Kornyanat Hozumi and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {934, title = {The HamSCI Book Club}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

\ We will discuss several radio-related works of English literature: \ Romeo \& Juliet\ romeo-and-juliet_PDF_FolgerShakespeare.pdf\ and Code Poems\ Weiner_Hannah_Code_Poems.pdf

}, author = {David Kazdan and Kristina Collins and Leah Davydov} } @proceedings {928, title = {HamSCI in OpenSpace: Toward Unified Visualizations of Geospace Data}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

As HamSCI efforts developing the PSWS network continue, we amass stations and data that can help fill in the gaps in our understanding of the geospace system. However, the counterintuitive scales of the geospace system present visualization challenges, and demand flexible and intuitive tools that can showcase data and simulations over a range of spatial and temporal scales with appropriate fidelity. OpenSpace is open-source interactive data visualization software designed to visualize the entire known universe and portray our ongoing efforts to investigate the cosmos. Designed for use in planetarium domes, it can also be deployed on desktop computers, and is well-supported by a vibrant open-source development community of over twenty years. In this talk, I{\textquoteright}ll demonstrate how OpenSpace can be used as a visualization platform for HamSCI work and related data. I{\textquoteright}ll also discuss the potential for VR integration and spatialized sonification and audification in OpenSpace.

}, author = {Kristina Collins} } @proceedings {978, title = {HamSCI{\textquoteright}s Meteor Scatter QSO Party 2025}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Meteor Scatter QSO Party 2025 is an on-the-air experiment designed to study meteor scatter propagation on HF bands below 30 MHz using the MSK144 mode in the digital communication software WSJT-X. The primary goal is to generate dense, geographically diverse datasets to analyze the feasibility of HF meteor scatter for future scientific research. The experiment will be conducted during the Perseids meteor shower in August 2025, with a secondary event planned for the Geminids meteor shower in December 2025.

}, author = {McKenzie Denton} } @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 {935, title = {High-Frequency Signal Strength Simulation at GRAPE Personal Space Weather Stations Using PHaRLAP Ray Tracing}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

High-frequency (HF) radio wave propagation serves as both a vital communication tool and a probe for ionospheric behavior. This work models and analyzes the reception of HF signals from the standard transmitting station WWV (Fort Collins, Colorado) to two well-calibrated Personal Space Weather Stations (PSWS): W2NAF (Scranton, Pennsylvania) and K6KPH (Point Reyes, California). These stations are equipped with Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment (GRAPE) receivers{\textemdash}GPS-disciplined systems designed to measure standard time signals with high precision. To simulate HF wave propagation, we use the Provision of High-Frequency Raytracing Laboratory for Propagation Studies (PHaRLAP), a MATLAB toolbox for ionospheric ray tracing. Utilizing the data-based International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) 2020 model, which supplies the ionospheric background conditions, we analyze HF propagation at 5, 10, and 15 MHz by launching a fan of rays at varying elevation angles to determine which rays successfully reach the receivers. In addition, we are extending our simulations using the Python-based SAMI3 ionospheric model. We also compute ionospheric HF absorption and compare the modeled values with the observed signal strengths recorded by the PSWS throughout the day, aiming for the predicted absorption to be within one order of magnitude of the observations. This work enhances our understanding of how ionospheric absorption affects HF signal strength across different times of day and seasons, thereby contributing to space science, space weather research, and amateur radio science.

}, author = {Gamal Zayed and Nathaniel Frissell and Kuldeep Pandey} } @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 {838, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 1 Closing Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {840, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 1 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {845, title = {HamSCI 2024 Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {882, title = {High Frequency Raytracing for Studying the Ionosphere and Radio Propagation (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

High Frequency (HF) raytracing is a tool to study the propagation of HF radio waves through the ionosphere. This presentation will cover the basics of raytracing, including typical inputs and outputs. We will review the different physics that may be included in the raytracer and how changes in the ionosphere may affect the radio wave propagation. A brief description of how to use a raytracer for common applications will be provided. The applicable frequency ranges and limitations of this technique will be also discussed.

}, author = {Katherine Zawdie} } @proceedings {869, title = {High Resolution WSPR Transmissions for Ionospheric Research}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, abstract = {

There are currently over 4000 HAM radio stations worldwide continuously transmitting and receiving beacon signals using the WSPR RF modulation format.\  WSPR is implemented in the open source WSJT-x application program authored by Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor and a large group of contributors. Recent software enhancements to WSJT-x and newly available low-cost transmit and receive hardware using GPS disciplined oscillators permit records of these transmissions (known as {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright}) to be used to study ionospheric events like Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances. Records of those 3 million+ receptions per day are publicly available to all researchers and citizen scientists in a SQL database which ensures access for all. In this presentation we give an introduction to WSPR, the publicly available databases where the {\textquoteleft}spots{\textquoteright} are stored.\  Also included are websites with text, map and graphical outputs which allow easy queries about {\textquoteright}spots{\textquoteright} and examples of low cost research quality transmitters and receivers which are in operation.

}, author = {Rob Robinett and Paul M. Elliott} } @proceedings {706, title = {The Ham Radio Project: Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (Invited Tutorial)}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) recently received funding from ARDC for a new 2-year project designed to teach young adults about the electromagnetic spectrum while sharing the excitement of amateur (ham) radio among BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students. The project goals are to: Introduce students to the Electromagnetic Spectrum and radio technologies; develop a scalable, shareable curriculum via SuperKnova; provide hands-on activities to deepen subject knowledge, and support student attainment of Technician and General Class Amateur Radio Licenses.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7775655}, author = {Jesse Alexander} } @proceedings {842, title = {HamSCI 2023 Day 1 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {844, title = {HamSCI 2023 Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {708, title = {HamSCI: Continuing a Long Tradition of Amateur Radio Citizen Science}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

In 1957, 1958 I was a high school student, and only an amateur radio operator for two years when I joined the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Propagation Research Project. This ARRL program was supported by the Air Force and collected information on Ionospheric VHF radio propagation from reports by radio amateurs.\  The program was part of the 1957, 1958 International Geophysical Year (IGY). This was a world wide program to study the Earth.\  It involved scientists from 67 countries and made many contributions to our knowledge of Earth. The ionosphere was one of the subjects or study. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), in cooperation with the US Air Force, set up a program to collect observation reports from radio amateurs of unusual propagation on frequency bands of 50 MHz and above. I was happy and proud to be one of these amateur stations. In reflection of the more that 60 years since, I am certain that this early experience in the ham science (HamSCI) of the 1950s was part of my decision to follow a carrier in science and engineering. A carrier that included the Apollo program at one end and the Space Shuttle program at the other. I want to point out that an early experience in science and technology as a young radio amateur can and did lead to successful and exciting carrier.

}, author = {Robert Reif} } @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 {716, title = {History of the Art of DXing and Contesting}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

Rich in the history of amateur or ham radio is the art of DXing and contesting. DXing is short for distance. A DXpedition is a trip to operate in a rare location or country. Contests involve hundreds to thousands of operators attempting to {\textquotedblleft}work{\textquotedblright} or contact as many operators of a defined criteria as possible. These DXer{\textquoteright}s and contesters are generally very skilled. These skills involve {\textquotedblleft}pulling out{\textquotedblright} a single call sign out of a cacophony of dozens to hundreds of call signs, being able to hear and understand very weak signals, and being able to receive and transmit information rapidly and accurately. These operators have simple to large, advanced antenna systems, and equipment ranging from analog and tubes to state-of-the-art software defined radios (SDRs). They are a valuable resource to gathering data, as for example in the eclipse of 2017 and looking forward, to the eclipses of 2023 and 2024. How this all started is an important and fascinating part of ham radio history. This presentation will, in a humorous and personal way, present four important pioneers and tell their story, with their impact and influence. We will cover from the early 1900{\textquoteright}s to the early 1960{\textquoteright}s.

}, author = {Ron Wilcox} } @proceedings {748, title = {How Do I Talk From Scranton to Pakistan Using​ High Frequency Amateur Radio?​}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This poster will demonstrate the possible ways to send propagation transmissions from The University of Scranton to Karachi, Pakistan. To do this, VOACAP will be used to map out possible paths and peak times for transmission and then WSRP.rocks will be used to compare the empirical VOACAP model outputs to observed data. A recommendation will then be made for the optimal time and frequency to communicate using high frequency (HF) radio between Scranton, PA and Karachi, Pakistan.

}, author = {Zainab Shah and Gwyn Griffiths and Rob Robinett and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {631, title = {Ham Radio and the Discovery of the Ionosphere (Keynote)}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Ham radio{\textquoteright}s involvement in the discovery of the ionosphere during the early 20th century constitutes a core part of the radio amateur community{\textquoteright}s collective memory. I will review this episode in a broader historical context. Why radio waves could propagate over long distances along the earth{\textquoteright}s curvature had been debated since the invention of wireless telegraphy in the late 1890s. By the 1910s, physicists{\textquoteright} consensus was that radio waves bounced back from an electrically conductive surface in the upper sky known as the "Kennelly-Heaviside layer." Meanwhile, electrical engineers{\textquoteright} empirical studies led to the so-called "Austin-Cohen formula" that predicted a decrease of propagating range with wavelength, implying that transoceanic or transcontinental wireless communication could only be achieved at wavelengths longer than 200 m. Despite these scientific convictions, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and its sister organizations in the UK and France in the 1920s embarked large-scale collective experiments for transatlantic wireless signal transmission at wavelengths shorter than 200 m. Their success challenged the Austin-Cohen formula. In addition, ARRL members collaborated with US naval researchers to experiment with medium-range radio-wave propagation. Their studies resulted in the identification of the skip zone{\textemdash}that radio signals disappeared at certain distances from a transmitter but emerged again at a further range. These findings from radio amateurs{\textquoteright} activities paved a crucial ground for the British and American scientists Edward Appleton, Miles Barnett, Gregory Breit, and Merle Tuve to perform radio experiments that provided direct evidence for the ionosphere{\textemdash}a more complex geophysical entity than the Kennelly-Heaviside layer. In this talk, I will examine the radio amateurs{\textquoteright} collective experiments in the discovery of the ionosphere. I will also discuss the implications of this form of collaboration to ham radio{\textquoteright}s later collective technical activities and engagements with "citizen science."

}, author = {Chen-Pang Yeang} } @proceedings {669, title = {HamSCI Plans for the Study of the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Impacts on Radio and the Ionosphere}, year = {2022}, publisher = {Dayton Amateur Radio Association}, address = {Xenia, OH}, url = {https://hamsci.org/publications/hamsci-plans-study-2023-and-2024-solar-eclipse-impacts-radio-and-ionosphere}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @proceedings {634, title = {Hardware Design of the Grape2 Data Collection Sequencing Engine}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

A review of the design process for the creation of the sequencing logic to drive the data acquisition system on the Grape 2 analog data collection engine.\  Design requirements and trade-offs between different design techniques will be discussed.\  The design process from requirements , flow chart and finally to hardware implementation will be reviewed.\  Final implementation will be demonstrated with the aid of a logic analyzer.

}, author = {John Gibbons} } @proceedings {646, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Veronica Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and William Liles and John Gibbons and Kristina V. Collins} } @article {549, title = {Ham Radio Creates a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network}, volume = {105}, year = {2021}, month = {08/2021}, pages = {55-58}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {https://www.arrl.org/qst}, author = {Kristina V. Collins and David Kazdan and Nathaniel Frissell} } @article {513, title = {Ham Radio Forms a Planet-Sized Space Weather Sensor Network}, journal = {Eos}, volume = {102}, year = {2021}, month = {Sep-02-2021}, doi = {10.1029/2021EO154389}, url = {https://eos.org/features/ham-radio-forms-a-planet-sized-space-weather-sensor-network}, author = {Collins, Kristina and Kazdan, David and Frissell, Nathaniel} } @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} } @proceedings {559, title = {HamSCI: Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {International Space Weather Action Team (ISWAT)}, address = {Virtual}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Sanchez, Diego and Perry, Gareth W. and Kaeppler, Stephen R. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Engelke, William D. and Thomas, Evan G. and Coster, Anthea J. and Erickson, Philip J. and Ruohoniemi, J. Michael and Baker, Joseph B. H. and Gerzoff, Robert} } @conference {544, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather: Architecture and Applications to Radio Astronomy}, booktitle = {Annual (Summer) Eastern Conference}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, organization = {Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA)}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://rasdr.org/store/books/books/journals/proceedings-of-annual-conference}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell and Scott H. Cowling and Thomas C. McDermott and John Ackermann and David Typinski and William D. Engelke and David R. Larsen and David G. McGaw and Hyomin Kim and David M. Witten, II and Julius M. Madey and Kristina V. Collins and John C. Gibbons and David Kazdan and Aidan Montare and Dev Raj Joshi and Veronica I. Romanek and Cuong D. Nguyen and Stephen A. Cerwin and William Liles and Jonathan D. Rizzo and Ethan S. Miller and Juha Vierinen and Philip J. Erickson and Mary Lou West} } @conference {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 {558, title = {HamSCI: The Ionosphere from Your Backyard}, year = {2021}, month = {07/2021}, publisher = {AMSAT-SA}, address = {South Africa (Virtual)}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {576, title = {HamSCI: Today{\textquoteright}s Community and Future Directions}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=1512}, author = {Frissell, Nathaniel A.} } @proceedings {562, title = {Hardware System Update: Data Engine, RF Module, Clock Module, Magnetometer}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/MHkz7jNynOg?t=2886}, author = {Cowling, Scott H.} } @conference {580, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in the WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting}, year = {2021}, month = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, organization = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {New Orleans, LA}, abstract = {

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

}, url = {https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/888443}, author = {Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Liles, William and Trop, Clair and Collins, Kristina and Perry, Gareth W.} } @conference {539, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, booktitle = {NSF CEDAR (Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions)}, year = {2021}, month = {06/2021}, publisher = {CEDAR}, organization = {CEDAR}, address = {Virtual}, abstract = {

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

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

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

}, url = {https://rasdr.org/store/books/books/journals/proceedings-of-annual-conference}, author = {Veronica I. Romanek and Nathaniel A. Frissell and Dev Raj Joshi and William Liles and Claire C. Trop and Kristina V. Collins and Gareth W. Perry} } @proceedings {578, title = {HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in the WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low-Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations}, year = {2021}, month = {09/2021}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://youtu.be/kVY3E3e--_I?t=3495}, author = {Romanek, Veronica I. and Frissell, Nathaniel A. and Joshi, Dev Raj and Liles, William and Trop, Claire and Collins, Kristina and Perry, Gareth W.} } @proceedings {488, title = {History of Antenna Technology at the Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo Puerto Rico}, year = {2021}, month = {03/2021}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA (Virtual)}, abstract = {

The Arecibo Observatory first opened in 1963 and has been a marvel in engineering ever since. It has been a monumental instrument for scientific research in the fields of astronomy, planetary radar, ionospheric probing and HF heating modification, and optical probing of the atmosphere. While the science and the discoveries are well known to many, the antenna technology and engineering are equally as impressive as the discoveries. The original concept, by Prof. William Gordon in the Electrical Engineering Department at Cornell University, was for a 1000 foot parabolic dish aiming only at zenith, with no tracking capability for studies of the ionosphere with the newly developed technique of incoherent scatter radar (ISR). Fortunately, knowledge of some on going research with spherical reflectors was suggested where the feed could be moved to slew the beam. The rest is history that will be the described in this talk up to the collapse. Most of the 430 MHz 96 foot line feed broke off and fell through the dish in 2017 during Hurricane Maria. Then in December 2020, the platform fell into the dish destroying large sections of the dish and the equipment in the platform.\ There is so much more to tell about the engineering at Arecibo that will be the subject of this presentation at HamSCI 2021.\ 

}, url = {https://hamsci2021-uscranton.ipostersessions.com/?s=C9-8F-A9-0F-A8-29-2C-C5-63-16-4B-2E-E7-47-F7-0A}, author = {James K. Breakall} } @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} } @proceedings {431, title = {HamSCI PSWS Overview and Status}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Frissell, N. A.} } @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 {364, title = {HamSCI {\textendash} The Ionosphere from your Backyard}, booktitle = {HamCation}, year = {2020}, month = {02/2020}, publisher = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, organization = {Orlando Amateur Radio Club}, address = {Orlando, FL}, author = {Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @article {357, title = {Hands-On-SDR: TangerineSDR}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, pages = {10-15}, abstract = {

The inspiration for TangerineSDR came from the HamSCI [8] group as a request for SDR hardware that could be used as a Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS). Their need resulted in the four-hour Sunday seminar at the TAPR Digital Communications Conference in Albuquerque, NM, on September 16, 2018. At TAPR, our first response was, {\textquotedblleft}Let{\textquoteright}s find a commercial SDR that we can incorporate into a PSWS kit{\textquotedblright}. Existing hardware would be our best bet for a quick solution. After some research and further consultation with the scientists at HamSCI, it became clear that there was no affordable (less than US $500) solution that met PSWS\ requirements. This article explains the TangerineSDR project and requirements.

Reprinted with permission; copyright ARRL.

}, issn = {0886-8093}, url = {http://www.arrl.org/qex/}, author = {Scotty Cowling} } @proceedings {432, title = {HF Propagation Measurement Techniques and Analyses}, year = {2020}, month = {09/2020}, publisher = {ARRL-TAPR}, address = {Virtual}, url = {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9p0FpZkxE4}, author = {Cerwin, S.} } @conference {303, title = {Ham Radio 2.0 - Science, Service, Skill (Keynote Address)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur radio sits at the junction of technology, volunteerism, and craft.\  Which of those doors by which you enter the world of ham radio - science, service, skill - colors your expectations and interests, often for life.\  Yet the technical and demographic changes sweeping through society have not overlooked amateur radio.\  The service faces many challenges to long-held traditions and assumptions.\  What tools can we provide to not just meet the challenges but prosper, keeping amateur radio vibrant and enjoyable in order to develop our skills and support our fellow citizens, fulfilling our Basis and Purpose along the way?\  Speaking from a technical background to a technical audience, we{\textquoteright}ll consider both our opportunities and obligations to amateur radio writ large while enjoying a chuckle or two, as well.

}, author = {H. Ward Silver} } @conference {304, title = {Ham Radio for Space Scientists (Invited Tutorial)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Due to inadvertent interference to commercial and military communications, Amateur Radio operators (hams) were forced to wavelengths of 200 meters and shorter by the Radio Act of 1912. This exile, along with a {\textquotedblleft}we{\textquoteright}ll show them{\textquotedblright} spirit, provided new opportunities for important discoveries and data taking by hams. Initially the sheer number of hams provided wide geographic data coverage. In recent years, data-taking systems have been developed by hams. With the focus of this Workshop being {\textquotedblleft}Ionospheric Effects and Sensing{\textquotedblright}, this presentation will review the contribution by hams to propagation science and their collaboration with the scientific community on propagation issues. Some of the topics covered will be trans-equatorial propagation, long-delayed echoes (LDEs), MINIMUF propagation predictions, fading tests with the Bureau of Standards, the ARRL-IGY propagation research project, the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) and data from DXpeditions.

}, author = {R. Carl Luetzelschwab} } @conference {302, title = {Hams: The First Makers}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Amateur radio operators were the first Makers. In the early days of radio, they constructed the first receivers in the form of crude crystal radio sets. As those receivers became more complex, they scoured the neighborhoods for parts that were cast aside or other broken electronics to make their own transmitters. They developed the first computers and attached them to transceivers, creating the digital modes we use today. Every Ham is part machinist, electronics technician, and computer scientist, driven by the magic that is radio. Today{\textquoteright}s Makers have many of the same traits as a Ham. They love to create technology and put it to use to benefit others. However, Makers require key resources and know-how to continue creating or making. Just as radio clubs bring together Hams to solve problems and share solutions, MakerSpaces provide the geographic location for Makers to gather. This gives them access to specialized equipment and allows them opportunities for group creativity and cooperation among like-minded tinkers. MakerSpaces, such as Think[box] at Case Western and The Point at Otterbein University, are centers with tools and equipment to enable Makers to complete projects and share ideas. This presentation will detail the various types of equipment typically found in a MakerSpace, how one can utilize a MakerSpace as a ham radio operator to fulfill learning and technological needs, and where to find MakerSpaces. We will go on to show how Ham radio can benefit from Makers, and how MakerSpaces can evolve through the inclusion of Hams.

}, author = {Frankie Bonte and Seamus Bonte} } @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} } @conference {287, title = {HamSCI Magnetometer Network for Space Weather Monitoring}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

Besides auroral observations, magnetic field measurements are one of the traditional ways of observing the space weather phenomena on the ground. To that end, magnetic sensors, {\textquotedblleft}magnetometer{\textquotedblright}, are typically used for space research. The instrument has a wide range of applications including metal detection, non-contact switch, non-destructive testing, oil/coal exploration, military as well as space research. Magnetometers on the ground provide critical information about how solar activities impact the earth{\textquoteright}s magnetic fields (magnetosphere) and ionosphere. In particular, geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) due to temporal changes in magnetic fields (dB/dt) are a very important issue in space weather. A densely-spaced magnetometer array, as proposed in the HamSCI space weather station project, will demonstrate their space weather monitoring capability in unprecedented spatial extent. Here, we propose and compare three types of inexpensive, simple, mid-grade magnetometers utilizing the anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR), magneto-inductive and fluxgate technologies. The proposed magnetometers will be designed to measure large- and medium-scale geomagnetic activities approximately from a few to hundreds of nT. Preliminary prototype test results and their design, fabrication, calibration and installation plans are presented.

}, author = {Hyomin Kim and Nathaniel A. Frissell} } @conference {274, title = {HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station: A New Tool for Citizen Science Geospace Research}, booktitle = {USNC{\textendash}URSI National Radio Science Meeting}, year = {2019}, month = {01/2019}, publisher = {U.S. National Committee for URSI}, organization = {U.S. National Committee for URSI}, address = {Boulder, CO}, 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. Notable examples include the improved understanding of traveling ionospheric disturbance (TID) sources based on observations from the high frequency (HF) Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars and GNSS-based total electron content remote sensing networks. While these existing networks provide excellent insight into TID science, the system remains undersampled (especially at HF) and more observations are needed to advance understanding. Additionally, previous measurements have revealed that characteristics of medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed on the bottomside ionosphere using oblique HF sounding by SuperDARN differ from integrated ionospheric measurements of MSTIDs made using GNSS-TEC. These differences have yet to be accounted for, and additional observations could aid in understanding the propagation of MSTIDs from the bottom to the top of the ionosphere. 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 comprising of volunteer amateur radio operators and engineers, to develop a network of Personal Space Weather Stations that will provide scientific-grade observations of signals-of-opportunity across the HF bands from volunteer citizen observers. These measurements will play a key role in the characterization of ionospheric variability across the geographic regions in which these stations are deployed. We will describe concepts, key software patterns for radio science, and proposed timelines for the Personal Space Weather Station project. A particular focus will be assembling the proper metadata for science grade observations, and strategies for lightweight calibration of radio sensors. Initial project efforts concentrate on a wideband receiving station and backing software data distribution system.

}, url = {https://nrsmboulder.org/}, author = {J. S. Vega and N. A. Frissell and P. J. Erickson and A. J. Gerrard} } @conference {318, title = {HF Spectrum Playback using Gnuradio (Demonstration)}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {John Ackermann} } @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} } @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 {314, title = {History of Case ARC and W8EDU}, booktitle = {HamSCI Workshop 2019}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, publisher = {HamSCI}, organization = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, author = {James Galm} } @conference {340, title = {How Real-Time Scoreboards Change Contesting}, booktitle = {Dayton Hamvention}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, publisher = {Ham Radio 2.0}, organization = {Ham Radio 2.0}, address = {Xenia, OH}, author = {Victor Androsov and Randy Thompson} } @conference {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 {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 {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 {213, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse}, booktitle = {HamSCI-UK}, year = {2017}, month = {10/2017}, publisher = {HamSCI-UK}, organization = {HamSCI-UK}, address = {Milton Keynes, UK}, author = {N. A. Frissell and W. Engelke and J. D. Katz and J. S. Vega} } @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 {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 {210, title = {HamSCI and the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse (First Results)}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {N. A. Frissell and W. Engelke and J. D. Katz and S. W. Gunning and J. S. Vega} } @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 {208, title = {The H.A.R.C. Database and Visualization Utilities}, booktitle = {ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, address = {St. Louis, MO}, abstract = {

HamSCI{\textquoteright}s goal is to construct a symbiotic relationship between the formal research community and the Amateur Radio community. To facilitate this transfer of knowledge HamSCI must pioneer technologies that allow scientists to easily obtain and understand Amateur Radio data. This task necessitates the creation of warehousing and visualization facilities that allow scientists to easily understand and make use of our data sets. We are currently testing a database and visualization toolkit designed to handle our existing 2 billion-record long QSO log. This data set represents a compiled version of data gathered by the Reverse Beacon Network, WSPRNet, and PSKReporter. Our goal is to build a robust, fast, and queryable front end to the massive, and currently underuti- lized, data sources created by Amateur Radio operators.

}, url = {https://www.tapr.org/pub_dcc.html}, author = {J. D. Katz and W. Engelke and N. A. Frissell} } @article {137, title = {HamSCI: Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation}, volume = {100}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, pages = {68-71}, issn = {0033-4812}, url = {http://hamsci.org/sites/default/files/publications/201608_QST_Silver_HamSCI.pdf}, author = {H. W. Silver} } @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} } @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} }