SA014-0008
HamSCI: Ionospheric Climatology Over a Complete Solar Cycle Observed Using Amateur Radio Contact Data

Thursday, 10 December 2020
Poster
Nathaniel A Frissell, The University of Scranton, Physics and Engineering, Scranton, PA, United States, Veronica I Romanek, The University of Scranton, Physics and Engineering, Scranton, United States, Ethan Miller, Systems and Technology Research, Dayton, United States, Phillip Erickson, MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, United States, William Engelke, University of Alabama, Center for Advanced Public Safety, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States, Roland Carl Luetzelschwab, Raytheon, Fort Wayne, IN, United States and Robert Gerzoff, HamSCI, Newark, NJ, United States
Abstract:
Since mid-2008, automated radio monitoring networks such as the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet) have been observing and logging global amateur radio high frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) communications. These networks are built and operated by amateur radio operators for amateur radio purposes, but the data are also useful for the study of ionospheric space weather and ionospheric science. Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) members will present global observations of over 1.9 billion radio reports on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur radio bands. The observations span an 11-year period from 2009-2020. We find a correlation between HF propagation path characteristics and the solar EUV output through the F10.7 index, along with solar cycle effects, seasonal effects, and sporadic E signatures. We will also discuss impacts of operator behavior and sampling effects caused by the distribution of amateur radio transmitting and receiving stations.
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