@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 {949, title = {Climatology of Large-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed with 14 MHz Amateur Radio Using a Novel Automated Detection Technique}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

We present a multi-year climatology of Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance (LSTID) period oscillations observed using 14 MHz amateur (ham) radio data. Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are quasi periodic electron density perturbations in the F region ionosphere that affect radio communications and can help with understanding energy transport throughout the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-neutral atmosphere system. These are seen, in daytime, as variations in contact ranges in 14 MHz amateur radio communication reports recorded by automated monitoring systems such as the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet), the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), and PSKReporter. A new deterministic and fully automated method was developed for identifying and quantifying these disturbances. This technique, which filters for TID wave periods between 1 and 5 hours and curve fits a sinusoidal function to the first hop skip-distance edge of observed communication ranges, provides both TID amplitudes and periods. In this study, we present full year climatologies of LSTID events over the continental United States (CONUS) using RBN, WSPRNet, and PSK observations from 2016- 2021. Results are organized as a function wave period, amplitude, and season. We find that LSTIDs increase in winter and decline during the fall and spring, with slight enhancements in the summer and occasional brief declines in LSTID winter activity. This seasonal pattern shows consistency with previous studies and observations of LSTIDs and medium scale TIDs that suggests this behavior may be associated with neutral wind filtering in the middle atmosphere, sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events, and multi-step vertical coupling (MSVC) processes. MSVC is a process where gravity waves (GWs) from the lower neutral atmosphere propagate upwards, break, and produce new, higher-order GWs in the thermosphere and TIDs in the ionosphere.

}, author = {Diego Sanchez and Nathaniel Frissell and Mary Lou West and V. Lynn Harvey and Sharon Vadas and Erich Becker and Gareth Perry and William Engelke and Nicholas Callahan and Philip Erickson} } @proceedings {971, title = {Development of a Contesting and DXing Dashboard for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Owen Ruzanski and Nathaniel Frissell and Ray Sokola and Bud Trench} } @proceedings {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 {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 {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 {936, title = {Ionospheric Variability{\textquoteright}s Impact on HF Propagation: Insights from Grape V1 Doppler Residuals and PHaRLAP Ray Tracing}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

This study investigates the impact of ionospheric variability on HF (3-30 MHz) skywave propagation, a critical aspect of long-range radio communication. Using a dedicated HamSCI Grape V1 low-IF receiver (K2MFF) at NJIT, we analyze long-term Doppler residual measurements of the 10 MHz WWV signal from Fort Collins, CO. Our observations reveal a strong correlation between stable daytime propagation and a Cauchy distribution of Doppler residuals, while sporadic nighttime conditions align more with a combination of exponential power and log-normal statistics. This pattern is consistent across our dataset, barring dates of atypical solar irradiance on the ionosphere, such as during high-class solar flares and solar eclipses. We compare these findings with PHaRLAP ray-tracing simulations using an IRI ionosphere model, allowing us to visualize the signal{\textquoteright}s ray path and pinpoint the ionospheric altitudes (100-400 km) responsible for observed features. Raytracing results attribute daytime signal stability to a superposition of multi-hop modes, while nighttime oscillations linked to TIDs are measurable due to 1-hop dominance. By examining diurnal variations in Doppler residuals, this work provides amateur radio operators with a better understanding of ionospheric dynamics and their impact on HF communication, ultimately contributing to improved prediction of propagation conditions and more effective use of the HF spectrum. Additionally, this work provides a foundation for interpreting real-time propagation data and understanding the effects of solar activity and ionospheric variations on signal quality and reliability for amateur radio communication.

}, author = {Sabastian Fernandes and Gareth Perry and Tiago Trigo and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons} } @proceedings {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 {925, title = {Software Development for the Grape Personal Space Weather Station v2}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The Grape 2 is a three-channel radio receiver and an integral component of the broader Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) project. The PSWS network is a distributed array of radio receivers designed to continuously monitor changes in the Earth{\textquoteright}s ionosphere. It achieves this by tracking frequency standard stations, such as WWV, WWVH, and CHU, on a 24/7 basis. The system includes software tools for control and monitoring. Each Grape station transmits daily data to a centralized, publicly accessible database hosted by the University of Alabama, where automated processing generates spectrograms. These visualizations provide researchers with rapid insights into ionospheric conditions and enable long-term studies of space weather phenomena.\ 

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons and Bill Blackwell and Bill Engelke} } @proceedings {930, title = {The Solar Eclipse Inverse Problem}, year = {2025}, month = {03/2025}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Newark, NJ}, abstract = {

The HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) is a distributed network that includes magnetometers and high frequency receivers. The Great Radio Amateur Propagation Experiment (GRAPE) is a collection of PSWS receivers that record Doppler shift from national time standard signals. The Grape project includes Grape 1 receivers recording Doppler and spectral data as well as the upgraded Grape 2 three channel receivers and the multi-channel WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) Grapes. The network collected data during the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses on frequencies ranging from 2.5 to 20 MHz. The recorded Doppler shift indicates a change in signal path caused when the signal passes through the ionospheric layers in the Earth{\textquoteright}s atmosphere. Due to the scale and variability of the ionosphere, these measurements are sparse and are not accompanied by a known forward model. The reconstruction of eclipse period ionospheric behavior can therefore be viewed as a mathematical inverse problem. We explore various mathematical techniques and algorithms that could be used to solve the inverse problem and model the real time ionospheric behavior.

}, author = {Rachel Boedicker and Nathaniel Frissell and John Gibbons and Kristina Collins and David Kazdan} } @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 {860, title = {Construction of a Table-Top Antenna Range for Learning Electromagnetics Concepts}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

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

}, author = {Augustine Brapoh and Matthew Dittmar and Aidan Szabo and Robert Troy and Nathaniel Frissell and Stephen A. Cerwin} } @proceedings {865, title = {Development of Back-End Software for the Grape 2}, year = {2024}, month = {03/2024}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Cleveland, OH}, abstract = {

This poster showcases several software tools developed to support the development and operation of the main Grape 2 system. G2console is a terminal-based interface that communicates with the data collection system, providing users with valuable information such as software versions, amplitude, frequency, GPS, and magnetometer metrics for viewing and diagnostics. GrapeSpectrogram is a data processing script that generates Dopplergrams, aiding developers in validating the system{\textquoteright}s operation. Additionally, we will discuss future project developments, such as integration with the Linux GPS background service (gpsd) to provide accurate timing to the Raspberry Pi, and DigitalRF as a more efficient method of data storage.

}, author = {Cuong Nguyen and William Blackwell and John Gibbons and Nathaniel Frissell} } @proceedings {691, title = {Climatology of Ionospheric Variability with MSTID Periods Observed Using Grape v1 HF Doppler Receivers}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Veronica Romanek and Nathaniel Frissell and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan and William Liles} } @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 {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 {694, title = {Measuring Daily Ionospheric Variability and the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts Using HamSCI HF Doppler Shift Receivers}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, abstract = {

This project will study ionospheric variability across the continental United States (CONUS) generated by dawn/dusk transitions and two solar eclipses occurring in 2023 and 2024. Dawn and dusk produce a complex response in observed ionospheric variability that is still not completely understood. A network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stabilized/synchronized high frequency (HF) receivers known as Grapes will be used for the study. Thirty Grape receivers will be deployed throughout North America to optimize the study of the ionospheric impacts simultaneously received from two locations. Additional stations will be funded by the HamSCI amateur radio community. This project will generate observations to answer the scientific questions: (1) How do dawn and dusk ionospheric variability vary with local time, season, latitude, longitude, frequency, distance, and direction from the transmitter? (2) Is eclipse ionospheric response symmetric with regard to the onset and recovery timing? (3) How similar is the eclipse to the daily dawn and dusk terminator passage? (4) Would multipath HF mode-splitting in the post-eclipse interval be similar to dawn events? (5) Would the response be different for two eclipses?

This project is part of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) program and will be open to volunteers who want to field instruments and contribute to scientific analysis and discussion. This project will also establish a new network of DASI instruments that, due to its low cost and operation by volunteers, has the potential to provide measurements for years to come. This project will support students (undergraduate, MS and Ph.D.).

}, author = {Rachel Boedicker and Nathaniel Frissell and Kristina Collins and John Gibbons and David Kazdan and Philip J. Erickson} } @proceedings {756, title = {A New Station for the W3USR University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club}, year = {2023}, month = {03/2023}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Scranton, PA}, author = {Tom Pisano and Nathaniel Frissell and Jeff DePolo and The W3USR University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club} } @proceedings {648, title = {Introducing Undergraduates to Research Through Solar Flares, Python, and Amateur Radio}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {
In an effort to introduce research and scientific writing earlier to physics and engineering undergraduate students, we designed a Space Physics Project in Fall of 2021 to add to Foundations of Physics and Engineering at the University of Scranton. To complete the project, students worked with data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) spacecraft, as well as amateur (ham) radio data collected by Reverse Beacon Network (RBN, reversebeacon.net) and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporting Network (WSPRNet, wsprnet.org).
}, author = {Rachel (Umbel) Frissell and Nathaniel Frissell and Nicholas Truncale} } @proceedings {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 {641, title = {Ray Tracing in Python Utilizing the PHaRLAP Engine}, year = {2022}, month = {03/2022}, publisher = {HamSCI}, address = {Huntsville, AL}, abstract = {

Provision of High-Frequency Raytracing Laboratory for Propagation (PHaRLAP) is an ionospheric ray tracing library developed by the Australian Department of Defence (DOD). PHaRLAP is freely available as a MATLAB toolbox downloadable from an Australian DOD website. PHaRLAP is capable of numerically ray tracing radio propagation paths using 2D and 3D algorithms through model ionospheres, most typically the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). In an effort to make PHaRLAP available to a wider user community we are porting the PHaRLAP MATLAB toolbox to the open source Python 3 language while retaining the original core PHaRLAP computational engine. In this presentation, we describe the architecture of the new Python 3 PHaRLAP interface and demonstrate examples of 2D ray traces using the new interface.

}, author = {Alexander Calderon and William Liles and Nathaniel Frissell and Joshua Vega} } @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} } @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} } @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} }