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Frissell, N.A., Miller, E.S., Kaeppler, S.R., Ceglia, F., Pascoe, D., Sinanis, N., Smith, P., Williams, R. and Shovkoplyas, A. (2014) Ionospheric Sounding Using Real-Time Amateur Radio Reporting Networks. Space Weather, 12, 651-656.
https://doi.org/10.1002/2014SW001132

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Cost-Efficient Medium Frequency Propagation Research with Software Defined Radio

  AUTHORS: Casey M. Hess, Sohail Anwar

  KEYWORDS: Ionosphere, Space Weather, Airspy SDR, SDR Sharp, MATLAB Analysis

  JOURNAL NAME: World Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol.12 No.1, February 20, 2024

  ABSTRACT: Medium Frequency radio holds significance in modern society as it supports broadcasting and individual communications in the public, government, and military sectors. Enhancing the availability and quality of these communications is only possible by enhancing the understanding of medium frequency propagation. While traditional methods of radio wave propagation research can have a high material demand and cost, software defined radio presents itself as a versatile and low-cost platform for medium frequency signal reception and data acquisition. This paper details a research effort that utilizes software defined radio to help characterize medium frequency signal strength in relation to ionospheric and solar weather propagation determinants. Signal strength data from seven medium frequency stations of unique transmission locations and varying transmission powers were retrieved in 24-hour segments via a receiving loop antenna, Airspy HF+ Discovery software defined radio, and SDR Sharp software interface network. Retrieved data sets were visualized and analyzed in MATLAB for the identification of signal strength trends, which were subsequently compared to historical ionospheric and space weather indices in pursuit of a quantifiable correlation between such indices and medium frequency signal strengths. The results of the investigation prove that software defined radio, when used in conjunction with a receiving antenna and data analysis program, provides a versatile mechanism for cost-efficient propagation research.