Citizen Science Opportunity: Measuring TEC

[Gary Mikitin, AF8A]

"And now for something completely different"*

Hello PSWS Community - Much our work involves the lower RF spectrum (shortwaves down to VLF) but now there's an opportunity to contribute to space weather research using signals in the gigaHertz range:  Measuring Total Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere via reception of GPS signals.  

The key components?  GPS receiver+GPS antenna+Raspberry Pi.   After some local processing on the R Pi, the data will find its way to MIT Haystack's Madrigal Geospace Database, where it will be archived and made available to researchers for decades to come.

Initially, there is some equipment available gratis (thanks to John Ackermann, N8UR) and after that, it is not too costly to source and assemble your own components.  Complete details, including a sign-up form for the available units, can be found on the HamSCI website:  hamsci.org/TEC-Measurement

73 de Gary, AF8A

*Catchphrase from the 70's British comedy show, Monty Python's Flying Circus.  I'll bet I spent more time watching Monty Python on my local public broadcasting station (PBS) than I did on high school homework in the late 70's.  (PBS reception:  Analog UHF TV channels and rabbit ears antennas.)