HamSCI Grape2 SDR Collecting data during Eclipse Event

[Brad Brooks]

Here’s a picture of the Grape2 Software-defined Radio (SDR) set up and collecting signal data and frequency stability info now and during the eclipse event on Monday. 

This is a project through HamSCI (https://hamsci.org — Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation). The consortium of universities and individuals collaborated over the course of several years to create instrumentation to make feasible individual space weather monitoring stations.

I’m pleased to have been selected to participate. This instrument is monitoring WWV frequencies at 5, 10, and 15MHz. It is frequency stabilized via GPS.

Signal strength and frequency accuracy measurements are taken at 8000 times a second. 

A Raspberry Pi collects the data in real time and reports back to a collection server at the HamSCI servers. Signal strength and frequency accuracy measurements are taken at 8000 times a second. 

During normal the normal 24hour solar cycle, skyward propagation on each of the WWV frequencies exhibit interesting properties during sunrise, daylight, dusk, nighttime. As with the last observable North American eclipse event, these properties were mapped in an accelerated fashion. Additional correlating data collection is intended for this Monday’s event. 

I have this unit connected to a 110ft long wire doublet up about 60ft above ground level (agl), and a Ublox GPS antenna at a south facing window (consistently seeing 16 GPS sats). 

I will be interested to view what happens to the rapid collapsing of the D-layer and its effects on 5MHz skywave propagation in comparison to the 10 and 15Mhz effects. WWV is the frequency standard for the US, and as such provides excellent accuracy on each of its broadcast frequencies. WWV is also our time-standard as well. I will be interested in what Doppler effects will be seen from my location with the rapid changes in D-layer and F1/F2 layers during the eclipse event as compared to the “normal” 24-hour solar cycle. 

More about the specific project here:  

https://hamsci.org/grape/

73 Brad WF7T 

Nashville TN 

Grid locator: EM66pe