Amateur Radio: An Integral Tool for Atmospheric, Ionospheric, and Space Physics Research and Operations

Abstract

The large-scale observational capabilities of distributed instrumentation fielded by amateur radio operators and radio science enthusiasts offers tremendous opportunity for advancement in the fields of heliophysics, radio science, and space weather forecasting and operations. Well-established amateur radio networks such as the RBN, WSPRNet, and PSKReporter already provide a rich, ever-growing long-term dataset of bottomside ionospheric observations. Conversely, up-and-coming purpose-built citizen science networks, and the associated novel instruments, offer opportunities for citizen scientists, professional researchers, and industry to field instrument networks optimized to make measurements targeting specific science questions and operational needs. When these measurements are used in conjunction with existing networks of professional instrumentation, the potential for discovery becomes even greater.