E.M. Warrington

Observations of the reduction in the available HF band on four high latitude paths during periods of geomagnetic disturbance

Abstract Four high frequency propagation paths were provided by a transmitter located within the polar cap and four receivers located variously within the polar cap and at sub-auroral latitudes. Of these paths, one was contained entirely within the polar cap at all times, two were trans-auroral at all times, and one varied from trans-auroral during the day to polar cap during the night. Fourteen frequencies within the HF band were transmitted each hour for the duration of two 24 day experimental campaigns during the summer of 1988 and the winter of 1989. The received signals were analysed to determine signal recognition and signal strength. The mean quiet-time behaviour of the propagation was determined and compared with four periods during which the ionosphere was perturbed by (relatively mild) geomagnetic storm conditions. The daily occurrence of correctly recognised signals decreased during the disturbed periods, both on polar cap and trans-auroral paths. Several geophysical causes for this decrease are identified, including a decrease in F-region electron density, decreasing the MOF, as a consequence of negative storm effects and an extended mid latitude trough. On polar cap paths, an increase in the LOF caused by mild PCA events also decreased the available HF band. Storm-time auroral-E makes propagation possible on frequencies higher than expected during the night on trans-auroral paths, mitigating to some extent the degradation in propagation. The storm-time decrease in the available HF band is quantified, falling to 0.3–0.5 of undisturbed levels even during relatively small geomagnetic storms. During the two experimental campaigns, 50% of days are identified as being storm-disturbed.

Enhanced MUF propagation of HF radio waves in the auroral zone

Abstract Four high frequency propagation paths were monitored from a transmitter located within the polar cap by four receivers located variously within the polar cap and at sub-auroral latitudes. Of these paths, one was contained entirely within the polar cap at all times, two were trans-auroral at all times, and one varied from trans-auroral during the day to polar cap during the night. Fourteen frequencies within the HF band were transmitted each hour for the duration of two 24 day experimental campaigns during the summer of 1988 and the winter of 1989. From an analysis of the received signals the confidence of signal recognition and signal strength were determined. During geomagnetically undisturbed periods the propagation behaviour resembled that of mid-latitude paths. During geomagnetically disturbed times, however, night-time propagation occurred on frequencies up to and sometimes over 10 MHz above the undisturbed night-time MUF, for periods of 2 to 6 h. These features appeared on the trans-auroral paths only and were attributed to E region (and occasionally F region) enhancement by auroral precipitation. APEs (auroral E propagation events) occurred on over 50% of nights. The occurrence of APEs also coincided with ionospheric storm periods when the HF band available for propagation was otherwise significantly narrowed due to a depletion of the F region electron density.

Propagation of HF radiowaves on high-latitude radio paths during the magnetically disturbed period of October 24–28, 2003

The behavior of the HF signal parameters during magnetic storms and substorms has bee experimentally studied simultaneously on the Kiruna-Kirkenes auroral path, Kiruna-Longyearbyen polar path, and Murmansk-St. Petersburg subauroral path. The first two paths are equipped with the instruments making it possible to measure the values of the signal-to-noise ratio, Doppler frequency shift, and elevation angle. The method of oblique sounding of the ionosphere (OSI) was used on the Murmansk-St. Petersburg path. Two substantial substorms, a moderate storm, and an intense storm occurred during the studied period. Some new regularities have been revealed. On the Kiruna-Kirkenes and Kiruna-Longyearbyen paths, the signalto-noise ratio increased (due to the transition from the F2 signal reflections to the Es reflections), the elevation angle increased (due to an increase in the ionospheric F2 layer height and a decrease in the critical frequency), and the Doppler shift increased (due to the variations in ionization and the appearance of ionospheric irregularities during a substorm) when the signal was reflected from the F2 layer close to the moment of the substorm or storm beginning T0. It is possible to control the so-called “main effect” in the ionosphere on the Murmansk-St. Petersburg path.