SPECIALIZED HF RADIO PRODUCTS FOR INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES, AND
AGENCIES
Q-up offers products derived from the Utah State University (USU) Space Weather Center (SWC) space weather data system. How these data are created is described below.
Emergency HF Communication for Disaster Recovery Support
Developed in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Q-up provides an example of our capability that focuses on which frequencies are available for use during disaster recovery efforts. The Japan NVIS and long-range HF propagation capability is shown here. Q-up can provide tailor-made HF availability maps for disaster prevention, planning, or recovery for local, regional, or national areas. Q-up serves public individuals, private sector commercial organizations, and government agencies.
Real-time Ham HF Frequency Availability
This HF Availability tool allows radio users to enter transmit (TX) latitude and longitude, receiver (RX) latitude and longitude, and desired frequency in MHz. Click the Submit button to determine the signal strength of the reflected radio wave along a great circle ray trace path. Coming soon will be an ability to insert antenna configurations.
Forecast Ham HF Frequency Availability
Similar capabilities as real-time but with forecast - coming soon.
How do we create our HF products maps?
First, the SWC uses the GAIM (Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements) system to produce a physics-based, data assimilation representation of the current global ionosphere. It is updated every 15 minutes with 10,000 global TEC measurements to produce the F region ionosphere. Next, the ABBYNormal model from Space Environment Corporation is separately run to produce the D-E region ionosphere. The two datasets are combined to accurately represent the effects of space weather (from solar flares and geomagnetic storms) upon the ionosphere. This real-time and forecast global ionosphere is used for ray-tracing and signal absorption calculations to propagate HF signal strengths. Both oblique and NVIS HF propagation maps are generated using the GAIM, ABBYNORMAL, and HF propagation models. The advantage of these SWC HF products is that alternate HF frequencies can easily be found for emergency uses, even during periods of very active space weather.
