[HCDX]: HAARP Tests

[mollyg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Some of you list members might be interested in this.


<< From The ARRL Letter, Vol 18, No 10 >>

HAARP TO CONDUCT LISTENING, AMATEUR TESTS

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in
Alaska, will conduct a second HAARP Listening Test in late March.
HAARP also will conduct an Amateur Radio experiment earlier in the
month.

HAARP will transmit March 26 0800-0830 UTC and March 27 0700-0730 UTC,
seeking reports from hams and SWLs in Alaska and in the "Lower 48."
The HAARP facility rarely transmits, but its previous listening test
in March 1997 was so successful that it has decided to conduct another
one.

The listening test transmissions will be on or about 3.4 MHz and 6.99
MHz. HAARP will send a CW message and request signal strength reports.
HAARP's Ed Kennedy, K3NS, points out that the test times are early
ones for those on the East Coast, but he says they represent the best
chance for listeners in that part of the world to hear HAARP. "They
lost out last time due to poor propagation conditions," he said.

The 1999 listening test will begin on the hour on 6.99 MHz with an ID,
followed by three four-minute periods of carrier only for
signal-strength measurements, then a CW message. A somewhat shorter
test will begin at 20 minutes past the hour on 3.39 MHz, with an ID,
followed by one four-minute minutes past the hour on 3.39 MHz, with an
ID, followed by one four-minute carrier and a CW message. QSLs will be
available only for reports mailed to HAARP, PO Box 271, Gakona, AK
99586

HAARP also will conduct what Kennedy calls "a true Amateur Radio
experiment" in conjunction with the March research effort. The ham
experiment, March 20, 2200-2400 UTC, is being organized by Ed Cole,
AL7EB, with cooperation from several participants in Alaska and
Canada. As Kennedy explains it, "HAARP will attempt to generate
field-aligned irregularities in the F-region over the HAARP facility,
and the participants will attempt to establish communication links by
scattering VHF signals off the FAI."

Each HAARP transmitter can produce 10 kW of RF output between 2.8 and
10 MHz. For the listening test, HAARP will use all 48 available
antenna elements but run transmitters at half power, around 480 kW.
During the Amateur Radio test on March 20, HAARP will run full
power--960 kW.

HAARP's stated scientific purpose is to study "the properties and
behavior of the ionosphere, with particular emphasis on being able to
understand and use it to enhance communications and surveillance
systems for both civilian and defense purposes." For more information,
see "The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program" (QST, Sep
1996, p 33) or visit the HAARP Web site,
http://w3.nrl.navy.mil/haarp.html

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