{"id":48287,"date":"2021-03-28T09:23:52","date_gmt":"2021-03-28T13:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=48287"},"modified":"2021-03-28T09:23:52","modified_gmt":"2021-03-28T13:23:52","slug":"hf-start-web-tool-a-new-web-based-real-time-shortwave-radio-propagation-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/hf-start-web-tool-a-new-web-based-real-time-shortwave-radio-propagation-application\/","title":{"rendered":"HF-START Web Tool: A new web-based, real-time shortwave radio propagation application"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Tracy Wood, who shares the following journal abstract from EurekaAlert.com<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Commencement of shortwave propagation simulator (HF-START) service<\/h1>\n

Demonstrating radio wave propagation paths between any two points based on real-time space weather information<\/strong><\/p>\n

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (NICT)<\/p>\n

[Abstract]<\/p>\n

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, President: TOKUDA Hideyuki, Ph.D.), in collaboration with Electronic Navigation Research Institute, National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology (ENRI, Director General: FUKUDA Yutaka) and Chiba University (President: TOKUHISA Takeshi), has started the service of shortwave propagation simulator (HF-START). It provides real-time shortwave propagation that reflects real space weather information from ground-based observations and model calculations. The HF-START web system has been successfully developed and is now available at https:\/\/hfstart.nict.go.jp\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The web calculation function of this system allows shortwave propagation between any two points in Japan based on real-time GNSS observations and between any two points on the Earth based on model-based space weather information. Real-time estimation is possible. The calculation in the past and up to about 1 day ahead in the future is also possible. In addition to amateur radio, HF-START is expected to benefit efficient frequency operation of aviation communications that relies on shortwave in the polar route.<\/p>\n

[Background]<\/p>\n

Communication and positioning technologies play an important role in social infrastructure in various fields today. The ionosphere has regular temporal cycles and fluctuates greatly every day associated with solar activity and space environment. Of benefit to us is the fact that ionosphere is good at refracting shortwave, which is why we can hop shortwave signals off the ionosphere to communicate with people over large distances.<\/p>\n

Shortwave band has been used for communication and broadcasting for a long time, and are still widely used in radio broadcasting, aviation communication, amateur radio, etc. Ionospheric variation, however, has a great influence on the propagation of radio waves. Communication environment such as the communication range and usable frequency changes significantly due to the influence of the ionospheric fluctuation. Thus, fluctuations in the ionosphere affect the operation of shortwave broadcasting, aviation communications, and amateur radio.<\/p>\n

There have been websites that provide estimated information on how radio wave propagation changes due to such ionospheric fluctuations. The problem is that it is based on a simple model and does not reflect realistic ionospheric fluctuations.<\/p>\n

[Achievements]<\/p>\n

We have developed a shortwave propagation simulator HF-START that estimates and provides shortwave propagation information in real-time under realistic ionospheric fluctuations based on ground-based observations and model calculations. We open real-time information estimated by HF-START, and the web application at https:\/\/hfstart.nict.go.jp\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Figure 1 shows an example of visualization of shortwave propagation by HF-START. In this system, the user can check the radio wave propagation information that is updated in real-time. As shown in Figure 2, the user can also use the web application to estimate and visualize radio wave propagation by specifying any frequency in the range of 3-30 MHz, any two points on the Earth, and any transmission angle. The date and time can be set retroactively to the past (after 2016), to the real-time, and in the future (up to about 1 day ahead).<\/p>\n

The system can be used to visualize the radio propagation path and clarify whether it is affected by space weather when the shortwave you are using does not reach the destination, or when you can listen shortwave broadcasted from the far source that normally you cannot hear. Furthermore, in addition to amateur radio, it is expected to benefit efficient frequency operation of the aircrafts that use shortwave in polar route.<\/p>\n

[Future Prospects]<\/p>\n

We are conducting research and development to extend the HF-START to estimate radio wave propagation not only in the shortwave band but also in other frequency bands. In addition, we will evaluate the simulator accuracy and improve it by comparing it with radio wave propagation observations.<\/p>\n

NICT has been providing information related to communications, satellite positioning, and radiation exposure since November 2019 as a member of the Global Space Weather Center of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). With the HF-START service, we expect to improve the information provided to directly relate to communications, such as communication range information.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As the abstract mentions, you can use the tool online now via the HF-Start Web Tool<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Thanks so much for the tip, Tracy. This is fascinating!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood, who shares the following journal abstract from EurekaAlert.com: Commencement of shortwave propagation simulator (HF-START) service Demonstrating radio wave propagation paths between any two points based on real-time space weather information NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (NICT) [Abstract] The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3607,545,3,43],"tags":[9215,9213,9211,9212,9214,412,9216,7394],"class_list":["post-48287","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antennas","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-chiba-university","tag-electronic-navigation-research-institute","tag-hf-start-web-tool","tag-national-institute-of-information-and-communications-technology","tag-national-institute-of-maritime-port-and-aviation-technology","tag-propagation","tag-propagation-tools","tag-tracy-wood-k7uo"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-cyP","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45507,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/hf-renaissance-militaries-reinvests-in-shortwave-communications\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":0},"title":"An HF “Renaissance”: Militaries reinvests in shortwave communications","author":"Thomas","date":"September 24, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Michael Guerin and Dennis Dura who share the following story from C4ISR.net (my comments follow excerpt): LONDON \u2014 Special operations commands across Europe are ramping up their capabilities with high-frequency communications to ensure connectivity on the battlefield. Leaders there are turning to high frequency\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/rf-300h-wideband-hf-manpack-radio-e1600956131162.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/rf-300h-wideband-hf-manpack-radio-e1600956131162.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/rf-300h-wideband-hf-manpack-radio-e1600956131162.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/rf-300h-wideband-hf-manpack-radio-e1600956131162.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/rf-300h-wideband-hf-manpack-radio-e1600956131162.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35538,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/m-i-t-radio-society-public-lectures-covering-all-aspects-of-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":1},"title":"M.I.T. Radio Society: Public lectures covering all aspects of radio","author":"Thomas","date":"January 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jennifer Waits, who notes that The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Radio Society (W1MX) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) are presenting a series of radio-related lectures covering a wide array of topics, \"from the design of modern wireless communications systems\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/MIT-QSL.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":38457,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/arrl-reports-california-earthquakes-disrupted-west-coast-hf-propagation\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":2},"title":"ARRL reports California earthquakes disrupted west coast HF propagation","author":"Thomas","date":"July 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) The ARRL reports earthquakes in California disrupted HF propagation on the west coast British Columbia radio amateur\u00a0Alex Schwarz, VE7DXW, said that an Independence Day magnitude 6.4 earthquake in California\u2019s Mojave Desert and multiple aftershocks negatively affected HF propagation on the US west coast. Schwarz, who maintains the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Spectrum-Waterfall-SDR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Spectrum-Waterfall-SDR.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Spectrum-Waterfall-SDR.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39021,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/airspy-hf-vs-hf-discovery-ivans-blind-daytime-propagation-comparison\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":3},"title":"AirSpy HF+ vs. HF+ Discovery: Ivan’s blind daytime propagation comparison","author":"Thomas","date":"August 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan NO2CW, who shares the following: I did this video where I compared the two Airspy editions [HF+ and the new HF+ Discovery] only calling them Receiver 1 and Receiver 2: https:\/\/youtu.be\/VV4nOWkxACU Click here to view on YouTube. Using the same W6LVP loop. 3\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/SDRs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/SDRs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/SDRs.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56588,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/20th-edition-of-the-global-radio-guide-summer-2023-now-available\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":4},"title":"20th Edition of the Global Radio Guide (Summer 2023) Now Available","author":"Thomas","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, Gayle Van Horn (W4GVH), who shares the following announcement: 20th Edition of the Global Radio Guide (Summer 2023) Now Available While the world looks on in awe at dazzling displays of aurora, reaching ever closer to our planet\u2019s equator, radio hobbyists are equally excited at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Cover-640x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":56235,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/military-reliance-on-hf-on-the-rise\/","url_meta":{"origin":48287,"position":5},"title":"Military Reliance on HF on the Rise?","author":"Robert Gulley","date":"April 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I am sharing an email I received from Jeorg at Klingenfuss.org regarding increased solar propagation and the threat to satellite and wired communications in times of war. For those who may not know, Klingenfuss aggregates utility, shortwave, military and other HF frequency lists in book and CD form. I received\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Icom-IC-R9500-2-1024x508.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Icom-IC-R9500-2-1024x508.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Icom-IC-R9500-2-1024x508.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48287","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48287"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48287\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}