Compact high frequency receiver system for Arecibo observatory radiation pattern measurement

Abstract

The Arecibo Observatory, second largest radio telescope in the world, has two High Frequency (HF) transmitters at 5.125 MHz and 8.175 MHz used to heat and study the ionosphere. This paper presents the methodology to measure the near-field radiation pattern of the HF transmitters and transform it to far-field. The work includes the design, development, and testing results of a receiver system that will eventually go into an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which will record the electric field measurements. Proof of concept testing resulted in a received signal with a 25 dB signal to noise ratio (SNR).