April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse QSO Party First Results

The April 8, 2024 HamSCI Total Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) first results are in! Over 52.7 million radio communications were observed over the continental United States using the PSKReporter, WSPRNet, and Reverse Beacon Network networks. Eclipse effects were observed between 18 to 21 UTC, particularly on the 1.8, 3.5, and 7 MHz bands. These bands all showed enhancement in propagation resulting from the eclipse, suggestive of a reduction in D region absorption. The 14, 21, and 28 MHz bands also showed hints of eclipse impacts. A reduction in communications observed at near-ranges during the eclipse likely results from a reduction in ionospheric electron densities during this time. More analysis to be done in the future!

Special thanks to all the team members and volunteers who made this possible! This work was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and NASA.