Characterization of high latitude radio wave propagation over Canada

High frequency (HF) radio wave propagation is sensitive to ionospheric disturbances caused by space weather. Changes in propagation conditions can be directly measured with an HF transmitter/receiver link. This paper presents data from one such link, consisting of a transmitter located in Ottawa, ON, Canada, and a directional receiver located in Alert, NU, Canada. The transmitter emits signals at 6 distinct frequencies between 5.4 and 14.4 MHz on a set schedule that are detected and processed by the receiver. Based on 644 days of archived data, a statistical analysis characterizing HF radio wave propagation conditions over the course of the day and over the year are presented. HF propagation is found to follow the regular diurnal variation in ionospheric density, modulated by seasonal trends. A new method for distinguishing space weather effects from diurnal changes to HF propagation is presented, which utilizes quiet day baselines, similar to riometer quiet day curves. This method allows for easy analysis of the impacts of space weather on HF radio propagation between two points. This method is applied to an auroral absorption event that occurred on 06 June 2016, and is used to successfully distinguish auroral absorption related dropouts from dropouts related to daily ionospheric variation.