Forecasting characteristics of propagation of decameter radio waves using the global ionosphere and plasmasphere model

We present the results of forecasting maximum usable frequencies (MUF) on middle-latitude paths on the basis of complex algorithm including modules of the ionosphere and plasmasphere global model (IPGM) and the model of radio wave propagation. The computation of propagation characteristics for decameter radio waves is carried out within the framework of normal wave technique. IPGM developed in ISTP SB RAS enables to compute electron concentration profiles and effective frequency of collisions using minimum number of input data and taking into account physical processes in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. To estimate the efficiency of using IPGM in long-term forecast of radio wave propagation we computed MUF for radio communication in various heliogeophysical conditions. To obtain precision characteristics of MUF forecast we used experimental data of oblique sounding on Magadan-Irkutsk, Khabarovsk-Irkutsk, Norilsk-Irkutsk paths. The paths are equipped with modern ionosphere diagnostic hardware for oblique sounding by continuous chirp signal. We also compared results of MUF forecast using IPGM with computations carried out according IRI model.