Analysis and Comparison of Preliminary Measurements from a Low-Cost Scintillation Monitoring System in Peru

Ionospheric irregularities near the magnetic equator frequently disrupt radio links, producing scintillation that undermines navigation, communications, and space-weather nowcasting and forecasting systems. These disturbances arise when radio waves traverse small-scale electron-density structures in the upper atmosphere, causing rapid fluctuations in signal amplitude and phase. Such perturbations are especially severe in low-latitude regions, where complex electrodynamic processes generate frequent, intense scintillation, mainly during periods of high solar activity. While research has traditionally used scientific-grade instruments, there is growing interest in low-cost receivers to expand observational coverage in space and time. Deploying an extended network of instruments is highly beneficial for regions that are strongly affected by ionospheric irregularities associated with spread-F and scintillation. In this poster, we analyze and evaluate GNSS measurements from low-cost receivers combined with UHF satellite signals captured by software-defined radio (SDR) receivers to obtain the amplitude scintillation index S4. We present measurements from three Peruvian locations—Jicamarca Radio Observatory, Piura, and Jaén—spanning the central and northern regions of the country for an observational campaign from December 2025 to March 2026. Preliminary comparisons indicate strong agreement between S4 indices obtained with the low-cost receivers and those produced by commercial, scientific-grade, high-precision systems. These scintillation events were also examined alongside concurrent observations from the ionospheric Jicamarca radar and the LISN GNSS network. Moreover, the results show that affordable monitoring platforms can reliably supplement existing networks and enhance the characterization of ionospheric disturbances at low latitudes.