Amateur Radio Astronomy

After a brief introduction on the theoretical and technical principles of radioastronomy, the author proposes to link the concepts of the discipline with the activity of amateur research. They will discuss some areas of work truly accessible to amateur experimenters, and the possible outcomes within the description of feasible projects, together with the analysis of the equipment and the necessary instruments to conduct a successful amateur observations (antennas, receivers, acquisition and automatic data logging). The observations range from receiving very low frequency (lower spectrum) of electromagnetic phenomena induced by the ionosphere and linked to local natural events (Schumann resonances, atmospheric electrical phenomena, electrical activity in the earth's crust, ...), to phenomena induced by astronomical events (activities meteoric and solar interference), to the description of receiving systems capable of monitoring the powerful and sporadic emissions that occur at wavelengths decametric of Jupiter and the Sun. Interesting is the construction of microwave radiometers that measure the thermal component of solar radiation or other important radio sources. Finally, some electronic modules are described, equipped with the necessary software, developed for amateur radio astronomy applications: using such devices any investigator will be able to approach the radio astronomy building instruments operating in various frequency bands, with different performance and cost. This material, available in kit form or as a complete instrument ready for use, it should contribute to the diffusion of this fascinating discipline and allow the creation of a network of amateur radio astronomy stations with characteristics comparable and repeatable.