Early stages of high-resolution ionospheric monitoring using the Vertical Incidence Pulsed Ionospheric Radar in the Philippines

Continuing the long tradition of operating ionosondes since 1952, the Manila Observatory (14.64 N, 121.07 E) currently operates the Vertical Incidence Pulsed Ionospheric Radar (VIPIR) system, a state-of-the-art ionosonde that transmits and receives signals at 1.8-25 MHz reflected at different layers of the ionosphere.The system is strategically located near the magnetic equator which enables the study of low latitude ionosphere at 1-minute resolution.Continuous observations restarted in November 2023 after operations halted in 2020 due to the pandemic.Some site-specific improvements were made to withstand the strong ambient radio noise, strong winds, and lightning at the site.Receiver antenna array improvement is underway to maximize the system's performance and capacity.