Simulation of climatological maps of F2-layer basic maximum usable frequency and corresponding skip distance over the European region

• Simulation of MUF and corresponding skip distance maps over Europe. • MUF and corresponding skip distance maps over Europe based on the R 12 index. • Dedicated website for displaying MUF and corresponding skip distance maps. This paper presents a procedure to simulate climatological maps of the F2-layer basic Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and corresponding skip distance predicted for the current month and the next two months over the European area, extending in longitude from 9°W to 45°E and in latitude from 34°N to 65°N, with a 1° × 1° spatial resolution. The maps are centred on six different transmitting points: Rome (12.5°E, 41.9°N), Athens (23.7°E, 37.9°N), Paris (2.3°E, 48.8°N), Pruhonice (14.6°E, 50.0°N), Warsaw (21.1°E, 52.2°N), and Stockholm (18.1°E, 59.3°N). The procedure is based on the calculation of a discrete grid of MUF values through the Lockwood algorithm fed by ionospheric parameters provided by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model. Specifically, IRI provides monthly median hourly values of the ordinary critical frequency of the E and F2 layers ( fo E and fo F2, respectively), and the obliquity factor ( M (3000)F2). The calculated MUF values are then elaborated by a mapping procedure, finally providing simulated MUF and corresponding skip distance long-term prediction maps with one-hour time resolution. These maps offer a climatological picture of the radio propagation conditions in the High Frequency (HF) band over the European sector and represent a helpful tool that can be used by HF broadcaster, civil aviation, civil protection, defence, and surveillance systems, to plan and manage HF radio communications under quiet ionospheric conditions.