UKRAA
About us
Origins
The UK Radio Astronomy Association was established in 2008 as a registered charity (registration no 1123866) in the United Kingdom. UKRAA’s objectives are to promote the science of radio astronomy and all branches of radio astronomical research. Prior to UKRAA’s formation, British Astronomical Association’s Radio Astronomy Group (RAG) members had designed and built working protypes of a VLF Receiver and Magnetometer. UKRAA was set up to handle the manufacture and sale of these products and the production of technical manuals covering the use of the products and the background science.
Not for profit
UKRAA is a not for profit business. Any surplus income funds the development of new products and our outreach activities. To keep our prices low UKRAA relies on the volunteers and Trustees giving their time.
Activities
Our primary activity is to supply equipment to amateur astronomers and other interested researchers. The design of new products and the manufacture of equipment for sale is all carried out by volunteers. To promote radio astronomy to amateur astronomers we give talks to local Astronomical Societies and amateur radio clubs and have provided support to schools and university departments on educational projects.
THE DETECTOR
Detecting magnetic field variations from the comfort of your own armchair
UKRAA is pleased to announce that the first batch of our new MKII magnetometer magnetic field detectors will soon be available for sale on our website.
We will be introducing the finished device at AstroFest 2026, held at the Kensington Conference Centre, on 6th and 7th February 2025.
This will be fully tested and provided with the operating software loaded.
As supplied, the magnetometer will detect changes in local magnetic field in XYZ co-ordinate system (N/S, E/W and U/D).
The new detector uses three fluxgate sensors orientated in N/S, E/W and U/D.
All data are output as a CSV file on a micro-SD card or to serial via USB connected to a PC
Full software is available to record, process and plot data and display on your local intranet using a Raspberry Pi4/5
UKRAA MkII Magnetometer
MY DAILY XYZ RESULTS
This data is from my Magnetometer detector
No accuracy is claimed for any published data
X magnetic field variation for last day
Y magnetic field variation for last day
Z magnetic field variation for last day
MY DAILY HDZ RESULTS
This data is from my Magnetometer detector
No accuracy is claimed for any published data
H magnetic field variation for last day
D magnetic field angle variation for last day
Z magnetic field variation for last day
MY DAILY BI RESULTS
This data is from my Magnetometer detector
No accuracy is claimed for any published data
H magnetic field variation for last day
D magnetic field angle variation for last day
