A radio detector system for ultra high energy cosmic showers

A passive radio detection system is proposed for the detection and study of ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) showers and meteors. TV and FM radio signals reflected by ionization clouds produced by meteors are clearly detectable. This technique known as radio meteor scatter is well established. UHECRs produces in principle similar ionization trails. A radio detection station operating at BNL is continuously recording signals from a group of three antennas tuned to the low end of the commercial VHF broadcast frequencies. An offline analysis, here described, allows for event selection and feature extraction of the reflected signals. An event rate consistent with the earth rotation period of 24h is found and attributed primarily to meteorite and micro-meteorite activity. Auxiliary shower detectors are being built to validate UHECR shower candidates.