Trends in the RF Environment of the South Pole's Dark Sector

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) presents a significant challenge to certain scientific observations, as artificial sources such as radios, Wi-Fi, and satellites emit radio signals that can contaminate sensitive measurements. Surveys of the cosmic microwave background are particularly susceptible to RFI due to their sensitivity across a broad frequency spectrum. To mitigate these effects, instruments are typically placed in "radio quiet" zones or "dark" sectors—remote areas with strict emission regulations aimed at shielding them from interference. However, despite these protective measures, some RF sources are intrinsic to the support infrastructure of these sites and cannot be eliminated.

We analyzed historical RF activity from the South Pole's Dark Sector, collected from 2017 to the present, to better understand the baseline activity levels and trends associated with the site's support infrastructure. The South Pole's Dark Sector offers a unique environment for analysis due to the fluctuating number of personnel during its summer and winter seasons, allowing us to investigate how these changes impact the RF environment.

We present findings from this analysis, including general RF trends during the summer and winter seasons, attributed to sources generated by both the support infrastructure and personnel.