An integral part of the Mid-Atlantic’s ocean observing network has been revitalized with the restoration of the High Frequency (HF) radar station at Nauset, Cape Cod. The station, the northernmost site in the MARACOOS Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) network, is once again delivering real-time ocean surface current data critical for navigation, safety, and ecosystem monitoring in one of the busiest maritime regions on the U.S. East Coast.

Originally installed in 2004, the Nauset site had been operating on aging hardware, much of it original, with temporary loaner components keeping it alive in recent years. The recent installation of new antennas, part of a recapitalization effort supported by federal funding, marks the first major step in modernizing the site.

“This upgrade transforms what was essentially a Frankenstein system of aging and borrowed equipment into a reliable, revitalized station,” said project lead and MARACOOS-funded researcher Miles Sundermeyer. “It gives us back a critical piece of coverage for Cape Cod.”

How the Nauset and Nantucket HF Radar Stations Monitor Ocean Currents

The Nauset radar station pairs with its sister site on Nantucket to measure surface currents off the eastern shores of Cape Cod and Nantucket. Each site measures “radials,” or one-dimensional surface current measurements that extend outward from the antenna. Where those radials overlap, data from both stations combine to generate two-dimensional velocity vectors of ocean currents.

“The system only works when both sites are running,” explained Sundermeyer. “Together, Nauset and Nantucket capture a full picture of how water moves in this high-traffic and ecologically vital region.”

Installing one of the two HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, MA.

Along with the new transmit and receive antennas, the site now also features an upgraded operating computer as well as new enclosure systems with improved cooling and cabinet hardware for easier maintenance. Future plans include upgrading the electronics chassis to complete the modernization.

Data from the new antennas is already live and feeding into MARACOOS’s hourly surface current maps, which are integrated with other coastal radars across the region. These observations are delivered directly to the U.S. Coast Guard’s environmental data server, informing real-time decision-making, search and rescue operations, and forecast models like Doppio.

Restoring Nauset CODAR Station Expands Regional Ocean Observing Network

As the northernmost station in the MARACOOS network, Nauset fills a crucial data gap between the Mid-Atlantic and the Gulf of Maine. Its measurements complement those from stations at Nantucket, Provincetown, Gloucester, and Salisbury Beach, helping knit together a continuous picture of coastal circulation along the Northeast seaboard.

“Restoring Nauset doesn’t just benefit Cape Cod,” said Sundermeyer. “It strengthens the entire observing system and ensures that decision-makers—whether they’re at the Coast Guard, in fisheries, or in science—have the most accurate picture possible of how our coastal ocean is behaving.”

Patrick Pasteris and Tyler Knapp work to install one of the HF radar antennas at the Nauset (NAUS) site in Eastham, MA.