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This paper investigates the total electron content (TEC) which is a major challenge to space and related industries, most especially in an equatorial region like Thailand within the geographical latitude 07˚35'N -20˚17'N. This research was achieved using radio occultation data from COSMIC mission. The monthly, seasonal and annual TEC and electron density variation monitoring conducted during increasing solar activity from 2010 to 2013 due to changes and instability of ionospheric parameters. It was observed that electron density and TEC was predominant in summer season. Summer has the highest electron density and TEC values all through and the annual mean values keep on increasing within the period under consideration. In conclusion, ionospheric fluctuations and perturbations were observed to be at pick between the months of March and May. The results of the study demonstrated that ionospheric irregularities were steadily on the increase, confirming 24th solar cycle prediction by NASA and depended on many factors among the major ones which are located on the latitude, season and solar activity.

The research formulated a mathematical model for evaluating the effects of particulates on radio signal strength. In the study, particulates such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of Sulphur (SOx), and particulate matter (PM10) with corresponding meteorological parameters were obtained for Abuja, the capital territory from the Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR). The Response Surface Method was adopted. The model was adopted to solve the formulated optimization problem for optimal levels of signal strength and analyze the results. The model calculated the corresponding signal strength at 106.3MHz of WE-FM radio station, Abuja within the period of 2001 and 2016. From the results, it was observed that the specific particulates investigated exhibited both linear and inverse relationships with signal strength. The relationship was anomalous. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the model of NOx, CO, SOx, and PM10 in terms of radio signal strength was 0.9931 at a significant p-value of 0.0421. An optimal radio signal strength of 1.7562E+006 dB was obtained for safe particulate thresholds of NOx, 1351.02, CO, 38342.43, SOx, 77.92, and PM10, 96.95 kg/year respectively at a desirability of 0.999. It is, therefore, concluded that the mathematical model is promising, effective and efficient for predicting safe particulates thresholds for better radio signal strength.