International audienceThe current status of the large decameter radio telescope UTR-2 (Ukrainian T-shaped Radio telescope) together with its VLBI system called URAN is described in detail. By modernization of these instruments through implementation of novel versatile analog and digital devices as well as new observation techniques, the observational capabilities of UTR-2 have been substantially enhanced. The total effective area of UTR-2 and URAN arrays reaches 200 000 m2, with 24 MHz observational bandwidth (within the 8–32 MHz frequency range), spectral and temporal resolutions down to 4 kHz and 0.5 msec in dynamic spectrum mode or virtually unlimited in waveform mode. Depending on the spectral and temporal resolutions and confusion effects, the sensitivity of UTR-2 varies from a few Jy to a few mJy, and the angular resolution ranges from ~ 30 arcminutes (with a single antenna array) to a few arcseconds (in VLBI mode). In the framework of national and international research projects conducted in recent years, many new results on Solar system objects, the Galaxy and Metagalaxy have been obtained. In order to extend the observation frequency range to 8–80 MHz and enlarge the dimensions of the UTR-2 array, a new instrument – GURT (Giant Ukrainian Radio Telescope) – is now under construction. The radio telescope systems described herein can be used in synergy with other existing low-frequency arrays such as LOFAR, LWA, NenuFAR, as well as provide ground-based support for space-based instruments

This paper describes digital radio astronomical receivers used for decameter and meter wavelength observations. Since 1998, digital receivers performing on-the-°y dynamic spectrum calculations or waveform data recording without data loss have been used at the UTR-2 radio telescope, the URAN VLBI system, and the GURT new generation radio telescope. Here, we detail these receivers developed for operation in the strong interference environment that prevails in the decameter wavelength range. Data collected with these receivers allowed us to discover numerous radio astronomical objects and phenomena at low frequencies, a summary of which is also presented.

We present the results of processing first 20% of Northern sky pulsars and transients survey using UTR-2 radio telescope. Data processing is done by an automatic pipeline that detects and outputs a large number of transient candidates (usually dispersed bursts). We have developed a multivariate pipeline for visual inspection of these candidates. By adjustment of input parameters of the pipeline the observer can substantially increase signal-to-noise ratio of detected signals as well as discriminate them from residual low-intensity interference with high significance. About 450 transient signals have passed the examination by the multivariate pipeline. Their distributions on the Galactic latitude and dispersion measure have been derived. The shape of the distributions suggests that these signals might be associated with cosmic sources of radio emission.