  High energy cosmic rays, with energies thousands of times higher than those
encountered in particle accelerators, offer scientists the means of
investigating the elementary properties of matter. In order to detect high
energy cosmic rays, new detection hardware and experimental methods are being
developed. In this work, we describe the network of HELYCON (HEllenic LYceum
Cosmic Observatories Network) autonomous stations for the detection and
directional reconstruction of Extended Atmospheric Showers (EAS)
particle-fronts. HELYCON stations are hybrid stations consisting of three large
plastic scintillators plus a CODALEMA antenna for the RF detection of EAS
particle-fronts. We present the installation, operation and calibration of
three HELYCON stations and the electronic components for the remote control,
monitor and Data Acquisition. We report on the software package developed for
the detailed simulation of the detectors' response and for the stations'
operation. The simulation parameters have been fine tuned in order to
accurately describe each individual detector's characteristics and the
operation of each HELYCON station. Finally, the evaluation of the stations'
performance in reconstructing the direction of the EAS particle-front is being
presented.
