[Elecraft] Another means of exciting the ionosphere?

[Ken Kopp]

These upward-running bolts, first noted by the shuttle and
orbiter crews are also known as "sprites".  There is a school 
of thought that the ionization of the ionosphere by these 
upward-running bolts of lightening may ... at least in part ...
account for the somewhat unexplained sporadic-E propagation.

There also seem to be instances of signals being reflected 
by the ionized lightning bolt paths, much like meteor scatter 
or aircraft reflections.

Google "Red sprites and blue jets" for additional information.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
 elecraftcov...@rfwave.net
 http://tinyurl.com/7lm3m5

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[Elecraft] Another means of exciting the ionosphere?

[Kevin Rock]

http://www.rdmag.com/News/2009/08/Lightning-s-mirror-image,-but-much-bigger/

This article mentions an electrical field effect which can reach into the 
ionosphere.  Maybe a good thunderstorm is enough to excite the ionosphere, at 
least locally.  Since the excitation is from below instead of above, the lower 
layers would absorb more than the solar excitation processes.  An interesting 
experiment would be to test propagation along many paths on each band right 
after a strong thunderstorm in one's area.  If the sun is not offering enough 
energy in its current state maybe a good Midwestern thunderstorm could provide 
an alternative excitation process we can use to enhance our chances of making 
more distant contacts.
   Kevin.  KD5ONS


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