Measurements of Ionospheric Absorption Using Radio Reflections from Meteors

Abstract

An earlier note by Chu, Vogan, and Forsyth suggested the use of a two-frequency meteor scatter system for the measurement of ionospheric absorption, particularly when the absorbing layer is sufficiently patchy to render conventional riometer measurements inaccurate. A system, incorporating a novel method of signal comparison, has been tested between Winnipeg and London. It seems to offer specific advantages over a riometer for specialized studies of rapidly varying absorption, but in its present form has certain defects which should be remedied in any system intended for routine use.