D region electron-density distributions from propagation data

Abstract

By using a fullwave computer program, Deeks was able to find an electron-density distribution in the D region which would account for certain v.l.f. and l.f. propagation results. Here, more extensive experimental results are employed for this purpose; in particular, ground-interference patterns on 16 and 21 kHz. Stationary-phase techniques are developed to enable such patterns to be calculated from an assumed distribution. It is found that, to get the best fit, Deeks's distribution has to be modified appreciably; the required change can be described roughly as reducing its height by about 6 km.