On the automatic registration of the amplitude of downcoming wireless waves Part I

An adaptation of the Breit and Tuve method of echo delineation, by means of which it is possible to obtain a continuous record of the amplitude of the wireless waves reflected from the ionized regions of the earth's atmosphere, is described. An optical system is used to separate the records made on the photographic paper by the first and second reflections. Attention is directed to the different types of signal fluctuations that may occur. Examples of an interference phenomenon between the two magneto-ionic components of the downcoming waves are described. The reflection coefficient of the ionized regions is discussed and a rapid method of finding the relationship between this coefficient and the frequency of the waves is described.