Ultra-Short-Wave Transmission over a 39-Mile "Optical" Path

Continuous records of ultra-short-wave transmissionon wavelengths of 2 and 4 meters, over a good "optical" path, have shown variations in the received signal strength. These variations can be explained as being due to wave interference; an interference which varies with the changes in the composition of the troposphere. Some of the variations are due to changes in the dielectric-constant gradient of the atmosphere near the earth. Other variations are explicable in terms of reflectionsfrom the discontinuities at the boundaries of different air masses. The diurnal and annual meteorological factors which affect the transmission are discussed.