Creation of a HF and VHF Radio Communication Channel Through an Artificial Ionospheric Repeater

Abstract

We study experimentally the possibility of creating a HF and VHF radio communication channel at frequencies above the hop-by-hop MUF through an artificial ionospheric repeater, which is formed by as scatterers in the form of magnetic field-aligned small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities, created at the altitudes of reflection of a high-power O-mode pump wave. The experiments were carried out on the Dymer (Kyiv region)—Sura—Kachalinskaya (Volgograd region) path in the HF sounding regime at fixed frequencies and in the chirp sounding regime on the IZMIRAN—Sura—Rostov-on-Don path. On the Novocherkassk (Rostov region)—Sura— Kachalinskaya path, the measurements were carried out at a frequency of 45.8 MHz. Comparison with simulation results is performed. To ensure stable HF and VHF radio communication through an artificial ionospheric repeater, it is necessary to take into account the state of the ionosphere, the frequency of the communication signal, and the height of the location of scattering irregularities. To adapt communication systems to the current ionospheric environment under conditions of insufficient accuracy in predicting the state of the ionosphere, it is necessary to monitor the ionospheric channel using technical tools for broadband oblique HF and VHF sounding.