Digital ionosonde observations during equatorial spread F

In this paper we present and discuss equatorial spread F data taken with a digital ionosonde/HF radar located at Huancayo, Peru. A modified phenomenology is developed which uses the system's ability to do echo location. The onset of irregularities is seen to occur in the east and to move westward, while inside this large-scale structure the plasma is found to drift eastward. A very curious difference has been identified between spread F observations with the ionosonde and with the VHF radar at Jicamarca. At VHF, spread F onset often occurs when the ionosphere is rising, whereas in all five examples presented here, the digital ionosonde detected onset when the apparent ionosphere motion was downward. The result even held on the one night of common data taking. The effect could be instrumental but may be related to the considerable orographic differences in the two sites. Isolated scattering patches are observed and are tentatively identified as detached or “fossil” plumes. At frequencies above the nominal f0F2 the system (and other ionosondes) may in fact function as a coherent radar. During one night, data were obtained simultaneously with the HF radar, a rocket, and the Jicamarca VHF radar. Comparisons of these data are discussed in detail. Finally, additional evidence is presented that acoustic gravity waves play a role in the development of equatorial spread F and in the formation of detached plumes. To be self-consistent, the gravity waves must come from nearby sources such as the tropical rain forest to the east of Jicamarca.