Fifty Years of Radio Scattering

Abstract

&nbsp; Radio scattering from atmospheric irregularities has served for about half a century as a mechanism for both remote sensing of certain properties of the atmosphere and for reliable radio communication beyond the horizon to distances of 2000 kilometers.<br> &nbsp; In its earliest form, radio scattering was used to observe layers and their changes in the lower atmosphere. In mid-career, i.e., 25 years ago, it was introduced as a sensor of the properties of the upper ionized atmosphere, and most recently it is widely used to observe winds especially in the troposphere and stratosphere. As a communication mechanism, radio scattering by tropospheric irregularities, discovered quite by accident, was explained and exploited to provide links over distances of a few hundred kilometers. With time the terminals became more powerful and sensitive, the links became longer 'and the height of the scattering irregularities increased climaxing with ionospheric forward scatter. Continuing the upward search for scatters led quite naturally to incoherent scatter. Powerful radars spawned MST's (mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere) wind measuring capabilities. It is an honor to join in paying homage to an early giant of atmospheric science.