High-latitude ionospheric phenomena diagnostics by high-frequency radio wave propagation observations

With the help of a system of radio paths in the decameter wave band the problem of diagnostics of high-latitude ionospheric phenomena is solved experimentally. The latter are understood to be auroral substorms, main ionization trough, and daytime polar cusp. On the term “cusp” we suggest cusp/cleft region. As a source of information on a phenomenon, the use is made of either the statistical parameters of radio signals at radio channel output or the radio wave propagation parameter by the data of the oblique sounding of ionosphere. The first approach is taken in diagnostics of auroral substorms and main ionization trough. The oblique sounding is used in daytime polar cusp diagnostics. The experimental observations were carried out by two systems of paths: one is situated north of Eastern Siberia and the other encompasses the area north of the European part of the USSR. The range of corrected geomagnetic latitudes covered is Φ = 55°-75°. The main conclusion of the paper is that this system of radio paths allows us to conduct qualitative short-time prediction of the said ionospheric phenomena.