Improved indirect phase reflection height measurements at Panská ves - first results

Indirect phase reflection height measurements have been performed at the Panska Ves Observatory, Czechoslovakia, on two frequencies of 162 (earlier 164) and 153 kHz (earlier 155) for 30 years. However, they were used only for solar flare effect (SFA) monitoring. After introducing new measuring equipment in 1985, the quality of the 162 kHz records became sufficient to apply the indirect phase height analysis (IPHA) method in full. The method itself, the measuring equipment, and the method of evaluation are described in [1]. The purpose of this paper is to describe the first results and to verify the reliability of the 162 kHz IPHA data. The IPHA method as applied to the 162 kHz measurements made at Panska Ves, allows ionospheric and neutral atmospheric parameters to be studied simultaneously and appears to provide reliable and good quality data. The expected seasonal variation and response to sudden stratospheric warmings are observed. The use of the 162 kHz IPHA data in the international MAC/SINE and DYANA campaigns and for monitoring pressure variability at 80 km are briefly described.