I put the ball to a metal grinder and I could easily see an outer F layer
and then the E layer. I couldn't find a D layer, but it was dark outside
and there's not supposed to be a D layer at night. Neat how antenna's can
be manufactured to do that.

Just passed my tech and General on Sunday so I'll be on the bands as
soon as I find out my callsign and get an ionsphere for my antenna. I
destroyed the old one on the grinder and I hear you need a good ionsphere
to shoot good skip and hear far away stations. Reception has been really
****ty lately without the ionsphere. I looked through the last 4 issues of
QST and I couldn't find anyone selling ionsphere's. Where can I get one,
or do I have to buy a whole new antenna?

Thanks, Jay