Ed wrote:
Jay wrote in
k.net:

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?


You don't need a new one. The old one probably got stuck in your coax
by back-feed when you were grinding. Just get an RF brush and give your
coax a few swipes and the ionosphere should pop right back out!

Don't forget the electron grease.

--
Britney Spears' Guide to Semiconductor Physics
http://britneyspears.ac/lasers.htm