Hi ot all

It is well known that the real ground seems to ''reflects'' a radio
wave. But I think that the term ''reflects'' is a bit confusing. My
understanding of the phenomenon is that the ground absorbs the
incident wave and, with that energy it re-radiates a new wave with a
different phase/amplitude value.

That new wave modifies the TO angle as a real optical-type reflection
would do. Then, it seems that it is not a ''bending'' of the wave, but
the production of a new one. With the value of the modification of the
TO angle, one can deduces a ''reflected'' wave's angle, even if it not
a real reflection.. Am I right?

Also, I read in a older version of the ARRL's Handbook that ''The
effective ground plane, that is the plane from which ground
reflections can be considered to take place, seldom is the actual
surface of the ground, but a few feet below it, depending upon the
characteristics of the soil.''

Considering what I said about re-routing with phase/amplitude
modifications, how to interpret the text form the Handbook? How to
determine the depth of that 'effective gorund plane'? Or is there any
depth at all? As is, it could be interpreted as a optical reflection
like occuring somewhere deep in the real ground..

Thanks..

Pierre