(meteorobs) "Julian Portik" VLF

[drobnock]

Subject: (meteorobs) Perseids VLF observations

My comments:

1. For a field set up -  the loop antenna needs to be at right angles to
the ground with the broad side of the antenna (flat end of square)
toward the direction of the rising radiant of the shower. You may want
to "tune" your receiving circuit to narrow the frequency range, and not
be open to multiple signal sources.

2. Antenna height a minimum of metre or more above ground. Remember the
receiving pattern of the loop antenna is similar to a diapole.

3. The summer is not the best time to listen for weak meteors. As you
experience there is much sefreics.

4. Whilst you were observing and listening through the head phone, did
you see a meteor and "hear" a seferic (this comment is open to much
discussion). If so there is a good possibility that there was a
correlation.

5. Generally, if the back ground noise is low and there is an active
meteor event -- the seferics received are meteor related to you
observation location.

6. I am not a proponent of the waterfall diagram (Spectrum Lab) display.
Suggest that you record the out put on to a digital or tape recording
device and play back at the point you observed and heard a seferic,
using one of many audio editing programs.

7. For now,  until shown other wise, the signature of a meteor and
lightning are similar.

Good luck and keep an open mind to the project.

George John Drobnock