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The Earth's atmosphere is divided into three separate layers: The TROPOSPHERE,
STRATOSPHERE, and IONOSPHERE.
The TROPOSPHERE is the region of the atmosphere where virtually all weather phenomena take
place. In this region, rf energy is greatly affected.
The STRATOSPHERE has a constant temperature and has little effect on radio waves.
The IONOSPHERE contains four cloud-like layers of electrically charged ions which aid in long
distance communications.
GROUND WAVES and SKY WAVES are the two basic types of radio waves that transmit energy
from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna.
GROUND WAVES are composed of two separate component waves: the SURFACE WAVE and
the SPACE WAVE.
