Solar energy via Ionospheric RF resonance
Stan Byers
[Mod. note: I'm accepting this article with *considerable* misgivings;
however, as written, it appears to fall within the charter, and it is not
the job of the moderators to certify the physics content of articles, merely
that they do meet the conditions the charter prescribes for acceptance.
Complaints regarding the content should be sent directly to Mr. Byers rather
than posted. -- MWJ.]
January 31, 1996
Radiant Energy Notes
An ionospheric energy process of Radio Frequency Stimu-
lated Electromagnetic Emission of radiation (RF SEE)
is currently being developed in the United States.
From a limited search of the available papers it
appears that it has not been recognized that the project
should be able to extract useful electrical energy
directly from the ionosphere. Although these projects
have many worth while goals that are in the literature,
they are all reduced to insignificance when compared
to the goal of obtaining solar energy as electrical RF
energy directly from the ionosphere with no pollution.
For this radio frequency RF SEE process, the world's
complete ionosphere becomes the largest solar energy
collector available on this planet. The Sun's radiation
iononizes and energizes the ionosphere. The Sun's
radiation is essentially boiling the ionosphere
electrically. It is our task to extract useful
electrical "steam" without damaging the environment.
pg 1
Currently there is significant work and interest in
the flashes of light that occur in the ionosphere. They
occur sixty plus miles high, directly above lightning
strikes and clouds which are two miles high. The following
is a description of the process believed to be the cause
of the light flashes.
During a lightning strike, a shaft of air two miles
high becomes an ionized conductor. This shaft of ionized
air is a temporary two mile high antenna. From antenna
technology it is well known that a long wire antenna
directs the radiation in the direction of its length. As
the length increases, the gain also increases and the
ground acts as the upward reflector. The random frequency
radio energy existing in the ionosphere now has the oppor-
tunity to establish a resonant path between the reflecting
ionosphere and the temporary lightning shaft high-gain
antenna system. It appears that this resonant process
causes the red and blue light flash patterns that occur
high above thunderstorms. From ionosounding test data the
most likely frequencies will be from 4.5 to 7 megahertz.
The purpose of this letter is to alert others to
the possibility of obtaining this energy, give examples of
similar work and show that success may be possible with a
small budget.
The following paper describes the main features of this
ionospheric energy process. Planned future papers will
describe the past experiments by this author. The past work
mainly consisted of using a 20 ft. hydrogen balloon to raise
a tuned antenna 2000 ft above the north end of Utah's Great
Salt Lake.
Researchers in other fields of interest have reported
obtaining 18,000 ft with tethered kites at Christmas Island.
It is expected that long vertical antennas using balloons or
kites will expedite reproducing a resonance similar to
that obtained by Dr. T. Henry Moray.
S. V. Byers
pg 2
Radio Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
RASER
Circa, Spring 1986 S.V. Byers
The RASER (acronym) phenomenon occurs when a resonant
radio frequency energy flow is established between two
reflectors, and an intervening ionized medium stimulates
and maintains the resonant radio energy flow. The physi-
cal process by which the ionic energy stimulates the
resonant RF radiation may be compared to the operation
of lasers, masers. parametric down converters and
optical phase conjunction.
A specific application of the RASER phenomenon is a
process that achieves Geo ENergy Entrainment and Extraction
[GENEE]. The GENEE (acronym) process is the creation of a
resonant RF energy flow between the reflecting ionosphere
and a tuned, resonant, vertically reflecting antenna system
for the extraction of useful energy. The ionosphere
provides two of the main functions. It provides the upper
reflector and furnishes its random frequency energy to
stimulate the radio frequency [RF] energy resonance. The
resonance can be initiated by transmitters or natural
pulses of cosmic or atmospheric energy. The frequency of
the resonance is preferably determined by the dominant
echo frequency of the ionospheric layer, and the match-
ing tuned resonant frequency of the antenna system. The
solar induced EM energy in the ionosphere pumps the resonance
and no artificial energy is required to maintain the resonant
energy flow. The referenced work by others, shows that
50 kilowatts of electrical energy has been successfully
extracted from the resonant flow with no apparent reduc-
tion of signal strength.
pg 3
The primary radiation causing ionization of the
ionosphere is thought to be ultraviolet solar radiation.
Yet the process does not need direct solar radiation to
maintain the energy flow and has been shown to operate
through the night. It is well known that the ionospheric
layers change in the night shadow. It is fortunate for
this process that the ionosphere persists through the
night. Cosmic and terrestrial radiation may contribute
energy to the ionization process.
A geo perspective of the resonant energy available
includes more than just a local vertically reflecting
ionosphere and antenna system. The two conducting spheres,
the earth-sphere and the iono-sphere, must be involved,
acting as a resonant waveguide with the atmosphere as an
insulating medium. It is not yet known what factors will
limit the usable energy available from this process,
other than the reflective antenna system, radio
interference, aviation safety and public safety.
The first major demonstration of the RASER process is
the multiple ionosound reflections clearly seen on many
ionograms. Reference number 1 contains an ionogram with
four reflections at 5.5 megacycles. The multiple reflec-
tions are from the F layer. Other ionograms show multi-
ple reflections from both the E and F layers. This ability
of the ionosphere to reflect RF energy has long been used
to establish multiple skip radio communication. From the
ionogram, it is seen that the effective height indicated
is 250 KM, is 155 miles, is 820 K feet. This is of
course deduced from the timing of the echo and where the
velocity is taken as 300,000 KM/sec. The first echo must
have taken 1.66 milli-seconds for a round trip. The three
subsequent echoes would be the second, third and fourth
multiples of the 1.66 ms time. The one directional trip
timing would be 0.833 ms , corresponding to a height of 250
KM. The number of wavelengths between reflectors is found
to be 4,580 from the frequency of 5.5 megahertz for 0.833
ms. It is not evident if the dominant 5.5 megahertz reso-
nance frequency is determined by the conditions of the iono-
sphere or the antenna system. My limited search of iono-
grams reveal that a large percentage contain multiple
reflections. It is assumed that a normal ionosounding
installation would not be specifically designed with a
highly resonant and reflective antenna system. Multiple
reflections can interfere with the desired data. With a
proper resonant reflecting antenna system, it is possible to
establish continuous resonance and extract useful RF power
from the ionosphere.
pg 4
The second major demonstration of the RASER process is
from the work of Dr. T Henry Moray. The book, The Sea of
Energy 5th edition by Mr. John Moray, documents experiments
where his father, Dr. Moray, obtained up to 50 KW from a
long wire antenna and his still proprietary detecting
equipment. He was able to power lights, heaters, and
specially designed motors. The book gives more than
enough documentation and description to erase any doubts
about its reality. The book was available from , Cosray
Research Institute, 2505 South 4th East, Salt Lake City,
Utah 84155. This author has no association with Moray inter-
ests. This knowledge of their work has been taken solely
from the book.
Dr. Moray first started experimenting with obtaining
energy from an antenna. He was able to light a 16 candle power
carbon arc light at half power with an antenna and ground.
From antenna experience it is known that a one quarter
wavelength horizontal antenna that is one sixth of a wave-
length above a reflecting surface reflects its dominant
energy in the vertical direction. Assuming a resonance at 5
mega hertz, the wavelength is about 200 ft. Therefore if Dr.
Moray had used a 50 ft. horizontal wire about 33 ft. above
the conductive water table he would have had all of the
requirements to establish resonance with the ionosphere.
The ground in the Salt Lake valley is highly salty, and
conductive and therefore is a good reflector. Cosmic or
atmospheric noise pulses have been seen by this author to
establish echoes off of the ionosphere and may have ini-
tialized the resonance for Dr. Moray. Dr. Moray continued
his dedicated research into the 1940's.
pg 5
Even though he was able to extract 50 KW, [67hp] from
his devices, he was not able to obtain a patent. The
reason for not obtaining the patent, as
stated by the book, was "No natural source of electric
wave energy is known to the Examiner and proof of the
existence of such a source is required." There is no
indication in the book that Dr. Moray ever realized that
his system was resonating with the ionosphere. He apparently
believed that the energy was being taken from the cosmic
background radiation and the disassociation of matter. The
antenna systems revealed in the book show no evidence of
being designed for a specific frequency or for vertical
reception and reflection.
The Moray book indicates their energy system consist-
ed of two sections. The first section being an antenna,
a resonant circuit, a ground, and a switch to the second
section. The second section contained a rectifying detector,
ion tubes and transformers forming subharmonic resonant
circuits to transform the energy to a frequency and voltage
compatible with the loads. From page 31 of his book, "When
his device was set up, he could connect it to an antenna
and a ground, and by PRIMING it first and then TUNING it as
he primed it, the device would draw electrical energy.
This high frequency electric energy produced up to 250,000
volts and it lighted a brighter light than witnesses had
ever before seen. Heavy loads could be connected to the
device without dimming the lights that were already con-
nected to it. This device worked many miles from any known
source of electrical energy, such as transmission lines or
radio. The device produced up to 50 kw of power and worked
for long periods of time."
pg 6
PRIMING the device consisted of stroking the iron
core in the resonant circuit with a strong magnet. The
stroking and TUNING of the resonant circuit continued as
long as 5 to 10 minutes, "then" the switch was closed and
the lights obtained power. When the antenna or ground
wire was momentarily opened and closed the lights would
go out and then return, if the reclosure was soon enough.
If there was a delay before the reclosure, the lights
would not come back on without repriming. It seems clear
that the priming and tuning was establishing resonance
with the ionosphere. The priming would furnish the
energy for the first reflections, and the tuning was
adjusting the antenna and tank circuit to a frequency
compatible with the ionosphere and the reflective
antenna/ground system.
The book places proprietary and technical importance on
the detector, tubes and circuits used to capture the
cosmic energy and reduce the frequency to a usable level.
Yet, on page 48 is a paragraph that indicates the detec-
tor and complex subharmonic circuits are not necessary.
"Dr. Moray made one demonstration not mentioned above to a
writer while he only was present. It consisted of lighting
a 100 watt globe from
CONNECTIONS WITH THE ANTENNA only.
It was noted that while this light was burning the lights
inside the trunk burned dimly and then assumed their usual
brightness when the other lights were taken off. " There
is no clear reason why proprietary detectors and
ion tubes should be necessary to extract usable energy.
A simple noninductive load resistor matched to the antenna
should produce heat. Fluorescent lamps can be directly
excited by these frequencies. Tube type diode rectifica-
tion may be necessary at high power levels with this
frequency range of 2 to 13 megahertz. Industrial induction
heating uses these frequencies directly. Radio operators
refer to the critical frequency of the ionosphere as the
highest frequency that will vertically reflect from the
ionosphere. Operators report that as they increase their
circuit frequency toward the maximum critical frequency,
exceedingly strong reception develops. If the circuit
frequency is increased further, the signal penetrates
the ionosphere and communication is lost. This suggests
that maximum energy may be available just below the criti-
cal frequency. The reports from ham radio operators about
the large increase in signal strength when nearing the
critical frequency of the ionosphere, prompted this research
of the GENEE and RASER process.
pg7
The works of Dr. Tesla with energy transmission via
antennas may have been close to this process. It appears
that his equipment was operating in the kilohertz
region. This resonance appears mainly above two mega-
hertz. Below two megahertz the absorption in the D layer
normally inhibits reflection for the power levels used in
radio. Theory predicts the system should operate independ-
ently of the grounding wire and ground reflector. If two
reflecting antennas were placed in orbit with an adequate
portion of the ionosphere between them , a resonant flow
should be possible. The following experiment by Dr.
Moray shows that the system can operate without a
grounding conductor. From page 187, circa 1943: " He
put it in the back of the automobile, with a bank of lights
as the resistive load, and drove the car with his family
from Salt Lake City to Ashton, Idaho, into Wyoming, back to
Salt Lake City and to Denver, letting the device operate
continually." The fact that the unit operated and was
later restarted in Denver is also significant. Denver is
at 5000 ft altitude and does not have the reflective,
salty and moist ground found in Salt Lake City. This
seems to indicate that the process can be independent of
ground conductors and the Salt Lake City ground reflection
conditions. A single satellite may also be able to use the
process. Any planet or moon with an ionosphere should
provide some form of GENEE energy. Ionosounding from
earth satellites is common and shows that the ionosphere
will reflect upward. The topside ionogram records have
not yet been searched for echoes or reflections.
pg 8
Many applications and configurations of the system
are conceivable. This paper has primarily discussed the
natural GENEE example of the RASER process. Other artifi-
cial RASER configurations can be conceived to extract
energy from ionized flame or gases. The applications of
GENEE as a source of energy would be electricity, heat, and
light. As a transmitter it may be useful for communica-
tion, jamming, or directed energy via phased array antenna
systems. Various configurations of reflectors should allow
operation in orbit or in the air and on the land or sea.
With a large antenna farm a local aurora may be possible.
Ionospheric heating has been reported above large antenna
farms for radio stations. The 50 kilowatts as reported by
Moray is sufficient to maintain a small aircraft with no
requirements to land for fuel.
pg9
RASER REFERENCES
The following works and articles relate to features of
the ionosphere / earth RF resonance as described in the
RASER paper.
Ref. # 1
The Royal Society I.G.Y. Expedition
Hally Bay 1955-1959
Vol. II , Plate 9
Ref. # 2
Dr. T. Henry Moray
The Sea of Energy 5th Edition
Mr. John Moray
Puzzling atmospheric bursts spark interest
by R. Monastersky
Science News Feb. 12, 1994 Vol. 145 pg. 100
This Monastersky article reveals that the ALEXIS
nuclear detection satellite has detected the GENIE phenome-
non occurring spontaneously. These could have been trig-
gered by lightning strikes or the random RFI bursts nor-
mally seen from the cosmos. The ALEXIS bursts reveal a
pattern nearly identical to that obtained from radio iono-
sounding work.
Enigmatic bursts show their true colors
by R. Cowen
Science News Aug. 6, 1994 Vol. 146 pg. 87
This article describes the color photos of the auroras
that are reportedly being studied by:
Los Alamos Nat. Labs. , Lawrence Livermore
Laboratory, Mission Research Corp. of Ft. Collins, Space
Sciences Labs in Berkeley, NASA. and Stanford University's
research staff.
Sun Earth and Radio
by J. A. Ratcliff
Further info on the sprite research is available
at the following URL: http://elf.gi.alaska.edu/
Distribute in whole or in part as desired.