High power phase coherent radars at VHF opened up opportunities to explore the earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. The application of the 50 MHz Jicamarca radar, built originally for coherent and incoherent backscatter studies of the ionosphere, to probe the structure and dynamics of the middle atmosphere has led to what is now referred to as MST (Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere) radar technique. The basic theory for the high power VHF radar backscatter mechanisms, radar technique, signal and data processing methods for parameter retrieval and an overview of the scientific results from high resolution studies of atmospheric structure and dynamics and ionospheric plasma irregularities carried out using MST radar at Gadanki are presented.
Prof P B Rao is an renowned expert in the field of high power VHF radars. Earlier, he served as a Director, National atmospheric research laboratory during 1990-1998. Prof Rao is presently serving as visiting professor (Honorary) in National remote sensing centre, Dept. of Space, Hyderabad.