An intense band of electromagnetic noise is frequently observed near the magnetic equatorial plane at radial distance from about 2 to 5 RE. Recent wide band wave form measurements with the Imp 6 and Hawkeye 1 satellites have shown that the equatorial noise consists of a complex superposition of many harmonically spaced lines. Several distinctly different frequency spacings are often evident in the same spectrum. The frequency spacing typically ranges from a few hertz to a few tens of hertz. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that these waves are interacting with energetic protons; alpha particles, and other heavy ions trapped near the magnetic equator. The possible role that these waves play in controlling the distribution of the energetic ions is considered.