Electromagnetic waves at 2.96 MHz, associated with a beam of 8- to 40-keV electrons in the ionosphere, were observed during the Electron Echo 4 rocket experiment in January 1976. Over 1000 electron pulses were emitted during the rocket experiment, and about 20% of these produced observable signals on the ground. Waves were generated under three different sets of conditions. One set of conditions led to maximum amplitude at 190 km; 2.96 MHz is the second harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency at an altitude of 160--170 km, so the frequency was about 1% above the local gyrofrequency at the rocket. The second set of conditions led to peak signal amplitude in the 110- to 130-km range, at twice the relativistic cyclotron frequency of the 8- to 16-keV beam. The third set of conditions required that the beam be fired downward. Observations were also made at 0.161, 1.11, 1.25, 1.39, and 5.73 MHz, but no signals were detected at those frequencies. |