We consider the linear theory of low-frequency drift waves for parameters typical of the ionosphere during equatorial spread F. These waves are considered to be generated by density gradients associated with long-wavelength primary plasma fluid instabilities (e.g., collisional Rayleigh-Taylor). We include electron-ion, electron-neutral, and ion-ion collisions in our analysis. We find that a collisional drift wave can occur in the 3-meter regime but that it is heavily damped by ion viscosity. For density gradient scale lengths of >75 m it is required that n<2¿103 cm-3 for wave excitation to occur.