High powered radio waves directed to the upper atmosphere and ionosphere can produce changes in composition, electron density, optical emissions and other radio waves at various frequencies. The cause of many of these effects is still unknown and just what perturbation will occur for a given power and frequency input is still theoretically unexplained. This project is to design a one dimensional model of the propagation of powerful radio waves in the lower ionosphere and compare this model to new experimental observations. An approach based on kinetic theory will be used to discuss propagation of a single pulse , a series of pulses as well as a continuous wave. Calculations will be provided for varying parameters of the radio wave such as effective power, frequency, polarization, duration of the pulse and time between pulses. These calculations will be done for both daytime and nighttime ionospheric conditions.
