Abstract
The Paper presents a brief review of data, as to the nature and origin of atmospherics. obtained in the course of a fundamental investigation of atmospherics undertaken by the Radio Research Board. The determination of the wave form of atmospherics by cathode ray oscillograph is referred to, and typical constants of peak field strength and duration are quoted. The results of an examination of the meteorological conditions prevailing at apparent sources of atmospherics, as located by direction finding, are tabulated, and show that even with the limited data available relations with thunderstorm phenomena, precipitation, or barometric minima have been traced, in 87 per cent. of 490 cases, distributed over Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. The tracing of a "cold front" for 40 hours and 2,000 k. across Western Europe, by directional recording of atmospherics, is reported. Reference is made to the fine structure of atmospherics in relation to their interferent properties. The present state of the investigation is summarised.