An ionospheric definition of disturbed conditions permits us to distinguish
between positive and negative disturbances. Their different behaviour with
season, location acid state of solar activity is pointed out and statistic
al specifications are given. Furthermore, limits of relative departures of
daily f(o)F2 from their corresponding monthly median values are given for q
uiet ionospheric conditions, as they are defined here. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience Ltd. All rights reserved.