[Elecraft] Another means of exciting the ionosphere?

[Kevin Rock]

http://www.rdmag.com/News/2009/08/Lightning-s-mirror-image,-but-much-bigger/

This article mentions an electrical field effect which can reach into the ionosphere.  Maybe a good thunderstorm is enough to excite the ionosphere, at least locally.  Since the excitation is from below instead of above, the lower layers would absorb more than the solar excitation processes.  An interesting experiment would be to test propagation along many paths on each band right after a strong thunderstorm in one's area.  If the sun is not offering enough energy in its current state maybe a good Midwestern thunderstorm could provide an alternative excitation process we can use to enhance our chances of making more distant contacts.
   Kevin.  KD5ONS