1. Propagation of Waves
Ham Radio Class
Week 5
Wave propagation

2. Propagation of waves
Radio waves spread out from the antenna in straight lines (like light)
Wave propagation

3. The distance over which a transmission can be received is
The farther it travels the weaker it becomes, eventually becoming too weak to be received.
The distance over which a transmission can be received is
called range.
Wave propagation

4. Possible routes of wave propagation

5. The curvature of the earth sets a range limit for many signals; this is called a radio horizon.
The distance over which a transmission can be received is called range. The curvature of the earth sets a range limit for The distance over which a transmission can be received is called range. The curvature of the earth sets a range limit for many signals; this is called a radio horizon. (T3C10) many signals; this is called a radio horizon. (T3C10)
Wave propagation

6. That is they travel directly from the
Communications at VHF and UHF
are generally “line of sight” communications.
That is they travel directly from the
transmitting station to the receiving
station.
Normally used for local communication.
Wave propagation

7. Direct (not via a repeater) UHF and VHF
signals are rarely heard from stations outside
your local
coverage area
because these
high
frequency
signals are
not reflected
by the
ionosphere.

8. Longer Radio waves can travel along the ground
Wave propagation

9. Possible routes of wave propagation

10. Radio waves can be reflected or refracted by sudden changes in the media through
which they travel.
Wave propagation

11. Obstructions can create radio shadows
Knife-edge propagation is the term used to describe when signals are partially refracted around solid objects exhibiting sharp edges.

12. Refraction also makes the earth seem less curved to VHF and UHF signals making them able to travel further that the line of sight.
Wave propagation

13. Shorter waves lengths can more easily penetrate buildings, making
communication from inside a
structure more effective when
using UHF signals.
Wave propagation

14. Radio signals may take different paths
from the transmitter to the receiver. This
is called multipath.
Wave propagation

15. Signals may interfere with each other if they are out of phase.
Wave propagation

16. Problems/solutions with multipath propagation
The irregular fading of signals from distant stations is caused by the random combining of signals arriving via different paths.
Moving your antenna just a few feet may avoid
the random reflections causing the multipath
distortions.
Wave propagation

17. Signals from mobile stations moving
through an area with multipath have
characteristic rapid variations in
strength known as picket-fencing.
Wave propagation

18. What should you do if another operator
reports that your station’s signals were
strong just a moment ago, but now they
are weak or distorted?
Move a few feet, as random reflections
may be causing multipath distortions.
Wave propagation

19. Why are UHF signals often more effective from inside buildings than VHF signals?
The shorter wave length allows them to more easily penetrate the structure of the building.
Wave propagation

20. What term is commonly used to describe the rapid fluttering sound heard from mobile stations that are moving while transmitting?
Picket fencing
Wave propagation

21. absorption of signals by the D layer of the ionosphere.
What is the cause of irregular fading of signals from distant stations during times of generally good reception?
absorption of signals by the D layer of the ionosphere.
absorption of signals by the E layer of the ionosphere.
random combining of signals arriving via different path lengths
distortion in the local receiver
Wave propagation

22. Error rates are likely to increase
What may occur if VHF or UHF data signals propagate over multiple paths?
Transmission rates can be increased by a factor equal to the number of paths
Transmission rates may decrease by a factor equal to the number of paths
No significant changes will occur if the signals are transmitting using FM
Error rates are likely to increase
Wave propagation

23. What does the term knife-edge propagation mean?
Signals are reflected back toward the originating station at acute angles
B. Signals are sliced into several discrete beams and arrive via different paths
C. Signals are partially refracted around solid objects exhibiting sharp edges
D. Signals are propagated close to the band edge exhibiting a sharp cutoff
Wave propagation

24. What is the radio horizon?
A. The distance at which radio signals between two points are effectively blocked by the curvature of the Earth
B. The distance from the ground to a horizontally mounted antenna
C. The farthest point you can see when standing at the base of your antenna tower
D. The shortest distance between two points on the Earth’s surface
Wave propagation

25. A. Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light
Why do VHF and UHF radio signals usually travel somewhat farther than the visual line of sight distance between two stations?
A. Radio signals move somewhat faster than the speed of light
B. Radio waves are not blocked by dust particles
C. The Earth seems less curved to radio waves than to light
D. Radio waves are blocked by dust particles
Wave propagation

26. Wave propagation can be assisted by atmospheric phenomena

27. Layers caused by temperature inversions form ducts that can carry signals much farther than typical line of sight communications
Wave propagation

28. This “tropospheric scattering often allows contacts over 300 miles.
Layers with different properties refract waves with slight variations.
This “tropospheric scattering often
allows contacts over 300 miles.
Wave propagation

29. electrical properties.
The ionosphere is an
area from 30 to 260
miles above the earth
that has some unique
electrical properties.
Wave propagation

30. The earth’s surface can also reflect radios waves. (hop)
The ionosphere can completely reflect HF and VHF
waves back toward the earth. (sky wave or skip)
The earth’s surface can also reflect radios waves. (hop)
Multiple reflections between the ionosphere/earth
allows radio waves to be received around the world!
Wave propagation

31. The ability of the ionosphere to refract waves depends on the frequency of the waves.
Wave propagation

32. High frequency waves usually pass right through, this is why VHF and
UHF signals are
rarely heard
beyond the
radio horizon
without being
relayed by a
repeater
Wave propagation

33. As the sun illuminates the ionosphere the maximum usable frequency increases.
This is why upper HF bands are more likely to by usable during the day.
Wave propagation

34. During solar cycles patches of the ionosphere
become sufficiently charged to reflect VHF and
UHF signals back to Earth.
This is called sporadic E
propagation.
Wave propagation

35. Sporadic E Propagation is most common during early summer and mid winter months on the 10, 6 and 2 meter bands.
Wave propagation

36. Radio signals reflected off the aurora borealis
exhibit rapid fluctuations and are often distorted.
Wave propagation

37. It is possible to bounce radio signals of meteor trails.
The best band for “meteor scatter” is the 6 meter band.
Wave propagation

38. A. Tropospheric scatter B. D layer refraction C. F2 layer refraction
What mode is responsible for allowing over-the-horizon VHF and UHF communications to ranges of approximately 300 miles on a regular basis?
A. Tropospheric scatter
B. D layer refraction
C. F2 layer refraction
D. Faraday rotation
Wave propagation

39. What band is best suited to communicating via meteor scatter?
A. 10 meters
B. 6 meters
C. 2 meters
D. 70 cm
Wave propagation

40. What causes “tropospheric ducting”?
Discharges of lightning during electrical storms
B. Sunspots and solar flares
C. Updrafts from hurricanes and tornadoes
D. Temperature inversions in the atmosphere
Wave propagation

41. A. During daylight hours B. During nighttime hours
What is generally the best time for long-distance 10 meter band propagation?
A. During daylight hours
B. During nighttime hours
C. When there are coronal mass ejections
D. Whenever the solar flux is low
Wave propagation

42. Which part of the atmosphere enables the propagation of radio signals around the world?
A. The stratosphere
B. The troposphere
C. The ionosphere
D. The magnetosphere
Wave propagation

43. A. They are too weak to go very far
Why are “direct” (not via a repeater) UHF signals rarely heard from stations outside your local coverage area?
A. They are too weak to go very far
B. FCC regulations prohibit them from going more than 50 miles
C. UHF signals are usually not reflected by the ionosphere
D. They collide with trees and shrubbery and fade out
Wave propagation

44. A. Signals are being reflected from outer space
Which of the following might be happening when VHF signals are being received from long distances?
A. Signals are being reflected from outer space
B. Signals are arriving by sub-surface ducting
C. Signals are being reflected by lightning storms in your area
D. Signals are being refracted from a sporadic E layer
Wave propagation

45. A. Signals from distances of 10,000 or more miles are common
What is a characteristic of VHF signals received via auroral reflection?
A. Signals from distances of 10,000 or more miles are common
B. The signals exhibit rapid fluctuations of strength and often sound distorted
C. These types of signals occur only during winter nighttime hours
D. These types of signals are generally strongest when your antenna is aimed to the south (for stations in the Northern Hemisphere
Wave propagation

46. D. Gray-line propagation
Which of the following propagation types is most commonly associated with occasional strong over-the-horizon signals on the 10, 6, and 2 meter bands?
A. Backscatter
B. Sporadic E
C. D layer absorption
D. Gray-line propagation
Wave propagation