Technician 2026-2030T3C10
Which of the following bands may provide long-distance communications via the ionosphere’s F region during the peak of the sunspot cycle?
A
Answer
Radio wave propagation
Type
A
6 and 10 meters
B
23 centimeters
C
70 centimeters and 1.25 meters
D
All these choices are correct
Answer Notes
During the peak of the 11-year sunspot cycle, solar radiation is extremely intense, causing the F region of the ionosphere to become highly ionized. This elevated ionization allows the ionosphere to reflect much higher frequency radio waves than it normally could.
Because of this effect, the 10-meter (HF) and 6-meter (VHF) bands frequently open up for long-distance, worldwide communication during a solar maximum. In contrast, higher frequencies like 1.25 meters, 70 centimeters, and 23 centimeters are simply too high to be reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere, regardless of sunspot activity.
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What is generally the best time for long-distance 10-meter band propagation via the F region?
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Why is the radio horizon for VHF and UHF signals more distant than the visual horizon?