Why Transequatorial propagation depends on the ionization crests that form on either side of the geomagnetic equator, so it links stations that are roughly equidistant north and south of it. That means the path runs north-south, perpendicular to the magnetic equator, and typical distances are about 2,000 to 3,000 miles total. The signal effectively takes a high chordal hop between the two ionization crests, often supporting VHF contacts well above the normal MUF.
Watch out Stations sitting on the geomagnetic equator itself are not in the right geometry; the enhanced ionization crests lie a bit north and south of it, and the choice with antipodal points describes long-path propagation instead.
TEP = Trans (across) the Equator: north-south path crossing the magnetic equator, about 2,000 to 3,000 miles.