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E3B02

RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION · Transequatorial propagation; long-path propagation; ordinary and extraordinary waves; chordal hop; sporadic-E mechanisms; ground-wave propagation

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What is the approximate maximum range for signals using transequatorial propagation?

  1. A1,000 miles
  2. B2,500 miles
  3. C5,000 miles
  4. D7,500 miles
Why Transequatorial propagation (TEP) works between stations roughly equidistant north and south of the geomagnetic equator, each up to about 2,500 miles from it. Signals refract off dense, bulging ionization in the equatorial anomaly regions, so the total path length tops out near 5,000 miles. TEP often supports VHF contacts (6 m and even 2 m) around dusk when the MUF along that path far exceeds normal predictions.
Watch out The choice saying 2,500 miles is the distance from the geomagnetic equator to each station, not the end-to-end path; doubling it gives the actual maximum range.
2,500 miles each side of the magnetic equator, so 5,000 miles total.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of E3B

  1. E3B01 Where is transequatorial propagation (TEP) most likely to occur?
  2. E3B02 What is the approximate maximum range for signals using transequatorial propagation?
  3. E3B03 At what time of day is transequatorial propagation most likely to occur?
  4. E3B04 What are "extraordinary" and "ordinary" waves?
  5. E3B05 Which of the following paths is most likely to support long-distance propagation on 160 meters?
  6. E3B06 On which of the following amateur bands is long-path propagation most frequent?
  7. E3B07 What effect does lowering a signal's transmitted elevation angle have on ionospheric HF skip propagation?
  8. E3B08 How does the maximum range of ground-wave propagation change when the signal frequency is increased?
  9. E3B09 At what time of year is sporadic-E propagation most likely to occur?
  10. E3B10 What is the effect of chordal-hop propagation?
  11. E3B11 At what time of day is sporadic-E propagation most likely to occur?
  12. E3B12 What is chordal-hop propagation?
  13. E3B13 What type of polarization is supported by ground-wave propagation?
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