Propagation: F2 Skip

   
 
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19 March 2024, 8:58 UTC 


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Propagation:
  Sporadic E skip (Es)
  Backscatter
  Tropo
  Meteor Scatter (MS)
  F2 Skip
  Aurora
  Trans-equatorial scatter (TE)
  Lightning scatter (LS)

Propagation
by Glenn Hauser 
News

F2 Skip

Don't hold your breath for this one, but be aware of its potentialities. This is the familiar long-haul skip which bounces shortwave signals around the world in hops of roughly 2000 miles each. During sunspot peaks F2 may extend up to 60 MHz, opening American channel 2 to DX, plus a number of European, African and Oceanic TV stations operating at these frequencies and below. F2 activity is greatest in years of peak sunspot activity. As sunspot activity increases, F2 MUF also rise. F2 at VHF frequencies is not probable in years of low solar activity. If you want to keep track of F2 conditions, which tend to peak in the spring and fall, monitor on a 30-50 MHz radio. Paging stations beyond 1600 miles or so on 35 and 43 MHz will give you a warning when F2 is "up".


Note that some foreign TV audio transmission is AM, unlike North America where FM audio is used. North American DX'ers should check during the morning hours when it is noon, or slightly after noon, at the midpoint of the path to Europe. F2 is a daytime propagation at these frequences, directly depending on solar radiation. F2 may have a very sharp MUF, hovering just below or on channel 2 for long periods. So on your radio, keep a check on known TV audio and video carrier frequencies below channel 2. Beware of false signals if radiation near these last frequencies are from your own or nearby TV sets! On a radio, video sounds like a rough buzz. On a TV, video propagated by F2 is rarely clear; though it may be strong, it will be heavily smeared.


 


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