Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation
Hello dear reader,
This document is what I would call an “almost complete propagation article” for the curious about the
atmosphere and communications, ham radio operators, students, anyone! This article was written having
in mind some of the questions that ham radio operators have about atmospheric radio wave propagation
and thus the main purpose is to answer those questions. If you have any comments or if there is anything
you think I should revise in this article, please let me know.
When we enter the HF ham bands we want to make long distance contacts, but we soon realize things
are not so simple. Propagation, they say! Higher frequencies are better during the day and lower during
the night. Why? I try to summarize the basic definitions about the ionosphere and what are the factors
that make propagation possible on a certain frequency rather than another. Ionosphere layers, solar cycle
and indices can be found on this text. As you go on reading I hope you feel more and more comfortable
about the ionosphere “mysteries” and terminology often used when defining the geomagnetic and
propagation conditions in a certain moment.
Rui MR Pinto
2009/05/03
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