Propagation: Difference between revisions

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[[Radio wave]] propagation largely depends on atmospheric conditions, the [[band]] and [[power]] used to operate the radio equipment.


== Propagation Theory ==
''Main article: [[Wikipedia:Radio propagation]]''


Radio frequencies form a fragment of the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It is generally considered that radio frequencies are found between 10 kHz and 300 GHz. 10 kHz is considered to be the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Above 300 GHz infrared begins.
[[Ground waves]] are "line of sight" communication. Atmospheric conditions come into play when transmitting between ham radio stations that are farther away and so, because of the curvature of the earth, cannot be reached through a straight line. This is called a [[sky wave]]. Since those atmospheric conditions are ever-changing, there are resources to allow operators to predict those conditions and the idea propagation techniques to use.


Electromagnetic energy travels as waves that move at the speed of light (300 000km/s), normally in a straight line. Atmospheric conditions can affect radio transmissions, and are responsible for transmissions between ham radio stations that are not a "line of sight" distance apart.
Various [[bands]] have different properties regarding those atmospheric conditions and can bound off the ionosphere or other particles to propagate further away.


Electromagnetic waves have two components, electric and magnetic. These are at right angles to each other. Unlike sound waves, electromagnetic waves do not need a medium through which to pass. Hence radio transmissions to and from deep space are possible.
More powerful stations are going to be able to reach further than weak stations, although some ham operators take it as a challenge to reach other stations with weaker power ratings (~5W instead of 100W to sometimes 1000W). This is called [[QRP]].


DX (long distance) communications are possible when radio waves are reflected off the E and F layers in the the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionosphere ionosphere]. The E and F layers contain high electron densities which coincide with high temperatures.
== Sky wave propagation ==


[[Image:Vk4yeh_ionosphere.png|300px]]
[[Image:Vk4yeh_ionosphere.png|300px|right]]
 
The E and F layers contain a high density of [[Wikipedia:Ions|ionized particles]]. [[DX]] (long distance) communications are possible when radio waves are reflected off the E and F layers in the [[Wikipedia:Ionosphere|ionosphere]]. This way radio waves can propagate all over the earth, bouncing up and down between the ground and the ionosphere. This is called a [[sky wave]]. Note that during the day, energy from the sun splits the F layer into two distinct parts known as F1 and F2.
 
The F-layer (between 120km and 400km above earth) contains the highest densities of ionised particles, is the most reflective of RF energy, and hence is responsible for most DX propagation of HF communications. 
 
The E-layer can be found between 90km and 120km above the earth. Reflection of RF waves by this layer is responsible for most of the long distance propagation valued by hams. The E layer both thins out at night, and rises, again resulting in increased propagation distances. E layer propagation is most useful for frequencies below 10MHz.
 
Sporadic [[E-Skip]] is caused by "clouds" of especially intense ionisation. These are highly reflective and allow DX communication from 25MHz to 225MHZ. The clouds are usually relatively short lived, and occur mostly during summer months.


The D layer can be found between 50km to 90km above earth. Propagation by reflection from this layer is quite rare as it is highly absorbent of RF energy. The thickness of the D layer decreases during the night, allowing more RF to travel through to the E and F layers, hence propagation often improves during the night.
The D layer can be found between 50km to 90km above earth. Propagation by reflection from this layer is quite rare as it is highly absorbent of RF energy. The thickness of the D layer decreases during the night, allowing more RF to travel through to the E and F layers, hence propagation often improves during the night.


[http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/dregion/index.html D-Region Absorption Prediction Center]
==Day and night ionospheric conditions==
 
Ionisation of the atmosphere varies considerably between day and night. During the day:
* the D and E layers are continuous
* the F layer splits into F1 and F1 (F1 is lower than F2)
 
During the night:
* The F1 and F2 layers coalesce to form a single F layer that lies between the position of the daylight F1 and F2
* the D layer disappears altogether
* the E Layer is patchy
[[Image:Day and night atmos.jpg |700px]]
 
These ionosperic variations are responsible for the variations in propagation noticed across a 24 hour period.


The E layer can be found between 90km and 120km above earth. Reflection of RF waves by this layer is responsible for most of the long distance propagation valued by hams. The E layer both thins out at night, and rises, again resulting in increased propagation distances. E layer propagation is most useful for frequencies below 10MHz.
==How are ionospheric conditions measured?==


Sporadic [[E-Skip]] is caused by "clouds" of especially intense ionisation. These are highly reflective and allow DX communication from 25MHz to 225MHZ. The cluods are usually relatively short lived, and occur mostly during summer months.
Ionospheric conditions are measured using an '''ionosonde.''' This has two variants:
* a single high frequency radar that sends short pulses vertically upwards and records the time for the signals to be reflected back to the same place. Ionosondes are used to measure the height of the various ionised layers.


Th F-layer (between 120km and 400km above earth) is contains the highest densities of ionised particles, is the most reflective of RF energy, and hence is responsible for most DX propagation of HF communications.  During the day, energy from the sun splits the F layer into two distinct parts known as F1 and F2.
[[Image:Ionosonde.jpg]]
 
* pairs of transmitter and receiver that are a measured distance apart. These allow propagation between points to be measured


== Propagation Prediction ==


[[IPS|Australian Space Weather Agency (IPS)]]


[http://prop.hfradio.org/ Radiowave Propagation Center]


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Feedlines]]
* [[Antennas]]
* [[Antennas]]
* [[What causes QRN?]]
* [[Aurora]]
* [[Tropospheric ducting]]
* [[Tropospheric ducting]]
* [[Sunspot Cycle]]
* [[Sunspot Cycle]]
* [[Meteor scatter]]
* [[Meteor scatter]]
* [[Aurora]]
* [[Trans-Equatorial Propagation]]
* [[Trans-Equatorial Propagation]]
* [[Lightning scatter]]
* [[Lightning scatter]]
* [[Moonbounce (EME)]]
* [[Gridsquares]]
* [[Gridsquares]]
* [[Interference]]
* [[Interference]]
* [[Electromagnetic Waves]]
* [[Electromagnetic Waves]]
* [[Feedlines]]
* [[What causes QRN?]]
* [[Skip Zone]]


==External links==
==External links==
Line 48: Line 70:
* [http://www.hfradio.org/propagation.html Propagation Resource Center]
* [http://www.hfradio.org/propagation.html Propagation Resource Center]
* [http://www.qsl.net/n9ssa/mpwcalc.html Miles per watt/ km per watt calculator] You will need to enter the gridsquares of two stations and the tx power of the transmitting station.
* [http://www.qsl.net/n9ssa/mpwcalc.html Miles per watt/ km per watt calculator] You will need to enter the gridsquares of two stations and the tx power of the transmitting station.
* [[IPS|Australian Space Weather Agency (IPS)]] - Australian prediction center
* [http://prop.hfradio.org/ Radiowave Propagation Center]
* [http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/dregion/index.html D-Region Absorption Prediction Center]
* [http://online.voacap.com/ Online VOACAP propagation tool]


{{propagation}}
{{propagation}}

Latest revision as of 16:06, 10 September 2013

Radio wave propagation largely depends on atmospheric conditions, the band and power used to operate the radio equipment.

Main article: Wikipedia:Radio propagation

Ground waves are "line of sight" communication. Atmospheric conditions come into play when transmitting between ham radio stations that are farther away and so, because of the curvature of the earth, cannot be reached through a straight line. This is called a sky wave. Since those atmospheric conditions are ever-changing, there are resources to allow operators to predict those conditions and the idea propagation techniques to use.

Various bands have different properties regarding those atmospheric conditions and can bound off the ionosphere or other particles to propagate further away.

More powerful stations are going to be able to reach further than weak stations, although some ham operators take it as a challenge to reach other stations with weaker power ratings (~5W instead of 100W to sometimes 1000W). This is called QRP.

Sky wave propagation

Vk4yeh ionosphere.png

The E and F layers contain a high density of ionized particles. DX (long distance) communications are possible when radio waves are reflected off the E and F layers in the ionosphere. This way radio waves can propagate all over the earth, bouncing up and down between the ground and the ionosphere. This is called a sky wave. Note that during the day, energy from the sun splits the F layer into two distinct parts known as F1 and F2.

The F-layer (between 120km and 400km above earth) contains the highest densities of ionised particles, is the most reflective of RF energy, and hence is responsible for most DX propagation of HF communications.

The E-layer can be found between 90km and 120km above the earth. Reflection of RF waves by this layer is responsible for most of the long distance propagation valued by hams. The E layer both thins out at night, and rises, again resulting in increased propagation distances. E layer propagation is most useful for frequencies below 10MHz.

Sporadic E-Skip is caused by "clouds" of especially intense ionisation. These are highly reflective and allow DX communication from 25MHz to 225MHZ. The clouds are usually relatively short lived, and occur mostly during summer months.

The D layer can be found between 50km to 90km above earth. Propagation by reflection from this layer is quite rare as it is highly absorbent of RF energy. The thickness of the D layer decreases during the night, allowing more RF to travel through to the E and F layers, hence propagation often improves during the night.

Day and night ionospheric conditions

Ionisation of the atmosphere varies considerably between day and night. During the day:

  • the D and E layers are continuous
  • the F layer splits into F1 and F1 (F1 is lower than F2)

During the night:

  • The F1 and F2 layers coalesce to form a single F layer that lies between the position of the daylight F1 and F2
  • the D layer disappears altogether
  • the E Layer is patchy

Day and night atmos.jpg

These ionosperic variations are responsible for the variations in propagation noticed across a 24 hour period.

How are ionospheric conditions measured?

Ionospheric conditions are measured using an ionosonde. This has two variants:

  • a single high frequency radar that sends short pulses vertically upwards and records the time for the signals to be reflected back to the same place. Ionosondes are used to measure the height of the various ionised layers.

Ionosonde.jpg

  • pairs of transmitter and receiver that are a measured distance apart. These allow propagation between points to be measured



See also

External links


Propagation and radio wave theory
Propagation Aurora * E-Skip * IPS * Lightning scatter * Meteor scatter * Satellites * Trans-Equatorial Propagation * Tropospheric ducting
Interference QRM * QRN
Theory Electromagnetic Waves * Frequency Wavelength and Period
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