Question
What is the effect of chordal-hop propagation?
Answer Options
- A) The signal experiences less loss compared to multi-hop propagation, which uses Earth as a reflector
- B) The MUF for chordal-hop propagation is much lower than for normal skip propagation
- C) Atmospheric noise is reduced in the direction of chordal-hop propagation
- D) Signals travel faster along ionospheric chords
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Chordal-hop propagation is a unique form of multi-hop propagation where the radio wave is repeatedly refracted by the ionosphere without reflecting off the Earth’s surface in between hops. The wave travels along an ‘ionospheric chord’ high above the surface, skimming the dense F2 layer for a very long distance.
Because the signal avoids reflection from the ground (which can be poor, lossy, and often generates significant noise and signal scattering), the primary effect of chordal-hop propagation is that the signal experiences less loss compared to normal multi-hop propagation, which uses Earth as a reflector. This low-loss pathway results in stronger, cleaner signals over extremely long distances, making it highly prized for weak-signal DX contacts.
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