Question
What band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter?
Answer Options
- A) 33 centimeters
- B) 6 meters
- C) 2 meters
- D) 70 centimeters
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
Meteor scatter is a unique mode of propagation that occurs when the ionized trails created by small meteors burning up in the atmosphere are used as temporary reflectors for radio signals. The ionized trail only lasts a fraction of a second, resulting in very short, burst-like communication.
The best amateur band for exploiting this phenomenon is the 6-meter band (50 MHz). Signals are aimed at the point in the atmosphere where meteors are entering, and the brief burst of ionization reflects the signal to a distant station hundreds or thousands of miles away. The contacts are often very short and require high-speed CW or specialized digital modes.
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