Question
Which of the following bands may provide long-distance communications via the ionosphere’s F region during the peak of the sunspot cycle?
Answer Options
- A) 6 and 10 meters
- B) 23 centimeters
- C) 70 centimeters and 1.25 meters
- D) All these choices are correct
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The F region of the ionosphere is most effective at refracting (bouncing) lower-frequency signals. As solar activity increases (the sunspot cycle peaks), the ionization density increases, allowing the F region to refract progressively higher frequencies.
At the peak of the solar cycle, the F region can refract signals as high as 50 MHz and occasionally higher. Therefore, the 6-meter (50 MHz) and 10-meter (28 MHz) bands are the highest frequencies that regularly open for long-distance F region communication during solar maximum. The higher bands are typically too high in frequency for F-region bounce.
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