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G3A14

RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION · - Sunspots and solar radiation; geomagnetic field and stability indices

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How is long distance radio communication usually affected by the charged particles that reach Earth from solar coronal holes?

  1. AHF communication is improved
  2. BHF communication is disturbed
  3. CVHF/UHF ducting is improved
  4. DVHF/UHF ducting is disturbed
Why Coronal holes are gaps in the Sun's magnetic field that let high-speed solar wind streams escape. When those charged particles reach Earth they stir up the geomagnetic field, raising the A and K indices and triggering auroral absorption and ionospheric disturbance. The result is degraded or unstable HF propagation, especially on paths near the poles.
Watch out Improved HF conditions come from higher solar EUV/UV flux (high sunspot numbers and solar flux index), which ionizes the F layer without disturbing the magnetic field. VHF/UHF ducting is a tropospheric effect driven by weather and temperature inversions, not by solar particles.
Particles hurt, photons help: solar wind from coronal holes raises K index and kills HF.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
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The rest of G3A

  1. G3A01 How does a higher sunspot number affect HF propagation?
  2. G3A02 What effect does a sudden ionospheric disturbance have on the daytime ionospheric propagation?
  3. G3A03 Approximately how long does it take the increased ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from a solar flare to affec…
  4. G3A04 Which of the following are the least reliable bands for long-distance communications during periods of low so…
  5. G3A05 What is the solar flux index?
  6. G3A06 What is a geomagnetic storm?
  7. G3A07 At what point in the solar cycle does the 20-meter band usually support worldwide propagation during daylight…
  8. G3A08 How can a geomagnetic storm affect HF propagation?
  9. G3A09 How can high geomagnetic activity benefit radio communications?
  10. G3A10 What causes HF propagation conditions to vary periodically in a 26- to 28-day cycle?
  11. G3A11 How long does it take a coronal mass ejection to affect radio propagation on Earth?
  12. G3A12 What does the K-index measure?
  13. G3A13 What does the A-index measure?
  14. G3A14 How is long distance radio communication usually affected by the charged particles that reach Earth from sola…
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