Radio Propagation

Radio propagation is simply the sending of radio signals out into the world in the hope that a receiver elsewhere will receive this signal. In other words, propagation is more than just signals bouncing helter skelter around the globe in the hopes that someone might pick up your signal. While it is a simplistic explanation the statement above doesn’t tell you how radio propagation takes place. Or what affects it. Getting educated about solar cycles and the way they affect radio propagation will a great benefit to either a survivalist or prepper. Shortwave listeners should also study sun spots as the solar cycle also affects the signals which shortwave receivers are capable of being picked up. Just because a radio does not have a transmitter does not mean the sun spots won-t affect it.

Of the many things that affect radio propagation the most significant ones are:

One very good resource for those desiring to learn more about radio propagation is that of a Flash® presentation created by Geoffrey Noles who holds the callsign of AE4RV. This presentation is great to learn the basics of radio propagation and most folks learn better when taught visually. You can view this great propagation presentation on his web site or by downloading it. Use one or both of these links:

Web site propagation presentation.

Download propagation presentation.

One last resource for this page is the work of an amateur radio operator from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee. The article is named The Basics of Radio Wave Propagation and presented by Edwin C. Jones, MD, PhD who holds the callsign of AE4TM. This resource is quite extensive and informational so it is suggested that those interested in his work visit his page and read it in its entirety The link is: The Basics of Radio Wave Propagation