Extra exam question E3B05
Subelement E3, RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION· Group E3B
Which of the following paths is most likely to support long-distance propagation on 160 meters?
- A.A path entirely in sunlight
- B.Paths at high latitudes
- C.A direct north-south path
- D.A path entirely in darkness (correct answer)
WhyA path lying entirely in darkness is most likely to support long-distance propagation on 160 meters. Long-distance propagation on 160 meters works best on paths that lie entirely in darkness, since daytime D-layer absorption on this low band is severe enough to wipe out most signals, and a fully dark path avoids that absorption along its whole length, answer D. A path in sunlight suffers heavy D-layer loss, high-latitude paths bring their own auroral and polar-cap disturbances into play, and a strictly north-south orientation isn't itself what makes a 160-meter path favorable.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2024-2028 NCVEC Element 4 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
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