General exam question G3B03
Subelement G3, RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION· Group G3B
Which frequency will have the least attenuation for long-distance skip propagation?
- A.Just below the MUF (correct answer)
- B.Just above the LUF
- C.Just below the critical frequency
- D.Just above the critical frequency
WhyA frequency just below the MUF has the least attenuation for long-distance skip propagation. Frequencies just below the MUF refract efficiently off the ionosphere with comparatively little absorption, so they suffer the least attenuation for long-distance skip, answer A. Just above the LUF is actually closer to where absorption becomes a bigger problem, and the critical frequency (a vertical-incidence figure) isn't the relevant benchmark for oblique, long-distance skip paths.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2023-2027 NCVEC Element 3 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
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