Sporadic E propagation

Sporadic E (abbreviated E or SpE) is an unusual form of radio propagation using a low level of the Earth's ionosphere that normally does not refract radio waves. Sporadic E propagation reflects signals off relatively small "clouds" in the lower E region located at altitudes of about 95~150 km (50~100 miles). The more conventional forms of skywave propagation in the ionosphere's higher F region refract off layers of electrons knocked off of gasses by intense UV light, which are renewed on a fairly regular daily cycle. In both cases, the ionized material, when present, refracts (or "bends") radio signals back toward the Earth's surface creating a "bent pipe" path for radio signals. The E propagation often supports occasional long-distance communication during the approximately 6 weeks centered on summer solstice at very high frequencies (VHF), which under normal conditions can only propagate by line-of-sight. Overview As its name suggests, sporadic E is an unpredictable event that can happen at almost any time; it does, however, display strong seasonal and diurnal patterns. Sporadic E activity peaks predictably near the solstices in both hemispheres. In the mid-latitude of the Northern Hemisphere, activity usually begins in May, with the peak most noticeable from early June. It begins trailing off through late July and into early August. A much smaller peak occurs around the winter solstice. For the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, the timeframes are inversed; the highest activity occurring during the Winter Solstice.