T3A - Radio wave characteristics
Technician Class
Radio wave characteristics: how a radio signal travels, fading, multipath, polarization, wavelength vs absorption; Antenna orientation
12 questions | Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Why do VHF signal strengths sometimes vary greatly when the antenna is moved only a few feet?
How does vegetation affect UHF and microwave signals?
What antenna polarization is normally used for long-distance CW and SSB contacts on the VHF and UHF bands?
What is the effect of antenna cross-polarization over a line-of-sight VHF or UHF path?
When using a directional antenna, how might your station be able to communicate with a distant repeater if buildings or obstructions are blocking the direct line of sight path?
What is the meaning of the term “picket fencing”?
What weather condition might decrease range at microwave frequencies?
What is a likely cause of irregular fading of signals propagated by the ionosphere?
Which of the following results from the fact that signals propagated by the ionosphere are elliptically polarized?
What effect does multi-path propagation have on data transmissions?
Which region of the atmosphere can reflect HF radio waves?
What effect does fog or rain have on 10-meter and 6-meter band signals?