Basic Qualification · B-007 Radio wave propagation · B-007-008-005
Why are HF scatter signals usually weak?
- A Only a small part of the signal energy is scattered into the skip zone
- B Propagation through ground waves absorbs most of the signal energy
- C The F region of the ionosphere absorbs most of the signal energy
- D Auroral activity absorbs most of the signal energy
Correct answer: A — Only a small part of the signal energy is scattered into the skip zone. From the official ISED question bank, verified word for word.
Why
HF scatter signals are weak because the ionosphere acts like a rough surface that bounces radio waves in many directions, sending only a tiny fraction of the total energy into the skip zone where you are listening. The full explanation — and one for every question — is in Pro.
Practise this section
How signals travel: the ionosphere and its layers, skip, ground wave, sporadic E, and which bands work when.