22-11-2019, 01:33 PM
The atmosphere over much of eastern (and probably southern and western) Australia have been filled with smoke haze for weeks now. My question is: does smoke haze inhibit propagation on VHF and UHF?
I am quite active on the AO-91 and AO-92 satellites and I have noticed that signal strengths from the birds when I am working them whilst they are over southern Australian, where the signal is traveling at a low angle and is traversing the smoky atmosphere for quite a long time, are much weaker and more unstable than usual.
By contrast, the signals I am hearing from the bird when it is north of me and at the same distance and angle, but presumably less atmospheric smoke, have their usual signal strength and stability.
Any other sat ops, or terrestrial ops, notice the same thing?
73
Wayne VK4WDM
I am quite active on the AO-91 and AO-92 satellites and I have noticed that signal strengths from the birds when I am working them whilst they are over southern Australian, where the signal is traveling at a low angle and is traversing the smoky atmosphere for quite a long time, are much weaker and more unstable than usual.
By contrast, the signals I am hearing from the bird when it is north of me and at the same distance and angle, but presumably less atmospheric smoke, have their usual signal strength and stability.
Any other sat ops, or terrestrial ops, notice the same thing?
73
Wayne VK4WDM