Sporadic E propagation

Sporadic E (abbreviated Es or SpE) is an uncommon form of radio propagation using a low level of the Earth's ionosphere that normally does not refract radio waves above about 15 MHz. Sporadic E propagation reflects signals off relatively small ionization patches in the lower E region located at altitudes of about 95–120 km (59–75 mi). The more conventional forms of skywave propagation in the ionosphere's higher F region refract off layers of electrons that are knocked off gas atoms and molecules by intense UV light, which are renewed on a regular repeating daily cycle. In both cases, the electrons, when present, refract (or "bend") radio signals back toward the Earth's surface creating a "bent pipe" path for radio signals. The Es 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 propagate mostly by line-of-sight.