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Not quite, radio waves can diffract around obstacles/edges, and lower-frequency waves apparently do this more efficiently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_wave#Radio_propagation

(IANARE)

Edit: It seems that diffraction around edges and electromagnetic ground waves are two quite different phenomena. (A third separate effect being a refractive index vertical gradient in the atmosphere causing diffraction, acting as a waveguide.) EM ground waves require that the ground is partially conductive, which the Earth is, but I suspect the Moon isn't particularly because it's dry. Still, diffraction will occur.

Edit2: A better link for diffraction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_propagation#Diffraction

"However, the angle cannot be too sharp or the signal will not diffract. ... Lower frequencies diffract around large smooth obstacles such as hills more easily."




Fortunately we can control our intentional emissions really well and could test for unintentional ones, most intentional communications will be in the higher bands anyways because it's higher bandwidth, the antennas are more manageable, and it's the standard currently anyways.


Thank you! That's the glaring hole in my knowledge I was hoping someone would point out!

(Also I suppose this means I should turn in my HAM license...)


HAM license is the minimum knowledge so you don’t damage for everyone else, now starts the real learning.

So this is the opposite, you are eager to learn and are not afraid that people point out holes in the knowledge. Keep it up.


It is a small part of the basic general license that longer wave lengths can hug the Earth IIRC.




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