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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-auroral-raspy

What is one characteristic of VHF signals received by auroral backscatter?

They are distorted, with a raspy sound.

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  1. They come from 10,000 miles or more away
  2. They happen only on winter nights
  3. They are distorted, with a raspy sound ✔

Why: The aurora can reflect VHF signals, but its moving, charged particles smear them. Voices come through rough, with a raspy, buzzing sound.

Huh, didn't know that: Stations south of the auroral zone generally aim their antennas north to work auroral backscatter.

The dad joke
The aurora gave my signal a sore throat.
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References

Answer: They are distorted, with a raspy sound. The aurora can reflect VHF signals, but its moving, charged particles smear them. Voices come through rough, with a raspy, buzzing sound.

  1. HamStudy 2026 Technician pool, T3C03 hamstudy.org/browse/E2_2026/T3C
    They are distorted, with a characteristic raspy sound
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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