SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-vegetation-uhf

How do trees and plants affect UHF and microwave signals?

They absorb signals, so weak signals are hard to receive.

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  1. They amplify signals and improve reception
  2. They have no effect at all
  3. They absorb signals, so weak signals are hard to receive ✔

Why: Leaves and branches soak up UHF and microwave energy. Shooting a signal through thick trees can make a weak signal disappear.

Huh, didn't know that: That is one reason hams try to get UHF antennas up above the treetops.

The dad joke
My UHF signal went into the forest and never came back. It just leaf-t.
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References

Answer: They absorb signals, so weak signals are hard to receive. Leaves and branches soak up UHF and microwave energy. Shooting a signal through thick trees can make a weak signal disappear.

  1. 2026-2030 Technician Class Question Pool, T3A02 ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    Absorbs signals, leading to poor reception of weak signals
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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