SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hamg-long-path

How do you aim a beam antenna for a long-path contact?

180 degrees from the short-path heading.

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  1. Toward the rising sun
  2. 180 degrees from the short-path heading ✔
  3. Along the gray line

Why: Long-path means the signal travels the long way around the globe. So you point your antenna the opposite way, 180 degrees from the short-path heading.

Huh, didn't know that: Skywave signals arriving by both short and long path can cause a slightly delayed echo.

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References

Answer: 180 degrees from the short-path heading. Long-path means the signal travels the long way around the globe. So you point your antenna the opposite way, 180 degrees from the short-path heading.

  1. NCVEC 2023-2027 General Class Pool and Syllabus (6th Errata, Feb 4 2026) ncvec.org/downloads/General%20Class%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%202023-2027%20Public%20Release%20with%206th%20Errata%20Feb%204%202026.pdf
    180 degrees from the station’s short-path heading
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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