Amateur Technician License Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct choice of horizontal polarization for long-distance continuous wave (CW) and single sideband (SSB) contacts on the VHF and UHF bands is based on several factors that enhance the effectiveness of communication.

Horizontal polarization is beneficial for long-distance communication because it tends to have lower ground reflection losses and thus can improve signal strength. Additionally, horizontal polarization reduces the impact of multipath interference—where signals bounce off surfaces before reaching the receiver, potentially causing distortion or fading.

In VHF and UHF bands, where line-of-sight propagation is crucial, horizontal polarization allows for more efficient radiation patterns and less interference from nearby vertical structures (like buildings or trees), which may affect vertically polarized signals. This aligns well with the operating practices for these bands, particularly for outdoor and mobile operations.

While other polarizations, such as vertical or circular, might be suitable for different applications, they may not provide the same level of efficiency and signal clarity at the distances and conditions under which many operators are working in the VHF and UHF bands. Therefore, horizontal polarization is recognized as the standard choice for maximizing the quality of long-distance contacts in these frequency ranges.