Tropospheric scatter

Tropospheric scatter (or troposcatter) is the scattering of distant TV and FM radio stations by the troposphere so that they travel farther than the line of sight. This effect sometimes allows reception of stations up to a hundred miles away.

The phenomenon has been used to build communication links in a number of parts of the world. Large billboard antennas focus a high power radio beam at the troposphere mid-way between the transmitter and receiver. A certain proportion of the signal is reflected and received at a similar antenna at the receiving station.

One such link operated between the North of Scotland, at Mormond Hill and the Shetland Isles.

External link

• http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/dir-038/_5617.htm - FS-1037C definition of tropospheric scatter.