Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2022-2026 Question Pool | Topic: T3C
T3C07T3C

What band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter?

Deep Dive: T3C07

The correct answer is B: 6 meters. The 6-meter band is best suited for communicating via meteor scatter. Meteor scatter propagation occurs when radio signals are reflected off the ionized trails left by meteors entering Earth's atmosphere. The 6-meter band (50-54 MHz) is in the optimal frequency range for meteor scatter. Higher frequencies (like 2 meters) work but require larger meteors. Lower frequencies (like 10 meters) work but are less efficient. 6 meters provides a good balance - the meteor trails are long enough and dense enough to effectively reflect 6-meter signals, making it the preferred band for meteor scatter communications. Contacts via meteor scatter are typically brief (seconds to minutes) as the meteor trail quickly dissipates.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option A: Incorrect. 33 centimeters (around 900 MHz) is too high for effective meteor scatter. The meteor trails don't effectively reflect such high frequencies. Option C: Incorrect. 2 meters works for meteor scatter but is less optimal than 6 meters. Larger meteors are needed for 2-meter meteor scatter. Option D: Incorrect. 70 centimeters works for meteor scatter but is less optimal than 6 meters. 6 meters is the preferred band.

Exam Tip

Meteor scatter = 6 meters. Remember: The 6-meter band is best suited for meteor scatter communications. It's in the optimal frequency range for reflecting off meteor trails.

Memory Aid

**M**eteor **S**catter = **M**agic **S**ix meters (think 'MS = MS' = Magic Six meters)

Real-World Example

You're operating on 6 meters and using meteor scatter to contact a station 800 miles away. You both point your antennas in the right direction and wait. When a meteor enters the atmosphere and creates an ionized trail, your signals bounce off the trail for a few seconds, allowing a brief contact. This works best on 6 meters because the meteor trails are the right size to effectively reflect 6-meter signals.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2022-2026 Question Pool

Subelement: T3C

Reference: FCC Part 97.303

Key Concepts

Meteor scatter 6-meter band Meteor trails Propagation

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Technician Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the T3C topic.