Ham Amateur Radio Technician Practice Exam 2025 - Free Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide.

The correct answer of approximately 1,200 miles reflects the characteristics of radio wave propagation in the E region of the ionosphere. The E region, which is situated approximately 60 to 90 kilometers (about 37 to 56 miles) above the Earth's surface, plays a significant role in the propagation of radio frequencies, particularly in the HF (high frequency) bands.

In typical conditions, the E region can reflect HF radio waves back to Earth, allowing for communication over distances that are usually beyond the line of sight. The effective range of this reflection, or the "hop," is influenced by factors such as the frequency of the transmitted signal, ionospheric conditions, and the angle of incidence. In general, the maximum distance covered in one hop often reaches around 1,200 miles.

This distance allows operators to make contacts across regions that would otherwise be difficult to communicate with using ground-wave propagation alone, enhancing the ability of amateur radio operators to connect with distant stations, particularly during favorable propagation conditions.