Tropospheric ducting forecast map
By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post
It is, no doubt, annoying when a favorite song comes on the radio, and all the sudden it is replaced with static or even another station. But it’s an occurrence happening with increasing frequency.
According to Mark Goff, chief radio engineer for Eagle Communications, a phenomenon known as tropospheric ducting is to blame.
“It happens when rapid heating from the sun affects different layers in the atmosphere, and the effect is to cause FM radio signals to bounce up into the atmosphere and then return down to the ground,” Goff said. “At the same time, other signals are allowed to come down underneath.”
Goff said the issue usually happens between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m, depending on how rapidly heating is occurring.
“It is somewhat predictable, there are charts available on the Internet that will predict when is is most likely to happen,” he said. “Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it.”
Goff said he has worked all over the country, and TD happens everywhere during hot weather months.
His advice?
“If you hear your favorite station disappear or you start picking up another station — even from another city quite far away — wait 30 to 40 minutes for (ducting) to even out,” he said. “If it continues, give us a call and we will see what we can do.”
Goff can be contacted at Eagle by calling (785) 625-2578. He also suggested checking out one of the many websites online where tropospheric ducting is forecast across the country.
An example of one of those sites can be found HERE.