Radio signals in a storm: riding the wave or hanging by a thread?

With thunder and lightning, howling winds, and pouring rain, when a storm is raging, we may hide in the house and feel the wildness of nature. But did you know that this seemingly ruthless storm also has a significant impact on the radio signals on which we depend for survival?

Signal attenuation : Storms are the "signal killer"

Raindrops, hail, and snow are common "signal killers" in storms. They are like tiny obstacles that absorb and scatter radio signals, causing signal strength to weaken or even completely interrupt.

The larger the diameter of the raindrops, the more severe the attenuation of the signal. Generally speaking, the higher the frequency of the radio signal, the faster it attenuates. For example, mobile phone signals usually use higher frequencies and are therefore more easily affected in storms.

Multipath effect: the "ghosting" of signals

When radio signals encounter obstacles such as raindrops and buildings, they will be reflected and scattered, forming multiple propagation paths. The signals on these paths will be superimposed on each other, causing signal distortion and even echoes, which is the so-called "multipath effect."

The multipath effect can blur the received signal, affect the quality of voice calls, and even cause errors in data transmission. In severe cases, it can even cause a complete interruption of radio communications.

Lightning interference : a fatal blow to signals

Lightning is one of the most dangerous phenomena in a storm. It not only poses a threat to personal safety, but also causes strong interference to radio signals.

The electromagnetic pulses generated by lightning can instantly generate strong electric and magnetic fields, interfering with nearby electronic equipment. Radio receivers are also unable to resist such strong interference, causing momentary interruptions or distortion of signals.

Signal enhancement: an unexpected surprise

In some cases, storms can actually boost radio signals because objects such as raindrops and hail can act as reflectors, bouncing radio signals back to the ground, increasing the signal's strength.

This phenomenon is common in ultra-short wave communications. For example, in some mountainous or hilly areas, if there are enough reflective objects on the ground, storms can help expand the coverage of radio signals.

The impact of storms on radio signals is multifaceted, both negative and positive. In order to better resist the impact of storms on radio signals, people have invented various anti-interference technologies, such as frequency hopping technology and spread spectrum technology. With the advancement of science and technology, these technologies will become more and more perfect, helping us maintain smooth radio communications even in severe weather conditions.

Source: Chongqing Radio Science Popularization Experience Center

Audit expert: Yang Yaohui

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