TEP openings on 144 MHz between Brazil and the Caribbean - Oct 2020

With Trans-Equatorial Propagation (TEP), zones of high ionization occur on either side of the geomagnetic equator in the F layer of the ionosphere. What makes the model so interesting is that it can allow propagation on the VHF bands from 50 MHz to 144 MHz.

As the zones of ionization are roughly 400kms above ground level, the propagation paths achieved are in the region of 4000 to 5000 km, much greater than what might be usual with Sporadic-E.

TEP propagation normally peaks around the equinox and there have been some interesting contacts made recently between the south of Brazil and stations in the Caribbean.

One such example was a recent contact on 144 MHz between FG8OJ in Guadeloupe and PY2PAL in Brazil. On the map above, the position of the actual equator is shown in Blue while the Geomagnetic Equator is shown in Red.

You can hear the SSB contact on 144.299 MHz below…