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Why can an NDB bearing become less reliable at night even when the signal can be received at greater range?
Answer
At night, sky-wave propagation can extend the reception range of LF/MF signals, but the received signal may combine with ground-wave energy or vary through fading. These effects can distort the apparent bearing, so greater reception range does not guarantee greater bearing accuracy.
Explanation
LF/MF signals may travel along the ground and through sky-wave paths. At night, changing propagation conditions can extend range while introducing fading or errors from combined signals. Reception alone therefore does not prove that the bearing is accurate. **Key takeaway:** Range and bearing reliability are different properties. **Glossary:** **Fading**: variation in received signal strength over time.
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