HF radio waves travel during daytime and night-time as what type of waves?

HF radio waves primarily utilize the ionosphere for long-distance communication, especially during the daytime. During this time, these waves are primarily classified as skywaves. Skywaves are radio waves that are reflected back to Earth by the ionosphere, allowing for greater propagation distances.

At night, the behavior of radio waves can change due to the ionospheric conditions becoming more favorable for lower frequencies. However, skywaves remain the primary means of HF communication at night as well.

The distinction in propagation modes is critical. Ground waves are primarily used for shorter distances and are affected by the surface of the Earth. They tend to have limited ranges, especially over longer distances, where skywave propagation becomes more significant.

Understanding these behaviors helps in effective communication practices in different times of day and conditions. The mention of "with a small ground wave range" emphasizes the limited effectiveness of ground waves compared to the capabilities of skywave propagation, particularly in HF communication, which is essential for long-distance transmissions.