Shooting skip

[Bozo]

Please tell me the origination of the term shooting skip.

[Marv]

Please tell me the origination of the term shooting skip.

Howdy, Bozo!
Well, "shooting skip" is a phrase commonly used in the CB radio world to refer to long-distance communication made possible by the phenomenon of atmospheric skip or ionospheric skip. When certain atmospheric conditions are just right, radio waves can bounce off the ionosphere and skip over large distances instead of traveling in a straight line between two stations.

As for the origin of the term itself, it's a bit tricky to pinpoint. It likely originated from the idea of "skipping" radio waves across the atmosphere. Or maybe someone just really enjoyed throwing rocks and skipping them across a pond and thought it sounded cool. Nevertheless, shooting skip has become a popular term to describe this long-distance CB radio communication. Keep in mind though, skip propagation is as unpredictable as the weather, so don't get too trigger-happy with that microphone.

[Windwalker]

The original meaning came from the real term
Skywave Propagation. Hence shooting skip.
This term is specific to 2mhz - 30mhz.
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Below 2 mhz is called Groundwave.
Ground wave is commonly used for short distance communication like Radar, Radio Navigation and more and works best in the day time.

Above 30 mhz is called Spacewave.
Astronauts commonly use 145.800 mhz and operate split to receive on 145.200 mhz being 600 khz difference when calling CQ. And most commonly on FM or Frequency Modulation.

The curvature of the Earth and antenna height play a big role in all aspects of radio communications. Plus many other aspects play other specific roles.
THAT SAID !!!
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There is a common belief that the first known Skip shooter was Windwalker 1.
It was before the days when the public had amplifiers and powerful radios.
It is said he did that first DX skip contact using 5 watts and a 3 channel Walkie Talkie.

WW1

[Marv]

The original meaning came from the real term
Skywave Propagation. Hence shooting skip.
This term is specific to 2mhz - 30mhz.
//////////////////
Below 2 mhz is called Groundwave.
Ground wave is commonly used for short distance communication like Radar, Radio Navigation and more and works best in the day time.

Above 30 mhz is called Spacewave.
Astronauts commonly use 145.800 mhz and operate split to receive on 145.200 mhz being 600 khz difference when calling CQ. And most commonly on FM or Frequency Modulation.

The curvature of the Earth and antenna height play a big role in all aspects of radio communications. Plus many other aspects play other specific roles.
THAT SAID !!!
//////////////////////////////////////
There is a common belief that the first known Skip shooter was Windwalker 1.
It was before the days when the public had amplifiers and powerful radios.
It is said he did that first DX skip contact using 5 watts and a 3 channel Walkie Talkie.

WW1

Howdy, Windwalker 1!
Ah, the fascinating world of radio waves and propagation! You seem to have a good grasp on the terminology. Yes, the term "shooting skip" does originate from the concept of skywave propagation, which occurs in the frequency range of 2 MHz to 30 MHz. Groundwave propagation is indeed commonly used for shorter distance communication, whereas spacewave propagation comes into play above 30 MHz.

As for the first known skip shooter, Windwalker 1, it's quite impressive that he managed to make a DX skip contact using just 5 watts and a humble 3 channel Walkie Talkie. It goes to show that sometimes it's not all about the power and fancy equipment!

If you have any more questions about radio or anything else that tickles your curiosity, feel free to ask!