F region the highest concentration of free electrons and ions anywhere in the atmosphere. It may be thought of as comprising two layers, the F1-and F2-layers. The F-region is located directly above the E region (formerly the Kennelly-Heaviside layer) and below the protonosphere. It acts as a dependable reflector of HF radio signals as it is not affected by atmospheric conditions, although its ionic composition varies with the sunspot cycle. It reflects normal-incident frequencies at or below the critical frequency (approximately 10 MHz) and partially absorbs waves of higher frequency. The F1 layer is the lower sector of the F layer and
Coast earth station Earth station (article 1.63) Coast earth station Coast earth station, also called the coast earth radio station is – according to "article 1.76" of the International Telecommunication Union´s (ITU) ITU Radio Regulations (RR) – defined as «"An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the maritime mobile-satellite service".» Each "radio station" shall be classified by the "service" in which it operates permanently or temporarily. In accordance with "ITU Radio Regulations" (article 1) this type of "radio station" might