direct wave

direct wave

[də¦rekt ′wāv] (communications) A radio wave that is propagated directly through space from transmitter to receiver without being refracted by the ionosphere.

direct wave

direct waveDirect and indirect waves.An electromagnetic wave that travels directly from a transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna along a straight line. Direct waves are responsible for part, but not all, of the signal propagation between two antennae when a sight line connecting the antennae lies above the ground. The surface (ground) wave and the reflected wave also contribute to the overall signal at the receiving antenna. Also called a line-of-sight wave or a space wave, it is prevalent in frequencies above 30 MHz.