Amplitude, duration and predictability of long hop trans-horizon X-band signals over the sea

A 10.71 GHz trans-horizon radio link of 254.1 km across the English Channel (La Manche) between Brittany and Dorset has been continuously monitored for two years. The distribution of signal strength measured in dB relative to free space is normal and the duration of threshold exceedances is log-normal. The correlation between weakly average signal amplitude and weekly average maximum daily local temperature at the receiver site is good. Correlation with other meteorological parameters is also discussed together with cyclic daily and monthly variabilities.