How far does radio relay go?

The range of microwave radio links in amateur radio depends on various factors, such as the frequency used, the power, the type of antenna, the atmospheric conditions and the topography. In general, microwave radio on the higher frequency bands (e.g. VHF and UHF) enables connections over a few dozen to a few hundred kilometers under normal conditions. However, under special propagation conditions such as tropospheric ducting or when using amateur radio satellites, connections over thousands of kilometers can also be achieved. In the microwave range, parabolic antennas are often used for point-to-point connections over distances of up to a few hundred kilometers, with the exact range depending heavily on the transmission power and receiver sensitivity.