Why did Radio Luxembourg only broadcast after dark?

Question

I found this:

The Luxembourg signal could only reach the UK after dark when the propagation conditions changed.

What are propagation conditions?

Answer 1

Easiest way to explain it: AM (medium wave) signals travel further in the dark. I'm not a very technical person, but I loved AM radio as a kid. From my home in Southern California, I could listen to places as far away as Louisiana and Nebraska at night. It's no fun anymore since all the stations are pretty much the same in the United States.

Answer 2

Actually propagation is the act or process of spreading or broadcasting, especially the process by which a disturbance, such as the motion of electromagnetic or sound waves, is transmitted through a medium such as air or water.

As far as the Luxembourg Signal

When the sun went down there was less interference and the signal could hit the ionosphere and bounce back to the UK...

Answer 3

It has to do with conditions in the atmosphere which change during the day, allowing weak signals to go further.

Answer 4

I think simple answer of your question is -

At night reflecting Ionosphere coming down and helping to reflect Radio Waves of Amplitude Modulation (AM).  Thats why able to listen Luxembourg only at night times.

I am not sure, how much you can understand the Radio Transmitting and Receiving procedures.

During the day time you can be able to listen if you use a external directional antenna towards transmitter.  Or try to tune any higher band frequencies (if transmitting).  For example during the day time you can try at 41 Meter, 49 Meter or 65 Meter band.  Normally all these higher bands are more suitable for day time DXing or Radio listening than any lower bands (13 or 16 or 21 or 25 or 31 Meter Band).