What factors can affect the radio range?

The correct choice highlights specific environmental conditions and phenomena that affect radio communication range, particularly in maritime settings.

Weather is a major factor since it can include various elements such as rain, fog, or storms that lead to signal absorption or scattering, thereby impacting the effective range of radio transmissions. High humidity can lead to increased absorption of radio waves, particularly at higher frequencies, which can reduce the clarity and distance that signals can travel. Air inversions, which occur when a layer of warm air traps cooler air below it, can create changes in the atmosphere that refract radio waves, enhancing or limiting their range depending on the conditions. Large waves can also impact line-of-sight communications by obstructing signals, especially in scenarios where waves might temporarily obscure the transmitting or receiving antennas.

While other choices include some relevant concepts, they do not encompass the most significant factors affecting radio range as thoroughly as the chosen answer. Furthermore, aspects like sound waves are more associated with acoustic propagation rather than radio frequencies, which is why they do not contribute to the understanding of radio range limits in this context.