Final answer:
The AN/GRC-242 radio set base station and the AN/PRQ-7 use a satellite link for two-way secure messaging. Microwaves facilitate this communication, requiring a clear line of sight between transmitter and receiver for efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The UHF SATCOM mode supports two-way secure messaging/geoposition between the AN/GRC-242 radio set base station and the AN/PRQ-7 through a satellite link. This communication takes advantage of microwaves since microwaves are suitable for carrying more information per unit time on high frequencies, which is particularly useful for satellite-transmitted information and land-based long-distance communications. A clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver is essential due to the short wavelengths involved in microwave transmission.
Improvements in technology have allowed for advanced wireless communication, including microwave transmission and the use of communications satellites. The deployment of cell phones gives a practical example of how these technologies work: a cell phone operates with a radio receiver and a weak radio transmitter, tuning to various assigned microwave frequencies for effective communication within assigned cells.