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> different technology could be utilized to optimize coverage.

One of the nicest advantages of the underlying network stack here is that it can run over almost anything (Ethernet, I2P, internet, WiFi ...)

> Should that ever be done is a most excellent question.

Baring your, indeed very valid question, I am sure some enterprising soul would come up with a way to run some microwave trunk or some such, if needed.-

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You generally need line-of-sight for microwave links and the longest known link is something like 350km, and even using tropospheric scatter you can't go over ~500km, so you'd need multiple relay stations with microwaves.

Using a lower band and bouncing off the ionosphere gets you much further but only works if ionosphere weather is OK, and it'll have lower bandwidth (not necessarily a problem though), and encryption is a no-no for amateur radio in most countries

What would it be like - heaven forbid - to have weather-dependant transatlantic links?

(Decently fast, just ... periodically off ...)

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