Why is a repeater station important for long-distance communication?

A repeater station is crucial for long-distance communication primarily because it extends the communication range by re-transmitting signals. In long-distance wireless communication, signals tend to weaken and degrade as they travel over greater distances due to various forms of interference and loss of signal strength.

A repeater receives the incoming signal and then amplifies it or regenerates it before sending it onward. This process ensures that the original quality of the signal is maintained, allowing it to reach further distances without losing clarity or becoming too weak to be detected by the receiving end.

This functionality is vital in scenarios such as cellular networks, satellite communications, and radio transmissions, where maintaining a robust communication link over long distances is necessary for effective operation. The other choices, while relevant to wireless communication, do not directly address the fundamental role of a repeater station in extending transmission range, which is its primary purpose.