> So in your opinion was my first idea close?  At night I may be able to hear a far-away AM station because the waves can bend and bounce better?  The same for the bass drum from the neighbor crappy music?

Yes.  In RF, two effects apply.. Ground wave propagation, which is
better at lower frequencies, and reflection off the ionosphere, also
better at lower frequencies.
Tropospheric ducting is another factor, good for VHF/UHF and
microwaves, but only under special conditions that might last minutes
to hours to days..

If you beam enough VHF or UHF energy at him, the diodes in his
electronics will rectify it, and you'll be able to turn his amplifier
into a very quiet box.. :)  Been there, done that.



> That seems right to me, but "bending around objects" doesn't seems scientific enough an explanation, like one that would go over in a physics classroom.  I think you're right though.


It's called diffraction.
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