A PC-based UHF propagation study in an urban environment

A small-scale study to evaluate the principal modes of propagation for an experimental, beyond-the-horizon UHF link is presented. The propagation channel was characterized statistically in several ways. The data collected exhibited characteristics of both troposcatter and diffraction modes of propagation, with heavy influence from anomalies such as aircraft reflections and ducting. The movement of weather fronts through the region influences the runways used by aircraft, and thus the degree of fading due to aircraft. Weather fronts also influenced the principal mode and characteristics of propagation. The correlation between meteorological conditions and the degree of fading observed was biased by the heavy air traffic and the large beamwidth receiver antenna used.<>