Many factors play a roll in getting a
good signal and clear audio between two stations. We as radio amateurs
only know this to well. With the new
Diamond X50 installed 12 meters above ground, I compiled new Radio Mobile Coverage maps for the 145.550 Mhz RF Network link at the new height.
Radio Mobile uses digital terrain elevation data for automatic extraction of path profile between an emitter and a receiver. This data is added to system, environmental and statistical parameters to feed the Irregular Terrain Model radio propagation model. Elevation data is also used to produce virtual maps in background. More on Radio Mobile by VE2DBE available HERE and HERE.
I
compiled a few images with Radio Mobile Online. Please note that all
the images I compiled were done with basic information and no
experience. There will be discrepancies but it gives a good indication
of possible coverage areas. One should also take
into account that atmospheric propagation conditions on VHF and UHF
change regularly and we know what happens when the "bands open" or
propagation is bad. Please also note that the images were compiled using a fixed base station location and a mobile radio installation. More information about this can be found in the data images now included. (Click on images for larger view.)
Above: Old Radio Mobile Map. Antenna 6m high. Lots of yellow (marginal) areas in George
Above: Contacts to and from Oudtshoorn should be possible as well as De Rust. This conform to past contacts that I had with Nico ZS4N (Mobile) and my J-Pole antenna at home. The final contact area was from the De Rust area before contact was lost.
Above: Here is another interesting prediction towards Plettenberg Bay. Now we all know that there are many valleys in the Knysna area that hampers VHF signals. Radio Mobile predicts coverage in the red circled area. This is in the Garden of Eden area halfway between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Thys ZS1TBP mobile confirmed that he received the GRHub Network 145.550 Mhz RF Link in this area. Unfortunately he was unable to call in as the link was busy at the time.
Reception and Transmission reports are most welcome and can be given on
the GRHub Network by connecting to Echolink ZS1I-L + AllStar 49355 or
via email by clicking HERE.
