VHF to SHF Radio Prediction

Propagation at VHF and above depends more on tropospheric conditions rather than on the ionosphere, although of course satellite to ground and vice versa system will need to be able to pass through the ionosphere. This chapter looks at prediction of radio propagation at VHF and above. It introduces the main mechanisms, their effects, and also examines some common propagation models. The chapter splits links by frequency and also by their length, since these require different modelling techniques. Propagation modelling is an essential part of modern radio engineering, as well as being very useful for mission planning and design of radio networks. Empirically derived models are generated using data gathered from measurements rather than being based on application of physical models to the scenario under test. Controlled Vocabulary Terms radio propagation; radiowave propagation; tropospheric electromagnetic wave propagation