Radio Mobile

Radio Propagation and Radio Coverage

computer simulation program

by:

Roger Coud, VE2DBE

Program Operating Guide

by:
Brian J. Henderson, P. Eng.
VE6ZS
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Copyright Brian J. Henderson, P. Eng.

December 30, 2008

Table of Contents
Copyright and Author Radio Mobile ...................................................................1
Copyright and Author Radio Mobile User Guide ................................................1
Introduction ...........................................................................................................1
Radio Mobile Program Description .......................................................................1
Radio Coverage Basics ........................................................................................2
Radio receiver Operation ..................................................................................3
The deciBel (dB)................................................................................................3
Decibel Mathematics .........................................................................................4
deciBel and Radio Standards ............................................................................4
Propagation Modes ...........................................................................................5
K factor ............................................................................................................5
Propagation Loss ..................................................................................................6
Free Space loss ................................................................................................6
Diffraction Loss..................................................................................................6
Total Loss Between Sites..................................................................................7
Radio Waves ........................................................................................................8
Fresnel Zones ...................................................................................................8
Fresnel Zone 1 (F1).........................................................................................10
Fresnel Zone 2 (F2).........................................................................................10
Fresnel Zone 3 (F3).........................................................................................10
Fresnel Zone Effect .........................................................................................10
Fresnel Zone Radius and Earth Clearance .....................................................11
Clear Line-of-Sight ..........................................................................................12
Point to Point Radio links ................................................................................12
Path Reliability Point to Point Radio.................................................................12
Point to Point Reliability...................................................................................13
Radio Coverage Probability.............................................................................13
Radio Path Fade Margin .................................................................................14
Geographic Coordinate Systems ........................................................................14
Earth Reference Points ...................................................................................15
Latitude and Longitude....................................................................................16
Maidenhead Locator System...........................................................................17
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) ............................................................18
Military Grid Reference System (MGRS).........................................................18
Elevation Data and Elevation Maps ....................................................................19
Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED).............................................................20
Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)....................................................21
Using downloaded Elevation Data...................................................................21
Radio Mobile Program Installation ......................................................................22
Program Use and Operation ...............................................................................22
Data Entry and Format ....................................................................................22
Program Start and check for Program Updates ..................................................22
Radio Mobile Input Parameters .......................................................................22
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Maps and Map Properties...................................................................................24

Find Peak and Low Elevation ..........................................................................26
Network...............................................................................................................27
Changing and viewing Networks .....................................................................27
Network Properties..........................................................................................28
Topology .........................................................................................................30
Membership.....................................................................................................31
Systems ..............................................................................................................32
Style ................................................................................................................34
Units....................................................................................................................35
Showing Units and Links .................................................................................37
Producing a Coverage Map ................................................................................37
Grey Scale ......................................................................................................38
Other Display Options .....................................................................................38
Add Radio Coverage .......................................................................................39
Polar Coverage ...............................................................................................39
Combined Cartesian........................................................................................41
Other notes about Coverage Plots......................................................................42
Combining with Geographic and/or Roadmap ....................................................43
Hot Keys .............................................................................................................44
Point to Point Radio links ....................................................................................44
Exiting the Program ............................................................................................46
Summary ............................................................................................................47

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Radio Mobile Computer Program

The Basics and Program Operation

Copyright and Author Radio Mobile

The Radio Mobile computer program is written and maintained by Roger Coud,
VE2DBE. The program is copyright by Roger Coud. It is available from the
Radio Mobile website, http://www.cplus.org/rmw/english1.html, hosted by
Communications Plus and the Mirror site (http://www.ve2dbe.com) by
Polancodesign

Copyright and Author Radio Mobile User Guide

This User Guide paper is written and maintained by Brian Henderson, P. Eng.,
VE6ZS as an assistance guide to using the program. The user guide is copyright
2008, Brian Henderson.
There are other descriptions of Radio Mobile installation and program use on
Rogers website; however, this is simply another alternative to assist with
understanding and using the program.

Introduction
Radio Mobile is a computer simulation program used for predicting the radio
coverage of a base station, repeater or other radio network. Ground elevation
and various radio parameters are taken into account to predict coverage around
a radio site.
The paper consists of 2 parts.
1. The first part describes radio propagation in general, including the
mathematics of propagation calculation.
2. The second part describes the Radio Mobile program and some of the
basics and input parameters required to use it.

Radio Mobile Program Description

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Radio Mobile uses the following input parameters to predict and provide a
coverage map showing radio coverage:

Transmitter location
Transmitter power output
Frequency
Antenna Type
Antenna Pattern
Antenna Gain
Transmission line losses, including filters and multicouplers
Terrain and elevation data for the area

The program uses terrain elevation data from either the SRTM (Shuttle Radar
Topography Mission) or the DTED (Digital Terrain Elevation Data) databases that
are both available free on the Internet. Other formats for elevation are available;
however, these two are the most common.
The program will produce a coloured plot of radio coverage from 1 or multiple
base stations showing expected receive signal levels. Levels are displayed
using any of the following units specified by the user:

S-units
V
dBm
V/m

Coverage contours can be displayed as either a pass/fail (above/below a user

specified signal level). Coverage can also be displayed using a rainbow of
coverage, using various colours to show various signal levels.
The program has the ability to combine this coverage prediction map together
with a road or other geographic map. The plot can be quickly used to determine
if communication from a specific location is possible.

Radio Coverage Basics

This section discusses some of the concepts used for radio propagation
simulation and how computers analyze radio propagation and coverage. These
sections are presented as background information for the reader.
Radio propagation is the study of how radio waves travel from a transmitter site
to a receiver site through the atmosphere. Radio signals are affected by terrain
elevation between the sites, and obstructions, including trees, buildings, etc. that

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may be in between the two sites. Radio signals are also affected by atmospheric
and other weather related conditions.
Radio propagation and coverage has its own language, like any other specialty.

Radio receiver Operation

The intent of any radio receiver is to receive and decode a specific signal from
the many signals in the air and separate it from noise and other unwanted
signals. Receiver threshold is the minimum amount of signal required for a
receiver to decode and the user or listen to a message.
Example, most mobile radios have a receiver sensitivity of 0.5 V. A signal at
this level has noise along with it. If the radio is moving (mobile or handheld
radio), the signal will change up and down, increasing and decreasing the
background noise. Increase the signal level to 1 V, the noise is substantially
reduced and the signal is much easier for the ear to decode. Decrease the
signal below 0.25 V and it may disappear into the noise and not be understood.
Changing from 0.5 V to 1 V as a reference and calculation level is a 6 dB
increase in power level and makes the signal much easier to understand. The
signal will continue to vary up and down; however, these changes are less
noticeable to the ear when listening.
Additional fade margin improves the usability of a radio system. It is not
recommended to design a radio system to the complete maximum of radio
performance. The result of a system designed to the maximum is that it shows
very good coverage on a map, however, it is not useable at the extremities of
predicted radio coverage.

The deciBel (dB)

The deciBel (abbreviated dB) is a logarithmic value commonly used for radio
propagation calculations. Radio propagation works using logarithmic numbers.
Why? Radio propagation involves complicated multiplication at varying points
along a radio path. A directional antenna multiplies the signal by its gain. Feed
line cable divides the signal by its loss. The equations become very complex.
Taking logarithms of all gain and loss values allows them to be simply added and
subtracted. When all gains and losses are identified, they can simply be added
up to determine the final receive signal level. Overall mathematics is simplified
by using the deciBel, abbreviated to dB.
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To keep the mathematics simpler, antennas, feed line losses and insertion loss
of duplexers etc. are all specified as dB values.
The Radio Mobile program works mostly in deciBels. Where input is required
from a normally linear device, such as transmitter power output or receiver
sensitivity, the program provides the ability to enter number in either Watts or V
(linear) or dBm (logarithmic). The program will convert these numbers to a dB
value for program use.

Decibel Mathematics
The deciBel is logarithmic number that is a ratio, in this case, between 2 power
levels.
The decibel is defined by the following equation:
dB = 10 * log10 (Power level 1)
(Power level 2)
Note that the units in the above equation must cancel out, meaning that if the top
is specified in Watts, the bottom must also be specified in Watts.
For example, linear amplifier gain may be specified in deciBels.
If input power = 75 Watts and output power = 300 Watts, the gain of this amplifier
is:
10 * log10 300 Watts = 6.02 dB.
75 Watts

deciBel and Radio Standards

It is also worth noting that several standards have been established within the
radio industry using the deciBel.
dBW is deciBels above a 1-Watt reference.
A 1-Watt transmitter has an output of 0 dBW.
A 10-Watt transmitter has an output of +10 dBW.
A 25-Watt transmitter has an output of +14 dBW.
dBm is deciBel above a 1-milliWatt (mW) reference.
A 1-Watt transmitter has an output of +30 dBm.
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A 10-Watt transmitter has an output of +40 dBm.

A 25-Watt transmitter has an output of +44 dBm.
As can be seen, changing from dBW to dBm is simply a matter of adding or
subtracting 30.
dBm can and is commonly used to specify receiver sensitivity.
0.5 V is equivalent to 113 dBm
1.0 V is equivalent to 107 dBm
10 V is equivalent to 87 dBm
Note that dBm for receiver sensitivity is based on a voltage level in V, not a
power level in Watts. Mathematically, this is taken into account and does make a
difference to the deciBel calculations.

Propagation Modes
Line of sight is simply that if the distant site is visible from the transmitter
antenna location on the tower, it is considered within the coverage area. This is
referred to as optical line of sight coverage. The optical line of sight method
does not take into account reflections, Fresnel Zones or the slight bending of
radio waves along the surface of the earth.
Radio path loss between 2 sights that are within line of sight uses free space
loss only. No other loss parameters are considered.
We all know that radio waves travel in straight lines. The early mathematics of
radio propagation considered that radio and light were essentially the same and
travelled in the same manner. If a distant site could be seen optically, radio
communication was possible. Therefore, there is an option to show line of sight
coverage.

K factor
It was discovered by the British during early radar research (at really high
frequencies, around 300 MHz in the late 1930s) and later by AT&T at Bell
Laboratories, that radio waves travel a little further and actually bend with the
surface of the earth. The bending is proportional to frequency. The higher the
frequency, the less the bending.
VHF radio systems have better coverage than UHF systems due to the better
bending of VHF frequencies.
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After some extensive analysis of propagation, it was determined that if the

diameter of the earth is increased by approximately 1.33 or 4/3, radio waves do
travel in straight lines over this larger earth. The 4/3 earth radius is called the
K factor and continually shows up in radio path design and propagation theory.
The earths curvature, as it begins to protrude into a radio path as distance
between sites increases, is commonly called the earth bulge.
The K factor is the difference between performing radio propagation studies as
line of sight paths and actual radio paths.
It is also worth noting that K is another of the variables that changes with
atmospheric conditions. The typical value of K is 4/3. However, it can range
anywhere from about 2/3 to up as high as 10. These ranges do not occur often;
however, they can and have occurred on microwave test ranges.
K usually has a tendency to increase, producing less earth bulge, and less loss
between radio sites. K can range up to 10, depending on atmospheric
conditions.
K can also decrease. Sometimes, K can decrease to as low as 2/3 or 0.66.
Again, this does not happen often, however, can occur. Effect is an increase in
signal loss and lower signal level at the receiver.

Propagation Loss
There are 2 signal losses that add together as the atmospheric and distance loss
between a transmitter and receiver site. Both can be calculated between the
transmitter and receiver sites.

Free Space loss

Free Space loss is the loss due to the distance between sites. It does not take
into account obstructions. It assumes that the sites are completely in the clear,
hence the term Free Space. It may also be called line of sight loss.
The commonly accepted equation for calculating Free Space Loss is:
FSL (dB) = 36.57 + 20*log10 (Distance in miles) + 20*log10 (Frequency in MHz)

Diffraction Loss
Diffraction loss is the loss that results from signals being obstructed by hills,
buildings, trees or other objects. Diffraction loss also results as the distance
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between sites increases and the curvature of the earth obstructs the path. The
earth obstruction is commonly referred to as the earth bulge.
Calculation of diffraction loss is very complicated and beyond the scope of this
paper.

Total Loss Between Sites

Total path loss between 2 sites is calculated by adding together all the dB values
including Free Space Loss and Diffraction Loss. The remaining parameters that
must be added to arrive at a receive signal level are summarized here.
Provide all numbers are in deciBels as described above, this table can be filled in
and the numbers added to determine receive signal level.
Transmit Power Output
Connector loss
Multicoupler or filter loss
Duplexer loss
Feed line loss
Transmit Antenna Gain
Free Space Loss
Diffraction Loss
Receiver Antenna Gain
Feed line loss
Duplexer loss
Multicoupler or filter loss
Connector loss

dBm
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

Calculated receive signal level

dBm

Receiver sensitivity

dBm

Fade Margin

dB

Many of these loss parameters, such as duplexer and antenna losses and gains,
are available from manufacturers specification sheets, etc.
Connector loss is a parameter commonly overlooked in many calculations.
Depending on connector type, it can be from 0.2 to 1.0 dB per connector. Some
connector types have more loss than others. It also depends on the quality of
the connector and experience of the connector installer.

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Radio Waves
For this discussion, it is worth noting that radio waves are sine waves. They
oscillate between high and low at the carrier frequency of the transmitter. Since
they are sine waves, they have a frequency and phase component. Phase is a
specific point on the sine wave curve. All sine waves repeat themselves after
360 of arc, similar to a circle.

180

360

540

1 cycle (360)

Figure 1. The Sine Wave

Fresnel Zones
Fresnel zones are used by propagation theory to calculate reflections and
diffraction loss between a transmitter and receiver. Fresnel zones are numbered
and are called F1, F2, F3 etc.
There are an infinite number of Fresnel zones, however, only the first 3 have any
real effect on radio propagation.
What is a Fresnel zone and why is it important?
Fist, what is it? A Fresnel zone is a cylindrical ellipse drawn between transmitter
and receiver. The size of the ellipse is determined by the frequency of operation
and the distance between the two sites.

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Main Signal
Fres
n

e l zo
ne 1
(F
Fre 1)
sne
lz

Transmitter

one

Reflected Signal
2Z
(F2
)

Receiver

Figure 2. First and second Fresnel Zones

How big is it?
When a radio signal travels between transmitter and receiver, it can travel in
several ways. It can go directly between transmitter and receiver (main signal).
Signal can reflect off the ground and then carry on to the distant receiver
(reflected signal). It can go left or right and be reflected back by a hill (another
reflected signal).
Fresnel zone radius describes this reflection in relation to overall radio path
length. Figure 2 above shows main and reflected signals and F1 (first Fresnel
zone) and F2 (second Fresnel zone). The reflection can happen at any location
between the transmitter and receiver. The figure shows the reflection happening
at a random location, not the centre of the path.
When a signal is reflected two things happen.

the phase of the signal reverses and the signal changes in phase by 180.
Since the signal is being reflected and not going in a direct line, it travels
slightly further to the refection point and then on to the receiver.
Therefore, the signal is shifted further in phase, by the difference in path
length.

Over a long path, this can amount to 180 or more.

Why is this important? The receive antenna cannot differentiate between a main
and reflected signal. They are both on the same frequency. It receives both
main and reflected signals. It also receives any other signals within its designed
frequency range.

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When an antenna receives a main signal and a reflected signal, the 2 signals will
combine and add together at the antenna. If they are 360 shifted (in phase),
there is no issue. However, if the signals are 180 apart (opposite phase), they
will cancel and the receiver will receive nothing.
The cancelled signal is the one to be avoided.

Fresnel Zone 1 (F1)

The first Fresnel zone radius is calculated so that the difference in path length
between the main signal and a reflected signal from the F1 radius distance is
180. A reflected signal shifted by 180 of path distance plus 180 from the
actual reflection point totals 360 of phase shift. The 2 signals, main and
reflected, arrive at the antenna 360 apart or in phase. They will add together
and not affect receiver performance.
This reflection phase shift can happen anywhere from the calculated Fresnel
zone tube, properly known as an ellipse.

Fresnel Zone 2 (F2)

The second Fresnel zone radius is calculated so that the path length difference
between the main and reflected signals from the second Fresnel zone tube is
360.
This is critical, since a reflected signal has an automatic 180 phase shift plus the
path length difference of 360 equals a phase shift of 540. 540 and 180 are
the same phase shift in mathematics and the 2 signals will cancel, leaving no
signal at the receiver.
The second Fresnel Zone, F2, is the zone of reflection that is not wanted when
designing a radio path.

Fresnel Zone 3 (F3)

The third Fresnel zone has a path length difference of 540. Add this to the 180
reflection shift; the total is 720, and the 2 signals are in phase.

Fresnel Zone Effect

Two important effects rely on Fresnel zone calculations.
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For reflection and multipath analysis, even numbered Fresnel zones (F2, F4, F6)
incur a net 180 signal reflection. These are detrimental to radio propagation.
Odd numbered Fresnel zones (F1, F3, F5) incur a net 360 phase shift and have
no effect. Odd numbered Fresnel zones are the good guys.
The effect of these reflections in mobile operation can be experienced near the
extreme end of coverage of a repeater for example.
What is heard in the receiver is a rapid increase/decrease of signal, often called
picket fencing. The rapid increase and decrease of signal from a moving radio
or vehicle is called Rayleigh fading. It is a direct result of Fresnel zone
reflections coming and going as the vehicle moves down the highway.

Fres
n

e l zo
ne 1

(F1)

Fresnel
Fresnel
Zone
Zone Radius
Clearance

Fresnel Zone Radius and Earth Clearance

Earth Terrain and elevation

Transmitter

Receiver

Figure 3. Fresnel Zone Radius and Earth Clearance

The diameter of the Fresnel Zone (half the diameter is the radius) of the elliptical
cylinder can be calculated.
The important component of Fresnel Zone Radius is the clearance between the
Fresnel zone cylinder and the surface of the earth. As shown in Figure 3, the
Fresnel zone radius and Fresnel zone earth clearance are shown.
If the ratio of
Fresnel zone earth clearance
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Fresnel zone radius

is greater than 60%, the radio path is considered clear, line of sight and incurs
no diffraction loss.
This understanding of Fresnel zones and their effect assists in understanding
how and why radio coverage can be predicted using mathematics and now,
computers.

Clear Line-of-Sight
When calculating path loss between radio sites, if the signal path exceeds 60%
of F1 (First Fresnel zone), the radio signal is considered clear line-of-sight and
will incur no diffraction loss.
As terrain or the earth reduces Fresnel clearance below the 60% value,
diffraction loss increases.
Clear line of sight is also referred to as optical line of sight.

Point to Point Radio links

Point to point radio links are discussed later in this paper, however, it is worth
noting a common design trick for point-to-point links.
Since the F2 zone is detrimental to receive signal level, antenna heights are
often selected so that F1 is an unobstructed path and F2 is obstructed by a hill or
the earth bulge along the path.
Any 180 reflected signals along the F2 zone are attenuated by the hill or the
earth and do not reach the receive antenna to interfere and cancel the main
receive signal.

Path Reliability Point to Point Radio

Radio path reliability and fade margin were discussed in Radio Path Fade
Margin.
Point to point radio links have more extensive analysis performed to determine
radio path reliability.
The clear line-of-sight path was discussed in section Fresnel Zone Effect. A
radio path must be more than 60% clear of the First Fresnel zone (F1) to incur no
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diffraction loss. Here is where some of the free calculation tools may give
overly optimistic link calculations.
These propagation tools usually specify clear line-of-sight paths. They do not
take into account diffraction loss.

Point to Point Reliability

Point to point reliability is a calculation that involves signal fade margin, distance
between the sites, channel bandwidth and a myriad of other factors.
There are 2 important input parameters that involve K and Fresnel zone
clearance. These parameters will allow calculation of the required antenna
height to achieve the Fresnel zone clearance required.
Telephone networks have long used K=4/3 or 1.33 and a Fresnel clearance of
60% for microwave path design. Space diversity (2 receive antenna) systems
use a 100% Fresnel clearance for the higher antenna and 60% clearance for the
lower antenna.
Military networks have long used K=2/3 or 0.66 and a Fresnel clearance of either
60% or 100%. This does give higher antennas and shorter paths and usually
higher path reliability.
Care must be taken, as antennas higher up can run into reflection problems and
the F2 clearance and reflected signals can become a problem when using the
military design criteria.
It is always worth checking for signal reflections along a radio path. Radio mobile
cannot perform reflection analysis. A program that does provide reflection
calculation is Pathloss.

Radio Coverage Probability

All radio coverage is based on probability theory. Radio coverage at a specific
location relative to a distant transmitter can be specified for a 50%, 90% or higher
probability of successful communication. Radio coverage cannot be guaranteed
100% of the time.
Radio coverage is affected by weather and atmospheric conditions on a continual
basis. Rain or snow can affect higher frequency satellite and microwave
communication. Temperature inversions can affect VHF and UHF and cause
reflections that either increase or decrease signal level at a distant site.
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Because of these variables, radio networks rely on a parameter called Fade

Margin. Fade margin is the safety factor used to determine the level of
probability of successful radio communication. Fade margin is the additional
signal, above a receiver threshold, that is not necessary for communication,
however, is necessary for reliability prediction.

Radio Path Fade Margin

The following is an approximate list of common fade margins and probability
numbers. Other factors do influence fade margin, including path distance and
frequency, however, these numbers give a reasonable appreciation of fade
margin.
Percentages refer to time period, as in 50% of the time, signal will be at or
greater than the calculated value.
50%
90%
99%
99.9%
99.99%

6 dB
10 dB
20 dB
30 dB
40 dB

Obviously, the higher the fade margin, the higher the probability that a usable
communication signal will be received, and the smaller the coverage area
displayed to maintain this fade margin.
For most mobile systems, a fade margin of 6 to 10 dB is acceptable. Critical
systems such as police, fire and ambulance may require higher reliabilities and
require higher fade margins during system design.
It is worth noting that cellular radio systems and to a limited extent, public trunked
radio systems use fade margins of the order of 10 to 20 dB. To keep cellular and
trunked telephones small, antennas are small and inefficient; therefore, more
signal level is required to maintain a reliable communication path from a cell site
to a cellular telephone.
Coverage for mobile radios will always be greater than for a handheld radio. The
difference is due to the smaller and lower gain antennas and smaller capture
area of the handheld antenna. Handheld radios also have a lower transmit
power than mobile radios.

Geographic Coordinate Systems

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Radio Mobile has the ability to operate using 4 different coordinate systems. All
of these locate a radio or user at a unique location on the earths surface.
Better descriptions of these coordinate systems are available from Wikipedia on
the Internet and other sources. Simple descriptions of the coordinate systems
are presented here.
Radio Mobile input makes use of the following coordinate systems:

Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long), default and always used
Maidenhead Locator System (Maidenhead) or QRA
Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator

MGRS Military Grid Reference System is based on and is similar to UTM

coordinates.
Radio Mobile initially defaults to using Latitude and Longitude and the QRA
(Maidenhead Locator System).
The alternate coordinate system can be changed under options. Select
Options, Coordinates and any of the above 4 coordinate systems can be set
as the alternate. Latitude and Longitude remain always available.
Note also that the status bar at the bottom of the page will show up to 3
coordinate systems of where the cursor, as displayed on the map, is located.
Simply check off the boxes of the coordinate systems desired.
When moving the cursor around on the map, the display continually shows
cursor location and elevation in metres at the cursor point. Note that the X-Y
reference, if selected, shows the cursor location in pixels, selected when the size
of the map (in pixels) is chosen for map display during map extraction. Pixels
and map resolution are defined under Map Properties when extracting a map.
The X-Y reference 0, 0 point is the top left corner of the map.

Earth Reference Points

Also, note that in order to represent the round earth on a flat map, there are a
number of reference survey points selected on the earth for various coordinate
systems. The earth is not a perfect sphere. The technical term is oblate
spheroid. There are a number of ellipsoids used to represent actual points on
the earth using the survey reference points.

The most common ellipsoid is Clarke, 1866 (of Lewis and Clarke).

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Numerous geographic reference datums are used as survey reference

points.
Canada uses both North American Datum, 1927 (NAD27), located west of
Kansas City. This datum is more or less the geographic centre of the 48
States.
Canada is in the process of upgrading to North American Datum 1983
(NAD83). This reference datum uses a different ellipsoid to represent the
shape of the earth and is based on satellite imagery. The reference point
is virtual (not a real point) and derived by mathematics.
The UTM coordinate system and other locations use an ellipsoid and
reference point defined by the World Geographical Standard, 1984
(WGS84). WGS84 is the reference ellipsoid used by the GPS navigation
system.

These locations cause slight shifts in reference points of a map and shift in
location of a specific point on the surface. The shifts are small and for the most
part have limited effect on calculation or display of radio coverage.
Surveyors are concerned about the 200 m to 300 m differences between the
various reference points; however, radio coverage is not significantly affected.

Latitude and Longitude

Latitude and Longitude is probably the most widely known of locating a spot on
earth.
The world is divided into horizontal slices. These are lines of Latitude. The
equator is at 0, the north pole is at 90 North and the South Pole is at 90 South.
The world is divided into vertical segments (like an orange). These are lines on
Longitude. The 0 meridian passes through Greenwich, England (now a suburb
of London, England). The 180 meridian lies in the Pacific Ocean, east of Asia.
Points are measured east and west of the 0 meridian and are referred to as East
and West Longitude. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (), each minute is
divided into 60 seconds (), just like a clock.
The intersection of Latitude and Longitude defines a specific unique location on
the earth.
A location on the earth appears as
51 2 43.63 N, 114 3 26.14 W.

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The disadvantage to Latitude and Longitude is that distances and map scales
change, depending on the latitude of the location. Further, north or south, the
lines of Latitude represent different distances on a map.
One degree of Longitude at the equator is defined as 1 Nautical mile. However,
this decreases with distance, north or south of the equator, ultimately requiring a
map scale to change as the lines of longitude meet at the North and South poles.

Maidenhead Locator System

The Maidenhead Locator system locates amateur radio stations into grid squares
on earth using a minimum number of characters. The intent is that these
characters can be easily sent and exchanged using short transmissions of voice
or Morse code.
The format of the Maidenhead system is XY45xy. Alternating characters X, 4, x
combine to represent Longitude and Y, 5, y combine to represent Latitude.
The Maidenhead system divides the earth into 10 (north south or latitude) by 20
(east west or Longitude) grid squares. Latitude begins counting at the South
Pole; Longitude begins counting at 180 West. There are no negative numbers
using the Maidenhead system.
Longitude is presented first, beginning at 180 W, with letter A. Letters
increment sequentially to letter R that completes the zone circle around the
earth.
Latitude is the next character and begins counting at the south Pole with the
letter A. Zones are lettered south to north (south to north pole) using letters A
through R.
Single digit numbers appear next. First digit is again Longitude and divides the
20 zone into 2 squares. Second digit is Latitude and divides the 10 zone into
1 squares. Each grid square is 1 by 2.
Another pair of lowercase letters (usually) further divides a grid square into sub
squares. Each grid square is divided by 24 into 2.5 by 5 sub squares. Letters
a through x show these sub squares. The same convention is used, first letter
is longitude; second letter is latitude.
A location using the Maidenhead locator system appears as
DO21xb.

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Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

UTM coordinates are completely metric coordinates and define a location on
earth by Easting and Northing (E and N). Coordinates are based on latitude and
longitude, however, the distance scale does not change.
The earth is divided into 60 vertical Zones around the equator. Each zone has a
longitude width of 6. Zones are sequentially numbered from west to east,
beginning at the 180 meridian of longitude in the Pacific Ocean. A UTM
coordinate will always quote the zone number.
Eastings are measured in metres east of a specific zone boundary. Northings
are measured in metres north or south of the equator. Note also that the zone
will be followed by a letter. Letters are assigned every 8 moving north from 80
South Latitude, beginning with letter C (Letters I and O are omitted). The
equator is at N, Canadian locations may be at T, U or V.
Letters indicate the approximate location and are used to indicate if a location is
north or south of the equator. A negative UTM coordinate does not appear. The
equator is
A UTM coordinate appears as
706,277 E, 5,658,780.9 N, Zone 11U.
Most topographic maps show UTM coordinates on the map, making a location
easy to find. Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) maps show
Eastings and Northings in blue and include 1-kilometre grid lines to locate a
specific point on the map.
Note that there are exceptions to this description. Within the north and south
polar areas, a slightly different system is used, also defined in the UTM standard.
These exceptions are described in other references, including Wikipedia.

Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)

The Military Grid Reference System is based on the UTM system. It is the
system used by NATO to specify a location on the earth. Radio Mobile can
accept location input using the MGRS coordinate.
The MGRS locator system relies on grid squares defining a 100,000 m or 10 km
square on the earths surface. It is similar to and based on UTM coordinates,
however, letters are used to indicate the location of these squares on the earth.

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UTM zones are divided into 100,000 m slices and lettered from west to east
using letters A through Z, omitting I and O. At the equator, each UTM zone
requires 8 letters. Lettering is repeated when the end of the alphabet is reached.
As distance from the equator increases north or south, letters are dropped from
the end of the alphabet (since the lines of longitude get closer together).
North or south of the equator, squares are lettered A through V (omitting I and
O) in odd numbered zones. In even numbered zones, lettering begins at F.
After the letter V the letters repeat. Letters begin at the bottom of the square
and sequentially increase moving north.
The offsets allow unique lettering of each 100,000 m grid square.
Following the grid square letters are a series of numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 digits.
These numbers are the metric UTM coordinates and are the Easting and
Northing numbers.
The number of digits specifies how accurate a location is. The series of numbers
is split equally (even number of digits) for Easting and Northing respectively and
specifies a location to the following accuracy:

1+1 digits specify distances to 10,000 m (10 km)

2+2 digits specify distances to 1,000 m (1 km)
3+3 digits specify distances to 100 m
4+4 digits specify distances to 10 m
5+5 digits specify distances to 1 m

A typical Military Grid Reference System location appears as:

11U QS 06277 58781

Elevation Data and Elevation Maps

Elevation data is available in many printed and paper forms (printed maps),
however, has only been recently available in electronic form for use by
computers. First, a little history of paper maps.
In Canada, elevation data continues to be available on topographic contour
maps, either in 1:50,000 or 1:250,000 scales, produced by the Geological Survey
of Canada. These maps show elevation contour lines at 25 or 50 feet intervals
(older maps, not yet converted to metric) and 10 or 20m intervals (newer maps).
Other countries have similar topographic maps in similar scales.
Most of the Canadian contour maps were made from aerial photography pictures
taken in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Over time, these maps have been
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updated to show city growth and other changes. However, it is not uncommon to
see dates from the 1970s on current contour maps. Since elevation contours
have not changed much in 50 years, this is not considered a problem.
Contour maps are available for some countries, the USA uses a 1:24,000 scale
standard. Some countries do not have contour maps, or do not release them to
the general public.
Last resort are Aeronautical WAC charts (World Aeronautical Charts) that show
all land areas of the world. Contour intervals are at either 100 or 500 feet only.
Scale of WAC Charts is usually 1:500,000, which gives very low resolution.

Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED)

During the late 1980s Canada began leading the way with electronic maps that
could be interpreted and used by computer. They developed the Digital Terrain
Elevation Data or DTED series of maps for north eastern Alberta, near Cold
Lake. These were expanded and now cover most of Canada.
The original maps took spot elevations every 500 m from a 1:250,000 scale
map (1 cm = 2.5 km, or 1 inch = 6.3 miles).
The second generation of maps averaged the elevation over that same 500 m
square and provided the single elevation number for each 500 m square.
It was reasonably well known among radio people that within a 500 m horizontal
distance, larger hills were often missed and the original DTED maps were not
that accurate. They were not trusted for radio path design, specifically
microwave point-to-point links. They were used, however, for early coverage
plots of radio systems.
Newer DTED maps are now spot elevations taken every 100 m. In mountainous
areas, they can still miss some of the peaks.
DTED maps are available from www.geobase.ca. It is required to register to
download DTED maps, however, maps are easily downloaded once registered.
Select Digital Elevation Data from the menu.
The data is downloaded by selecting maps from a map of Canada.
Files are zipped files and must be unzipped for use. PKZip, 7-Zip or other
programs may be used to decompress the files.

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Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)

In 2001, NASA took the initiative to map the elevation of the earth. They took
radar images of the earth every 3 seconds of arc around the earth from the
Space Shuttle. This works out to an average of 90 m intervals. In the USA they
went to 1 second of arc, or about 30 m on the ground.
There are now 2 versions of these electronic maps available on the Internet.
Version 1 was the original, Version 3 is corrected and fills in a number of blanks
and errors from the original data.
SRTM data is considered more accurate than DTED, although there are holes
in SRTM data, and DTED is good to use as a second, backup alternative.
Note also that for Canada and other northern countries, latitudes north of 60
degrees north are not included. They may be purchased from a supplier called
Lurodata.
Latitudes in the far south are also not available. However, the following website
may be used to download data for approximately 80% of the earths surface.
ftp://e0srp01u.ecs.nasa.gov/srtm
Locations are listed by continent. SRTM data is provided in 1 by 1 squares on
the earths surface. Select the newest version (currently version 2), the SRTM
version (currently version 3) and the continent required.
Files are zipped files and must be unzipped for use. PKZip or other programs
may be used to decompress the files.

Using downloaded Elevation Data

When data is downloaded, it must be stored in a specific file on your computer.
Radio mobile must be programmed to look at this file to obtain elevation data.
Radio mobile can also automatically search for required files. It will download the
file it needs to calculate the path or coverage required. Disadvantage of this is
an Internet connection is required when performing radio calculations. Stand
alone path calculations cannot be performed unless the data has been
previously downloaded.
The location of elevation data files is defined in the Map Properties window. See
section Maps and Map Properties for a description of setting the digital
elevation file locations.
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Radio Mobile Program Installation

There are already several available descriptions on how to install the Radio
Mobile program and where to obtain elevation data from the Internet. This
document outlines how to use the program and how to make it produce useable
coverage maps.

Program Use and Operation

Data Entry and Format
Radio Mobile data is input is strictly in metric units. Elevations are in metres,
distances are in kilometres. Cable lengths and tower heights are in metres. All
program input parameters are metric and cannot be changed to display British
units.
If feet and miles are the preferred working units, there is a conversion section
available in the program. Under the tools menu, there is a menu called metric
conversion. It is also available by typing Ctrl m.
Clicking on the units box scrolls through a number of metric conversions,
including feet to metres, miles to kilometres, dB/foot to dB/metre.

Program Start and check for Program Updates

Either start the program using the desktop icon or from the Start menu,
Programs, Radio Mobile.
Once the program is running, click on Help and Check for Web Update. The
program does get updates, changes and revisions regularly, might as well ensure
the latest version is running.
When starting Radio Mobile, the last Network worked on will be opened in the
display window. If that network is not todays task, either Open another network
or create a new network as directed in this User Guide.

Radio Mobile Input Parameters

Before a coverage plot can be produced, 3 main input parameters must be
defined for the Radio Mobile program. In addition, a map of the area of coverage
must be defined, along with the map size, resolution and limits. This map is then
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extracted from the elevation database and used as a background for the
coverage plot. See Section Maps and Map Properties
These parameters can be defined in any order; however, all must be defined
before a coverage plot can be produced.
The 3 parameter names default to:

Net 1, Net 2, Net 3

System 1, System 2, System 3
Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3

As the various input parameters for the program are defined and have specific
data entered, the default names can be changed to better describe the network
and various radios, units, systems and the operating parameters.
Label names can be changed for any of the following input parameters:

Network
System
Unit

Make use of the label fields, it makes it so much easier to look at the program
next week or next month and remember the setup for a specific network and
coverage plot.
The 3 parameters are defined:
Net or Network
defines an overall radio group and set of operating
parameters. It includes the base stations, mobiles, handhelds, etc.
within a radio network. It also defines the frequency band for the
network.
System

Defines the specific operating parameters of any radio Unit. This

includes transmitter power, receiver sensitivity, line loss and
antenna height, type and gain.

Unit

Each radio in a network is a Unit. This includes base stations,

repeaters, mobiles and handhelds. Unit parameters define the
geographic location of a radio.

Maintain association between the various devices in the program, when entering
data. The program cannot check for input data errors.
For example, a VHF network will have VHF mobile, handheld or base station
Units entered. Systems must be defined for each of the units within a network.
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However, if incorrect system parameters are programmed, such as incorrect

antenna gain for a 900 MHz system instead of a VHF system, the program
cannot recognize this error.
Systems for a mobile, handheld and base station or repeater units will be
different and must all include realistic VHF parameters.
A common mistake is to define antenna cable loss the same for VHF or UHF
systems. Cable loss increases at higher frequencies. Enter the correct System
operating parameters and association between units for each Network.

Maps and Map Properties

Maps in Radio Mobile refer to elevation and terrain data. Maps are specified by
size in kilometres. Maps can be square or rectangular.
Geographic maps and marrying with road and other maps are discussed later;
see Section Combining with Geographic and/or Roadmap.
When a map is extracted, the map is presented as a rainbow colour scale map.
The rainbow of colours represents elevations across the map. This rainbow can
be turned on or off leaving behind a grey scale of elevations. At the top left of
the map (use sliders along the side and bottom to get to the top left) is a legend
showing elevation in metres and corresponding colour.
Select File and Picture Properties to change the map display from rainbow to
grey scale. The grey scale can also be turned on in the Map Properties window
by checking the box Force grey scale at the lower left of the window.
Generally, when plotting coverage, the grey scale type map is preferred. Radio
signal levels are displayed using the same rainbow colour scale. Therefore, to
avoid confusing elevation colours with signal level colours, leave the map as a
grey contrast map.
Rivers and waterways along with high hills and/or mountains can be easily seen
and identified on the elevation map. Rivers show as a trench or valley,
mountains show as peaks and upslopes.
Step 1
Extract an elevation map for the area of interest, where the
coverage map will be produced. Click on File, Map Properties. A window
will open showing the map parameters of the map. Values must be modified
for the coverage area of interest.
Step 1a Select the centre of the map. This can be selected a number of
ways.
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Use Cursor position cursor is not yet defined, will give a default value.
If a map is open, the current cursor position can be used as map centre.
World map brings up a world map. Position cursor over the area of
interest, and then click once. This location is set as the centre of the map.
Select City Name database of cities around the world is contained
within Radio Mobile. Select a city as the centre of the map. If other
locations have been previously added to the city database, they will
continue to be available as a city for setting as the centre of the map.
Enter Lat and Long or other coordinate (QRA, Military Grid Reference
or UTM enter Latitude and Longitude directly. Alternatively, enter the 6
character Maidenhead Locator System square (also called the ARRL grid
square), Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) or UTM coordinate.
Select a unit If radio unit locations are defined within the coverage
being developed, any unit can be selected and set as the centre of the
map.
Step 1b Check off the Adjust Units Elevation box. As units are defined for
use and display within the program, their elevation will automatically be
extracted from the map. Otherwise, unit elevations must be entered
manually as part of Unit Properties.
Step 1c Merge pictures allows merging a geographic map along with
elevation data at this step. Although the merge can happen at this point,
the map picture does become very cluttered and difficult to read. It is
preferable to extract the map showing elevation only, place the coverage
on it and then merge in the geography and/or roadmap. More is described
later under Producing a Coverage Map.
Step 1d Force grey scale The map extracted defaults to a rainbow colour
scale showing elevations on the map. Check this box to show elevations
as a grey scale for elevation data. When a coverage plot is produced, it
can show the same rainbow of colours defining signal levels.
The choice can be made here extract the map as a grey scale format
and leave the colours for radio signal levels. Contrast and brightness of
the grey scale may be adjusted later to better show signal coverage on top
of the grey scale map. There are also other places to make the change to
grey scale if needed.
Alternatively, coverage can be defined using the Pass/Fail criteria above
or below a specified signal level. See the section on Style for further
description. Colours can then be left showing terrain elevation. Coverage
is plotted on the map using a single colour.

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Coverage plot colours can be selected to not obscure the terrain and
geography shown on the produced map.
Step 1e Set the size of the map. Map size is specified in 2 ways. Width
and height (pixels) define the quality of the map when printed out. The
larger the number of pixels, the higher the quality and resolution of the
map when it is printed.
Note also that the size in pixels will define the shape of the map, square or
rectangular.
Step 1f Set size of the map in kilometres. Only one of the dimensions can
be specified, the other will be calculated to maintain correct map ratio and
geographic perspective. The dimension refers to the overall width or
height shown by the map when extracted.
Step 1g Set file locations of the elevation database(s) source. First set the
format of the database, SRTM, DTED, BIL, etc. Using the Browse button,
set the correct file location in the computer where your database map files
are stored.
The first line becomes the first option where the program will look for
elevation data. The second line is the second option. One way of
operating uses SRTM as the first option and DTED as the backup. More
than 3 different elevation databases is probably overkill.
Obviously, the location you are on the earth may govern what computer
mapping data is available for elevation data. SRTM is probably the most
universal.
Step 1h Ensure ignore missing files is checked. There are holes and
missing spots in elevation databases. If the program encounters one of
these holes, execution will stop.
Step 1i Extract the elevation map. An elevation map will be displayed
based on the input parameters and location supplied. Radio coverage will
be overlaid on top of this map.

Find Peak and Low Elevation

A convenient feature offered on any map is to find the highest elevation point.
Under View Find peak elevation or ctrl f. The cursor will be set to the
highest elevation value on the map. This may be useful for radio site selection.
A similar feature allows finding the lowest elevation on the displayed map. Under
View Find lowest elevation.
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Network
A Network is the overall collection point for the base stations, mobiles,
handhelds, etc. within a radio group. For each single or combined site coverage
plot, all pieces of the puzzle are collected together in a Network.
Each network can be thought of as a coverage Project, possibly in a different
geographic area or for a different client or customer.
If, for example, coverage of 5 repeaters in a city will be plotted, all must be
defined and be members of the same common Network.
The Network defines the frequency band for radio coverage. If a coverage plot is
required for both a VHF and UHF system, they must be defined as different
Networks; each network defined as a different frequency band.
Note that you may use the same units, base stations, mobiles and handhelds in
these different networks. It is quite possible to name Net 1 as VHF and Net 2
as UHF. These can be used to provide coverage maps for different frequency
bands for the same area and using the same mobile or base station units to
show coverage.
A mobile radio unit, for example, may have the same power output and receiver
sensitivity at VHF and UHF frequencies, however, the antenna and feed line loss
will be different.
Step 2
Create a New Network defines the database sizes and quantities
available for the completely New Network. Defaults are:
Nets
Units
Systems

25
50
25

These sizes are defined when a Network is created. Default numbers are large
enough for most applications, however, there are always exceptions. If more
components, base stations, mobiles etc. are required, it must be defined at this
stage.
If a Network has already been created, it may be opened using Open Network.
If changing coverage areas or moving to another coverage project, opening a
new network will change to the next project.

Changing and viewing Networks

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Open Tools and click on Network Manager. Networks, Systems and Units can
all be viewed in this window. The relationship between the Network, System(s)
and Unit(s) can be viewed, i.e. the members of a given network are shown in a
table.
Example, for a defined VHF network, specific Systems and Units are associated
with that specific Network.
Other Networks may have other Systems and other Units associated with them.
This is useful when checking for errors. It is easy to determine from this Network
Manager that a Unit, defined as a VHF Mobile radio is actually associated with a
System called a UHF base station, leading to an error in coverage area.
At the top of the Network Manager screen is the maximum number of Networks,
Systems and Units defined in the current Network File.
If more Networks, Systems or Units are required, the maximum numbers can be
redefined. Enter a corrected number in the appropriate box and click on Apply.

Network Properties
Step 3
Open Network Properties and begin defining and entering data to
the one or more nets. Click on Parameters to access the nets.
Step 3a Input parameters for each net. Change the name of the net to the
specifics of that particular coverage plot e.g. VHF or the overall name of
the group of repeaters, customer or user.
Step 3b Enter the frequency range in MegaHertz. Note that 2.4 or 5.8 GHz
systems should be entered as 2400 or 5800 respectively. The program
mathematics operates using MHz.
Step 3c Enter polarization polarization does affect coverage slightly and
must be entered as the correct value.
Step 3d Mode of Variability This refers to probability and fade margin.
The Radio Mobile program defaults to 50% reliability of coverage.
Depending on the service that uses this radio system, reliability can be
specified as a higher number, with correspondingly small coverage areas.
Step 3e Select Mobile and change parameters for % of time and % of
situations accordingly. Both parameters should be set to the same
percentage. The percentage refers to fade margins described earlier.

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E.g. Standard Commercial Radio Service is acceptable at 50%.

Ambulance or Fire Service should increase this number to 90% and
possibly higher. Numbers below 50% may give a coverage plot that is
overly unrealistic and may require a handheld user to pick a site for
consistent communication.
Step 3f Additional Loss Can be added if operating inside a dense city or
dense forest. This is partly open to judgement of operating parameters.
Dense cities include Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary. Density of
the city is related to the number of tall buildings around a transmitter site.
A smaller centre will have less building density and correspondingly
smaller effect. The city parameter adds loss for buildings that are not on
topographic maps, however, will reduce coverage in the downtown city
core, as would be expected.
Forest increases humidity (deciduous trees) and/or becomes an
obstruction (coniferous trees). A high density of trees around a radio site
will reduce coverage if radio waves must travel through trees between
transmitter and receiver. If the antenna is installed on a tower that is taller
than the surrounding trees, effect will be minimal.
However, as radio waves travel and get closer to the ground as the earth
bends, they begin to go through trees and are attenuated. If trees are
known to exist, it is best to include them when performing a coverage
calculation.
Note that deciduous trees only affect coverage when there are leaves on
the trees. In winter, coverage will improve in a deciduous forest.
Remember that leaves reappear in the spring, again reducing coverage.
Specific example, pine tree needles are about the same wavelength as
850 MHz cellular signal frequencies. There is a significant decrease in
expected cellular coverage in a pine forest that was discovered in the
early days of cellular telephones.
Step 3g Surface Conductivity, Ground conductivity and Relative Ground
Permittivity are defaults and are applicable to most of Canada.
Exceptions are coastal regions, complete over water paths or in the Arctic.
The Geological Survey of Canada is a good source for these numbers if
producing coverage maps for these areas.
Step 3h Climate Most of Canada is Continental Temperate. If coverage
is in a maritime area, desert, Arctic or high humidity equatorial region,
select the correct option.

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Topology
Topology refers to the overall system layout and communication methods and
architecture of a radio network.
Voice networks are expected to transmit messages so that others can hear
them the first time. Repeat transmissions are used in the real world, simply
because a user requests a repeat voice transmission. It is normally expected
that a voice message is transmitted only once.
Voice communication is similar to being in a very noisy room, trying to carry on a
conversation. If a person constantly has to repeat a statement because it cannot
be heard above the noise in the room, communication is not reliable.
Computers, on the other hand, do not care about repeat message transmission.
Until a message is received with no errors, a computer can ask for a message re
transmission as many time as required to get the message through.
There are 2 other topology methods available within Radio Mobile.
Data Net, Star Topology has 1 master station communicating with several
distant outstations. Outstations are slaves and only respond when information
is requested from them. They cannot initiate a message on their own. Some
data transmission protocols have available a Report By Exception (RBE) mode,
that allows a slave station to originate a message. Communication is usually
polled by the master station.
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that there is no collision detection or traffic
cop maintaining order among message traffic. If a collision occurs, a message
will be corrupted and the Master station has to poll all the outstations to find out
any missed message traffic.
Data Net, Cluster (Node/Terminal) is similar to an Ethernet network with
routers. Essentially, any radio unit is assumed to be capable of communicating
with any other radio unit. A node in the system can act as a repeater when
necessary. Messages are addressed and rely on a network to get a message
through using any available nodes.
Radio Mobile will calculate paths, using as much iteration as necessary, to find
the shortest successful path between units. If no path is found after the
maximum number of iterations is reached, a link will be shown in red.
Step 4

Select the radio network technology being used.

Voice Net
Data Net, Star topology

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Data Net, Cluster

Membership
Membership defines 2 parameters.
First, it defines all the active units that are part of a specific network. Place a
check mark in the active units for this particular calculation. This is useful if a
coverage plot is required plus or minus one or more specific sites. It allows the
difference in coverage area to be displayed plus or minus 1 or more sites simply
by checking or not checking the sites within a network.
Each network defines a frequency band. If two different networks are defined, for
example, one for VHF, the second for UHF multiple coverage maps can be
created, one for each band or network.
Ensure that the correct Units are selected as members of the correct Network.
Second, membership identifies the System associated with each unit. A system
contains the specific operating parameters for a unit. A system specifies
Transmit power, receiver sensitivity, transmission line loss, antenna type, gain
and height.
Each unit must have an associated System, defining the complete operating
parameters for that unit.
As and example, VHF and UHF radios have different operating parameters,
antenna gains, cable losses etc. and therefore must be defined as different
Systems.
Step 5
Define the membership of various units within each network. It is
best to work on 1 network at a time. Select a network and check off the units
that are members of that network.
Step 5a Define the communication relationship for each radio unit. The
section allows for activating various radios and sites within a network,
depending on the coverage plot and calculation required. Each active
unit must have a checkmark.
Note that it is often wanted to have a coverage plot of mobile coverage
and handheld coverage. If a mobile and handheld unit are defined,
coverage can be plotted by checking the mobile unit as active and
producing a mobile coverage plot. Then uncheck the mobile unit, check a
handheld unit as active and a coverage plot for a handheld can be
calculated and displayed.
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Coverage may be shown as originating from a base station or repeater

transmitter site and a mobile or handheld radio as the receiver. A reverse
calculation can also be performed using the base station as the receiver
and the mobile or handheld radio as the transmitter site.
This is useful when balancing talk out with talk in capability.
Step 5b Define repeater radio units as Command.
Step 5c Define mobiles, handhelds and fixed base stations that
communicate with repeaters as Subordinate
Step 5d Define data repeaters in a mesh data network as rebroadcast.
Step 5e Place check marks in the active units that are being used for
coverage calculations. Any unit not checked as being active in this
screen will not be calculated as an active site. Note that a unit may
appear on the map as a reference location point, however, it may not be
used for calculations.
Step 5f Define the system to be used for each radio unit. Systems can be
named the same as a radio unit so that it is easier to relate the two.
Step 5g Define the antenna height, if it is different than as specified by the
system parameter. Antenna height is usually defined as part of system
parameters, however, an override is available here, if required. It is
sometimes desired to plot the coverage from a site using several antenna
heights. The override feature can easily be used for each of these
heights.

Systems
A System defines the specific operating parameters for a given radio unit.
Operating parameters include:

Transmitter power output,

Receiver sensitivity and threshold level
Antenna type
Antenna gain
Antenna pattern
Feed line and other losses

It is easiest to change the default system name to a system named for each
associated radio unit. Radios may have the same power output; however,
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antenna height, gain, cable loss, multicoupler, duplexer and filter loss may be
different for each radio unit. Therefore, a specific system or multiple system sets
of parameters may be defined for each radio unit.
Mobile and handheld radio units have different parameters. Handhelds have a
lower antenna gain and no feed line loss. Mobile radios may have a wave
antenna, a 5/8 or a higher gain collinear antenna.
Cable loss for all systems will vary with frequency of operation.
Step 6
The system variables define the operating parameters for each
radio unit in the network. This includes base stations, repeaters, mobiles,
handhelds, etc.
Step 6a Change the System name to correspond with the associated radio
unit.
Step 6b Enter transmit power output in Watts or dBm. The corresponding
value will be automatically calculated.
Step 6c Enter receiver threshold sensitivity in either V or dBm. The
corresponding value will be automatically calculated.
Step 6d Enter total feed line loss between transmitter and antenna.
Remember to include:

Coaxial cable loss varies with frequency and length of cable

Duplexer used
Multicoupler if used
Any additional filters used that may be in line between transmitter
or receiver and antenna
Connectors for type N connectors, 0.5 dB is typical per
connector. UHF connectors have higher loss; include 1.0 dB each
for these connectors.

Step 6e Antenna type enter the type of antenna used. Several types are
available from the library in Radio Mobile. Omni antennas have a
perfectly circular pattern. Cardioid and ellipse antennas better represent
the usual 210C4 or 310C4 offset dipole antennas used for VHF and UHF
systems. Other directional antennas are available when required.
Step 6f Antenna gain is available from the manufacturer. VHF and UHF
systems usually specify antenna gain in dBd (gain relative to a dipole).
Microwave and spread spectrum systems usually specify gain as dBi (gain
relative to an isotropic radiator). Ensure the correct field and value are
entered; the corresponding gain value will be automatically calculated.
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Step 6g Enter antenna height in metres.

Step 6h Additional cable loss may be added if not included in the line loss
field. Remember this cable loss is entered as dB/m and will be multiplied
by antenna height to determine total cable loss.
Step 6i System data can be added to or removed from the Radio Mobile
system database. If multiple systems are calculated, with similar system
parameters, the system file can be stored in the program library for later
use.

Style
Style defines the way a coverage plot is presented.
Coverage can be shown using 2 methods. Coverage can be shown using a
pass/fail criteria, based on receiver threshold (sensitivity) or it can be shown
using multiple colours (referred to as rainbow in the program) showing the
variation of calculated signal levels around the map. Actual method is selected in
the program as part of the input parameters before calculating radio coverage.
The Style box is for use with the pass/fail coverage criteria described below.
Step 7
Select method of showing Line of Sight coverage 2 ray method
(using 2 lines).
Step 7a Select the pass/fail criteria for coverage display. Program default is
coverage greater or less than 3 dB different than receiver threshold.
As an example, if receiver threshold is -90 dBm, then,

Signals larger than -87 dBm (-90 +3 dB) are shown in green
Signals between -87 dBm (-90 +3 dB) and -93 dBm (-90 3 dB) are
shown in yellow
Signals less than -93 dBm are shown in red

The 3 colours can be individually turned on or off.

Step 7b The 3 dB criteria can be modified to any value required. Set the
difference in signal level from the receiver threshold. It can be set to any
number from the 3 dB default.
Step 7c When finished entering all these parameters, click on OK to close
the Network Properties window.
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Units
A Unit is a radio. All base stations, repeaters, mobile or handheld radios are
referred to as a Unit by the program.
Unit labels default to Unit 1, Unit 2, etc. When defining the various units for a
specific application, change the name to a site name, base station, mobile,
handheld, etc.
Radio Mobile calculates using latitude and longitude as positive and negative
numbers. Anytime latitude and longitude locations are entered, there is a box to
allow changing to the correct hemisphere of the world. There is a box in the
Latitude column that says N. Click on the box, it will be changed to S.
Longitude works similarly. A box displays E. Click on the box; it will change to
W.
Latitudes and Longitudes continue to be displayed as plus (+) and minus (-)
numbers. Ensure the correct hemisphere is selected.
Radio mobile uses the convention:
North Latitude is positive (+)
East Longitude is positive (+)
South Latitude is negative (-)
West Longitude is negative (-)
Step 8

Open File, Unit Properties Menu.

Step 8a Change the label of the various units, 1, 2, 3, etc. to identify the
various units that are in the radio network. Names can be as simple as
base station, mobile, etc., or they can be site names of repeaters.
Names should be unique and define the function of each radio unit.
Elevation of the radio unit will be automatically filled from the terrain maps
once the location of the unit is set and the map is defined.
Step 8b Position of any radio unit can be copied and pasted to a new radio
unit. Use the copy and paste icons to do this.
Step 8c Specify the location of each unit. There are 5 ways to define the
location of a unit.

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Enter Latitude and Longitude directly if the Latitude and

Longitude is known, they can be directly entered. Ensure that lat
and long is entered as either north or south latitude and east or
west longitude.
Place unit at cursor position when a map is extracted from the
database, the cursor may click and identify a position anywhere on
that map. Any unit can be defined at the location of this cursor
position. This is handy if a mobile unit is simply represented
someplace on the map.

The remaining 3 options assume that a unit has a defined location by one
of the 2 methods above.

Place cursor at unit position if the unit already has a defined

location, the cursor can be moved to that unit location.
Add unit to cities.dat Radio Mobile has a database of cities. The
location of any unit can be added to this database.
Get unit from cities.dat A unit can be located at any city in the
database, including previously stored unit locations.

Step 8d Style refers to the label and icon identifying the specific unit.

Enabled specifies whether or not the radio unit will be displayed on

the map.
Transparent makes the text label transparent so that other details
can be read through the printing. Careful selection of colours will
allow the label to continue to be displayed in readable format.
No Label turns off the label text entirely.
Left, Centre and Right move the text label in relation to the icon.
Back colour is the background colour for the text label.
Fore colour is the print colour for the text label.
The slider at the bottom allows changing the size of the icon on the
map.
The small + symbol to the right of the slider allows the icon to be
changed to a different icon or picture. The icon can be changed to
be a car (mobile), handheld radio or numerous other icons.

Step 8e Buttons to the right control the display and order of radio units, sort
the list, etc.
Note that once units are shown on a map, double clicking on any
displayed unit will bring up the Unit Properties menu and changes can be
made to each unit if required.
Any radio unit can be displayed on a map or coverage area by clicking on
View and show networks. Three options are presented,
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All displays all units and the links between them.

Units shows only the units.
Lines shows the lines linking units together.

Step 8f When unit properties have been defined, click OK to close the
Unit Properties window.

Showing Units and Links

After the Network, Systems and Units are defined and the map extracted, they
should be displayed on the map to verify that the map is the correct size for the
units within the coverage area.
Click View, Show Networks. Three options are offered.
All Shows both the units and links connecting all enabled units together.
Units Shows the units as they are positioned on the portion of the map shown.
Note that if the map area was originally defined as too small for the defined units,
units that are off the map will not be displayed. Be aware that you may have to
use horizontal and vertical scroll bars to see the entire map and all of the units.
Note that under Unit Properties, it is possible to enable a unit. Removing the
checkmark disables that unit for calculations and coverage.
Again, this is useful, if different units have been defined, for VHF and UHF
systems. Different mobile radios (Units) may have been defined, each having
the correct antenna gain, cable loss and radio parameters for the respective
systems.
Lines Shows links only between all enabled units.

Producing a Coverage Map

The map displayed is an elevation map. Next step is to overlay radio coverage
on top of that map.
Elevation maps show elevation using a rainbow colour scale. When coverage is
plotted, the 2 colour scales will get mixed up and colours showing elevation and
coverage cannot be differentiated.
Two choices here.
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The program has the ability to change the map to a grey scale and will
automatically request this change before calculating radio coverage. It is best to
show elevation in grey if rainbow coverage is requested. Coverage signal levels
can then use the rainbow of colours to show signal levels, rather than elevation.
If coverage is plotted using pass/fail criteria and a specific defined signal level,
elevation and coverage colours will not be mixed up, as coverage will be shown
as a single colour only.

Grey Scale
When the program requests a change to the grey scale, it may or may not
produce a useable result. The grey may hide some details and not display
others in a manner that is visible and useable.
The grey scale can be changed and modified by changing the contrast,
brightness and illumination source. This may take some experimentation,
however, will eventually produce a better result.
Step 9
modify the grey scale parameters. Under the File menu, click
Picture Properties. The 3 main parameters that can be changed are contrast,
brightness and light azimuth.
Contrast and brightness are similar to setting parameters on a black and
white picture.
Light azimuth is the direction of illumination by a virtual sun. Shadows on the
black and white image can be moved to suit the overall map display by
changing the azimuth of the virtual light source.
All of these may take some experimentation, depending on the terrain and
parameters of the specific map.
The picture defaults to a grey scale so that coverage may use the colour
rainbow to display coverage. Elevation can be displayed as a colour rainbow
if coverage is displayed as a solid colour overlayed on the map.

Other Display Options

There are numerous other display options that may be changed using this
screen. Experiment with the program and its display to produce what is wanted.

Cities can be displayed.

Elevation can be changed back to the rainbow display.

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Elevation contours can be added to the map at various intervals, either 10

m or 30 m contours can be shown.
Stereo display is more for cartographers examining a printed map with
stereo glasses to show a 3D image.

Add Radio Coverage

Step 10
Select Tools, Radio Coverage and select either Single Polar or
Combined Cartesian. First, check if the Draw option is available as an
operating button. If it is greyed out, one of the input parameters is missing, a
unit is not enabled or membership is not correctly defined. Coverage cannot
be calculated until the error is found and corrected.
Step 10a Select a mobile unit. This is where coverage can be shown for a
defined mobile unit, or a defined handheld unit.
Step 10b Select a Network. Here is where different networks for VHF or UHF
coverage can be selected.

Polar Coverage
Step 11
Two options are available for coverage calculation. Note that
coverage will be sequentially calculated for each base station unit selected,
defined as Command and turned on in the Membership menu. This is
often a reason why the Draw option may be greyed out, the correct base
station is not selected. For coverage to be calculated, each unit in the
calculation must be defined as enabled under Unit Properties.
Step 11a Single polar coverage calculates coverage using radial lines
centred on each selected base station. As the distance from the base
station increases, the distance between radial lines increases and
resolution is reduced. This coverage calculation is faster to perform, but
resolution is reduced at the extremities of the coverage plot.
Combined Cartesian coverage calculates signal levels using an X-Y
coordinate system. Resolution is the same all over the map, however, the
calculation process takes significantly longer.
Polar coverage can be used for a quick and dirty plot, Combined
Cartesian can be used for the detailed and final map.
Step 11b Select the link direction. Either plot coverage from base station
transmitter to mobile receiver or from mobile transmitter back to the base
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station. The worst case of either direction can also be selected. See
description under Other notes about Coverage Plots.
Step 11c Select the type of plot. Contour line will show a contour for a
specific signal level. This contour line surrounds the coverage area
greater than the level specified in the Threshold display field.
Fill fills in the successful coverage area based on pass/fail coverage
discussed earlier. Acceptable coverage is shown in yellow and no
coverage is shown in red. (Default settings). Fill colour can be changed
by clicking on the Color button.
Step 11d Select threshold display type. Four options are offered:

S-Unit may use the IARU Region 1 standard values. Note that SUnits can be changed under the Options menu to Radio Mobile
default values, or specific criteria set can be programmed to
calibrate your own S-meter.
dBm, V are conventional radio coverage parameters used in
industry. Use the boxes to the right to set the range of values
displayed by the coverage plot.
Note that receivers for spread spectrum and microwave radios are
usually specified in dBm, while mobile and handheld radios are
usually specified in V. Select a coverage sensitivity parameter
that relates to the coverage plot required.
dBV/m are typically used to specify broadcast contours from either
a Broadcast Radio or a television station. Sometimes linear values
of V/m are used.

Step 11e select the length of radials used for coverage calculation. The
program will calculate coverage along the length of each of these radial
lines. They may be selected to be the same length as can be displayed
on the map, or they may be shorter, allowing display of several repeaters
on the same map.
Step 11f select the azimuth for radials. 360 will give a complete circle. Use
either 0.1 or 0.5 spacing for radial angular calculation. The more radials
and smaller the angle between them, the longer the plot will take.
Step 11g Antenna height at the central station can be changed, or the
antenna programmed in the System associated with each radio unit may
be used. Note that changing it here will change the antennas for all sites.
Changing and selecting antennas as part of a System for each radio unit
allows different antennas to be used at each site. Useful only when all
antennas at all sites are the same.

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Step 11h Check Draw and the antenna pattern will be drawn in its own
window. This is simply to check what is being used for antenna pattern.
Close the antenna pattern window before proceeding.

Combined Cartesian
Coverage using Combined Cartesian uses an X-Y method of calculating
coverage. Advantage of this is that resolution of coverage plots does not
change. Disadvantage is that it takes longer to produce the coverage plot.
Similar input parameters must be used as with Single Polar Coverage.
Step 12
Select the Fixed radio units that will be used to provide the
combined radio coverage. Coverage will be sequentially calculated for each
of the unit sites specified as Command and checked off as active units.
Antenna patterns for each base station site are set to their default values from
the system parameters; they can be changed here if desired for each
individual base station.
The antenna pattern can be drawn in a separate window, to see what pattern
is being used.
Step 12a Select mobile unit. This could be a previously defined mobile radio
unit or handheld radio unit.
Step 12b Select the network. This can be a previously defined VHF or UHF
network.
Step 12c uncheck the use network antenna if antenna settings are to be
modified, otherwise the program uses antenna pattern from previously
programmed system parameters.
Step 12d select link direction, either from base to mobile (mobile receive) or
from mobile to base (mobile transmit).
Step 12e Select signal levels to plot. As before, signal levels can be set to 4
options.

S-Unit may use the IARU Region 1 standard values. Note that SUnits can be changed under the Options menu to Radio Mobile
default values, or specific criteria set can be programmed to
calibrate your own S-meter.

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dBm, V are conventional radio coverage parameters used in

industry. Use the boxes to the right to set the range of values
displayed by the coverage plot.
dBV/m are typically used to specify broadcast contours from either
a radio or television station. Sometimes linear values of V/m are
used.

Step 12f specify the range of signal levels in the units selected. Either a
minimum level can be specified, or a range of values can be specified in
the units chosen. If a range is wanted, check the box that allows a high
range level to be specified. Enter this higher level in the units specified.
Step 12g specify the type of display required, either a pass/fail criteria
(default) or rainbow that presents signal levels as a rainbow of colours.
Pass/Fail criteria uses the minimum level specified in the From box.
Step 12h specify the resolution for the plot. The default is 5 pixels that gives
a somewhat poor quality image, particularly in rainbow mode. Reduce this
number to 1, 2 or 3 pixels to give a better quality image. Note that
computer processing of the plot will take correspondingly longer to obtain
a more detailed image.
How long? Depending on computer processing power, it can be up to an
hour to obtain the plot output.

Other notes about Coverage Plots

1. If using rainbow display to present a range of signal levels, at the top left
of any map is a legend showing the signal level and associated colour.
2. A distance legend can be placed on the map to assist with determining
relative distance and map scale. Click Edit, Distance Scale and select
the position to place this scale. It can be placed on any of the 4 corners of
the map.
3. Map Corner Lat and Long can be displayed on the picture. Select Edit
and Corner Coordinates. Each corner of the map will have the Lat and
Long displayed, both in Degrees/Minutes/Seconds and Decimal Degrees.
4. Link direction in several calculations, it is possible to specify link
direction. Coverage can be plotted from a repeater to a mobile or
handheld or the reverse can be plotted, from mobile or handheld back to
the repeater.

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This direction calculation is used to balance talk out and talk in of a

repeater station.
This is important and a useful comparison. If a radio system is designed
so that mobiles and handhelds can receive a base or repeater, it is also
important to ensure that the same mobiles and handhelds can talk back
to the base receiver. Proper radio design includes analysis of the talk
back path to more or less match signal received at a mobile or handheld
from a repeater with signal received at the repeater from the same mobile
or handheld radio.
There is little point to designing a system with good repeater coverage, if
distant radio units cannot talk back to the repeater for communication
with others within the repeater coverage area.
5. To show set coverage parameters, such as a contour at 5 V and 1 V,
run the coverage calculation twice, each with a different threshold criteria.
Specify a different colour for each plot and the coverage parameters will
be overlaid on top of each other.
This may also be used to show handheld versus mobile coverage from the
same transmitter site. Simply run the coverage plot using different radio
units and systems for the same map. Select a different colour to show the
different signal contour levels.

Combining with Geographic and/or Roadmap

Once the coverage map is developed, a geographic map can be combined with it
to better show the coverage area and location.
Internet connected to the computer is required for this step. The program obtains
map data from the Internet and must have the network available to obtain
geographic data.
The various units and base stations can be added to the map at any time. Click
on View, Show Networks and select units or lines/links to be displayed.
If what is displayed is not what is wanted, 3 steps can be taken to start over and
re calculate coverage.
1. File Map Properties, extract a new elevation data map.
2. Tools Radio coverage and replot the radio coverage.
3. Edit Merge Pictures to add the geography to the coverage map.
Step 13

Select Edit, Merge Pictures.

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The intent of this is to merge the coverage plot with a number of different map
options from the Internet. Several commonly available maps are available and
can be selected.
Step 13a choose the method of combining the coverage map with the
geographic map. There are 4 options. The options refer to how the
computer combines the maps mathematically.

Copy
Add
Multiply
Bitwise

This will take some experimentation. There are differences in display,

however, they are dependent on location and maps selected. Experiment
with several to obtain the desired output.

Hot Keys
A number of Hot keys are defined within Radio Mobile. Menus may continue to
be used; however, the Hot Keys will access various locations in the program
more quickly. A list of these hot keys follows.
F2 opens Radio Link.
F3 opens Polar coverage.
F4 opens Cartesian coverage.
F5 opens Find Best site.
F6 opens Route coverage.
F7 opens Merge pictures.
F9 opens Adjust map to picture/selection.
F11 opens Visual coverage.
F12 opens Visual horizon.

Point to Point Radio links

Another aspect of radio path propagation is a point to point link. These are used
when linking repeaters together, for example. Usually different antennas and
frequency band are used. Radio Mobile provides the ability to predict receive
signal level of these point to point links.
Many of the sites will be common and can be used, however, frequency band
and systems (gains and losses) will probably be different. If another network is

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specified and used, frequencies can be changed and additional systems can be
defined for the point to point links, using the same Radio Unit locations.
Step 14
Input is virtually identical. A few changes should be made to
separate these links from radio coverage.
Step 14a Identify a different Net within the same Network. Set the correct
frequency band for the point to point links.
Step 14b Radio Units may be the same.
Step 14c Define additional systems as antennas will probably be directional
(different gain parameters and patterns) and therefore different for the
point to point link.
Step 14d Select File, Network Properties. Click Membership and select
the specific units at each end of the point to point link. Close Network
Properties.
Step 14e Select Tools, Radio link. A point to point radio link screen is
displayed.
The point to point link file can be reversed by clicking on swap. It is
recommended to look at any point to point link from both directions to determine
if there are any obstructions that become significant in one direction and not the
other.
Reading information across the top of the point to point link are several important
parameters. They are identified and explained further here.
Azimuth

Pathloss
Elevation Angle
E-field
Obstruction
Receive Level (dBm)
Worst Fresnel

Calculated antenna azimuth from transmitter to

receiver. Calculation is based on Latitude and
Longitude of the 2 sites, specified under Unit
Properties. Angle is calculated relative to True North.
Total pathloss between sites, in dB.
Angle that the signal leaves the transmit antenna. This
number is useful for interference calculations later.
Calculated signal level in dBV/m. These E-field
numbers are usually used for broadcast radio
calculations and coverage plots.
Identifies the first obstruction the signal encounters.
The first obstruction usually has the highest effect,
reducing signal level on a point to point radio link.
Receive signal calculated in dBm
Lowest Fresnel Zone clearance calculated along with
the Fresnel Zone number.

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Receive Level (V)

Distance
Rx (relative)

Receive signal calculated in V.

Distance between transmitter and receiver site in
kilometres.
Calculated signal level above receiver threshold. This
number is essentially the fade margin of the path.

Exiting the Program

Each picture created can be saved in a number of formats. Select File and
Save Picture as. Several formats are available for saving the picture file,
including bitmap, JPG and TIFF. Others are also available.
When the initial network is created, Radio Mobile creates a directory on the
computer for storage of coverage information relating to that network. It is best
to continue saving files related to that user or geographic area in the same
directory. They can be reused later or backed up to a storage device if required.
When exiting the program, there are 3 files that should be saved for next time.
The program should request they be saved; however the 3 files are identified
here.
Step 15
The program automatically saves 3 files, if they have not been
saved previously. Manually saving allows creation of a new or separate
directory for the particular coverage plot.
Step 15a Network file Save Networks or Save Networks as. File is *.net
Step 15b Map file Save Map as saves map data. File is *.map
Step 15c Picture file Save Picture as the combined output of coverage
and geographic maps that were created using Radio Mobile. This picture
may or may not have been calculated, depending on whether coverage
calculations were completed. File can now be selected as several
formats, including *.bmp or *.jpg.
Different coverage plots can be saved as different pictures in the same coverage
directory. It is possible to plot VHF coverage, followed by a UHF coverage plot,
provided the picture names are different.
Note that coverage plots are saved as pictures. They can be opened or viewed
by any program that can read the image format of the coverage plot picture.
Radio mobile is saved in its own directory on your hard drive. Under Radio
Mobile is a folder called Networks. Create a network folder for each coverage
map within this folder. *.Net, *.map and picture files can be saved in these
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network folders. This assists with your own file management to keep all files
relating to that network in their own folder.
Create a new folder in the Networks folder. When exiting the Radio Mobile
program, it will ask to save your files. These can be set to the correct network
folder.

Summary
The Radio Mobile program is an extensive program for predicting radio coverage.
This paper is meant to provide background information on radio coverage and
describe how to get started with the program. There are many options within
the program not covered by this article.
Once getting started with the program, the user is encouraged to experiment, use
and learn more of these options and parameters.

Brian J. Henderson, P. Eng.

VE6ZS
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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