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RF Propagation Basics

This document provides a basic overview of RF propagation in the VHF and UHF ranges. It discusses line of sight propagation and how obstructions can diminish signals. It also covers multipath interference which occurs when the same signal is received twice at different times, causing a fuzzy sound. The document emphasizes that height provides an advantage, and explains knife edging where RF can bend around corners, with lower frequencies bending at greater angles.

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134 views

RF Propagation Basics

This document provides a basic overview of RF propagation in the VHF and UHF ranges. It discusses line of sight propagation and how obstructions can diminish signals. It also covers multipath interference which occurs when the same signal is received twice at different times, causing a fuzzy sound. The document emphasizes that height provides an advantage, and explains knife edging where RF can bend around corners, with lower frequencies bending at greater angles.

Uploaded by

zocon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RF Propagation Basics.

This file is only intended to cover some basic of RF (Radio Frequency) propagation in
the VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) ranges. Advanced
details may follow upon request. SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) and Wavelength are not
discussed.

Radio propagation: The behavior of radio waves when they are transmitted,
or propagated from one point on the Earth to another, or into various parts of
the atmosphere. As a form of Electromagnetic radiation, like light waves, radio waves
are affected by the phenomena of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption and
scattering. (taken from Wikipedia)

1. Left Hand Rule of Thumb

When you pass a DC (Direct Current) through a wire a magnetic field develops around
the wire as seen in this illustration. Your fingers represent the direction of the magnetic
field. When the current is removed the field collapses.

With AC (Alternating Current) applied the field expands as the current flow starts in
one direction. As the current flow changes direction the field collapses and then
expands again as the current flows in the opposite direction, the magnetic field now
flows in an opposite rotation. This occurs at low frequencies. At some point in
frequency, as the current alternates at a faster rate, the magnetic field cannot collapse
and simply radiates out into space. This is a radio wave.
Line Of Sight Propagation

VHF and UHF waves work best with “Line of Sight”. As seen in the Cheesy Figure A.
You have a repeater on a tower and your trusty Baofeng Handy Talkie (HT). There are
no obstructions between you and the repeater. With a properly programmed and
functional unit you should have no issues communicating with the repeater.

I regularly communicate through a repeater on 444.175 Mhz. I only use 1 watt. This
repeater is about 35 miles away on a hilltop. I am at 1220 feet and I can see the hilltop
from my front porch.

The higher the frequency you use the lower the power you need when you are line
of sight. As you are driving around and see Microwave relay towers on mountain tops
keep in mind these stations operate at 1 watt or less.

Continued next page.


Obstructions

As seen in cheesy figure B we now have a tree between us and the repeater.
Depending on foliage thickness and density our signal now becomes diminished.

In cheesy figure C. we are blocked by a building and have little to no access to the
repeater on the tower. However we can reach the repeater on top of the building.
Multipath

Multipath is more of an interference issue caused by propagation. You are receiving


the same signal twice. The radio will sound “fuzzy” as you are receiving one path later
than the other. This happens mostly in city areas with numerous large buildings in
proximity to one another. It can be to your advantage that a signal bounces off of one
structure to hit a repeater that is blocked by another structure.

This “Fuzzy” sound occurs due to the phase of the signal. I am not sure that the
Baofeng’s DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is prone to this interference. I live in a rural
area. Trees are my biggest problem. More about phasing in a future post.

Continued on next page.


“Height is Might”

As you have heard by now Height is Might. This is cheesily illustrated in Figure E.
Point “A” can communicate with point “C” but not point “B”. Curvature of the earth can
be an issue with communicating over great distances at VHF and UHF frequencies.
There can be a repeater on top of a building in a small town 40 miles away. You cannot
hit this repeater, you can however hit the repeater on top of a mountain 80 miles away
because of altitude.

As a disclaimer, I am only addressing simple propagation here. There are other


modes of propagation and higher power equipment that can communicate farther than
the 70 mile horizon line rule. This article is only addressing basics. I hope to avoid the
comments from the highly intelligent operators out there needing to dispense knowledge
to us commoners.
Finally, Knife Edging

Finally, something mentioned in a recent post. RF has a tendency to “bend” around


corners. The sharper the corner the better the rf bends. At VHF and UHF frequencies
this can be both an advantage and disadvantage. I use the term “Knife edging” not the
technical term but you may hear it used.

As seen in cheesy figure G. A higher frequency will bend around the obstruction, but
the angle of deflection it not great. The Lower frequency will bend at a greater angle
meaning the better chance of communication around the obstruction.

2 meter point to point communication in a crowded area may work better than 70
centimeters in the same environment. This is why some operators think 2 meter bands
will talk “farther” than 70 centimeter. In the more open environment 70 centimeters will
communicate better at distances with less noise etc..

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