Radar-type propagation survey experiments for communication systems

A technique for conducting rapid UHF and Microwave propagation surveys is described. Experiments have been made using the terrain backscatter patterns of a radar PPI scope. The results are discussed and illustrated with photographs. It is shown that a radar PPI pattern may be interpreted in terms of the best siting positions with respect to the radar´s location as a transmitting or receiving point. This method is independent of the availability of contour maps, or an intimate knowledge of the surrounding terrain. Precise quantitative data of path-transmission-loss acquired by this method is limited by knowledge of the reflection characteristics of the contemplated communication sites, although relative attenuation contours are readily obtained.