Measured VHF and UHF Signal Strength and Spectrum Occupancy Versus Antenna Height

Results are presented of an antenna height-gain experiment performed by the FCC Spectrum Management Task Force in the Chicago Region at four different sites. Two bands, VHF and UHF, are analyzed for their signal strength and occupancy variation versus antenna height. These results are normalized to the system performance with a 12-ft-high antenna for comparison purposes. The normalized signal is compared with the signal predicted by the FCC propagation model. The results of the experiment indicate a reasonable agreement with the propagation-model. The results of the occupancy variation indicate that there is a definite increase of occupancy with height for VHF, and very slight increase of occupancy for UHF.