An Error Analysis of the FCC Site-Attenuation Approximation

Approximation errors in the current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) equation for describing the site attenuation of an open-field test site are identified, characterized, and evaluated. A modified site-attenuation approximation is suggested as a result of the error analysis. Calculated results obtained from the modified approximation are then compared to measured results obtained at the 3-, 10-, and 30-m measurement distances. The results are seen to be well within ± 2 dB of each other from 30 to 1000 MHz at each frequency at which measurements were made. Finally, after noting that measured site attenuation is not independent of the make or model of half-wave dipoles which are used, a method of standardization is suggested.