Short-haul communications using NVIS HF radio

Author

Burgess, S.J. ; Evans, N.E.

Author_Institution

Sch. of Electr. & Mech. Eng., Ulster Univ., Jordanstown, UK

Volume

11

Issue

2

fYear

1999

fDate

4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

95

Lastpage

104

Abstract

In geographical regions poorly served by land-lines or line-of-sight repeaters, high-frequency (HF) radio can still provide a low-cost alternative to satellite links. In particular, the near vertical incidence sky-wave (NVIS) propagation mode gives omnidirectional coverage from a central site; 300 km ranges are possible and the technique has an inherent ability to fill in `blind spots´ lying in hilly ground. Normal voice and data services may be readily established. This paper introduces NVIS radio, discusses some of its roles to date and examines the hardware required for basic link implementation; emphasis is placed on antenna design and selection. Channel availability and fading characteristics (depth and frequency) gathered from a 6793 kHz oblique sounder over the 1997/8 winter-summer transition are included to illustrate the potential of the technique for non-real-time remote monitoring applications

Keywords

HF antennas; HF radio propagation; data communication; fading; ionospheric electromagnetic wave propagation; monitoring; radio links; voice communication; 6793 kHz; NVIS HF radio; antenna design; antenna selection; channel availability; data services; fading characteristics; geographical regions; high-frequency radio; hilly ground; ionosphere; land-lines; line-of-sight repeaters; link implementation; near vertical incidence sky-wave propagation; nonreal-time remote monitoring applications; oblique sounder; omnidirectional coverage; short-haul communications; voice services;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electronics & Communication Engineering Journal

Publisher

iet

ISSN

0954-0695

Type

jour

DOI

10.1049/ecej:19990205

Filename

762397