Yagi Antenna Range

[Tom_Pa]

I was wondering how much range I could get out of a 6 element 10.2 dB Yagi antenna with N connector tuned for 450 mHz? I understand it depends on where you are, but for my situation I live in a valley surrounded by hills on both sides. Will a signal still be able to get up and out over the hills to monitor the areas I want to listen to? The antenna would be outside and up about 30 feet.

[majoco]

If you can't see over the hills to your intended transmitter, the answer is......maybe, probably not.

[k9rzz]

It also depends upon how much power they transmit. If you're in a valley, then certainly try aiming the yagi beam at the tops of the hills. Maybe you can get a reflection off of something up there.

[benbenrf]

Will your Yagi do the job? Well, may be yes, maybe no, on balance the opinions shared by members are probably going to turn out to be correct, but you may just be in with a bit of luck.

Go read the Wikapedia articles on “Fresnel Zone”, “Path Loss” and “Link Budget” – put all the theory together and apply it to your situation – that is going to give you a pretty good indication of wheather or not your Yagi (or any other type of receive antenna at any other height) is going to work for you. Best of all you’ll learn something in the process that will stand you well in the future when it comes to trying to establish if an antenna is going to be “good for purpose”.

Any questions – just come back and ask.

[krokus]

Adding to what others have said, don't forget that you might be able to get the signal via a non-direct path. If there is an RF reflective surface, in the right place, you could receive the signal that is bouncing off that object.

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by Tom_Pa

I was wondering how much range I could get out of a 6 element 10.2 dB Yagi antenna with N connector tuned for 450 mHz? I understand it depends on where you are, but for my situation I live in a valley surrounded by hills on both sides. Will a signal still be able to get up and out over the hills to monitor the areas I want to listen to? The antenna would be outside and up about 30 feet.

Think of it this way:
question:
I have an ear, how far can I hear with it?
answer:
Depends on how loud the noise is and if there is anything in the way to block or absorb the noise.

You can do all kinds of software plots, but RF propagation is partly science, partly black magic. The only way to really know for sure is to try.
Unless there are repeaters on top of the hill, unlikely you will get much of a reliable or useable signal.
I can occasionally talk to people with a 40 watt VHF radio at my house that are over a hill, but it isn't reliable. I certainly wouldn't depend on it.

[talviar]

His location says "Western PA". . .
Might help to know whereabout you are and what you are trying to listen to. . . .

I'm fairly familar with southern portion of Western PA but most of us here in the south aren't on UHF. . . . .
Mention your location and what you are trying to get . . . Those of us familiar with the area might be able to offer better insight

[benbenrf]

Go on talviar .... others may not be, but I'm interested in what you have to contribute.