Hello all,
I've been playing around with Radio Mobile for years to generate coverage maps. I don't think I'm doing everything just quite right though. I know radio coverage can never be 100% guaranteed per-se, however, I've been tinkering around with the software tonight. So, I went ahead and added my base, mobile and portables to the system I am working on and inputted all values including coax line loss, antenna gain (if any, or negative in this case for portables), antenna height, etc...
Here's the thing, I can make these maps lie like you wouldn't believe exaggerating coverage where coverage isn't at or I can make them so tight that it doesn't display coverage where coverage is at. I understand that coverage maps are estimates and cannot predict exact coverage due to atmospheric conditions amongst several other variables.
Here's what I need to know: I want to try and get a generally accurate coverage map for my base radio system.
When I am in the network window, I can select the following modes of variability: spot, accidental, mobile and broadcast and adjust percentages such as time, location and situations. Then, when it comes to generating the coverage map, I can adjust the thresholds for the map coverage depending upon the method used to calculate the map: S-Unit, dBm, uV, dBuV/m.
I've went ahead and made some maps and did field testing to compare. Some were a little exaggerated while others were too tight. What are some good settings to get a general day-to-day idea of coverage? I'm having a hard time deciphering the dBm also. I want to be able to hear radio traffic on portables. Doesn't have to be clear, but I don't want it being practically all noise to the point where I have to put headphones on to understand what the person is saying either in a fringe zone. What is a good "usable signal strength" value in dBm or otherwise? Furthermore, what are good values to select for modes of variability and the percentages therof.
Thanks,
Nick
I've been playing around with Radio Mobile for years to generate coverage maps. I don't think I'm doing everything just quite right though. I know radio coverage can never be 100% guaranteed per-se, however, I've been tinkering around with the software tonight. So, I went ahead and added my base, mobile and portables to the system I am working on and inputted all values including coax line loss, antenna gain (if any, or negative in this case for portables), antenna height, etc...
Here's the thing, I can make these maps lie like you wouldn't believe exaggerating coverage where coverage isn't at or I can make them so tight that it doesn't display coverage where coverage is at. I understand that coverage maps are estimates and cannot predict exact coverage due to atmospheric conditions amongst several other variables.
Here's what I need to know: I want to try and get a generally accurate coverage map for my base radio system.
When I am in the network window, I can select the following modes of variability: spot, accidental, mobile and broadcast and adjust percentages such as time, location and situations. Then, when it comes to generating the coverage map, I can adjust the thresholds for the map coverage depending upon the method used to calculate the map: S-Unit, dBm, uV, dBuV/m.
I've went ahead and made some maps and did field testing to compare. Some were a little exaggerated while others were too tight. What are some good settings to get a general day-to-day idea of coverage? I'm having a hard time deciphering the dBm also. I want to be able to hear radio traffic on portables. Doesn't have to be clear, but I don't want it being practically all noise to the point where I have to put headphones on to understand what the person is saying either in a fringe zone. What is a good "usable signal strength" value in dBm or otherwise? Furthermore, what are good values to select for modes of variability and the percentages therof.
Thanks,
Nick