Looks like Bob will be learning a lot about controlled coverage. And that is NOT covered in Antenna 101.
Bob already knows about controlled coverage. With numerous repeaters simulcasted of my own that have to go from 6500 feet at our main site down to lake level at 5000 feet within a few miles I know things like antenna gain, down tilt, lobes on particular antennas, whether to use a 5dB dual dipole with reflector, such as a Comprod F-3713. Whether to invert the antenna, like a Laird FG1443 that looks like elephant ears when inverted, of a voted receive site and other things not covered in antenna 101. Maybe even using a Motorola 17dBd yagi pointed at Baily Peak.
I even know from that they are using a 3dBd gain antenna so that they can hit the lake level at 3385 feet from 5770 feet but still maintain coverage outside of the actual lake for things like access roads in and out at various altitudes and locations in mountainous topography, pursuits, Assist Other Department calls (AOD's) like backing CHP or SO, etc. The recreation area is over 2,400 acres with campgrounds all around. They do have two frequencies used at lake level. One is the lifeguards and the third is unknown use. They only have one 65W repeater with 136W ERP. Since repeaters are used to extend the coverage of 4W HT's/35W mobiles and allow officers to talk over large areas it certainly isn't likely that they have a yagi pointed down at the lake that is so, so very big. I sure wouldn't have heard the brief code 3 roll during a fire several weeks ago on a mere Antennacraft ST2. No, they don't have a yagi pointed down at the middle of the lake or a highly directional collinear. They have a 3dB omni directional antenna on Baily Peak. But what do I know. I'm just an amateur extra class licensed 40 years ago.
But thank you for wishing me well.
