Probably a good idea with the new repeater installations for all of us to start checking the simplex & repeater communications range, both NFM and P25 CAI digital using appropriate repeater, fixed base, mobiles, portables, & air mobiles. Also don't forget to check out cellphone & data access (for the various commerical providers in your area).
Consider finding all your communications "hot spots" in your area of operations and indicate this on a map as well as narratively in your local communications operations plan (annex). Remember that height is our friend in any radio/wireless communications.
Good ES Comm planning requires having an excellent understand of what (communications equipment) & where (very specific locations) your various communications devices will work in your ES response areas.
Hopefully with this year's potential Nationwide Communication Exercise, we will get some mission funding to perform some of these coverage tests.
RM
There is freely available software that can be of use with this that makes use of terrain elevation data to determine coverage for a specific transmitter/repeater site.
This same software can also be used to determine the necessary altitude a highbird aircraft must operate in order to achieve the desired coverage.
Quote from: Mustang on October 26, 2009, 09:25:10 PM
There is freely available software that can be of use with this that makes use of terrain elevation data to determine coverage for a specific transmitter/repeater site.
This same software can also be used to determine the necessary altitude a highbird aircraft must operate in order to achieve the desired coverage.
Well modeling is a way but surely isn't perfect. In fact in my area for a planned new area wide public safety radio system, the engineering staff actually set up some portable fixed base stations/towers & drove around to get specific reading for mobiles & portables.
These operational studies can also be good training for our cadets & seniors to really get an understanding of how terrain and man made structures affect communications range (and repeater cellphone/pcs, etc) access)
RM
On the NTC website, each repeater has a coverage map. I won't swear to their accuracy in some terrain (darned Cumulo Granite messes with more than just pilots). I can't hit the repeater 10 miles away even though the coverage map says I should - two intervening mountains.
Quote from: Mustang on October 26, 2009, 09:25:10 PM
There is freely available software that can be of use with this that makes use of terrain elevation data to determine coverage for a specific transmitter/repeater site.
This same software can also be used to determine the necessary altitude a highbird aircraft must operate in order to achieve the desired coverage.
Link please?
Thanks
Did anyone find that link?
I'm pretty sure that link doesn't exist...