Best Way To Determine a Questionable PtP Link

[slithral]

Guys,

I'm trying to determine if a possible link is going to even be possible. Anyone have any suggestions as to what would be best to use to find out if a link is even possible ...

Thanks,

Andrew

[pcampbell]

i'd also love some software to help determine LOS ability...

[WHT]

Do a Google search for: Fresnel zone calculator

Radio Mobile is an excellent RF propagation plotting application, and its FREE!
http://www.cplus.org/rmw/english1.html

[pcampbell]

I found a program here, also, pretty interesting and very easy to use:

http://www.heywhatsthat.com/profiler.html?show_grade=0&curvature=0

You can put in 2 locations and it will show you the profile of the actual terrain vs what the LOS would need.

doesn't seem to let me adjust my starting elevation for a tower/mast.

I need to check out Radio Mobile. I downloaded it and followed the instructions but can't even figure out how to start it :oops:

[WHT]

I need to check out Radio Mobile. I downloaded it and followed the instructions but can't even figure out how to start it :oops:
There is indeed a steep learning curve. But once you get used to it...I can run a plot for almost anywhere in the world in less than five minutes, give me half an hour and I can do an investor grade presentation of data with data showing in Google Earth.

rconaway has seen my work.

[pcampbell]

very neat program. i figured out how to determine if I can get a link from point A to point B.

could you steer me in the right direction on how to draw a map of all linkable points surrounding my location? the other issue is that the gray map doesn't allow me to recognize points onthe map.

basically trying to be able to look at a map and have a strong idea as to whether that location could get a decent signal or not. :D

i tried "visual coverage" but not sure i understand the "sensor height" stuff. also i can't figure out how to zoom in.

going back to fiddle around...

[WHT]

Grey portions usually means you didn't download the SRTM elevation data, but could be you have your elevation color values off.

[pcampbell]

OK I am still learning here:)

I just figured out that I had to merge a street map to make sense of it.

I've got my elevation data, unit setup, network setup. I'm going to merge and getting a street map from Mapquest.

When I go to do "visual coverage" - it's asking about the observer, and the sensor height. I'm assuming the sensor height is height of antenna and observer would be my antenna location (where I want to find who could connect to me) and target would be the end user, is that right?

The output seems a bit optimistic to me. I'm wondering if the overlay is not to scale with the topo info...

The 'visual coverage' I guess is for LOS only? It doesn't seem to take antenna type, power, etc. into consideration.

[WHT]

I set my range in Radial Range in the Tools > Radio Coverage > Single Polar. Use .01 KM for min and the max is based on how far you want to throw your signal. i.e. if you are using 2.5 Gig at 6 Mbps data rate, use mebbe 10 miles; for higher rates, use like 3 miles.

Now draw a plot. When it asks to save in same picture, click Do Not Keep. I rarely use a single polar plot.

Go back to Tools > Radio Coverage > Fresnel. Use .06 and 10 for the clearance, pick a somewhat pastel color and draw. This is really the ONLY plot you'll ever really need to run. No need to run a Visual, or Interference, Cartesian, Foxhunt, etc....Fresnel is all you really need to pay attention to.

I very, very, very rarely use the other plots.

[jcrites2008]

This website got me going with Radio Mobile: http://www.g3tvu.co.uk/Radio_Mobile.htm . It's a great guide to learn about the program. Also, you can download an installer package that does most of the work for you as far as installing it goes. It also sets up an example network for you. It still took me a little while to figure out how it all works, but it was a whole lot better than trying to do it from scratch!

[WHT]

slithral....

Can you PM e with some GPS numbers and I'll run a plot for ya. Only takes a few minutes.

[slithral]

sent