UHF propagation in mountainous terrain

Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited (DMSL) and the four UK MNOs are required to propose a propagation model to Ofcom with which to assess the geographical coverage of the Shared Rural Network. Standard propagation models are unlikely to give reliable predictions in the mountainous terrain where the SFN is to be deployed. Plum were contracted to undertake an extensive series of field measurements of path loss in Wales and Scotland with which to tune an appropriate model. The 17m mast on the Plum Land over was used to support a 745 MHz transmit antenna and drive test measurements were made. The resulting data was used to tuNe ITU-R and Forsk-Atoll propagation models.