Investigation of measured received power from FM broadcasting radios-A case of Tanzania

Abstract

Aeronautical ground to air Very High Frequency Communication (COM) systems is among communication safety services in aircraft which safeguard life and property and is the main voice communication between pilots of aircraft and control tower. These systems have been facing interference from Frequency Modulation (FM) broadcasting radio stations. With increase in number of FM radio stations in Tanzania these interferences case increases hence pause for immediate measure to mitigate interferences. This paper compares the received signal level at Designated Operational Coverage of COM facilities with established minimum threshold level and there after comparison of empirical radio propagation models against measured data. It was observed that the signal level from FM broadcasting radios were strong enough to cause interference. Hence concluded corner reflector antenna has to be used as interference mitigation technique so as to lower the FM broadcasting power level reaching aeronautical communication facilities.

Keywords: FM, VHF, COM, propagation and Transmission Loss.