Tower Coverage Mapping

[scanSydney]

Hi all,

Anyone care to advise how one would create a coverage map of a specific tower? For example:
http://www.wildwalks.com/cb-repeaters/c ... kur02.html

How exactly is this done? I presume you supply a Lat/Lon for the tower, and a terrain map (or DEM), and it generates it in regard to the height of the antenna, output power, gain, etc.? It doesn't say anywhere on WildWalks exactly how they created it.

Thanks!

[crafty]

These coverage maps would have been created using computer mapping software called a Geographic Information System (GIS). A DTM is created, analysis performed (using variable like antenna height, output power) to create the coverage map dataset. This coverage map dataset created in the GIS can then be published in Google Maps.

Check out the below links:
http://www.esri.com/industries/telecom/ ... eless.html
http://www.esri.com/
http://www.mapinfo.com/

The below link has some good aerial photography of the maitland floods (and all of the NSW topographic maps):
http://imagery.maps.nsw.gov.au/

FYI
Most emergency service organisation in NSW employ GIS specialists, and this technology was extensively used during APEC last year.

cheers Allison

[soupbones]

Coverage would also depend on the antenna type. Some sites have antennas designed to extend coverage in certain directions over others, say to cover black spots better. Most sites may have the usual omni-directional antenna, but I know there are many, specially in the GRN network, that are designed to extend coverage in certain directions.
So good luck with the coverage maps that are not already worked out.

[scanSydney]

I emailed the administrator of Wildwalks, and he gave me the link to the application he used:
http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/splat.html

It took me about 2 days to figure out, and it only works in Linux, but I've finally generated several maps for some RFS towers around me.

Cheers.