Is it necessary for a transmitting antenna to be at the same...

Is it necessary for a transmitting antenna to be at the same height as that of the receiving antenna for line of sight communication? A TV transmitting antenna is $81 \mathrm{~m}$ tall. How much service area can it cover, if the receiving antenna is at the ground level? (a) $3800 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$ (b) $3260 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$ (c) $7400 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$ (d) $3320 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$

Is it necessary for a transmitting antenna to be at the same height as that of the receiving antenna for line of sight communication? A TV transmitting antenna is $81 \mathrm{~m}$ tall. How much service area can it cover, if the receiving antenna is at the ground level?
(a) $3800 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$
(b) $3260 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$
(c) $7400 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$
(d) $3320 \mathrm{~km}^{2}$

Key Concepts

Line of Sight Communication

Line of sight communication involves transmitting signals directly between antennas with an unobstructed path. This means that as long as there are no physical obstructions between the transmitter and receiver, the antenna heights do not necessarily have to be equal, though differences in height can affect the distance each antenna is visible from the horizon.

Radio Horizon

The radio horizon is the effective line of sight distance from an antenna that takes into account the curvature of the Earth. It is determined by the height of the antenna and can be calculated using the formula d = ?(2Rh), where R is the Earth’s radius and h is the antenna height, thereby indicating how far the signal can reach.

Antenna Height and Coverage

The height of the transmitting antenna is a critical factor in determining the service area of a broadcast. A taller antenna can 'see' further over the curvature of the Earth, thereby extending the radio horizon and increasing the covered area, even if the receiving antenna is at ground level.

Service Area Calculation

The service area of a transmitting antenna is typically calculated by treating the coverage as a circle with a radius equal to the radio horizon distance. The area is then given by A = ?d², tying together the concepts of radio horizon and the effect of antenna height on the extent of coverage.

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