ATMOSPHERIC REFRACTION CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE 150-FOOT PARABOLOIDAL ANTENNA AT SUGAR GROVE.
Abstract
Analyses of weather data collected over the past few years at Sugar Grove, West Virginia show that certain simplifications are valid when computing radio refraction angles. An approximation to the classical equation for tropospheric refraction is cited which requires only the local surface weather conditions. Using the Sugar Grove environment, it is demonstrated that the above approximation will yield refraction predictions accurate to within a few seconds of arc for elevation angles greater than 10 degrees and will maintain an accuracy better than 10 percent for elevations as low as five degrees. It is also shown that diurnal variations in refraction at Sugar Grove are relatively small in winter and that suitable mean values can be established. In addition, maximum and minimum bending are given for selected elevation angles based on all 1962 Sugar Grove weather data. Finally, the predicted values of refraction are compared to the main beam pattern of a 150-foot antenna. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0613653
Entities
People
- C. V. Johnson
- P. F. Nicholson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory