How to Calculate the Maximum

Distance of LOS Coverage in

known Tx Height
By Justin MA
Created: 2015_0524

Updated: 2015_0525

What is the maximum LOS distance of a radio

tower?
Assumption: Without regard to the power issue
The Height of Radio towerH1 m

The altitude of hillH2 m

Sea level
Ref: hill: http://misteraibo.deviantart.com/
Ref: Radio tower: http://www.szoges.com/
Ref: Question man: http://www.foodcentral.com.au/

D km =?

Assumptions
Transmission is isotropic.
There is no limitation of transmission power.
Only focusing on the LOS coverage.

So, what is the

limitation now?

Ref: Question man: http://www.foodcentral.com.au/

The Earth is a ball

LOS is stopped here!

Descriptions
The earth surface is round.
The LOS of ray will travel until it touch-down the farest point on the
earth surface.

So, lets calculate it now!

General Calculation of maximum distance of LOS

Max. LOS distance
D km

Height of tower + AltitudeH m

Radius of the earth6371km

Calculation:
D^2 + 6371^2 = (6371 + H)^2
D^2 = (6371 + H)^2 6731^2
D^2 = (6371 + H + 6731) x (6371 + H - 6731)
D^2 = (2 x 6371 + H) x H
D^2 = 2 x 6371 x H + H^2

Example:
What if Tx is on top of Taipei 101

The Altitude of Taipei 101: 508m

Taipei 101

Ref: http://zh.wikipedia.org/

What is the maximum LOS distance of a radio

tower on Taipei 101?
Assumption: Without regard to the power issue

508 m

Sea level

Ref: http://zh.wikipedia.org/

D km =?

Calculation of maximum distance of LOS for

Taipei 101
Max. LOS distance
D km

Height of tower + Altitude 508 m

Radius of the earth6371km

D^2 = 2 x 6371 x 508 + 508^2

D = 80.5 km

The maximum distance

of LOS for Taipei 101
It is about 80.5 km
Now we learn how to
calculate the maximum
LOS coverage of a known
height radio tower with
the local altitude.

Thank you for your reading!!

Any feedback is welcome.
My email: majachang@gmail.com