@richpowers I realized I didn't reply to your question about the propagation of the signal. The 401 hwy is raised above the level of the surrounding residential areas therefore the signal seems to like the open higher areas better. I also can't go everywhere in the car like through residential properties so I assume if it receivable in one place it is in another also. RF goes in pockets and is not a symmetrical in coverage. so that's why in one direction could be better than another.
... I also can't go everywhere in the car like through residential properties so I assume if it receivable in one place it is in another also.
Uh huh..
RF goes in pockets and is not a symmetrical in coverage.
Exactly. I make assumptions all the time, but it can't be accurate without backing confirmation. In its case I'm not convinced your signal is actually receivable throughout the area your map indicates.
I would say that your map is a reasonable potential based on the field test that you were able to confirm - and with the radio(s) you used.
But I'm just being a.. something.. not particularly.. valid.. simply speculations.
I still find it interesting the way the highway seems (based on your map) influence the signal path
Again, looking at the map.. did you drive through, for example the areas outside your red line on both sides of the highway on the left side of the map?
That's what I mean, from the map it looks as if powerlines maybe - or something made the signal travel a kind of path.
@richpowers Yes I drove around those streets you mention and walked around the area with a portable in the smaller strong reception circle but some assumptions have to be made as I can't walk/drive though peoples properties. If I get reception at point A....point B.....point C I have to assume inbetween it would be received also. But reception goes in pockets. You can hear it at one spot and then go 30ft and it's not there and go farther or turn a corner you pick it up again. That's with FM also on weak stations. With FM I was on 89.9 and that can be relatively clear right in my area but go 3 streets away and there's a station there. Coming from wherever. There are nulls and lobes with RF in a given area. In the marked coverage area there could be some nulls but I have to draw a general boundary where depending on the receiver it could be received even if very weak. You can have a radio and get a weak station quite well and walk down the street and loose it 3 houses away, then go across the street and pick it up again. Since most of part 15 signals are weak there are many of those nulls and lobes in a reception area. There are no power lines along the HWY 401 and like I said the highway is elevated in the east direction especially and in the open compared to the residential areas around. The residential areas to the north and south of the HWY east of Keele st I didn't hear it well enough to put it as receivable except for that bit east of keele south of the 401. But better on the 401 as you see. The best for range? In the countryside on generally flat terrain.
@mark That was a good description of how you collected data to make your radius map. It's an interesting location too.
An accurate idea of what we have to deal with: