Path Loss Measurements vs Prediction for Long Distance Tropospheric Scatter Circuits

Before any communications circuit can be established between two points, whether it be by wire lines, or by tropospheric or ionospheric radio propagation, a thorough knowledge of the intended path should be obtained so that an efficient and economical installation can be made. Each system should have as high a reliability as is required for its intended use. Tropospheric forward scatter circuits have established their place in the worldwide communications network of the military and it is the intent of this paper to illustrate by a specific example how the performance of a circuit of this type may be predicted with adequate accuracy without making costly transmission loss measurements over the intended path.