TV Transmitting Antenna Selection

In the selection of a transmitting antenna, factors such as power gain, height above terrain, horizontal pattern directivity, amount of null fill, and beam tilt of the vertical pattern have to be taken into consideration to best satisfy the equipment availability and intended market coverage. A critical analysis of all these factors with possible tradeoffs is presented and the station coverage is computed based on the present available FCC (50, 50) curves and a computer program. A new variable, the maximum possible antenna gain to guarantee a minimum signal level over a certain area, is introduced. A set of curves relating the maximum possible antenna gain to distance, maximum radiated power, antenna height, and signal level is developed for the three TV bands.