This research investigated the variations of surface radio refractivity and its propagation effects on radio signal over the cities of Abuja and Ilorin, Nigeria. Six years (2015-2020) satellite data of Temperature, Pressure and Humidity both at the surface (12m) and at 100 m AGL, were used for the study. The data retrieved were used to determine the monthly, seasonal and annual surface radio refractivity values for the locations. Results show that the values of surface radio refractivity (Ns) in Abuja was slightly lower than Ilorin with average values of 335.62 and 351.07 N-Units obtained for the six years respectively. Average values of Ns, obtained during the dry season months in Abuja and Ilorin were 299.40 and 321.03(N-units) respectively while average values of 360.24 and 368.21 (N-units) were obtained during the wet season months in Abuja and Ilorin respectively. Higher values of Ns, were recorded generally during wet compared to the dry seasons’ months in all the years and study locations. The implication of this is higher attenuation of radio signal due to Ns during wet compared to the dry seasons’ months and as well as in Ilorin compared to Abuja. Correlation coefficients of -0.53, 0.98 and 0.53 were determined between (Ns) and; temperature, humidity and pressure respectively in Abuja while -0.30, 0.97 and 0.34 were determined between Ns and; temperature, humidity and pressure respectively in Ilorin. The overall findings of this work will be useful to radio engineers for the proper planning of reliable power budget over the study areas.
The effective earth radius factor (k-factor) has a refractive propagation effect on transmitted radio signals thus making its study necessary for the proper planning of terrestrial radio links and power budget. This study was carried out over the city of Lokoja, Nigeria, using ten years (2011 to 2020) atmospheric data of temperature, pressure and humidity both at the surface (12 m) and at 100 m AGL. The data were retrieved from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5. The k-factor yearly variation follows the same trend with minimum and maximum values obtained during dry and wet season months respectively. In addition, the highest mean value of 1.00042 was recorded in the month of August while the lowest value of 1.00040 was recorded in the month of January with an overall mean value of 1.0003. This value is less than the recommended standard of 1.33 by ITU-R. The propagation effect corresponding to k < 1.33 is sub-refractive. The implication of this on radio wave propagation, especially terrestrial communications is that transmitted wireless signal is prone to losses. This can be mitigated through an effective power budget: Choice of transmitting antenna’s height and gain, so as to improve the Quality of Service over the study area.
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