Mobile radio propagation path loss studies at VHF/UHF bands in Southern India

Field strength measurements at 200, 400 and 450 MHz (VAF/UHF band) were conducted with the field strength meter placed on board of a vehicle in Southern India. Observed field strength values were converted into path losses and are compared with different path loss prediction methods like Hata, Egli, Blomquist-Ladell, COST 231 Walfisch-Ikegami, Walfisch-Bertoni and ITU-R. These path loss studies are carried out in urban, suburban and open areas in this region. The results showed that Rata's method gave better agreement with observed values in urban, suburban and open regions. COST 231 Walfisch-Ikegami model is also in good agreement with the observed values in urban and suburban regions. Egli and Blomquist-Ladell methods showed moderate agreement in open region only. The agreement of Walfisch-Bertoni and ITU-R methods with observed values is not good.