Handbook HF broadcasting system design – 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
1 Introduction
1.1 How to use this handbook
CHAPTER 2 – DEFINITION OF SERVICE REQUIRED
2.1 Geographic area intended to be served
2.1.1 Area of primary interest
2.1.2 Minimum area which could be considered
2.1.3 Method of defining the area
2.2 Hours and days of operation
2.3 Permanent or short-term requirement
2.4 Required quality
CHAPTER 3 – RECEPTION CONDITIONS
3.1 Reception environment
3.1.1 Impact of topography on reception
3.1.2 Noise considerations
3.2 Field strength related values
3.2.1 Signal-to-noise ratio
3.2.2 Intrinsic receiver noise and noise limited sensitivity
3.2.3 Minimum usable field strength
3.3 Characteristics of receivers
3.3.1 Tuning aspects
3.3.2 Technical characteristics
3.4 Radio frequency protection ratios
3.4.1 RF-protection ratios for DSB
3.4.2 Relative RF-protection ratios for SSB
3.4.3 Signal to interference ratio
3.5 Receiving antenna considerations
3.5.1 Antenna types
3.5.2 Receiving antennas for broadcast listeners
CHAPTER 4 – TRANSMISSION FACILITIES
4.1 General
4.1.1 Available facilities
4.1.2 New facilities
4.2 Transmitters
4.2.1 Transmitter technology
4.2.2 Amplitude-modulation double sideband (AM-DSB) operation
4.2.3 Single sideband (SSB) operation
4.2.4 Frequency tolerance and stability
4.2.5 Spurious radiation level
4.2.6 Overall transmitter efficiency
4.3 Transmitting antennas
4.3.1 Introduction
4.3.2 Radiation patterns
4.3.3 Types of transmitting antennas for HF broadcasting
4.3.4 Selection of optimum antenna
4.3.5 Designation of types of antenna
4.3.6 Calculation of antenna pattern
4.3.7 Measurement of antenna pattern
4.3.8 Comparison of measured and calculated pattern
CHAPTER 5 – PROPAGATION
5.1 Propagation prediction
5.1.1 Recommendation ITU-R PI.533 method
5.1.2 Other methods
5.2 Fading
5.2.1 Short-term fading
5.2.2 Long-term fading
5.2.3 Combination of short- and long-term fading
CHAPTER 6 – SELECTION OF TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS
6.1 Basic considerations
6.2 Selection of frequency band
6.2.1 Consideration of synchronization
6.2.2 Need for multiple frequency bands
6.2.3 Synchronization and multiple frequency use per programme
6.3 Use of existing facilities
6.4 Selection of antenna type
6.5 Selection of transmitter power
6.6 Special considerations for broadcast in the Tropical Zone
6.7 Need for new transmitter or antenna
CHAPTER 7 – TROPICAL ZONE BROADCASTING
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Propagation prediction
7.2.1 Prediction of MUF
7.2.2 Prediction of sky-wave field strength
7.3 Atmospheric radio noise and signal-to-noise ratio
7.4 Minimum field to be protected
7.5 Transmitting antennas
7.5.1 Dipoles
7.5.2 Horizontal arrays of horizontal dipoles
7.5.3 H-1/2 Array fed out-of-phase
7.5.4 High incidence array
7.6 Interference due to sharing of bands
7.7 Fading
7.7.1 Fading due to sporadic-E
7.7.2 Fading due to F-region irregularities
7.7.3 Surge fading
7.7.4 Fading allowance for the planning of HF broadcast services in the tropical bands
CHAPTER 8 – OPTIMIZATION OF SETS OF ANTENNAE AND SETS OF TRANSMITTERS
8.1 Antenna set optimization
8.1.1 Types of rotatable antennas
8.1.2 Electrical characteristics
8.1.3 Mechanical characteristics
8.1.4 HF feeding of a rotatable antenna
8.1.5 Usage of rotatable antennas
8.2 Selection of transmitters
CHAPTER 9 – ESTABLISHING AN HF-BROADCASTING PLANT
9.1 Siting considerations
9.1.1 Preliminary site requirements determination
9.1.2 Environmental considerations
9.1.3 Site requirements
9.1.4 Utility availability
9.1.5 Cost considerations
9.2 Transmitting plant infrastructure
9.2.1 Site planning
9.2.2 Site development
9.2.3 Building requirements
9.3 Transmitting station subsystems
9.3.1 General
9.3.2 Program feeds
9.3.3 RF power generating subsystem
9.3.4 RF switchbay
9.3.5 Baluns
9.3.6 Dummy loads
9.3.7 Transmission lines
9.3.8 Power supply
9.3.9 Safety and protection
9.4 Minimization of the numbers of transmitters and antennas
9.4.1 Number of transmitters and their power ratings
9.4.2 Number of antennas required to support a given transmission schedule
9.4.3 Selection of transmitter
CHAPTER 10 – STATION START-UP
10.1 Organization of operation
10.2 Technical resources required for operational conditions of work
10.3 Documentation
10.4 Training
CHAPTER 11 – FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION
11.1 General considerations
11.2 Selection of frequency
11.3 Assessment of the interference situation
11.4 Coordination of frequency usage
11.4.1 Summary of existing planning methods and identification of relevant ITU-R Recommendations and Resolutions
11.5 HF bands allocated to the broadcasting service
11.5.1 Decisions of WRC-95
11.5.2 Decisions of WRC-97
11.6 Notification to the appropriate bodies/organisations
11.7 Immediate evaluation of the success of the transmission
11.8 Practical aspects of frequency planning
CHAPTER 12 – VERIFICATION OF OVERALL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE ACHIEVED
12.1 Objective method
12.2 Subjective method
CHAPTER 13 – PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
13.1 Maintenance of transmitter
13.1.1 Introduction
13.1.2 Physical maintenance
13.1.3 Operability
13.1.4 Safety
13.2 Maintenance of antenna system
13.2.1 General
13.2.2 Maintenance of antenna
13.2.3 Maintenance of antenna field
13.2.4 Maintenance of tower systems
13.2.5 Maintenance of transmission lines
13.2.6 Maintenance of wooden poles
13.2.7 Safety
CHAPTER 14 – CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 15 – ANNEX