Application of electrical conductivity to predict field strength for medium frequency transmitter in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The ground electrical conductivity in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, has been measured using electrical resistivity method. The Wenner arrangement of electrodes was used for the measurement. Results obtained show that the average ground conductivity for different soil types in the state is 3.02±0.29mS/m. This value was used along with well known propagation formulae to draw ground wave propagation curves for the state-owned 50kW radio station – the Ondo State Radio Corporation (OSRC) transmitting on frequency 531kHz – for the prediction of its field strength at different locations all over the geographical coverage of the radio transmitter. Propagation curves were also drawn for use in planning future medium frequency (MF) links in the State.

Keywords: electrical conductivity, field strength, propagation, medium frequency, broadcasting

Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 17, 2005: 83-91