Optimum distances and frequency complements for HF data transmissions from ocean buoys in the Gulf of Mexico

Dale N. Hatfield

Abstract: During the Engineering Experimental Phase (1971-73) of the National Data Buoy Development Project, the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) will deploy a network of automatic buoys in the Gulf of Mexico. They will gather oceanographic and meteorological data that will be telemetered via HF radio to the USCG station at Miami, Florida. This paper is to determine optimum distances and HF frequency complements for the buoys as indicated by predicted propagation conditions for the time period, Graphs of communication reliability versus distance for each allocated frequency are given along with communication coverage maps of the Gulf of Mexico.

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