UHF multipath phenomena in a marine environment

A model is developed which predicts surface multipath signal variability (fading) in a marine environment and is applied to the UHF link between the body or ship and GOES. Experimentally measured results are reported which confirm the prediction of the model that both fading range and median power level should be height dependent. Height-gain data measured using improvised means and only over the 3.5 ft.-14 ft. MSL range indicate that the received power varies twice as rapidly with height as expected. Antenna design information tailored to the buoy situation and the linear array theory are discussed.