Abstract

Radio signal strengths from Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Oyo, UHF channel 37 Oyo State, Nigeria (7.830N, 3.950E) transmitted at 40.15 mdB and 606.25 MHz were measured simultaneously with atmospheric variables. The data logger digital field strength meter interfaced to the personal computer was employed for the field strength measurement. A self-designed inexpensive portable weather monitoring system was used for the measurements of weather conditions (atmospheric temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind direction) to establish the influence of atmospheric temperature on radio signals. The sample data measurements were taken from the Administrative Block of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria for over twenty four hours. The observations show that a significant change in the received UHF signal strength is caused by a substantial rise or fall in air temperature at Ku band in the study area which concludes that signal strength is inversely proportional to the air temperature, provided that other weather variables are perceived constant.