Proper radio link design requires an accurate prediction of the effective earth radius factor (the kfactor) distribution, for the location where propagation is intended. Though a median value of k equals 4/3 is normally use for communication design purposes, in reality the true k-factor values differ, for different locations, globally. The effective earth radius factor distribution for Southern Africa was evaluated in the dissertation. The two Southern African countries chosen for the study are Botswana and Republic of South Africa. The dissertation reports in detail a study on the topic using three years radiosonde data obtain in Maun, Botswana and ten months radiosonde data collected in Durban, South Africa. An analytical model was proposed, which predicts the probability density function of the k-factor for the Southern Africa using the data from these two countries. Also a comparison of the data from the two countries was done in the analysis and reported in the write-up. The application ofthe work was also investigated and reported by simulating a radio link between Sherwood and Umlazi in Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The consequence of using inappropriate design value of k on link reliability was also investigated and reported. Recommendation for future work was given in the concluding chapter for future improvement on the study. Radio communication designers will find the results obtain in the report useful.

Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.