Assessing the Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Signal Strength of We FM Abuja, Nigeria During Harmattan Period

Abstract

The effect of temperature and relative humidity on WE FM radio station (106.3MHz) Abuja, Nigeria, during Harmattan period was carried out with the measurement of frequency modulation (FM) signal strength by digital CATV signal meter and the temperature and relative humidity measured by digital Hygrometer/thermometer. It was observed that the signal strength was lower during the sunny period but higher in the morning and evening when there was little or no sun. It was also found out that both temperature and relative humidity have effect on the radio station signal strength with the correlation coefficient of -0.79 between signal strength and temperature, and 0.91 between signal strength and relative humidity.It was concluded from the correlation coeffici signal strength is directly proportional to the relative humidity but inversely proportional to the temperature, but the effect of both was higher in harmattan than in rainy season when compared to our the result of our previous work on the same station.

Effects of some weather variables on the signal strength of Maloney FM radio, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…The increase in humidity in these months compared to March also contributed to the decrease in temperature, and by implication, increase in the signal strength. This result conforms with the works of [ 11 , 14 , 15 , 13 ,&6]] in which the signal strength recorded was found to be inversely proportional to temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure, and directly proportional with relative humidity in their separate research works done in Benin city-Edo State, Enugu State, and Jos, Plateau State respectively.…”

“…Although the transmitter transmits these radio waves which are being received by the receiver, the received signal strength of these radio waves is an important factor to be put into consideration [ 10 ] especially as it relates to some major atmospheric components. Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air or atmosphere, and when the quantity of moisture in the air at a particular location changes, it affects the signal transmitted or received at that location [ 11 ]. In an ideal environment, some of the factors that affect radio signals are the earth's shape, atmospheric parameters like temperature, humidity, wind, and interaction with the object on the ground such as hills, trees, water bodies, valleys, mountains, buildings [ 11 ].…”

“…Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air or atmosphere, and when the quantity of moisture in the air at a particular location changes, it affects the signal transmitted or received at that location [ 11 ]. In an ideal environment, some of the factors that affect radio signals are the earth's shape, atmospheric parameters like temperature, humidity, wind, and interaction with the object on the ground such as hills, trees, water bodies, valleys, mountains, buildings [ 11 ]. Though some related works have been done such as the works by Refs.…”

The impacts of the wind on GPS of quadrotors

“…Recent studies have shown that atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, air pressure and wind can significantly affect RF signals (Amajama, n.d.; Yi Lim et al , 2020). In particular, temperature and humidity influence signal strength variations (Felix, 2018). Studies have shown that an increase in temperature affects the movement of moisture in the air.…”