In the VHF range formula, what do h1 and h2 represent?

In the context of the VHF range formula, h1 and h2 represent the altitudes in feet of the aircraft and the ground station, respectively. This formula is used to calculate the maximum line-of-sight range for VHF communication, which is influenced by the heights of both the transmitter (the aircraft) and the receiver (the ground station).

The height (altitude) is crucial because VHF radio waves travel in straight lines, and the higher the antennas (or altitude of the aircraft and ground station), the farther the radio waves can propagate before encountering the curvature of the Earth. Therefore, having the correct representation of h1 and h2 as the altitudes is essential for accurately determining the communication range.

Understanding this concept is vital for pilots and aeronautical engineers, as it aids in ensuring reliable communication over long distances, particularly in regions where VHF coverage is critical.