What determines the pathway of Line of Sight signals?

The pathway of Line of Sight signals is determined primarily by geographic terrain and distance. This occurs because Line of Sight communication relies on a direct visual path between transmitting and receiving antennas. Geographic features such as mountains, hills, buildings, and trees can obstruct these signals, leading to potential disruptions in communication. The distance between the two points also plays a significant role; as the distance increases, the likelihood of obstacles interfering with the signal may rise, and the strength of the signal can diminish due to attenuation over longer distances.

While signal strength, power, weather conditions, and the type of equipment can influence the quality and reliability of the communication, they do not define the fundamental physical path that the signals must travel. Geographic terrain and the specific distances involved are the primary factors shaping how Line of Sight signals propagate and whether they can successfully connect two points.