Dielectric properties of soils

The knowledge of soil electric properties is very important, specially for electromagnetic wave propagation at low and medium frequency (LF and MF). This knowledge allows to compute the wave attenuation in order to know the transmitting power to cover a specific service area. In this paper dielectric constant, loss factor, loss tangent, and conductivity for different soils: dry sand, humid sand, and earth of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, have been measured as a function of the frequency. Frequency range, was between: 10/sup 4/ Hz-3.10/sup 8/ Hz. Experimental results are based on the universal dielectric theory in order to obtain the equations of /spl epsi/', /spl epsi/" and /spl sigma/. The conductivity of DC has also been measured; which has enabled to compare it with the conductivity measured in the RF range.