Help & FAQ
Guides for getting the most out of Waveshed — the browser-based line-of-sight (viewshed) and RF propagation simulator. New here? Start with Getting started, then dip into the rest.
Guides
Getting started: your first coverage map
Place a point, run a line-of-sight viewshed, and read the result.
Plan radio coverage (RF / ITM)
Switch to RF, set frequency and power, and map signal strength with ITM.
Tools & views
Map styles & the 3D view
Change basemaps, tilt into 3D terrain, and fly with the keyboard.
Measuring tools
Distance, area, and an elevation profile with line-of-sight and Fresnel.
Including buildings
Add building footprints as obstructions — and what that does and doesn’t model.
Results: colours & export
Recolour the overlay and export to PNG, GeoTIFF or KMZ.
Performance & settings
Concepts
LOS vs RF (FSPL & ITM)
Viewshed vs signal strength, and which propagation model to use.
Heights: AGL vs AMSL
Above-ground vs above-sea-level, and which to use.
Accuracy & data sources
Terrain data, resolution limits, and what isn’t modelled.
Who uses Waveshed
Hikers & the outdoors
See what’s visible from a summit or viewpoint — which peaks, valleys and huts are in line of sight — and gauge whether a handheld radio or phone is likely to reach along a trail.
Amateur (ham) radio
Plan repeater and simplex coverage, and compare optical line-of-sight against the ITM/Longley-Rice terrain model.
WISPs & fixed wireless
Check whether a subscriber address has line of sight and usable signal before rolling a truck.
Drone & FPV
Map where you keep a control or video link as terrain rises and falls between you and the aircraft.
Antenna siting
Compare candidate mast locations and heights by the coverage each one produces.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waveshed free?
Yes — free, with no account required. Runs currently go up to 30 km range at 30 m resolution (a line-of-sight viewshed or an RF coverage map); higher limits are coming soon.
Do I need to install anything or sign up?
No. Waveshed runs entirely in your web browser. Open the simulator, place a point and run — no installation, and no sign-up for the free tier.
Is my data uploaded to a server?
No. Simulations run locally in your browser using WebGPU, with a CPU fallback. Terrain tiles are fetched to draw the map, but your transmitter settings and results are not uploaded.
What’s the difference between LOS and RF (ITM)?
Line-of-sight (LOS) shows what is geometrically visible from your point — useful for “what can I see from here”. RF mode estimates signal strength: Free Space Path Loss for a quick figure, or ITM/Longley-Rice, which accounts for irregular terrain and is the usual choice for real-world coverage.
Can I use it for hiking — to see what’s visible from a summit?
Yes. Drop the point on your viewpoint, set the height to roughly eye level, and run a line-of-sight analysis: the highlighted area is everything visible from that spot. It’s also a quick way to check likely handheld-radio reach between two locations.
How accurate are the results?
Results depend on the global terrain model (~30 m elevation data) and the propagation model you choose. Treat the output as a planning estimate, not a guarantee — local clutter such as individual buildings, trees and foliage is not fully modelled.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, on modern mobile browsers. On phones the engine generally runs on the CPU; very large or high-resolution runs are faster on a desktop with a GPU.
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