A squared, regarding KSFO ATIS on VOR...
I realize that VHF is VHF...but if you already have a VOR station built, in use and capable of ATIS transmission, doesn't it make sense to use it rather than build a seperate transmitter at addtional cost?
the topography of San Francisco and its airport would preclude that extra long rrange transmission from an airport based site due to the hills surrounding the airport.
and yes of course, if the vor and a remote communication outlet were built, using the same power and antenna height I would expect similiar range.
it was a move to save MONEY and help the guys coming in from the ocean and points north.
now a days, one could take their cellphone and call the ATIS telephone number