The standard design for efficient routing protocols that could provide the optimum value of performance for various network scenarios, particularly affecting the radio propagation is a great challenge. The aim of the paper is to investigate the impact of simulating MANET routing protocols with using various propagation model. It is because typical MANET studies assume the effect of radio propagation is negligible, therefore leading to insignificance simulation results. The choice of routing

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... ocols are Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Distance Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV), which has reactive and proactive mechanism respectively. The performance of routing protocols are quantified with three different radio propagation model i.e. Friis, Two-ray ground and Nakagami. Each model replicate the condition of open space, sub-urban and urban area. Typical performance metrics are used, which are packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay and throughput using NS-3 simulator. Result indicates that various propagation loss models may substantially impact performance routing protocols. The AODV routing protocol shown higher throughput as compared to DSDV regardless of propagation model. The AODV also generates higher PDR when Friis and Two-ray Ground are employed. On the other hand, DSDV routing protocol shows lower delay, lower throughput and higher PDR only when Nakagami model is used. In general, specific path loss condition can affect the MANET routing protocol performance. This study provides a comparative result using NS3 of two extreme routing protocol approach, i.e. pro-active and reactive which can be used as a reference point for further development of routing protocol in various ad hoc network applications and scenarios.