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| Reviews Summary for Afreet Software Ham Cap Propagation Program |
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Reviews: 3
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Average rating: 4.3/5
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MSRP: $free
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Description: Freeware propagation program with graphical representation that interfaces with DXAtlas and IonoProbe
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More info: http://www.dxatlas.com/HamCap
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write your own review of the Afreet Software Ham Cap Propagation Program.
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ON4SKY
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 26, 2004 03:34
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Accurate and easy
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hi,
Ham CAP propagation program uses the VOACAP engine and works optionally with DX Atlas version 2.24 or higher and IonoProbe, both shareware also developed by Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA.
When we say that "small is beautiful", this expression might apply to this point-to-point prediction tool that displays its results in a small windows of 383x288 pixels.
The main purpose of Ham Cap is to let the ham operator see at a glance the trends of propagation while he or she is on the air, with a minimal distraction from the transceiver.
Ham CAP takes into account the smoothed sunspots number (SSN), and, like VOACAP, doesn't use the geomagnetic indices by default. However the K-index can be taken into account in option. Ham CAP requests also the date and month, home and target locations, transmitter power, and antenna gain (15 models from the isotropic to Yagi).
A short engine permits to display the radiation pattern of the selected antenna and see how change its radiation pattern with the frequency, a very instructive feature using an user-friendly GUI.
Results are displayed either in a chart showing the S/N variation as a function of time over the specified path or on a global ionospheric world map, with the gray line and the MUF in option. The signal strength can be displayed in a gray scale, black and white or using pseudo-colors at three resolution levels.
Working with monthly values, that means that its algorithms use median values only and its forecasts are thus more optimistic than the ones provided by more complete software taking into account real-time data or the circuit required reliability.
However, it deserves a try for its global ionospheric map, its antenna charts and its small size.
Freeware. Requires VOACAP. For all Windows 32-bit plateforms.
Hope this helps.
73
Thierry
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry
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WZ7I
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2004 11:51
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Amazing Freeware!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Download this and try it today!
Folks, please note that HamCap is stand-alone freeware but it is enhanced by the two excellent shareware programs, DX Atlas and IonoProbe. It makes the VOA propogation prediction engine really useful to the casual user.
Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA, really writes wonderful software and makes it available under the most reasonable terms. If you don't know his stuff, you are missing very userful tools.
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AC0X
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 23, 2004 21:54
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Great freeware propagation program
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Alex has done it again with another great program. Ham Cap is a freeware propagation program that shows signal levels graphically on either it's own internal mini-map, or on a larger, zoomable, searchable, and annotatable map through his DXAtlas program. You can either enter in your own SSN and Kp, have the system read them from a list of downloaded average/predicted data for the month/year you select, or have the program interface with his IonoProbe program to read live data. The program will produce a chart showing MUF and predicted signal levels between two points you select, or a map with predicted signal levels all around the world based on the parameters you give. The only reason I don't give this a "5" is that I wish it was a little more SWL friendly, meaning being able to enter power levels above 9999 watts, SWBC frequencies instead of the 7 regular ham band frequencies, and being able to adjust the output colors to reflect how different modes require different SNR levels for the band to be "open". Other than that, a superb program, and knowing Alex I suspect it won't be a long wait for these features to be added.
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