From solar-bulletins-request@lut.fi Mon Feb 14 23:34:25 1994 Return-Path: solar-bulletins-request@lut.fi Received: from lut.fi (listserv@lut.fi [157.24.10.8]) by cs.tut.fi (8.6.4/8.6.4) with ESMTP id XAA26800 for ; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 23:34:23 +0200 Received: from localhost (listserv@localhost) by lut.fi with TULP (8.6.5/8.6.5/1.14.kim) id XAA02680; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 23:15:43 +0200 Received: from rho.uleth.ca (rho.uleth.ca [142.66.3.25]) by lut.fi with SMTP (8.6.5/8.6.5/1.14.kim) id XAA02595; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 23:08:37 +0200 (for ) Received: by rho.uleth.ca (5.57/Ultrix3.0-C) id AA16605; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:07:15 -0700 From: oler@rho.uleth.ca (Cary Oler) Message-Id: <9402142107.AA16605@rho.uleth.ca> Subject: MAJOR NEW HF RADIO PROPAGATION SOFTWARE ANNOUNCEMENT To: solar-bulletins@lut.fi Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:07:12 MST X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Reply-To: SOLAR-BULLETINS Distribution List X-Sequence: 41 Status: RO The Solar Terrestrial Dispatch Ionospheric Support Branch Proudly Releases ____ __ ___ _ __ ____ ____ _ _ / \ / / / / | | / / / \ / \ / \ / / / ,---./ / / / / | | / / / /``._| / .--. / / \/ / , + / // / | |_/ / / / / / / / / /\ // / \ `----- / ./ / | / / / / / / / / / // / / -----, \ / | / / / / / / / / / / // / / / / / /\ \ / / / / /`\ / / / / / / // / / /,____/ / / / \ \ / / | /__/ / / /__/ / / / / / \_______/ /__/ \__\ /_/ \______/ \ ____ / /__/ /__/ High Frequency Ionospheric Signal Analyst V E R S I O N 1 . 0 A New Standard in Radio Communications Software This significant software package is designed for high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (refractive-VHF) radio communicators and/or listeners. This is the ONLY major ionospheric software package we are aware of for personal computers to thoroughly examine (in accurate detail) practically every ionospheric parameter relavent to radio communications. It is a "MUST-HAVE" for anyone involved in HF or refractive-VHF radio communications and will almost certainly improve the productivity of all broadcasters. Essentially, this software can be used as an ionospheric laboratory for determining the effects of radio signals under a wide variety of solar and geophysical conditions. It is very useful as a teaching tool, as well as an analytical and predictive tool. A complex dynamic model of the ionosphere is used to generate exceptionally useful and accurate information regarding global ionospheric conditions. Based on a corrected version of the most recent International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model - which produces realistic ionospheric electron density profiles, SKYCOM dynamically alters the ionospheric profile characteristics to more closely resemble profiles observed under actual conditions. This software has been a long time coming. We're pleased to announce a few of the more significant features below: * RAY TRACE SIGNALS THROUGH THE IONOSPHERE BETWEEN ANY TWO POINTS ON THE EARTH. * Learn the behavior of radio signals and see where and how signals are refracted in the ionosphere. * Visually study the effects of sporadic-E on radio signals. Observe how signals are refracted by sporadic-E. Determine whether signals may be enhanced or degraded and what transmission angles may result in optimum use of sporadic-E for long-distance transmissions. * Simultaneously observe changes in the electron density as the signals are traced and refracted from one point to another. * Examine the effects of signal convergence and divergence caused by ionospheric refraction. Study the resulting intensification or detensification of radio signals. * Study the behavior of signals as they penetrate into the various ionospheric layers (D, E, sporadic-E, F1, and F2 layers are all supported as well as TOP-SIDE ionospheric profiles up to 1000 km). * Estimate effects of solar flares (minor or major) on the ionosphere and signals traversing the daylit sides of the influenced ionosphere. * Determine the total distance traversed inside or outside the ionosphere. * Examine the effects on transpolar or transauroral circuits (that is, those signal paths that cross into or through the auroral zones or polar regions where significant signal degradation can occur). * Determine the total distance traversed by signals inside the influential auroral zones. A dynamic model of the auroral zones is employed. * Estimate the quality of any signal transmitted between any two points, under almost any set of circumstances. Quality figures are derived through the use of models that estimate the effects of: - Geomagnetic Activity. - Short Wave Fadeouts due to solar flares. - Sporadic-E. - The Equatorial Anomaly. - Regular Non-Deviative Absorption. - The Winter Anomaly. - Polar Cap Absorption. - Deviative Auroral Absorption. - More. Determine circumstances which may result in very good, good, fair, poor, very poor, or even radio blackout conditions for any given path and for any given geophysical event. * Determine optimum azimuths and elevation angles for transmitting or receiving to/from any area of the world. * Determine accurate, rigorously ray-traced Maximum Usable Frequencies for practically any path. * PRODUCE EXCEPTIONALLY DETAILED FULLY-CONTOURED BROADCAST COVERAGE MAPS This software will generate very detailed broadcast coverage maps for any given location, distance, time, sunspot number, or level of geophysical activity. These maps show the complex concentration and pattern of signals OR the signal quality of the rays which hit the ground at any given distance from a transmitter, and for any number of hops. Results of actual ionospheric ray tracings are used in the construction of these broadcast coverage maps. Using these maps, determine exactly where on the Earth your signals are most concentrated, or are of highest or poorest quality, and what areas of the world are unable to receive your signals due to various geophysical phenomena. These maps take into consideration effects of solar flares on short wave fadeouts, geomagnetic activity, sporadic-E, polar cap absorption, and a host of other variables. They are of high-quality. Superimpose the broadcast coverage maps on a wide variety of polar or cylindrical map projections. Even superimpose maps on oblique azimuthal equidistant maps so you can determine the precise azimuths of the various features of the maps. This feature alone, is worth a great deal and will immensely help radio communicators and broadcasters from amateurs to professionals in assessing optimum transmission paths and maximum transmission or reception distances for specific levels of solar and geophysical activity. * PRODUCE IN-DEPTH COMPLEX GLOBAL MAPS OF IONOSPHERIC CHARACTERISTICS These maps are similar to weather maps used by meteorologists and provide a wealth of information regarding the state of the ionosphere at any given date or time. These maps include estimated effects of geomagnetic activity on the ionospheric parameters and may therefore be used even during storm conditions. * Compute global maps of maximum usable frequencies for any time of day. * Display global maps of ionospheric M-factors for 3000 km distances. * Generate global maps of critical E or F2 layer frequencies. * Display maps of solar zenith angles (elevation of the Sun). This is very useful for determining what areas of the world might be affected during solar flare activity. It can also be used to determine the position of the sunrise/sunset terminator (or grayline). * Generate global maps showing the maximum height of the F2 layer electron density - a critical parameter for determining MUFs and maximum ground-ranges for transmitted signals. * Produce unique transverse CROSS-SECTIONS of the ionosphere for any given path. These maps show areas of equal plasma frequencies (or electron densities) as if you were looking horizontally through a slab of the ionosphere lying between two geographical points. It is as if you are looking through a pool of water length-wise (while submerged) as opposed to looking down upon the pool of water from above. These maps let you easily see the various layers of the ionosphere and the horizontal gradients which exist during sunrise and sunset. Ionospheric tilts across equatorial regions can also be easily discerned. This is very useful information. * Generate maps showing the geomagnetic DIP or inclination angles throughout the world. * Display global maps of the Total Field Intensity of the geomagnetic field. * Also produce maps of Magnetic Latitude or Modified DIP angles. * MIX AND MATCH MAPS OF DIFFERENT TYPES One of the most powerful features of this software is its ability to save maps of various types and incorporate them with other generated maps. For example, maps of maximum usable frequencies can be superimposed on broadcast coverage maps to provide a wealth of information regarding both the state of the ionosphere and the coverage of transmitted signals. The resulting map can then be superimposed on maps of other parameters (say, solar zenith angles) to provide additional comprehensive information. In this way, the results of many different analyses can be assembled into a single global map (of your choosing) to yield exceptionally useful and far-reaching information. REQUIRED INPUTS TO THE SOFTWARE - Date and time. - Geographical location(s). - Sunspot number (available from WWV or WWVH noted below). Or, optimal values can be derived through our BCAST software (below). OPTIONAL INPUTS: - Geomagnetic A-Index (available from radio stations WWV or WWVH at 2.5, 5, 10, 15, or 20 MHz at 18 minutes past each hour). - Location and magnitude of sporadic-E activity. - Magnitude of solar flare activity for SWF analysis. - Relative transmitter power. - Other easily accessible optional values. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: - IBM or compatible computer system. Systems with 386 or better processors are recommended, but not required. Will operate fine on older computers, but at slower rates. - Math Coprocessor recommended. Although not required, the time needed to complete some of the intensive numeric computations demanded by this software can be significantly reduced if a math coprocessor is installed. 486 or newer systems have coprocessors built-in. - MSDOS 3.3 or higher. - VGA graphics capabilities required. All graphics are VGA quality. - 512 to 640 K of free memory. SOFTWARE PRICING INFORMATION: An appropriate order form has been appended below. Persons not registered with the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch: ---------------------------------------------------------- (SEE THE SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFER BELOW): SKYCOM Version 1.0 : $ 179.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 5 to 6 MB BCAST Version 1.03 : $ 40.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 1.4 MB Extended Database : $ 50.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 3.1 MB BCAST is a beautiful complement to SKYCOM and will manage and analyze/graph all of the solar and geophysical data you might obtain. The SKYCOM software will use the sunspot and/or A-index data from the BCAST or Extended databases, if available. The Extended Database contains sunspot numbers, solar flux values, and geomagnetic data from 1818, 1946, and 1932 respectively to the end of 1993. A manual (in both ASCII and PostScript formats) is included on the SKYCOM disk to save you money and can be printed out at your leisure. We can, however, provide a printed manual of the SKYCOM software which contains charts and graphical material which cannot be reproduced in the ASCII version. If you require the printed manual, add the following amount to the total price of the package ordered: Printed SKYCOM Manual : $ 28.00 (S/H included) Persons Registered with the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch: ------------------------------------------------------ (SEE THE SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFER BELOW): SKYCOM Version 1.0 : $ 139.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 5 to 6 MB BCAST Version 1.03 : $ 35.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 1.4 MB Extended Database : $ 45.00 (S/H included) Disk Space: 3.1 MB Printed SKYCOM Manual : $ 28.00 (S/H included) ============================================================================= SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME INTRODUCTORY OFFER VALID *ONLY* THROUGH 31 MARCH 1994 For a limited time, we will provide the SKYCOM software to ANYONE (whether registered or not) for: $ 130.00. This offer does not include the BCAST software or the Extended Database. All those who purchase this software are automatically registered with the Solar Terrestrial Dispatch and therefore qualify to receive discounts on other available products or soon-to-be-released products. This offer will EXPIRE for all orders postmarked AFTER 31 March 1994. Act now. The price effective 01 April 1994 is: $ 179.00 for non-registered persons, and $139.00 for registered persons. ============================================================================= S K Y C O M V e r s i o n 1 . 0 O R D E R F O R M ----------------------------------------------------------- Solar Terrestrial Dispatch P.O. Box 357 Stirling, Alberta T0K 2E0 Canada I am interested in purchasing the SKYCOM High Frequency Ionospheric Analyst Software. I have remitted a check or money order made payable to the "Solar Terrestrial Dispatch" in either U.S. or Canadian dollars (U.S. / Canadian personal checks are accepted) for the amount(s) listed below. Please Ship on: [__] - 3.5 " High-Density Disks [__] - 5.25" High-Density Disks Please ship the software via Air-Mail to the following address: Address: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ E-Mail: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________________________ Check one the following: [__] - Payment Enclosed for the Special Limited Introductory Offer. ($ 130.00. Invalid for orders postmarked after 31 March 1994.) [__] - Registered Payment Enclosed ($ 139.00). My STD Registration Number is: ________________________ [__] - Non-registered Payment Enclosed ($ 179.00). Check the following if applicable: [__] - Please ship a Printed MANUAL to me. I have included the required ($28.00) for printing, shipping, and handling. I have also enclosed the appropriate funds for the following products: [__] - BCAST Version 1.03 (Solar & Geophysical Database Management / Analyst Software + Limited Database. $35.00) [__] - Extended Database for BCAST Version 1.03. ($ 45.00 if registered, otherwise $50.00 if not) ** CANADIAN RESIDENTS, PLEASE INCLUDE APPROPRIATE G.S.T. ** I understand that shipment may require between 3 and 8 weeks, depending on the delivery point and the postal service. However, please RUSH my order and ship via AIR MAIL as soon as possible. Thank you. Date: __________________________ Signed: _________________________________ =============================================================================