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Copyright © 1996 by Virtual Publishing Co.
Product Reviews: HF Propagation Prediction Software
ASAPS and HFx Prediction Software
by Ed Mitchell, KF7VY, vbook@vbook.com
When I first learned about HF propagation prediction software I was skeptical about how or why I would want to use such software. But then I plugged in parameters for a particular path and examined the predictions. Wow! These programs are quite useful. HF propagation prediction software can help you choose the best frequency for reliable communications.
Prediction software is routinely used by broadcasters, military and government agencies (such as air traffic control) and coastal marine communications systems to determine the best frequencies for use on different paths, different frequencies and at different times of the day.
The two products we review this month are HFx from Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation and ASAPS (Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System) from IPS Radio and Space Services. HFx is a graphical output, Windows-based program while ASAPS is a table oriented (with some graphics) MS-DOS program that also runs in a "DOS box" under Windows 3.x or Windows 95. System Requirements are shown in Table 1. To the best of our knowledge, these two products are available only for the Windows/Intel platforms.
The following is a table; if your viewer does not support tables, a non-table version is available
| HFx Recommended System | ASAPS Recommended System |
|---|---|
| 386, with 486 or better recommended DOS 5 or better Windows 3.1x Hard disk with 4.5 MB free 3.5" floppy drive 8 MB of RAM Mouse SVGA with 640x480x256 or 800x600x256 colors | 8086/80286 or better, floating processor recommended, DOS 5, Hard disk required, 512k available DOS RAM, VGA or EGA |
| Covers: 2 to 30 MHz. | Covers: 1 to 40 MHz. |
| Uses 10 cm solar flux or solar sunspot number. | Uses T-Index (preferred) or will also work with 10 cm solar flux. The current T-Index is available from IPS Radio and Space Services. |
| U.S. $129 (includes shipping to any location in the world) | U.S. $275+$10 shipping and handling |
|
Distributed by:
Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation 2901 28th St. Santa Monica, CA 90405-2938 (800) 820-4PSR (US and Canada only) (310) 314-2300 (310) 314-2323 FAX |
Distributed in North America by:
Jacques d'Avignon, VE3VIA Radio Propagation Forecasting & HF Monitoring Services 965 Lincoln Drive Kingston, ON K7M 4Z3 CANADA E-mail: monitor@limestone.kosone.com |
HFx requires an SVGA monitor with high resolution. You will not be able to run on lower resolution systems (we tried on a 486 LCD notebook PC, for example and HFx was not happy in that environment). HFx is designed for use with Windows 3.1. A "read me" file note indicates that a few users have had incompatibility problems with Windows 95. I tested HFx on a 16 MB Windows 95 system running the Plus! pack and had no problems what so ever.
ASAPS and HFx are very different in their appearance and user interface so no attempt will be made to do a side by side comparison. Instead, these reviews summarize the features and usage of the products.
Both reviews contain numerous screen shot graphics. These have been compressed using either GIF or JPEG compression, as appropriate, but they will still take time to download. Some of the screen shots are of a 640x480 screen; for this reason, the review will be easier to read if viewed on an 800x600 resolution monitor, or larger. Smaller resolutions will require that you scroll left and right to view the image.
To access the reviews, click your mouse on either the product title or the corresponding screen shot.
HFx - Windows-based HF propagation prediction tool
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Copyright © 1996 Virtual Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved.