At 09:20 PM 3/6/02 -0800, k6se@juno.com wrote:
>Don, W7DD didn't mention where to download ICEPAC from.
>
>The latest version of ICEPAC (5 Mb, including VOACAP & REC533), user
>manual (730 kb in PDF format) and technical manual (400 kb in PDF format)
>are available for download from:
>
>http://elbert.its.bldrdoc.gov/pc_hf/hfwin32.html .
But don't expect to download them, crank 'em up, and immediately get
meaningful data. There is a huge learning curve, as befits a very complex
subject. Even when you understand all the output modes (does anyone?)
there's some careful sanity testing that needs to be applied.
Just a f'rinstance -- hypothetical propagation modes involving ultra-low
take-off angles are of little practical use if the antennas on either end
are not capable of radiating much at those angles.
Probably the best arrival angle stats available out there are N6BV's tables
supplied with YT, and these only go down to 80 meters, which may say
something about his skepticism about the quality of results produced by
these programs at Topband.
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the World HF
Contest Station Database at
www.pvrc.org
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