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1. ACE-HF opens with the Main
Screen, on which the primary circuit appears. You can add various
labels,
other circuits, plus range & LOS figures. This example shows
range curves at 2500-km intervals. |
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2. The Inputs Screen lets
you adjust point-to-point circuit parameters, select another
receive location, or save and recall favorite circuits. |
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3. The Circuit Analysis Screen
shows various quality
charts for the selected point-to-point circuit. This
example shows Reliability vs. time-of-day. |
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4. Area coverage maps, animated
vs. time-of-day, frequency or SSN, show coverage limits in the
clear area. SNR at 50% Reliability is seen here. |
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5. This example adds a second
curve giving SNR coverage limits at 90% Reliability. The inner
curve is typical of conservative HF operation. You can select
any reliability level for the second curve. |
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6. Required Power Gain is
graphed here. the red area shows coverage if power is increased
by 10 dB.
The green area shows a -10 dB change. |
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7. This SNR vs. time-of-day
chart is one of twelve
analysis graphs, most of which may be animated.
The charts include terminator bars at the bottom. |
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8. These charts permit bands
to be compared, animated
vs. time-of-day. Hints show values or the most reliable propagation
mode. |
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9. Circuit specifications
may be changed instantly
without returning to the Inputs screen. Just right-click
on the screen and click on the pop-up menu item. |
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10. Area coverage maps are
created using this Inputs panel. You may select from four world
maps or specify
any one of 24 zoomed-downed maps. |
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11. Animated Reception Area
coverage maps may be created for any location. This example shows
the 40-m reception area for a station in Mexico City. |
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12. This Circuit Groups Inputs
screen permits an unlimited number of circuit groups to be defined
and saved. SNR and Reliability predictions are made automatically
and shown on the Circuit Groups Screen for 24 times-of-day and
for 10 frequencies. |
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13. Circuit Group predictions
are shown on a table listing 18 circuits vs. 10 frequencies.
You can select SNR or Reliability predictions at any time-of-day,
and the chart may be animated. Any number of circuit groups may
be saved and recalled. |
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14. NCDXF Beacon predictions
are given in this chart, which also displays the currently active
beacons at each frequency. Both SNR and Reliability predictions
may be displayed, and the chart may be animated. |
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15. Circuit Options may be
changed from their default values using this panel. Frequencies,
service levels and noise values may all be changed. Special default
levels
are given for DX/Contest situations. |
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16. Antenna Options may be
adjusted here. The panel includes a schedule for up to four antennas,
each
assigned to different bands. Such schedules may be used
at either end of any circuit, and may be saved and recalled. |
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17. The MUF chart changes
as different circuits are selected. HPF, MUF and FOT curves are
given,
and the flashing blue bar is current time. |
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18. Best Frequency at current
time is shown in this
special chart. Colors change with respect to circuit
service levels and the best band flashes blue. |
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19. This chart summarizes
circuit quality by graphing
SNR or Reliability values vs. frequency vs. time-of-day.
The cursor lines may be moved to select a point. |
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20. The Main Screen and the
Circuit Analysis Screen display Open Band Boxes. Open, Marginal
and Closed colors update every five minutes. The user's specific
frequency settings are also shown. |
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21. A receive location may
be found from more than 35,000 items in six databases, including
a DXCC list.
Speed select & filtering are included. |
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22. If you have GeoClock,
you can view ACE-HF predictions while you note the terminator's
passage
in the GeoClock window. Here, the SNR Summary chart
is displayed simultaneously. |
