Hi,

You probably know Kangaroo Tabor Software, Jim Tabor's company who provides
already some famous propagation programs like WinCAP Wizard 3.

This time Jim who is also KU5S, improved the GeoAlert tool in creating
"GeoAlert-Extreme Wizard" (GEW), a major step ahead.
The product is just released.

In the line of its predecessor, GEW displays updated geophysical indices in
a dashboard (showing SSN, SFI, Kp, Ap, solar wind Bz component, pressure,
speed, etc) and various user-friendly charts extending up to 24 years.
Here is an example of available chart :
http://www.taborsoft.com/gawiz/chartpastpred.gif

But Jim added this time a map showing the ionosphere status, I mean a
Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) map at earth scale (not for point-to-point
prediction), taking advantage of the power and accuracy of the VOACAP
engine.
Note that this map comes in two "versions" : Fields and square. This first
calculates a mid resolution prediction and is quickly display. But Thus is
the most interesting feature. It is much more accurate but at first run (and
only once) it may request over 30 minutes to calculate all predicions on a 1
GHz computer (1 hr+ on a 500 MHz). Why so long ? Because it generates a map
valid for all a month and all hours and take into account a possible zoom in
the map. You must see it to beleive it !

See the default MUF map :
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/Radi...reme-tabor.jpg
Now "sorted " by amateur band :
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/Radi...teur-tabor.jpg

This map can be displayed in various forms (colored per band, for contests
etc) and its resolution changes according your amplification (zoom) factor,
placing W6ELPro and other applications now far behind its performances.
See a close up when zooming :
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/Radi...treme-zoom.jpg
and this is not interpolated values like do other products to smooth
curves... !!

This application is first dedicated to get an overview of propagation. You
cannot for example get the SNR clicking on the map. But Jim is working on
other products. In fact, according the various emails and answered he has
provided me, I suspect him to be currently working (or to think seriously at
least) to a new product a la WinCAP that will incorporate some IRI submodels
as well an advanced version of this MUF map... wait and see.

GeoAlert-Extreme Wizard is available as a 60-day-fully-functional trial and
can be interfaced with WinCAP.
GEW is sold $20. But it comes free if you order WinCAP Wizard 3 at $65. A
must for all serious in propagation.
Additional information : http://www.taborsoft.com/gawiz/

Without doubt that this major feature will be copied by his competitors one
more time ;-)

Other propagation products from Jim Tabor can be read on my site in the
Propagation section at
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/menu-qsl.htm (including VOACAP, WinCAP and a
review of most available products)


Hope this helps,

73
Thierry, ON4SKY, LX3SKY

NB. See what displayed its competitors when calling a MUF global map...
The precursor, W6ELPro
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/Radi...8aug04-12z.jpg
Some new enhancement by G4ILO, HFProp :
http://www.astrosurf.com/lombry/Radi...a-togo-muf.jpg
But none of them use the VOACAP engine and use a zoom function.