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History of WinCAP Wizard
The following is from the "Read Me - Please" message that appears when the software is first started. It is a brief release and revision history of our HF propagation prediction software.
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What's New and Revision history --
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January 2007 - 5.0.5
Corrected - Coverage-Analysis View, when a contest log was plotted and no QSO selected hiding log caused a/v
Known - Coverage-Analysis View, Ctrl-click contest log or DX List plotted target DX Gazetteer opens but target not selected
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December 2006
v 5.0.4 =
Enhancement - Default station coordinates to 0N 0W in case user fails to set
Enhancement - Force all grid type controls selected text color to black, default win xp white color is poor choice
Enhancement - Default DX Gazetteer coordinates to showing, some don't find customize and assume they aren't available
v 5.0.3 =
Corrected - DX Gazetteer, selected row color was clBtnFace/clBtnText when window not foucsed
Enhancement - Results Manager, made all 5 grids "row select" instead of column, was no reason as isn't editable
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November 2006 - v 5.0.2 =
Corrected - System Parameters, FProb Es default on new record and preconfigured tables to 0.7 not 1.0
Corrected - DX Gazetteer, Crete SV9 coordinates were in the water, also other data corrections
Corrected - Coverage-Analysis View clicking on DX List didn't always return best details in the "information panel"
Corrected - Coverage-Analysis View ctrl-click on entity with states defined state capitol not selected in DX Gazetteer
Corrected - SmartMap ctrl-click on entity with states defined didn't select state capitol in DX Gazetteer
Corrected - SmartMap/Coverage-Analysis View ctrl-click on entity didn't select target in DX Gazetteer for 3 targets
Corrected - Grid type display areas, poor color coordination for selected row with some color schemes
Corrected - DX Gazetteer, trim long prefix with options for analyze, new station and to batch
Corrected - Beacon charts and SmartMap, v5 only, that have "activate" button, turning off stopped the time display
Enhancement - Added several DX Gazetteer targets
Enhancement - Added Canadian calls to call-batch lookup
Enhancement - Coverage-Analysis View display info on details panel for control click
Enhancement - When a prediction batch is not ContestPlan compatible specify the parameter that causes incompatibility.
Enhancement - Removed seconds from time displays where not needed
Enhancement - More consistent formatting of station/target city, state, province, etc
Enhancement - Some chart and report location labels were expanded
Enhancement - Coverage-Analysis View and DX Gazetteer search - put located call, city and state on all status lines
Enhancement - Include updated VOACAP engine 06.1118w with correction for freqs with MUFday < 0.001
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October 2006 - release version 5.0
This is a “major” upgrade of WinCAP Wizard and the tenth-anniversary release of our first version – it has been thirteen years since release of CAPMan. We are offering all currently registered version 4 users a “free” upgrade. There are several reasons for offering this major version upgrade free of charge, but the main reason is we want everyone to use and enjoy the enhancements and new features “more” than we want the money that might be earned from charging a fee. Don’t get the wrong impression - there is no excess of cash here.
Many subtle changes were made for v5 and although you will likely not notice we expect the changes improve the software and make it more intuitive and easier to master. The new DX Gazetteer, search capabilities, and integration with the SmartMap-Geographic View are all available in the QSL-ware mode. We believe these tools put this software in a class by itself, although still in a saturated category.
The Canadian and US calls lookup was needed for the new Contest-Log Manager and geocoding - so log contacts can be plotted to the Coverage-Analysis View. The addition of the calls lookup also opened the possibility for additional tools and enhancements. Unfortunately geocoding requires a considerable amount of support data and that would make a “full” download of WinCAP Wizard over 33MB. That 33MB size is leaving out the US calls – which the user can import. As QSL-ware users have no need for the additional data it isn’t included in the standard download and must be downloaded separately.
With the new two-way integration between the map views and the “refined prefix search” capabilities we renamed the “Location Manager” to “DX Gazetteer” as it has grown in capabilities so much that a new name seemed necessary. The “DX” was chosen as we are all familiar with the term and the word gazetteer is becoming more well know – it seems – and has a meaning that precisely fits the contents of the tool.
We renamed the “User Location Manager” to “Station-Parameters Manager” because it is more descriptive – and hopefully less confusing - and therefore more intuitive. We all understand the concept of a “station” and although the term “user” was used in a similar manner it clearly left some wondering.
We also renamed the “User Batch Manager” to “Prediction-Batch Manager” because it is more descriptive and therefore more intuitive. Originally - when first developed - we had the “beacon batch” of fixed targets so the phrase “user batch” seemed to convey an extension of previously gained knowledge and signify something similar but flexible and user defined. However the new name should instantly convey the purpose of the tool.
The help file and user’s guide were considerably enhanced and now include at least some information on most of the 80+ tool “windows” and several new tutorial type articles. The User’s Guide will be available in PDF format.
v 5.0.15 =
Corrected - Beacon reports some were long when exported to RTF; caused blank page
Corrected - Beacon report Quality by Hour, antennas not shown properly on first prediction displayed
Enhancement - Numerous - miscellaneous - improvements and fixes
Enhancement - DX Gazetteer - default sort order to prefix then city
Enhancement - DX Gazetteer multi-column select sorting
Enhancement - DX Gazetteer prefix and location data much improved
Enhancement - New superior prefix to location search in DX Gazetteer and Coverage-Analysis View
Enhancement - Coverage-Analysis View, new track-searched call/prefix with great-circle plot
Enhancement - DX Gazetteer - To Batch also adds default groups for system, xmtr ant and receive sys
Enhancement - DX Gazetteer - To Batch, removed the popup message reminder to configure circuit
Enhancement - Help file and manual reorganized and more comprehensive
Enhancement - Coverage-Analysis View default "focused control" is the prefix/call search box
Enhancement - Re-named User Location Manager to Station-Parameters Manager
Enhancement - Re-named User Batch Manager to Prediction-Batch Manager
Enhancement - Re-named Location Manager to DX Gazetteer as it has grown and new name is more suitable
Enhancement - Circuit-Configuration Manager, station coordinates now use drop-down list for hemisphere
Enhancement - SmartMap-Geographic View rearranged and improved “mouse over” info on status line
Enhancement - Both maps updated country names and added prefix for “mouse over” info on status line
New - USA and Canadian calls table lookup
New - USA and Canadian call quick Analyze, New Station and add To Batch
New - US call batch lookup for mailing addresses
New - Coverage-Analysis View, added fixed-signal levels and selectable colors
New - Coverage-Analysis View removed background topographic map and made print friendly
New - Coverage-Analysis View, user selectable color for most elements
New - Support new VOACAP absorption calculations switch
New - Contest-Log Manager and log plot to Coverage-Analysis View
New - Contest-Log Manager “two-way” locate between manager and plotted QSO, draw great circle
New - Contest-Log filtering and plot by band, day, hour individually or any combination
New - Contest-Log Manager provides QSO-rate chart and a convenient log editor
New - Coverage-Analysis-Animator Preview to selectively create animated map image pictures
New - Both maps cursor “hand” with "Target" when over search result, countries and states
New - DX Gazetteer - “Locate” on map function, press enter in search box or grid, Ctrl-click in grid
New - SmartMap-Geographic View - Ctrl-click entity to find in DX List “open” DX Gazetteer and find
New - Coverage-Analysis View - Ctrl-click DX List finds target in DX Gazetteer
New - Coverage-Analysis View - click map entity and entity is selected in DX List
New - Coverage-Analysis View - Ctrl-click entity to find in DX List and “pre-opened” DX Gazetteer
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February 2006 -
v 4.1.14 =
Corrected - Odd, hints/tips on opening and closing screens could cause freeze; in other apps. Removed here also.
v 4.1.13 =
Enhancement - Key request, save call to GEW and BTW ini file, if exe exists and call is blank.
v 4.1.12 =
Maintenance release, minor internal changes
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December 2005 -
v 4.1.11 =
Enhancement - Add note, call must appear when key paste
Enhancement - keep prop info line visible, show DX list target info even if not showing predictions
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November 2005 -
v 4.1.10 =
Corrected - Point and Beacon view, results inspectors showed wrong rcvr ant description, data was correct
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October 2005 -
v 4.1.9 =
Corrected - Contest Plan SmartChart, when batch not compatible, incorrect number of freqs
Enhancement - Charts, on simple charts when not showing MUF, set dB>uV to minimum
v 4.1.8 = not a general release
minor internal change
v 4.1.7 =
Corrected - MUF Map, using "amateur or contest" bands, could get incorrect color for MUF's above 35MHz
v 4.1.6 =
Enhancement - Beacon reports, SNR by hour/Signal-to-Noise, use Quality Selections "poor -" as lowest SNR
Enhancement - Contest-Plan SmartReport View, added "local time" to time scale.
v 4.1.5 =
Enhancement - Point report, Dynamic Band Summary, default to CW and save last selected mode; CW or SSB
Enhancement - All reports, replace prediction/group "labels and selector", with grid type selector
Enhancement - Contest Plan views, added more info to "not compatible" message
Enhancement - Contest Plan views, clear view when group is not compatible
v 4.0.4 =
Corrected - on non-Isotrope antennas, using auto Az and -1 caused faulty input to VOACAP, was only v4 error
Corrected - if "station" edited, then Manager simple closed, changes were not saved.
Enhancement - if "station" edited, when saved, changes immediately shown in affected open windows.
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September 2005 - release version 4 -
v 4.0.1 =
Corrected - Was possible to display "work time"/"cpu speed" while creating a prediction and later access violation.
Corrected - For AZ a few "grid hints" had 0 = at target, which should be -1 = at target
Corrected - Circuit Configuration Manager, relative to "Reverse Circuit" incorrect "tab/pages" were sometimes available.
Corrected - Point-to-point report Signals and Angles, less than 5 freqs extra column headers were still displayed.
Corrected - Point-to-point report Dynamic band summary and All band summary were not recalling screen position.
Corrected - Smart Map, when creating a prediction with shift-click, last char of target grid sub-square was lost.
Corrected - Smart Map, status line, windows truncated length, when long, cutting off azimuth.
Corrected - Smart Map, fixed map batch/beacon list paint problem of rectangle outline remaining.
Enhancement - Changed to a new database engine. Is faster and more efficient.
Enhancement - added refuse to close: "Please do not close while creating a prediction."
Enhancement - Disallow new prediction until a current one complete.
Enhancement - Make control more responsive while VOACAP engine is executing
Enhancement - Improved "Work Time" display
Enhancement - Added support for win xp look and "themes"
Enhancement - revised the help file and changed to HTML type.
Enhancement - Location Browser, Improved location data
Enhancement - Point reports - Added "fixed" headers to reports. User can scroll report "body" and still see header info.
Enhancement - Point reports - Enhanced header info for "reversed circuit"
Enhancement - Point reports - added transmit antenna, power and azimuth to footers.
Enhancement - Beacon reports Quality and SNR by hour, empty tables when done.
Enhancement - Replaced use of "Group Numbers" with user-defined names for all groups.
Enhancement - User-Batch Manager, added buttons to change group "system" all at once to user selected group.
Enhancement - User-Batch Manager, added buttons to change group "x ant" all at once to user selected group.
Enhancement - User-Batch Manager, added buttons to change group "rcvr sys" all at once to user selected group.
Enhancement - User-Batch Best Times report, each circuit indicates when is long-great-circle path.
Enhancement - User-Batch Signal Levels and Angles report, each circuit indicates when is long-great-circle path.
Enhancement - Added to all charts and reports, except BUF, transmit antenna/s, power/s and azimuth/s info
Enhancement - Active-Beacon chart, disallow activate if prediction not current month. Check for month change.
Enhancement - Smart Map, menu item for great circle path; no longer changes caption, automated for beacons
Enhancement - Smart Map, for beacons auto-change map display to match short/long path of current prediction
Enhancement - Smart Map, user batch targets "knows" its short/long great circle. Show on info lines and draw path.
Enhancement - Smart Map, replaced list of prediction targets menu items "Show CW/SSB Quality" with buttons.
Enhancement - Smart Map, moved the BUF button, used for User Batch predictions, to frequency selection bar.
Enhancement - Smart Map, added transmit antenna, power and azimuth labels.
Enhancement - Smart Map, added "drop-down list" selection for hour and day of the month
Enhancement - Smart Map, added "altitude" control to make zooming easier.
Enhancement - Smart Map, added special "prop" cursor - easier to spot when "mouse is over" a prediction target
Enhancement - Smart Map, enhanced beacons navigator "group info" panel display
Enhancement - Smart Map, enhanced on map display format of prediction information.
Enhancement - Smart Map, changed color for map "darkness" (solar shadow) and terminator easier to read map
Enhancement - Smart Map, on map data for dB>uV was replaced with "signal level", (S meter level).
Enhancement - Smart Map, on map data for SNR in 1 Hz BW was replaced with "Quality" keywords.
Enhancement - Smart Map, reorder "prop info" line display of data for "mouse over" and "target list" click.
Enhancement - Smart Map, remove less useful Options menu items; they were for support of slow CPU.
Enhancement - Results Manager, Redesigned for more ease of use.
Enhancement - Circuits Manager, changed Month to track UTC instead of local.
Enhancement - Circuits Manager, changed update month displayed value with date change while running.
Enhancement - Results Inspectors, reorganized default headings for more clear understanding
Enhancement - Results Inspectors, Added to all 3 inspectors, transmit antenna, power and azimuth information.
Enhancement - Results Inspectors, Added to Point and Batch inspectors, select CW on SSB "Quality" highlight.
New - "Location Browser" and "tree" type display replace previous "Location Manager".
New - Call prefix lookup, and quick point-to point analysis, in new location browser and coverage-analysis view.
New - User changeable "Quality Selections" for SNR noise, poor, fair, good, excellent ranges and associated colors.
New - In Circuit Configuration, for Required SNR, specify Mode and desired Quality.
New - "Simplify Circuit Parameters", default option in Miscellaneous Defaults; disable less needed items.
New - Coverage-Analysis View - area coverage type map display with 7 parameters each for CW and SSB.
New - Coverage-Analysis View - Best Usable Frequency (BUF) coverage display
New - Coverage-Analysis View - show Quality indicators with the BUF display; an "industry first"
New - Coverage-Analysis View - DX list overlay, two-way functionality; from list and from map
New - Coverage-Analysis View - prefix look up and quick point-to point predictions.
New - Beacon SmartChart View - shows active beacon, azimuth, quality indicators and more.
New - User Batch SmartChart View - shows azimuth, quality indicators and more
New - User Batch Contest-Plan SmartChart View, analyze 7 short and 7 long great-circle circuits.
New - User Batch Contest-Plan SmartReport View, analyze 7 short and 7 long great-circle circuits.
New - Registration/License system, much simplified
New - Installer, much smaller downloads and is up to date for win xp; but the new help file is large.
New - QSL-ware version provides point-to point and beacon, registered enables user batch and coverage.
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August 2004 -
v 3.1.13 =
Predicted SSN updates required folder change as GeoAlert-Extreme now uses "Reports".
Minor changes.
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June 2004 -
v 3.1.12 =
Correct force display of correct coefficient set when using "daily".
Minor changes.
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April 2004 -
v 3.1.11 =
Minor bug fixes.
Add Excel(tm) export to reports
Add 60m
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August 2003 -
v 3.1.10 =
Fixed error importing Aug SSN's
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July 2003 -
v 3.1.9 =
Adjusted map colors, changed time and distance scales from red to black.
Converted to a new compiler. Possible new bugs. :)
Fixed map error, user batch, index out of range when change from table with many to table with fewer and selecting in the "list"
Added to map, "quality indicators" with color on list.
Added to map "hide quality key"
Added to map "hide circuits in noise"
Change to charts - reorganized and enhanced headers, added bearing
Added to charts - Tx and Rx "location in darkness" bars where appropriate
Added to charts - BUF, user batch and point, added "smoothing" for the data curves
Added SSN import - when new SSN data is available, provide import support. GeoAlert Wizard downloads the SSN data monthly.
Circuits - System tab - changed *FoEs multiplier default to 1 from 0 - the previous results seemed far less realistic
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October 2002 -
v 3.0.8 =
Man-made noise selection not always correctly observed.
Work around for bug in radio button control.
All chart/graphs, "SNR color band" was 30% transparent; was problem for some printers.
Help file, user batch tutorial added.
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July 2002 -
v 3.0.7 =
Added to all charts, color bars for excellent, good, fair, poor
Added to beacon comparison, chart click data point info.
Added dialog for "miscellaneous defaults" and options
Added VOACAP method 30 new default, user selectable option of method 23
Added user selection of S-Unit value in dB, 6dB/4dB per s-unit
Discovered VOACAP bug with minimum take-off angle - Greg Hand fixed PDQ. 07/03/02
Changed default transmit and receive antenna gains, transmit power
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June 2002 -
Update release with numerous improvements.
v 3.0.3 =
fix range check error when adding locations in location browser
v 3.0.4 =
fix error table not in edit/insert "xmtr" when rcv sys *is* and try analysis
fixed chart left axis scale, auto over 32. fixed right axis no-auto after scroll
v 3.0.5 =
cosmetic and minor
v 3.0.6 =
database engine update
fixed beacon chart locations to show forward/reversed.
beacon chart grid now tracks current hour when "active"
beacon chart grid now tracks selected hour between frequency, beacon and group changes
point-to-point and user batch chart same as above.
added forward/reverse circuit indicators on charts
Discovered minor HFAnt bug - Greg Hand fixed PDQ. 06/18/02
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May 24, 2002 -
v 3.0.2 =
International date problem fixed
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May 2002 -
Pre-release version available
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Approximate dates for previous versions:
WinCAP Wizard v2 released Sept 1997
WinCAP Wizard v1 released Sept 1996
See More Ancient History
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