home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Ham Radio 2000
/
Ham Radio 2000.iso
/
ham2000
/
fax_sstv
/
wxfax3_2
/
read.me
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1996-01-01
|
10KB
|
224 lines
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
WXFAX (UNregistered version)
============================
Version v3.2
Copyright (c) 1996, Jan Nieuwenhuis, The Netherlands.
All rights reserved
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are now the owner of a UNregistered copy of WXFAX v3.2, THE Weather
Facsimile Database Programme.
WXFAX contains information of all WEATHER Facsimile Stations around the
world which are operational on Longwave and Shortwave.
You can make complete sorted listings in frequency (QRG), station,
callsign (QRA) and country (QTH) order. Furthermore it is also possible
to make an ITU country/station list, a stations address list, and
(selected) stations transmission info etc.
Also available is some general fax info, sample weather maps, a weather
map identification list etc.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Many thanks to Mr. JIM NELSON (Port Meteorological Officer, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NOAA) for the use of his
"Worldwide Marine Radiofacsimile Broadcast Schedules". Also thanks to
various meteorological stations and radio amateurs like MARIUS RENSEN,
who have provided me with the latest schedules and information.
Many thanks also to JOHN BRIDGES for the use of his 'Tiny PICEM'
programme used for displaying the sample GIF(tm) files.
DISCLAIMER:
The WXFAX programme is provided without warranty of any kind.
The user of the programme assumes complete responsibility for any
incidental or consequential damages that may occur during normal or
abnormal use of the WXFAX programme.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
Computer: IBM-compatible AT(tm) 286, 386, 486 or Pentium
Diskdrive: 1.44 MB (3,5")
(programme is distributed on a 1.44 MB floppy)
Harddisk space for installing WXFAX is about 655 kB.
Memory: 640 kB
Operating system: DOS 3.3 - DOS 6.22 or DOS-mode within Windows '95
Monitor: VGA (640 * 480) Color (# see NOTES).
HISTORY:
Date: 1st September 1993 (WXFAX v1.0)
- Completion of the first version of WXFAX.
Date: 9th October 1993 (WXFAX v1.1)
- Use of a NEW and FASTER data converting routine to speed up the initial
data conversion.
Date: 26th October 1993 (WXFAX v1.2)
- Fixed a small bug in the data sorting routine.
Date: 28th May 1994 (WXFAX v2.0)
- Added colour to the programme instead of black, white & grey.
- Adjusted the text displayed on the screen and to the printer.
- Corrected some small typing errors in text displayed on the screen.
- Added a record counter in the 'General Display' and in the 'Station
Information Display' on the screen.
- Added an extra option in the 'Print Listings Menu' to print selected
transmission info as well as a list of weather map identifications.
- Added an option in the 'Main menu' to display some general fax info
about facsimile transmissions, technical specifications, decoding
software and a simple facsimile decoder scheme.
- Replaced the sample weather maps with new maps.
Date: 31st October 1994 (WXFAX v2.1)
- Added an option in the 'Main menu' to dump station name and QRG to
an ASCII text file.
- Made a few minor adjustments in some text displayed on the screen.
Date: 6th December 1994 (WXFAX v2.2)
- Added an option in the 'General Fax Info Menu' to display a sample
Station Model used for plotting on surface analysis maps.
- Corrected some minor typing errors.
Date: 1st January 1995 (WXFAX v2.3)
- Fixed a bug in '<F10> = Print Station Data' option in Station
Information Display.
- Added an option in the 'General Fax Info Menu' to display the latest
available information about fax stations.
- Added the file MENU.HLP to the WXFAX package (see below).
Date: 1st May 1995 (WXFAX v3.0)
- Fixed a memory problem for 286 systems.
- Fixed a small bug in the record counter in 'Display Listings'.
- Fixed a small bug in the 'Listings to Printer' routines.
- Changed some text and colors displayed to the screen.
- Made a "link" from the 'Station Information Display' to 'Latest Fax
Stations Info'.
- Changed and updated the internal configuration of the database file.
- Combined 'About fax transmissions' & 'Technical Specifications'.
- Added 'SCHEDULE' transmissions in the 'Station Information display'.
- Added 'FAX statistics' in the 'Main Menu' to give an impression
about the frequency occupation and region of where to find fax
weather stations.
- Added another programme (Tiny PICEM) to display the sample GIF(tm)
files (# see NOTES).
- Replaced the sample weather maps with new maps.
- Replaced the 'Simple Fax Decoder' text file with a GIF(tm) file.
- Replaced the 'Weather Map Station Model' with a better GIF(tm) file.
Date: 21st August 1995 (WXFAX v3.1)
- Fixed a small bug in the Display Listings 'Help'.
- Adjusted some menu's displayed on screen.
- Changed some text in the display boxes on screen.
- Added 'Dial-up WX-Fax Services' in the 'General Fax Info' menu.
Date: 1st January 1996 (WXFAX v3.2)
- Made some small text adjustments.
- Changed 'speed' (faster) for some 'PopUp screens'.
- Made some small adjustments for printing on a Laserjet printer
(shifted text 1 character to the left).
- Added an option in the 'Station Information' screen to display the
QRG & TX-time of the station listed, so transmission info and working
frequencies can be displayed on the same screen.
INSTALLATION & USAGE:
Copy all the files distributed on the floppy disk to a subdirectory
on your harddisk and run WXFAX or just run the programme directly from
the floppy disk.
I will not give a full explanation about how the programme works;
just run the programme by typing WXFAX <enter> and you will see how
simple it all is.
If there are any problems then first print the MENU.HLP file on a
printer capable of printing ASCII (graphic) characters, or just use the
MS-DOS 'EDIT' programme to look into the file.
NOTE: When running the programme under WINDOWS '95, please make sure
that you go to DOS-mode or run it in the DOS-Shell with Maximized
Window/screen (so DO NOT use a 'DOS-window/box').
It is NOT possible to change any of the data in the database but you
will receive the LATEST available fax-database-file (updated
continuously) with this registered version of the software.
(# SEE ALSO REGISTRATION BENEFITS).
NOTES:
The sample maps are in a VGA 640 * 480 resolution.
The programme was tested on a 486DX2 computer and a color (S)VGA monitor.
It might also work using other screen types (has NOT been tested though).
The programme TPICEM.EXE can also be used to display your own GIF-files.
Input for the TPICEM programme can be both GIF and PCX files.
To run the programme just type TPICEM <filename>.
REGISTRATION BENEFITS:
ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE YOU WILL BE SENT A 'WXFAX - UPDATE'
MESSAGE ABOUT FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL ALLOW
YOU TO OBTAIN A COMPLETELY UPDATED NEW COPY AT REDUCED COST.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF CHANGES IN THE WEATHER FAX SCENE;
I WILL DO THIS FOR YOU ...
WXFAX PACKAGE:
The entire WXFAX package (Unregistered), includes the following files:
FILE_ID.DIZ WXFAX description file
MENU.HLP ASCII text help file with setup of all menu's
READ.ME This file ...
REGISTR.FRM Registration Form
SAMPLES.TXT Sample printouts (1 page of each listing)
TPICEM.EXE Tiny PICEM programme to 'read' GIF(tm) files
WXFAX.DAT The WXFAX datafile
WXFAX.EXE The WXFAX programme
WXMAP.GIF Sample map/chart
GIF(tm) is the Trade Mark property of CompuServe Incorporated
IBM AT(tm) is the Trade Mark property of IBM
Tiny PICEM is (c) 1994, John Bridges, U.S.A.
REFERENCES:
"Nothing to improve; a most comprehensive programme"
- Angus Low (Australia) : Bureau of Meteorology, Data Management
"A welcome addition to the ShortWave Listening hobby"
- Philippe Cadic (France) in 'France CB'.
"Easy to work with and clear presentation"
- Mario Gongolsky (Germany) in 'Computer & Radio'.
"A programme of professional quality"
- Denis Bonomo (France) in 'MegaHertz Magazine'.
"An impressive little programme with a lot of options"
- Richard Baker (U.S.A.) in 'SPEEDX - Shortwave Radio Today'.
"A very useful package for all involved in h.f. FAX reception"
- Mike Richards (United Kingdom) in 'Shortwave Magazine'.
=====================================
73's and THANKS! for using WXFAX v3.2
*****************************************************************************
Jan Nieuwenhuis, Vloedlyn 12, NL-1791 HH Den Burg (Texel), The Netherlands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email : nieuw@nioz.nl
Netmail (FIDO) : 2:500/202
*****************************************************************************