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- 1 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 HAM package add-in for Geographic Clock Program Copyright 1988,1989,1990 (C) Joseph R. Ahlgren Copyright 1990 (C) Eric L. Scace GEOCLOCK is a registered Trademark of Joseph R. Ahlgren Release 1.0, for GEOCLOCK Version 4.2 90/06/20 GEOCLOCK RBBS at 703-241-2661 - 2 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 0. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1. INSTALLING GEOCLOCK HAM PACKAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. STARTING THE PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3. CALL SIGN ANALYSIS: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 4. ACCESS TO OTHER GEOCLOCK FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5. TWILIGHT ZONE DEFINITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6. HAM DATABASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6.1 HAM42A.DAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6.2 GENHAMDB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 7. OTHER POINTS ABOUT HAM FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8. SUPPORT SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8.1 GEOCLOCK SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 8.2 HAM DATABASE SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 8.3 ADDITIONAL MAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 9. DETAILS ABOUT CALL SIGN ANALYSIS ALGORITHM . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 - 3 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 0. INTRODUCTION The GEOCLOCK HAM package activates several new features of particular interest to amateur radio operators and short-wave listeners. These include: Azimuthal-Equidistant (Great Circle) maps. Day, night, and twilight zone display: -- Twilight zone parameters can be set to indicate boundaries of sun illumination on the F- and D-layers of the ionosphere. Amateur radio call sign analysis (based on a user-maintainable call sign data base). When a call sign (or prefix) is entered, the following information is displayed: -- Remote station location -- short and long great circle path -- short and long path azimuth and range -- remote station (reciprocal) azimuth -- UTC, local, and remote station local time -- DXCC and WAE country identifications -- CQ and ITU zones -- Continent, area, and location names The package has three major components: a custom Azimuthal-Equidistant map centered on your station; a call sign data base, and a utility program to process the text call sign data base into the GEOCLOCK form. Your registered copy of GEOCLOCK will use this data base to overlay HAM data on the custom map. The custom Azi-Equi map centered on your location is named MAP9009.EGA. A custom GEO9009.DAT file is also provided to control the display of HAM data. These features are provided in addition to the other features of GEOCLOCK. 1. INSTALLING GEOCLOCK HAM PACKAGE Follow the installation instructions for Geoclock, as found in the other Geoclock documentation. No special steps are need to install the Geoclock ham package. For the clock functions to operate properly, you must inform Geoclock what time zone is used on your PC, and what time zone is used for local time at your location. This information is placed into two data files. 1. Edit the GECONFIG.DAT data file with an ASCII text file editor. (If you do not have one, a simple editor named TED is included with Geoclock.) Type "TED" at the DOS prompt to start this editor, and follow the instructions on the screen.) Near the end of the file you will find a command line beginning with the word "PCZONE". Change the time zone indicator on this line to correspond with the time zone for the computer. For example, if your computer's clock is set to GMT, this line should read "PCZONE GMT". - 4 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 2. Edit the GEO9009.DAT data file with an ASCII text file editor. On the first line of this file you will find the default local time zone "ET" (Eastern Time zone for USA). Change this line to the correct local time zone for your location. 2. STARTING THE PROGRAM AND IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYING YOUR CUSTOM MAP: To start the HAM package, simply enter "GEOCLK MAP9009" at the DOS prompt. The program will start with your custom map and an indication of the sun and terminator locations. In the present release, ham features are activated only on the custom map. TIP: Edit your GECONFIG.DAT file with an ASCII text file editor and add the command "MAP 9009" as the last line of this file. You will now be able to start the Geoclock program by simply entering GEOCLK at the DOS prompt. Geoclock will then start up automatically with your custom map displayed. You should see a color Equi-Azi map displayed on your screen against a black background. Your location at the center of the map is shown with a cross symbol. Around the edge of the map are tick marks for every 10 degrees of azimuth. In the bottom right corner, your name, call sign, and location will be displayed. In the bottom left corner two clock lines will be displayed: GMT clock and local time at your location. (The format of clock information can be tailored to suit your taste in clock style by using commands described in the standard Geoclock documentation. These commands can be executed while Geoclock is running, or added to the GECONFIG.DAT or GEO9009.DAT files.) In a few seconds (depending on the speed of your computer), the current sunlight, night, and twilight zones will be displayed. A yellow "sun" will appear at the current sun subpoint (i.e., the spot on Earth where the sun is currently directly overhead). Geoclock will continue to adjust the display to keep up with real time, at a rate dictated by the processing power of your computer. The date/time of the present display is shown on the clocks in the lower left corner. Note: The rate of updates can be slower (approximately half as fast for the worst case) whenever the boundaries of the twilight zone approach the edges of the Equi-Azi map. This is because a larger number of calculations are required in order to accurately display the twilight zone boundary around the map edge. Geoclock automatically adjusts to this condition in order to insure that the map display remains accurate. 3. CALL SIGN ANALYSIS: To activate call sign analysis, simply begin to type in the letters and numbers of the amateur radio call sign of interest. When the first key is depressed, a window pops open and the call sign you are typing is displayed in the window. Backspace and cursor keys may be used to correct any typing errors. When the call sign has been completely entered, press the RETURN key. To abort call sign entry, press the ESCape key. To clear the call sign display, press SPACE and then RETURN - 5 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 You do not need to enter an entire call sign. Geoclock will operate on call sign prefixes. However, Geoclock contains over 1,700 entries in its call sign analysis database. By entering a complete call sign, you will frequently benefit from more precise location information. Call signs containing "/" may be entered directly from the keyboard; e.g., FR5ZD/E, KN3T/KH6, HB0/DL7FT and SP9PBE/6. Once a call sign has been entered, Geoclock displays the following information: a. a cross "mark" at the location of the station is added to the map. The location chosen is the most accurate location known to the database. b. the local time at that distance location is added to the bottom left corner of the screen. This is the third clock time, labelled "mark:". This time is continually updated, along with all the other clocks on the screen. Rules for local daylight savings (summer) time are applied. c. short and long great circle paths from your location to the distance "mark" are displayed on the map. If you look carefully, you will see the long path has a yellow color. (On an Equi-Az map, the long path is obvious: it is the path which crosses the edge of the map.) In addition, the left side of the screen shows the following for both short and long paths: -- azimuth (direction) from your location to the mark. -- azimuth from the mark to your location. -- distance in miles and kilometers. d. on the left side of the screen, additional information about the call sign is shown: -- DXCC country: standard prefix and country name. -- WAE country: standard prefix and country name. -- area: state, region, or ooblast within the country for this particular call sign. For USSR ooblasts, the ooblast number is also shown. -- mark: the city or geographical spot which is displayed on the map and used for distance and bearing calculations. -- CQ zone(s) for the area named above. -- ITU zone(s) for the area named above. This information remains on the screen until a new call sign is entered. To erase the information, simply type the SPACE key and then the ENTER key. 4. ACCESS TO OTHER GEOCLOCK FEATURES A rich set of other Geoclock commands and features are described in the accompanying Geoclock documentation. In addition to real time operation, Geoclock can be instructed to operate at other dates and times, and to operate at accelerated rates. Distances and great circle directions can be determined between any locations on the globe. There are many commands which allow you to customize the type and style of information displayed on Geoclock. You should take time to read the remaining Geoclock documentation in order to learn about these additional capabilities. These will help you get the most out of your Geoclock system. Geoclock also includes many additional maps of the world, polar regions, continents, oceans, and individual countries. These additional maps allow - 6 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 you to zoom in on specific areas on interest in the globe; e.g., twilight zone crossings of Africa, etc. While using your custom map and ham features, you can enter these other Geoclock commands by holding down the SHIFT key while pressing the appropriate letter. For example, pressing SHIFT and T (for Time) allows you to change the date/time used to calculate the displayed day, night, and twilight zones. Note: The SHIFT key must be used. The CAPS LOCK key and caps-lock status is ignored. Any keys pressed without the SHIFT will be interpreted as characters for a call sign. 5. TWILIGHT ZONE DEFINITION One of the strengths of Geoclock is the ability for you to use the TWILIGHT and SUNLIGHT commands to determine the boundaries of the day zone, twilight zone, and night zone. You can set these boundaries to any value desired. The value is the offset, in degrees, of the zone boundary from the edge of the (geometric) sunlight part of the earth. Typical values of interest for shortwave operating include: SUNLIGHT -6.596 Boundary where sun starts/stops illuminating the D-layer. This controls absorption on the lower frequency shortwave radio bands. TWILIGHT -14.165 Boundary where sun starts/stops illuminating the F-layer. These values are based on average D- and F-layer heights. They define the Ionospheric Gray Line: a twilight zone where shortwave radio signals can pass through the D-layer without absorption. Within this zone signals will encounter an illuminated F- layer whose ionization level will be normally enhanced over that found in the night zone. Other common values for these commands include: SUNLIGHT -0.833 Sunset/sunrise at sea level, taking into account the bending of light through the Earth's atmosphere and the apparent width of the sun. TWILIGHT -6 Boundary of civil (legal) twilight, where it is bright enough to work outdoors. TWILIGHT -12 Boundary of nautical twilight, where it is bright enough to see the horizon. One can take navigational sightings with a sextant in this zone. TWILIGHT -18 Boundary of astronomical twilight, where sunlight on the upper atmosphere interferes with the use of telescopes by astronomers. To use the same values for twilight definition on all maps, enter these commands in the GECONFIG.DAT file. To specify values for each particular map, the commands should appear in the GEO*.DAT file (where "*" represents the map number; e.g., GEO9009.DAT for your custom Equi-Az map). - 7 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 6. HAM DATABASE Analysis of amateur radio call signs is driven by information contained in the ham database. The database consists of three files: -- HAM42A.DAT: An ASCII text file containing information described below. The "42A" in the name indicates the version number of the database: "42" indicates that this database was prepared to support Geoclock version 4.2, and "A" indicates this is the first release of the database for this Geoclock version. You may have received a more recent version number. -- GENHAMDB.EXE: An executable utility which converts the ASCII text file into a binary format used by Geoclock for call sign analysis. Database validation is also performed by this utility. -- HAM.HDB: The binary format produced by the GENHAMDB.EXE utility program. 6.1 HAM42A.DAT The text form of the call sign data base consists of lines specifying key data about a group of call signs. Each line consists of 11 data items: 1. CallPattern - the leading characters of the call sign group. For example, PY signifies all call signs beginning with the characters PY. Wildcard characters are used in describing call sign patterns as follows: # -- represents any single digit; i.e., 0, 1, 2, ... 9. @ -- represents any single alphabetic character; i.e., A, B, ... Z. ? -- represents any single character, either alphabetic or numeric. * -- represents any string of characters. For example, PY#Z* represents any call sign beginning with PY, followed by any single digit, then the letter Z, and then anything else. PY0ZZ would match this pattern. All characters are interpreted as upper case. This file has been created in lower case. If you add entries of your own, you may wish to make them upper case so that you can easily recognize your own additions for future maintenance and debugging purposes. 2. HamLat - the latitude of the location corresponding to this call sign. This may be in decimal degrees (-15.146 for 15.146 degrees South), or in degrees/minutes/seconds ("15 8 45.6S"). If the latter format is used, the latitude must be enclosed in quote marks. 3. HamLong - the longitude of the location corresponding to this call sign. This may be in decimal degrees (-15.146 for 15.146 degrees West), or in degrees/minutes/seconds ("15 8 45.6W"). If the latter format is used, the latitude must be enclosed in quote marks. 4. HamTimeZone - the time zone code for local time for this call sign group. For example, ET stands for US Eastern time. The time zone acronyms are defined in the GECONFIG.DAT file. 5. HamCQzone - the CQ zone for this call sign group. If the zone has imbedded spaces, it must be enclosed in quotes; e.g., "3 4 5". - 8 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 6. HamITUzone - the ITU zone for this call sign group. If the zone has imbedded spaces, it must be enclosed in quotes. 7. HamContinent - the continent for this call sign group. NA, SA, AF, EU, AS, AN, and OC may be used as abbreviations. 8. DXCCprefix - the standard DXCC call sign prefix designation for this CallPattern. The DXCC country identification for this CallPattern is determined by this prefix. 9. AreaName - the name of the area within a country which is covered by this CallPattern; e.g., state, ooblast, region, or other political subdivision. This must be enclosed by quotes. 10. MarkName - the name of the specific place used to represent this call sign group. Ordinarily this should correspond to the latitude, longitude,and time zone specified above. If the MarkName is missing,the Areaname is used. This must be enclosed by quotes. 11. WAEprefix - the standard WAE call sign prefix designation for this CallPattern. The WAE country identification for this CallPattern is determined by this prefix. If omitted, it is assumed that the WAE country is the same as the DXCC country. NOTE -- Items enclosed in quotes must be separated from one another by at least one space. All items must be contained on a single line. Another type of line in the text call sign data base specifies equivalences in call signs. For example, ZY* =PY* specifies that any call sign starting with ZY should be treated as if it started with PY; i.e., ZY5EG can be processed as if the call was PY5EG. Through appropriate combinations of "equates" and wildcards, the database and analysis algorithm is capable of accurately determining the location of any call sign heard on the air, including special prefixes. Mobile call signs (K3NA/MM, for instance) will be processed but not result in a location display on the map, since the exact location of the station is not predictable in advance. You may add additional entries to the HAM42A.DAT (or later versions) file with a simple ASCII file editor, following the conventions outlined above. Any line beginning with a space in column 1 is interpreted as a comment. You can see a typical comment line in the first line of the HAM42A.DAT file, where columns are named for your convenience. 6.2 GENHAMDB After the HAM42A.DAT file has been modified, it must be converted into a format which can be processed by the Geoclock program. The program GENHAMDB.EXE does this conversion. To start the program, enter at the DOS prompt: GENHAMDB (filename). Example: GENHAMDB HAM42A.DAT - 9 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 Conversion processing can take several minutes, depending on the speed of your computer. The GENHAMDB utility provides you with a cryptic status of the current state of the conversion process. When conversion is completed, GENHAMDB prompts you for a name for the converted file. The normal convention is to use the name HAM.HDB. If you do not specify a name, GENHAMDB will assume HAM.HDB. NOTE -- Geoclock is initially configured to look for the database under the name HAM.HDB. To change this, you must modify the GEO9009.DAT file with an ASCII file editor. The command line HAMDB specifies the name of the .HDB file to use when your custom map is displayed. For simplicity, you may wish to always tell GENHAMDB to name its output as HAM.HDB. After writing the .HDB file to disk, GENHAMDB allows you to test the database without running Geoclock. You will be prompted for a call sign. GENHAMDB takes the call sign given and looks it up in the data base, and displays the data base entry, including a summary of the equivalences used in the analysis. You can test as many call signs as you wish before exiting the program. Note -- You will also see other numbers displayed along with the data base entry. These other numbers are used by the Geoclock software developers in order to debug errors. To exit GENHAMDB, enter an empty call sign (i.e., just press the RETURN key). If you wish to conduct further tests on the HAM.HDB file, simple re-enter GENHAMDB by typing the following command at the DOS prompt: GENHAMDB HAM.HDB /D where "HAM.HDB" is the name of the .HDB binary file to be tested. GENHAMDB takes note of the "/D" debug switch on the command line, skips the database construction phase, and prompts you to enter test call signs. 7. OTHER POINTS ABOUT HAM FEATURES Geoclock supports two commands which are specific to ham features. The HAMDB command specifies the name of the call sign database to be used. This command should be in the GECONFIG.DAT file. For example,HAMDB HAM.HDB specifies that HAM.HDB contains the call sign data base. This database MUST be in the format produced by GENHAMDB, not in text format. Only the first use of HAMDB in a given run has effect - the data base cannot be changed while GEOCLOCK is executing. The second command, HAM, specifies that the HAM features are to be activated. The best place to this command is in the GEO9009.DAT file corresponding to your Azimuthal-Equidistant (Azi-Equi) map. In the 4.2 release of GEOCLOCK, the HAM features may only be used when the Azi-Equi map is displayed. NOHAM deactivates the HAM features. 8. SUPPORT SERVICES 8.1 GEOCLOCK SUPPORT - 10 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 Geoclock is a copyrighted software product developed by Joseph Ahlgren. His address is listed in the other Geoclock documentation. In addition, Joe operates an electronic bulletin board (RBBS system) for Geoclock users. The Geoclock RBBS provides a convenient way to get your questions answered, to receive new information about Geoclock, and to obtain additional maps. You can also communicate with other Geoclock users (amateur radio operators and others) via the RBBS. See the other Geoclock documentation for RBBS telephone numbers and related technical information. The RBBS contains PKZIP utilities, a shareware suite of programs which compress files for transmission over telephone lines. Compressed files save time and therefore reduce your telephone charges. Daylight savings (summer) time changeover dates change from year to year, according to various national laws. The latest GECONFIG.DAT commands for proper definition of local summer time around the world is also available on the Geoclock RBBS. Summer time and time zone definitions are maintained by Roger Wollstadt. 8.2 HAM DATABASE SUPPORT The call sign data base included with the HAM version of GEOCLOCK was developed by Eric Scace, K3NA. This is also a copyrighted software product. You may use the database for any other software which you have developed for your personal use (e.g., contesting software, QSL card processing programs, etc). However, the database can not be incorporated into any software product which is sold or distributed as shareware without prior permission. Questions, comments, additional data and corrections to the ham database are welcomed! These can be sent to Eric via the Geoclock RBBS, or by other means to: Eric L. Scace K3NA 10701 Five Forks Road Frederick MD 21701 home: +1-301-293-2448 work: +1-703-689-6556 fax: +1-703-689-5036 telex: +23-740-0368 ERIC UC X400 e-mail: C:USA A:Telemail O:Sprintmail FN: Eric SN: Scace MI: L. amateur radio BBS: K3NA @K3NA 8.3 ADDITIONAL MAPS The Geoclock RBBS has additional maps for various smaller parts of the globe available for downloading. You may purchase customized maps tailored to your interests from Joe Ahlgren. These maps can be of any part of the world, at any scale. Equi-Az maps, polar, or rectilinear projections may be requested. Topographical (height) data can be included as an option. Each custom map costs $30. 9. DETAILS ABOUT CALL SIGN ANALYSIS ALGORITHM - 11 - Ahlgren/Scace HAM package for GEOCLOCK version 4.2 90/06/21 Matching Algorithm (ALG-2): 1. Use ALG-1 on the input string. 2. If input string does not contain a "/", done 3. If there was no match, go to step 7 4. If the match after the / is exact, done 5. If the end string is /A, /M, or /P, done 6. If the end string is a single numeric, replace the first non-leading numeric in the string before the /. If ALG-1 produces a match, done. 7. If the string exactly matches one of the */ entries, use that entry 8. Use the shorter of the strings before and after the / (after if equal) and apply ALG-1 ALG-1: 1. Find the most stringent straight match on the input string 2. Find the most stringent equate match. If none, go to 4 3. Make the substitutions, and find the most stringent straight match (Can be done recursively up to a maximum limit.) 4. If only one match was found, done 5. If both a straight and substitution match were found, use the more stringent.