VOACAP

VOACAP (Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program)[1] is a radio propagation model that uses empirical data to predict the point-to-point path loss and coverage of a given transceiver if given as inputs: two antennas (configuration and position), solar weather, and time/date. Written in Fortran, it was originally designed for Voice of America.

VOACAP HF coverage prediction
VOACAP HF propagation prediction

Some movies on the coverage during daytime can be found here.[2]

Simulating HF propagation conditions

Currently versions based on the original source tree exist for Windows, Linux (voacapl)[3] and OSX.[4] The program core uses text files for I/O and a bunch of wrappers now exist.

Besides commercial visualization tools, there are also Open Source implementations with GUI:

  • VOACAP online using ITS' IONCAP model, available at http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
  • the PropagationPython Project.[5] aka "Proppy" which is an evolution and alternate to VOACAP using the new ITURHFProp prediction model (formerly REC533) and always in development by James Watson[6]

For immediate results, VOACAP provides a web interface for both the coverage[7] and the prediction.[8]

See also

References
  1. Official Homepage: http://www.voacap.com/
  2. Movies of the HF coverage during daytime http://gerolfziegenhain.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/qrp-propagation-simulation-one-day-on-all-ham-bands/
  3. Voacap under Linux http://www.qsl.net/hz1jw/voacapl/index.html
  4. Installing Voacap under OSX http://gerolfziegenhain.wordpress.com/2012/07/installation-of-voacap-under-osx
  5. "Proppy" (PropagationPython) can be download from http://www.qsl.net/hz1jw/pythonprop/
  6. Installing "Proppy" under Debian Linux http://gerolfziegenhain.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/installation-of-pythonprop-under-debian/
  7. Online Voacap coverage http://www.voacap.com/coverage.html
  8. Online Voacap prediction http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
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