The intro began with a short history of Voice of America transmissions and sites, including changes made after the cold war ended with stations being closed due to the advent of newer methods of communications, i.e. the internet and mobile phones etc.

Turning to the VOACAP propagation programme, it was shown that the software had been modified from the earlier ‘area coverage’ to ‘point to point’ forecasts more suitable to Radio Amateur needs.  The software was, in fact, rewritten by radio amateurs for radio amateurs.

Looking at the map, it was pointed out that most settings required by the user were grouped in clusters at the top corners of the display. In the power tab, there is a choice from 0.1W up to the excessive 20000W. (quite ‘over the top’ for amateur radio ops.)  Mode selection includes CW, SSB, AM, FT8, FT4, and WSPR.  Included is a long list of possible antennas for TX and RX. Fortunately, in the Settings section the three day Sun Spot Count is filled in automatically, but a choice can still be made for forecasts for transmissions to be made months in the future.  The included Help File is comprehensive and easy to use.

Find the site at www.voacap.com/hf/