From: rwirthli@nyx.cs.du.edu (Ralph Wirthlin)
Subject: Re: HFMUF/IONCAP Propagation Prediction Codes
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 15:51:37 GMT

slp9m@cc.usu.edu (Scott E. Parker   WA7VYJ) writes:

>In article <1992Nov16.140552.23739@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, rwirthli@nyx.cs
du.edu (Ralph Wirthlin) writes:
>> jim@nwra.com (Jim) writes:
>> 
>>>Does anyone know how I might obtain the FORTRAN source code for either
>>>the old ITS HFMUF propagation prediction program or the new IONCAP
>>>version of this code?  I know that the IONCAP code is available from
>>>NTIS for over $1000; I'm looking for a less expensive alternative.
>> 
>>>Jim
>> 
>> I looked into obtaining source code for IONCAP about 3-4 days ago.
>> The response was: can't be done.  The author/distributor for PC-IONCAP
>> wished to maintain control of the sources.  He is retiring fairly soon
>> (months ?), so he may decide to release the sources.  

>This discussion brings up something that I have often wondered about and
am now
>prompted to ask.

>Is IONCAP in the public domain?  I know it costs $$$ from NTIS.  But I w
nder
>if the program being a product of the US government is free from copyrig
t,
>etc.  Is it OK to distribute it on a not for profit basis?  If so, would
't it
>be nice to have it FTPable from somewhere.  Anyone have it to make avail
ble? 
>If not, how about taking up a collection?  Last I checked (it's been a w
ile)
>the PC version was only $100 or so.

>73, -SEP

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>         Scott E. Parker   WA7VYJ           \      INTERNET: SLP9M@cc.us
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-------
I *know* I'm going to get a lot of email on this one.  Yes, IONCAP
is available from NTIS for $140.  I just happened to upgrade to version
2.6 within the last couple of weeks (got it directly from ITS in 
Boulder, so it was a good deal cheaper :)).
  IONCAP *is* a product of the US government and therefore free from
copyright restrictions.  I could upload it if there was enough interest
and if someone could find a permenant home for it.  To be sure, you
*will* need the User's Manual as there is absolutely no attempt to
make the program user friendly.  
   The User's Manual is available from NTIS for about $35 paper/ $9
microfiche.  I am in the process of transcribing the manual, but it is
going incredibly slow, since I don't have a scanner (220 pages).
    Also, from what I understand, IONCAP is used for long-term predictions,
that is, month-to-month, and year-to-year and is not particularly well
suited to short term, day-to-day predictions.  It uses a 12-month
running average sunspot number.  From what I've heard, ARRL uses it in
their monthly predictions and it does seem to be the *standard*.
    PC-IONCAP also differs in some aspects from the last mainframe version
IONCAP 85.03 (?).  It does *not* support output method 30, unfortunately.
But according to what I've read, it is more accurate than any other program
available for predicting ionospheric conditions, including the mainframe
version.

                                  Hope this helps,
                                  Ralph


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