Available-Antenna Browser

The transmitter and receiver “Antenna Selector” are both similar to the Antenna Browser. They are modal windows, meaning you must finish and close it before continuing. The primary difference between the two windows is the "Done" button is disabled in the Antenna Browser.

The antenna selector window is divided into two portions, or panes. The selector window size is adjustable to suit the user.

Please refer to the screen capture below for the following discussion.

#1 This is a panel shows how many, if any, suitable antenna files are in the current folder. Secondly the panel shows "path" information. At first it just shows the contests of the VOACAP "antennas" folder, which generally contains other folders and no antenna files. The contents of this "path", or "address" are displayed in part #2.

#2 This window functions in a way similar to the "My Computer" hard drive tree view you are, no doubt, accustomed. Folders that may hold antenna files are displayed in the (#2) left “pane”. (Note - Ignore the folder named "windows.dat", it is used internally by VOACAP)

To begin, click the folder named "samples". See result in screen capture below.

#1 Notice this area has changed to show antennas found as 43 and we are viewing the "samples" folder.

#2 Notice this are shows nothing other than the [.]. There are other "folders" in our "samples" folder. The [.] means "click me to return to my parent folder".

#3 Any usable antenna files in the folder will be displayed in the “right” pane. To view details for one of the antenna files, double click or, click its description to select then click the “Viewer” button above the list.

When in the "Antenna Selector", versus the Antenna Browser, you can “select” an antenna for use in creating predictions as follows. Click the desired antenna in the right pane then click the done button.

Click “Cancel” to close the antenna selector, or browser, without changing your current antenna.

The "Viewer" portion of the window is shown below.

Above, the antenna viewer shows the contents of a selected antenna file. You can examine any or all antenna definitions in the same manner.

Near the bottom of the window is the status line. The status line provides addition information for the display area, or control, under the mouse cursor. This information is often very useful while operating the antenna browser controls.

Note - You are welcome and encouraged to create your own custom antenna definitions.

How, you might ask, do I accomplish such a feat? It's relatively easy.

For example, use your "My Computer" tool and navigate to where you installed WinCAP Wizard, by default C:\WinCAP. Then navigate on to the VOACAP "antennas" folder described above. Hint; go to the folder named "itshfbc" and then go to the "antennas" folder.

Once in the "antennas" folder you will surely want to create a new sub-folder. Name it something you can live with, like "custom".

Warning: Do not attempt to put a "space" character in the new folder name and do not use a name longer than eight, 8, characters.

Go to the site below and download some antenna files. Please note - we have no knowledge of the quality or usefulness of these antenna files. This is only an example exercise.

http://www.voacap.com/yagis.html

Unzip the antenna files into the folder you created above.

Next time you use the WinCAP Wizard antenna browser, or selector, you should see a new group of antennas. See also the HFAnt and Antennas sections.