| WinCAP Wizard - Enhanced VOACAP Toolset |
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Prediction-Batch Manager The Prediction-Batch Manager is the center for control of input to the VOACAP prediction engine for a group of predictions. Introducing the Prediction Batch Think of a prediction batch as a "group" of point-to-point circuits. The main difference being you don't get to change certain input data between each prediction. Specifically, you don't get to change month, SSN, frequencies and "station" - everything else is configurable - you can even configure each circuit as reversed and/or long-great-circle path. Once you learn how to set up a point-to-point prediction, it should be reasonably easy to understand and create a prediction batch. The Prediction-Batch Manager window can be accessed, displayed, in two ways - from the Master-Control Palette, by clicking the Analyze button followed by "Prediction Batch", or clicking the menu button followed by "Prediction-Batch Manager". A single prediction batch can hold from 1 to 18 circuits. Each prediction batch "circuit" consists of two locations together with a "system-parameters group", a "transmit-antennas group" and a "receive-system group". These three types of groups are maintained using the "Circuit-Configuration Manager" or a specialized manager - in other words if you need to modify an item in one of these groups you can do so using the Circuit-Configuration Manager or the specific manager. Sharing Circuit Information Each circuit in a prediction batch has several groups "input parameters" in common. Remember, we are discussing the information you select, or provide, as "input" to be used for creating predictions. The common "input parameters" are also shared with the other prediction types - again, these “input parameter groups” can be modified using the Circuit-Configuration Manager. The common sets of "input parameters" are found on the Station, Month, SSN and Frequency pages of the Circuit-Configuration Manager. In the Prediction-Batch Manager - other than the location info - the System, X Ant, R Sys settings are "references" to input parameter groups stored elsewhere. One major benefit to this is - if you need to change some particular parameter in one of these three input parameter groups you need not do so for each circuit in the batch. Instead, you change it only once - using the Circuit-Configuration Manager - and all the circuits "everywhere" that "use" or reference that particular - System, X Ant, R Sys - "input parameter group" will also "get" the change. In other words, you can have "many" System, X Ant, R Sys input parameter groups configured and select which you wish to use for each circuit. It all sounds complicated but provides significant power and flexibility. The System, X Ant and R Sys "drop down" mini-browsers in the Prediction-Batch Manager are for selection only. As stated above the "Circuit-Configuration Manager" and/or the "System-Parameters Manager" must be used to modify the System, X Ant and R Sys input-parameter groups. For example uses of the Prediction Batch see Things to try with a Prediction Batch.
#1 The title bar holds the window title, the name of the currently loaded "prediction batch" and the number of circuits in the batch. The number of circuits in the batch isn't really anything you must know; it's just for your information - remember a single prediction batch can hold a maximum of 18 circuits. #2 Just below the window title bar is the tool bar with button controls as follows: Analyze First on the tool bar is the "Analyze" button. The analyze button causes the VOACAP engine to be activated, using the current settings, and a "prediction set" to be created. The result being up to 18 predictions between a "Station" and the selected "target", for each of the 18 "circuits" using the parameters you chose. These three buttons are "change all" controls for the "System", "X Ant" and "R Sys" input parameter groups. Clicking any of these controls opens a dialog window - that looks like a typical browser - with available input parameter groups of that specific type. Using these controls you can "change" the parameter group used in all of the batch circuits at once. Beware you will be setting each circuit to the same set of parameters, which is generally the way to set up a prediction batch. Selection of Prediction-Batch Tables WinCAP Wizard provides several pre-configured prediction batch tables and you can create as many "other" prediction batch tables as desired. The "Switch" button opens a tool window named the "Prediction-Batch-Table Selector" used to "change" to a different prediction batch table or create a new one. Clear All The fourth item on the tool bar is the "Clear All" button. Clicking this button removes all circuits in the current prediction batch table. They are gone forever. Customize The "Customize" button displays a small window used to hide any columns the user doesn't want displayed. For example the column named "city" was hidden for the included screen captures to allow the window to be shown smaller without being quite so crowded. The final tool bar item is of course the "done" button. The done button is used to close the Prediction-Batch Manager. The Grid Area #3 This area holds the actual circuits. Each circuit in a prediction batch uses a specific system, receive system and xmtr antennas group. Below is a screen capture showing the "R Sys Group" - receive-system group - "mini-browser" like drop-down list open.
#1 Some of the columns allow you to simply type in information to add or make changes but others require more complex entries and therefore provide specialized controls to make the chore easier and help prevent errors. Two simple examples are entering the geographic coordinate hemisphere and selection of the time zone. The System-Parameters Group, Xmtr Antenna Group and Receive-System group each have a button - with a down-pointing arrow - and selection of the desired "input parameters group" for each circuit is accomplished from a "mini-browser" like drop-down list. These mini-browsers are very similar in appearance to the manager or browser used for maintaining that group type. When the associated button is clicked a drop-down list opens with the "mini-browser". The user then clicks to select the desired input parameters group and presses the enter key - or simply double clicks the desired input parameters group. Additionally, see the section Time Zone Picker. #2 This area illustrates the down-pointing arrow button and the mini-browser opened with the currently selected input parameter group highlighted. #3 This area is the list of available input parameter groups of the specific type accessed. #4 Like most windows in WinCAP Wizard the status line provides hints for completing the current task. The easiest way to add circuits to the Prediction-Batch Manager is by using the "DX Gazetteer" button labeled "To Batch". The Prediction-Batch Manager window size and column widths are adjustable to suit the user. Customized settings are saved when the window is closed and restored next time the window is opened. Prediction-Batch-Table Selector - The Prediction-Batch Manager “Switch” button opens the Prediction-Batch-Table Selector - used to "change" to a different prediction batch table or create a new one. The Prediction-Batch-Table Selector is a modal dialog window so must be closed before work can continue elsewhere.
You aren't limited to just one prediction batch, or group of circuits to configure and use. In fact you can create as many as you wish. At first the Prediction-Batch-Table Selector appear confusing - but operation is simple. In addition to the standard window elements, the window consists mainly of two "panes" an edit box and three buttons. #1 The left windowpane is a list of available – previously created - prediction batch tables. These are specialized files managed by the WinCAP Wizard "database" engine. These files all begin with "ub" - for prediction batch - and end with "nx1". You need never type the "ub" or the "nx1" portion of the name as they are added automatically and used internally. Double clicking any file in the left pane closes the prediction batch table selector and opens the group into the Prediction-Batch Manager. #3 The right pane consists of a grid like display that is useful for a quick look at the location contents of a table selected – clicked - in the left pane. #2 To create a new, blank, prediction batch table - type a memorable name in the area labeled "Table Name" and click the "Open/Create" button (#4). This will return you to the Prediction-Batch Manager. #4 Clicking the button labeled "Cancel/Default" closes the prediction batch table selector and opens the "default" table in the Prediction-Batch Manager. The default prediction batch table is not listed in the left pane so there is no chance of it being deleted - otherwise the default table behaves like any other. Please see these topics: Tutorial - Finding A QSO “Window” |
