How to use the Software ?

Menu

Files:
Open, Save and Print still under development.
Quit: Quit the Software.

Links: links to other useful information about Sun according to following sub-menu:
-Solar Flux Source Data (SWPC): opens and displays the specific page of the SWPC site giving the last two-day sun flux values as recorded by dedicated observatories (see Tutorial).
-Solar Wind (SWPC): opens and displays the specific page of the SWPC site giving in real time various Solar Wind parameters.
-Kp Index (SWPC): opens and displays the specific page of the SWPC site giving Kp index refreshed every three hours.
-International Sunspot Number (SIDC): opens and displays the specific page of SIDC site giving useful information about International Sunspot Number.
-Space Weather Prediction Center: opens and displays the home page of the SWPC web site.
-Penticton Observatory Data: opens and displays the NGDC page about sun flux as measured at Penticton.
-National Geographic Data Center: opens and displays the home page of the NGDC web site.
-Solar Influences Data analysis Service: opens and displays this specific page of the SIDC web site.
-Australian Space Weather Agency: opens and displays the page dealing with Quiet Sun activity.

Display: proposes following options:
-Sun Only: only displays the plot of Sun flux versus Frequency on a 30 dB dynamic scale. Radio Sources check cases are disabled
-Sun and Radio Sources: displays the plots of Sun and major Radio Sources flux versus Frequency on a 50 dB dynamic scale. 

Averaging: proposes several averaging factors, as follows:
-Last observation only: this is the set of flux values most recently recorded by one of the dedicated observatories, without averaging. For real time receiving set-up testings using sun flux, only the last set of flux values must be used.
-Last two observations only: this is the average of the last two sets of flux values most recently recorded by the last two observatories.
-Last three observations only: this is the average of the last three sets of flux values most recently recorded by the last three observatories.
-Last four observations only: this is the average of the last four sets of flux values most recently recorded by the last four observatories.
 Full day observations: this is the average of all the records made by all observatories during the last 24 hours.
Averaging is only an attempt to show the global trends over a given period.

RX Parameters: displays on a specific screen the main receiving parameters (antenna gain, itself a function of the antenna diameter, the receiver overall noise figure, or noise temperature, and flux level measured at the output of the receiver).
This screen defaultly shows up "above" the main screen, but can be moved on the side, so that both screen can be seen at the same time.
Each receiving parameter can be separately evaluated by using sliders. One given parameter can be automatically evaluated by activating its relevant automatic option case. Default setting is automatic evaluation of "shoud be" flux level, as a function of "known" antenna gain and "known" receiver overall noise factor.

Tutorial: displays on a sub-screen necessary explainations given by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) itself, summarized by the author of the software.

Help: this sub-screen !

About: gives info about the software.

How does the software work ?

Sun:

Solar flux data in ham bands are shown in the left side boxes. The plot shows the flux curve between 100 MHz and 15400 MHz in a logarithmic format over a 30 dB dynamic range. Moving the mouse across the plot automatically computes sun flux at cross-hair position, and displays flux value vs frequency in the three boxes above the plot. Clicking with the mouse left button "freezes" frequency and flux value at cross-hair position in the Flux on other frequency sub-box.

Sun flux can also be evaluated on any discrete frequency between 100 and 15400 MHz, by entering it into the frequency text box (gray backcolor).

For comparison, the Quiet Sun flux curve for 1965 can be displayed by checking the case Quiet Sun flux 1965. Unchecking this case erases the display of the curve.

Frequencies of measurements can be materialized with small rectangles along the fux curve by checking the case Flux data points. Unchecking this case erases the display of the rectangles.

Sun flux curve for previous 40 days in one day step can be obtained using the slider (still under development).

Radio Sources:

When the Sun and Radio Sources sub-menu is activated, the Quiet Sun flux 1965 and Flux data points cases are reset and disabled, and Radio Sources cases are enabled. Activating one Radio Source check case triggers the displays of this Radio Source flux curve. Unchecking the same case erases the flux curve. Each Radio source curve can be separately displayed or erased.

When a Radio Source curve is displayed on the plot, Radio Source data (name and flux at cross-hair position) pop up at the bottom of the plot. Ham bands Radio Source data can be displayed in the ham band boxes upon clicking on the Radio Source text line with the right side button of the mouse. Clicking anywhere else inside the plot with the right side button recalls back ham bands Sun data.

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