V-Soft Communications Newsletter: December 8th, 2008

In this Newsletter:

Probe 4 Progress Report

V-Soft Offers License Protection System for Lost or Stolen HASP Keys

V-Soft Releases New FCC 30 Sec. Terrain

New Version of Sun DTV Allows Access to Post-Transition Full Service Facilities

V-Soft Offers a Sizable End of Year Discount

FMCommander's New Internet Mapping Features

V-Soft's Free On-Line Zip-Signal Utility Expands

We Need Your Input on the Next Training Seminar

FCC activities of interest

Probe 4 Progress Report

The staff at V-Soft has it hands on the first stable beta release of Probe 4, a major upgrade to V-Soft's award winning Probe 3 software. This release will have a number of new features, the foremost being the ability to use multiple core processors. With the innovation of dual and quad core processors and hyper threading in personal computers, Probe 4 takes an active approach to fully engage the processing power of today's computing hardware and software for maximum performance and efficiency.

Other new features of Probe 4 include:

    The ability to copy, paste and duplicate objects on the map (such as text boxes, legends and logos)

    The user can assign differing cutoffs values and colors to the signal areas of multiple stations on a map and you can have several transmitters share one cutoff

    A feature called "guides" that will place construction lines on the map screen when moving map objects so that you can align the objects being moved with other objects on the screen.

    A completely rewritten terrain profile viewer incorporating many user requests. 

    Ability to 'cancel' grid based calculations in progress (this takes you into the 'study edit' window so you can change something if you noticed you had made an error).

    Ability to move city names on the map.

    Ability to include polygons and polygon sets in 'overlap areas'.

    Ability to zoom to any scale/map center that has been recently used (as opposed to just the most recent previous one).

Stay tuned for the announcement of many more new features and capabilities. Top  

V-Soft Releases New FCC 30 Sec. Terrain

V-Soft has recently has acquired a new terrain database to use with FMCommander, Probe 3 and other V-Soft programs that access terrain.  The database is the actual NGDC database used by the FCC. When using this database and the new VSVBTSVR.DLL, provided with the last FMCommander and FMCONT program updates, and by setting the HAAT Method to 0, found under "Settings\ Defaults, ---> Miscellaneous" tab, you can get the same numbers as the FCC. For FMOVER studies our new numbers typically match the FCC's FMOVER reports to  1/100 km.

FMCommander's new HAAT method calculates the exact distance and azimuth algorithms that are determined by the FCC for contour-to-contour studies, FMOVER studies and mapping, this results in astounding agreement with what the FCC sees on its own computers. V-Soft has invested a significant amount of research time identifying the correct FORTRAN code (in the deep recesses of the FCC vaults) and getting the Commission's confirmation that the code we found was the exact code they were using for a given process. (We have found that the FCC uses 'three different' distance algorithms for FM technical regulatory processing.)  Now that this has been done, we can get numbers that are nearly identical with what the Commission sees, even for the highly changeable terrain of Hawaii. To get this exactitude the user "must" use our new FCC30SEC.DAT 30 arc-second terrain elevation database, which is a direct conversion  from the FCC's. We find this version of the NGDC terrain database has some patches in it where the FCC added corrections in converted feet instead of original meters.  We have also found that for FMOVER HAAT calculations the FCC is still calculating  radials from 2 to 10 miles, not 3 to16 km as the rules read. (whoops!) Also, we find that they are using only 51 digital elevation points along a radial instead of a higher resolution approach of using a point every 0.1 km. Our programs continue retain the more accurate contour calculation methods which are selectable when using our higher resolution terrain databases. 

If you are interested in obtaining V-Soft's new FCC 30 Sec. terrain, (Price $350) give us a call (1-800-743-3684) or email Adam.

New Version of Sun DTV Allows Access to Post-Transition Full Service Facilities

V-Soft Offers a New Alternative to Prevent Lost or Stolen HASP Keys

We want to be sure that everyone knows that we have an alternative to the hard-key policy that can save you money in the event of a lost or stolen software security key. Initially developed for the FCC's V-Soft programs, V-Soft software engineers have created a system that allows a user to gain authentication for their software through an online web server. With this option, if a user's key were to be stolen or lost, V-Soft simply disables the missing key number through the web server and issues a new key with a new number. The replacement cost of a lost or stolen key under this system is therefore only the cost of the key (plus shipping and handling) as opposed to the hard-key replacement policy which requires  the user to purchase an additional site license for each program assigned to the missing key.

It is important to note that this option requires an internet connection in order to open the software, which means that this option may not be completely appropriate for those who use the software in the field over long periods without internet connectivity. However, the new system offers a "grace period" where one can authenticate before leaving the office and the program will continue to work for a several days without new internet authentications. V-Soft has taken additional measures to increase the reliability of internet authorizations by implementing a full, always active, backup server.

For more information on how to migrate to this new security option call V-Soft (1-800-743-3684) or email Adam.

V-Soft Offers 10% End of Year Discount

This year, for the first time, V-Soft will be offering an "End of the Year" discount of a sizable 10% on all its software programs. The discount will be available from now though December 31st. This is a great way to get the best deal on V-Soft software and to include your purchases in this year's tax-deductible expenses.  But hurry, the discount won't last forever! Email Adam or give us a call (1-800-743-3684) for any questions or orders!  Here's a link that lists all of our products available for discount before the end of the year.  http://www.v-soft.com/web/products.html   Top  

FMCommander's New Internet Mapping Features

V-Soft designers have increased Internet mapping functionality in FMCommander thanks to new browser integration with Acme Mapper, Microsoft Live Server, and the USGS GNIS Server, in addition to the existing relationships with Google Earth, MS Terraserver, and Trails.com (formerly topozone.com).  All Internet map sites are integrated with the selected station coordinates, so with just the click of your mouse on the desired station you can view the transmitter site on topographic maps or on aerial and satellite photos.  Microsoft's Live Search/Visual Earth utility provides road and aerial views and in some places, a four sided directional "Birdseye" view of requested sites.  Below are some examples of the new features in action using the Acme Mapper site for topographic maps and the MSLive site for satellite Birdseye tower views.  The fifth map is from the USGS GNIS Server. Maps six is from Google Earth (see below). Click the thumbnails to enlarge the images.

(Each of these Internet mapping features has its own licensing. The FMCommander internet mapping features costs $350. For more information or to order email Lisa at (info@v-soft.com) or give us a call at 1-800-743-3684.  Top

We need your input on training

We are currently assessing interest in a new V-Soft broadcast allocation engineering training seminar to coincide with the NAB show in Las Vegas this April.  In the past, the 2-day seminars have been a real hit with our software users, potential users and others who just want to learn how it is done.  The seminar price is usually around $350 depending on the number of people we have.  V-Soft must pay a fixed fee for a hotel meeting room rental and a fee for a minimum of 22 breakfast and luncheon meals each day, so we need to know if you have an interest in attending.  The seminar is held on Saturday and Sunday on the two days immediately preceding the start of the NAB conference. If you are interested in attending our training seminar, please contact Kate at kmichler@v-soft.com  (800 743-3684, Ext 14)  before the February 1st, 2009 deadline. We need a minimum of 12 registrants by the deadline in order to have the critical mass of attendees that will help cover the costs, so call now to sign up or to learn more about broadcast engineering training.

Last Year's seminar attendees:

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V-Soft's Zip-Signal Expands

The database for V-Soft Communication's well known, free, on-line Zip-Signal utility program has expanded to include Canadian and Mexican stations heard in U.S. zip codes. The zip code utility will map radio stations' signal strength in dBu and mV/m to U.S. zip codes and with the input of a station's call sign, the program will deliver a list of zip codes and the signal strengths within the zip codes served by a station.  This program contains all U.S. licensed AM stations, both day and night operations as well as FM stations and now Canadian and Mexican stations.  All signal strengths are accurately calculated using the official FCC method.  Click a Facility ID link and view the station's record on file with the FCC. Set your browser to WWW.V-Soft.com/ZipSignal.

The screen capture below shows how the data is presented to the user in a station search by call sign.

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FCC activities of interest:

The FCC has agreed to allow NCE applicants to change their status to commercial so they can participate in the upcoming FM auction. Previously, they had decided to dismiss MXed NCE applications for commercial channels.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-219A1.pdf

FCC to hold meeting to decide on allowing DTV translators to fill DTV coverage holes.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-287123A1.pdf

FCC Adopts Rules for Unlicensed Use of Television White Spaces.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-260A1.pdf

FCC adopts Rules for the Use of Distributed Transmission System (DTS) Technologies in the Digital Television (DTV) Service.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-256A1.pdf

FCC Proposes Rules Regarding AM Radio Service Directional Antenna Performance Verification.
R&O/NPRM:  

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-228A1.pdf

FCC Proposes the Prohibition of Low Power Auxiliary Stations in the 700 MHz Band after the Digital Television Transition.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-188A1.pdf