Solar Data/Propagation tool for Windows

Based on information’s from N0NBH Solar Banners, (hamqsl.com), i have decided to build a small banner for Windows desktop (work under 7 and 10, not tested under XP, 8, anyway should work, reporting welcome), reasons are simple, i wanna a quick view of solar propagation status, just on my computer-desk, updated information’s that i can look anytime. Hamqsl.com, provide a lot of kind of banner that you can easily put on your website, but, banner for Windows 8 is not free, this for Windows Vista & 7 doesn’t work anymore because Microsoft Gadgets have been discontinued, the Windows Sidebar platform in Windows 7 and Windows Vista has serious vulnerabilities. Microsoft has retired the feature in newer releases of Windows. Instead you can use 8GadgetPack but i dislike adding crappy unknown application like this …

Right now, the application is released, it’s mainly designed for one screen configuration only, (i work for double screen configuration).

The tool is loaded at right of primary screen at every windows loading. To disable, run msconfig, and unselect solarinfo.exe

 

You can force the refresh by pressing a button, or the last information’s are loaded every 15min, minimiz/maximiz window can by done by double click on systray icon.

Top button, put the window overlaps all the other, disabled by default.

Default location software is; C:\Program Files (x86)\SolarInfo

Download SolarInfo_Setup, (the installer maybe need local admin right), also you can only run SolarInfo for a standalone using.

Software is free of use, you can redistribute.

For other kind of propagation software you can visit also, DxZone.com

UV3R+ vs. GT-3 TP MarkIII

I have get my Baofeng GT-3TP to replace my UV-3R+ from ebay (seller uncleb2c), you can find it around 45€ (shipping included) with usb programming cable, it’s a quick review, he’s little bit more heavy but the battery is 1800Mah, the sensitivity is very better than my UV-3R+, the [MENU] is also more easier, global use is pleasant. If like me you use it mainly on local repeater, burst tone can be sended by 1750 or 2100Hz [PTT+A/B] or [PTT+Band].

Programming this radio is a nightmare, depending of chip you ‘ll got with your copy. The best way is too download CHIRP from

http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download

After have launched CHIRP, select your COM port, then Vendor and Model, in my case BF-F8HP. Then Radio and Download from Radio.