Thread: Introduction
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Old 9-Dec-2009, 7:55 AM   #1
andy.s.lee
Janitor
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 54
Introduction

Welcome to our site!

We offer several resources here relating to over-the-air (OTA) broadcast services (TV, FM, and others). We have a variety of online tools, downloadable content, reference information, and discussion forums to help users learn, understand, and make informed decisions about the OTA services available to them. Here's a quick summary of some of the resources you can find here:



Signal Analysis Tool
  • Lets you enter a location by address or by coordinate
  • Lets you specify the height of an antenna above ground
  • Runs 3D propagation models for the exact location and height
  • Generates a "radar plot" report that summarizes the signal strength and direction of all the channels in the area


Quick links: Try it here (TV Fool), or here (FM Fool), or see our tutorial in Getting Started.



Online Interactive Maps
  • Lets you enter a location by address or by coordinate
  • Displays your location on an interactive map in your web browser
  • Runs 3D propagation models for the exact location and height
  • Lists the signal strengths of all the channels in the area
  • Displays lines to each transmitter to help visually aim antennas
  • Displays coverage overlays of any transmitters in the list
  • Lets you dynamically change your location (drag the marker) or antenna height (lets you fix inaccurate address lookup results)
  • Channel lists, signal strengths, and directions are automatically updated instantly (lets you play what-if games very easily)


Quick links: Try it here, or see our tutorial in Getting Started.


Google Earth Coverage Maps
  • Downloadable coverage overlays for use with Google Earth on your own computer
  • Lets you "see" how each transmitter lights-up (or gets blocked by) the terrain in an interactive 3D environment
  • Great visual way to identify terrain obstacles that might be affecting you


Quick links: Download the files from here, or see our tutorial in Getting Started.


Complete Google Earth Transmitter Icon Collection
  • Downloadable Google Earth file containing icons for all the transmitters in our databases
  • Each clickable icon pops up a balloon with quick stats about the transmitter like its power, height, network affiliation, etc.
  • Great visual way to identify nearby transmitters


Quick links: Download the files from here (TV Fool), or here (FM Fool), or see our tutorial in Getting Started.


Callsign Lookup
  • Quick way to look up a transmitter by its callsign
  • Displays a coverage overlay for the requested transmitter
  • Provides quick stats about the transmitter like its channel, power, network affiliation, coordinates, etc.


Quick links: Try it here, or see our tutorial in Getting Started.


Discussion Forum
  • A place to ask questions, get advice, share experiences, and more
  • Learn about current and future technologies related to broadcast services
  • Send feedback, submit database updates, and stay informed about the latest developments at this site.
  • Do your part to contribute to this free, community driven web site


Quick links: Explore topics starting here, or see our tutorial in Getting Started.

Last edited by andy.s.lee; 16-Dec-2009 at 4:06 AM.
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