PlanePlotter 6.4.8.9 Released

[Triple7]

From Bev

Hi,

PlanePlotter version 6.4.8.9 is on the web site today.
http://www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter.htm#download

---Usual boilerplate---
Updates are free to registered users.
You may need to exercise your browser Refresh function to force it to show you the new version of the PlanePlotter web page. If you post a message complaining that the web site is still pointing to an earlier version, you pay a forfeit!
You can install the new version over the old one but you *must* close/exit PlanePlotter before installing the new one. Your settings will be preserved. Nic's installer will warn you if PlanePlotter is still running when you try to install the new version.
If you have a version-specific firewall (eg Zone Alarm), you may have to reassure it that the new version is permitted to access the Internet. Be aware that an increasing number of security systems treat any new file as a threat without any justification except that it is new. Please don't write to me about it; write to your security system provider and ask them to make their program smarter.
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New in version 6.4.8.9

The changes in this release relate solely to the Beamfinder feature.  As such, if you are in an area well covered by Ground Stations for multilateration, there is no benefit in installing this release.  The Beamfinder feature is most useful in areas where multilateration is not possible.

The changes relate to the creation of the "radar.txt" file that you must create, in order for the Beamfinder method to work.

Previously there were two analysis tools under Tools..Radar site analysis.  Those two have now been combined into one single tool.
The tool now uses a new and improved method of determining the location of each radar site that is captured by the various "Tools..Radar site analysis..Log.." options.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, I have created a short video tutorial that demonstrates the use of the new tool in analysing an unknown radar site so that it can be used with the Beamfinder method.  You can find the video at :
"http://www.coaa.co.uk/obtaining%20radar%20site%20data%20for%20radar%20dot%20txt.mp4"

There is one other related change in this version.  The "y" and "z" map displays, now show putative radials from the current aircraft to the site with the pulse characteristics that you select,.  The radials are initially shown relative to an arbitrary azimuth origin but rotate at the rate found in the radar.txt file that you have just created.  Scolling the mouse wheel advances or retards the roating beam and with some patience, you can find a setting where the "from" radials all pass through a small area that confirms the approximate location of the radar site.  There is a video showing this at :
"http://www.coaa.co.uk/new%20y%20and%20z%20displays.mp4"

It may be worth mentioning that using this new feature, I found that one radar site in my area is sometimes hesitating as it rotates, as shown in the video, so when the beams are carefully aligned on the site, after a number of seconds, they are suddenly misaligned.  If you find that characteristic exhibited by a radar site in your area, it is not suitable for the Beamfinder method as the instantaneous azimuth cannot be accurately predicted from the time.

I hope this will enable you to get the most out of the Beamfinder method.

Regards
Bev

The videos were interesting.

Tim