FRIP4L (Local Version) NOTES:
1. OVERVIEW OF MAJOR CHANGES IN FRIP5L (Version 5.1):
A. All channel numbers and frequencies have been changed to their post-rebanding values. The program will automatically convert any FRIP4 Station Files to the new frequency values as each file is opened.
B. All printing is now done to files, rather than to a printer. Each instance of printing to a file is followed by an on-screen notice as to the filename and where it is located.
C. The terrain elevation database has been reduced in size by 50% and is incorporated by default with the program. All users will operate with the same terrain database and will be able to view terrain profiles under the TOPO menu.
Other than the above changes, FRIP5L performs similarly to the FRIP version 4.6 currently in use
2. TO INSTALL FRIP5L:
A. CD VERSION: Copy the 'FRIP5L' folder from the CD to the root of your C: drive. The ‘FRIP5L’ folder includes a subfolder called 'TERRAIN' which contains the terrain database files, and a sample subfolder called 'Blanding' which contains two station files and several antenna files.
B. ZIP VERSION: Create a folder named ‘FRIP5L’ on the root of your C: drive, then create a subfolder under it named ‘TERRAIN’. Un-zip both the FRIP5 PROGRAM.zip and the FRIP5 DATA.zip files into the ‘FRIP5L’ folder. Un-zip the TERRAIN.zip file into the ‘TERRAIN’ subfolder.
C. Create a Windows shortcut to FRIP5L.exe. Under ‘Program’ tab of the shortcut properties, select "maximized" in the ‘Run’ entry, and check "close on exit". Under the ‘Screen’ tab, select "Full-screen". The default shortcut icon can be changed to either the 'Frip5La.ico' or ‘Frip5Lb.ico’ image using the ‘change icon’ button under the ‘Program’ tab[1].
D. The first time FRIP5L is run, it will create a 'FRIP.CFG' file that contains folder locations and other configuration data. To examine the sample files, change the ‘Station File Path’ to reflect the ‘Blanding’ folder. Station and Antenna files should be stored in subfolders under the FRIP5L folder similar to the 'Blanding' folder. Station and Antenna files may be stored in the same or different folder.
E. Create other subfolders for your own projects using the 'File Paths' selection under FRIP's 'File' menu. Each time you change projects, you must enter the file path(s) in which your current station and antenna files reside. If you are creating a station file for a new project, first enter the new folder path into 'File Paths'; if the folder doesn't exist, FRIP will create it for you. Once the 'File Paths' data has been saved, it will be the default location for any new station files you save.
3. RUNNING FRIP5L UNDER WINDOWS XP:
FRIP is a pre-Windows DOS program, and does not provide mouse support. To navigate the main menu, use the ALT key to highlight the FRIP menu, then the cursor (arrow) keys to navigate through menu choices. Press 'Enter' to select a menu option. For menu options having a letter highlighted in red, pressing the letter will select that option. In general, the TAB key will advance through 'button' options, and SHIFT+TAB will advance in the reverse direction. From most screens, the ESC key will close the current window and return to the previous window, or to the main screen.
On screen 3 of a station file, pressing the F2 key will generate the average terrain elevations using the elevation database stored in the 'TERRAIN' subfolder. The F7 key will close FRIP from most any point in the program.
4. FRIP5L OUTPUT FILES:
FRIP5L provides output to files which can then be managed using Windows Notepad, Wordpad, or MS Word. The output files provided by the program are listed below, where “ssss” indicates a Station File name, “aaaa” indicates an Antenna File name, and “xxxx” indicates sequential numbering:
|OUTPUT FILE |DESCRIPTION |SAVED IN |
|ssss.STA |Station File data |Station File Path |
|ssss.CAR |Cardinal Radial calculations |Station File Path |
|ssss.GEP |Gains, ERPs, PSACs |Station File Path |
|ssss.INT |Potential Interferor listing |Station File Path |
|ssss.RPT |Final Report |Station File Path |
|ssss.CON |Street Atlas 40 dBu contour |Station File Path |
|SRCHxxxx.TXT |Channel Search |Station File Path |
|FRPLIB.TXT |Station File library |Station File Path |
|DISTAZ.TXT |Dist & Bearing calculation |Station File Path |
|aaaa.TNA |Antenna File data |Antenna File Path |
|ANTLIB.TXT |Antenna Library |Antenna File Path |
Note that it is not necessary to send printed results from FRIP with an application for Region-9 approval and licensing. The only FRIP data required to be submitted with applications are the .FRP (station) files and .ANT (antenna) files related to the application; these can be submitted electronically by e-mail or on a CD.
5. MANAGING FONTS IN FRIP5L OUTPUT FILES:
FRIP uses text and graphics characters characters on exported files. The graphics characters are not supported in most Windows fonts other than LineDraw.TTF which is supported in Windows Notepad and Wordpad, but only indirectly in MS Word.
To view and print a FRIP output file correctly from Windows Notepad or Wordpad, open the file, select all text using Ctrl+A, and then select 'Format', 'Font', and 'MS LineDraw'. A 10 pt or smaller font size is suggested. If the MS LineDraw font is not available, you can install it on your PC using the LINEDRAW.TTF file located in the FRIP5L folder[2].
MS Word does not support the MS LineDraw font directly, but can convert the graphics characters successfully by the following procedure: First open the file in Windows Notepad and insure that the document appears in the MS LineDraw font. Save the Notepad file. Then open the same file with MS Word. The 'File Conversion' window will appear; in this window, select the middle option (MS-DOS). MS Word will then map the graphics characters correctly using the Courier New font. Best results will be obtained by using a font size of 7 pt and taking the left/right margins down to minimum (about 0.4). Save the MS Word document as a Word file (i.e. with a .doc extension). The .doc file will then show the graphics characters correctly from that point on.
6. PSAC CONTOUR OUTPUT FROM FRIP5L:
To facilitate the drawing of the 40 dBu PSAC contour required for license applications to the Region-9 Committee, FRIP5L prepares a file named with the station filename and a .CON extension, formatted for importing into Street Atlas as a line drawing. By rearranging the data, the file can be imported into MapInfo as well. The file consists of latitude and longitude points along the contour spaced every two degrees. FRIP5L creates the PSAC contour data file whenever the ‘Draw Map’ button on the ‘Gains, ERPs and PSACs’ screen of the Calc Menu is selected.
7. RUNNING FRIP5L:
A. GENERAL: FRIP requires a Station File and an Antenna File for any directional antennas in order to determine potential interference and generate a Final Report. Once these exist, any of the options under the ANALYSIS menu will cause an automatic database search for potential interferers. In other words, you may proceed directly from creation or editing of a Station File to a Final Report (or any of the other ANALYSIS options). You may also preview the interference analysis results for each potential interferer (Preview All) or for any one potential interferer (Preview 1) before running your Final Report.
B. ENTERING DATA IN USER DATA FILES: Many of the data entry fields in FRIP are character-limited to minimize possible error conditions. For example, alphabetic characters cannot be typed into numeric fields, prohibited characters (such as "*") cannot be typed into filename fields, negative entries cannot be typed into fields requiring a positive value, and decimal values cannot be typed into fields requiring an integer value. If you find a certain keystroke not accepted by FRIP, then that character is not allowed in that entry field.
C. SAVING USER DATA FILES: FRIP determines whether or not the data for a particular file is new or has been changed, and if so prompts the user for a SAVE decision when the user leaves that screen (or set of screens). If no data has been changed, no SAVE prompt appears.
D. THE FRIP FINAL REPORT: The Final Report generated by FRIP includes all output pertinent to the report in one file. This file includes all station and antenna data, cardinal radial calculations, ERP and PSAC calculations, potential interferer listing, and interference analyses.
E. SHORTCUT KEYS: In addition to the selection options shown on each screen, you may in general use the ESC key to exit from a screen to the previous screen or menu. On screens that have multiple "pages" you may also use the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys to move from screen to screen.
F. FRIP MAP DISPLAYS: FRIP provides 3 basic types of map displays showing signal strength contours relative to each other and to state and county boundaries:
1) Maps of 40dBu protected contours of all pooled and licensed channels are available under the MAP 1 option under the UTILITIES menu.
2) Maps of 33.3dBu or 14.4dBu interference contours of all pooled and licensed channels are available under the MAP 2 option under the UTILITIES menu.
3) Maps of proposed station contours for which an application is being prepared are displayed using the Draw Map button on the Gains, ERP's and PSAC's screen under the CALC menu.
4) Maps of operational Mutual Aid contours are available under the MUTUAL AID menu by channel.
G. MAP GENERATION: All displays are based on a map of the state of Florida and its county boundaries generated by latitude and longitude. The accuracy of these values is based on a rounding to the nearest .01 (of latitude or longitude resulting in an accuracy of roughly 18 seconds horizontally or vertically for each point. At the lowest zoom level, the accuracy of these values is greater than that of the display capability at 640 x 480 screen resolution. At the highest zoom level, the reverse is the case. The accuracy of line segments between points will vary to approximately 1/2 that of the points themselves.
1) CONTOUR GENERATION: Signal strength contour displays are based on distance calculations which use the same algorithms as in FRIP interference analyses. Distance calculations for stations which are licensed (or applied for) are performed every 2 degrees radially utilizing all site, station, and antenna parameters of the systems. Antenna gains in each direction are calculated by cubic-spline interpolation of the 36-point antenna pattern. Average terrain elevations in each direction are calculated by cubic-spline interpolation of the 8 cardinal radial average terrain values. Each distance calculation is converted to latitude and longitude for display by a conversion based on miles per degree both horizontally and vertically at the site location.
2) SITE LOCATIONS: Each site location for which a contour is shown is displayed by a plus (+) sign at the latitude and longitude of the site, and in the same color as the contour.
3) COLORS USED FOR CONTOURS: In all of the following, the term PSAC means Protected Service Area Contour, OCIC means Offset-Channel Interference Contour, and CCIC means Co-Channel Interference Contour, as defined in Section 5.4 of the Region-9 Plan.
All Maps Except Mutual Aid:
GREEN: 40 dBu PSAC
BLUE: 33.3 dBu OCIC of lower adjacent channel
RED: 33.3 dBu OCIC of upper adjacent channel
YELLOW: 14.4 dBu CCIC
Mutual Aid Maps:
BLUE: 40 dBu Contours of State systems
GREEN: 40 dBu Contours of County/City systems
4) KEYBOARD CONTROLS FOR MAPS: The following keyboard controls apply to all
map displays except where stated.
Up or Down Arrows - Zoom control to enlarge or reduce the image.
Left or Right Arrows - Changes the horizontal width of the image to correct for differences in individual monitors. Use this adjustment until circular contours appear to be round. This setting is saved in the FRIP.CFG file.
Ctrl + Arrow Key - Moves the image left, right, up, or down.
Z - Restores the zoom setting to its original value.
O - Restores the position of the map to its original centered location.
N or PgDn - Displays a map of the next channel in the database (for map types 1, 2, and Mutual Aid), or the next channel of the proposed station for map type 3.
P or PgUp - Displays the map of the previous channel in the database (for map types 1, 2, and Mutual Aid), or the previous channel of the proposed station for map type 3.
D - On map type 3, reverses the direction of potential interference. Map type 3 initially displays interference to the
proposed station. Pressing D switches to a display of interference from the proposed station to other stations. For map clarity, each of the three possible modes of interference in the second case are displayed in turn by pressing the T key (see below). A detailed description is given below in MAP TYPE 3 - PROPOSED STATIONS.
T - On map types 1 (PSAC contours of database stations) or 2 (interference contours of database stations), the display switches to map type 2 or 1 respectively. On map type 3, pressing T toggles between displays of co-channel, lower-adjacent channel, and upper-adjacent channel potential interference; a detailed description of this function is given below in MAP TYPE 3 - PROPOSED STATIONS.
Insert - On map type 3, the contours of stations in the Region-9 database which are of the same jurisdiction as the proposed station are normally not shown to avoid a confusing display. Pressing Insert forces these database contours to be displayed.
Delete - Reverses the effect of having pressed Insert.
Esc - Terminates the map display and returns to the previous screen.
5) MAP TYPES:
a) MAP TYPE 1 - PSAC's: Shows the 40 dBu PSAC's of all stations in the Region-9 database, both licensed and un-licensed, on a channel by channel basis. It can be used to view the geographic distribution of stations on any particular channel.
b) MAP TYPE 2 - CCIC's and OCIC's: Shows both the CCIC's and OCIC's of all stations in the Region-9 database, both licensed and unlicensed, on a channel by channel basis. For any particular channel, the map shows the CCIC's of all stations on that channel (yellow), the OCIC's of all stations having the next lower adjacent channel (in blue), and the OCIC's of all stations having the next higher adjacent channel (in red).
This map can be used as an aid in determining where a new channel may be allotted. For example, an area in which a 40 dBu contour (PSAC) could be placed without touching or overlapping the interference contours shown on the screen would be a candidate for a future allotment of that channel in that location. Caution should be used with this type of visual analysis however, since it indicates only the potential for interference from other stations, and not the potential for interference to other stations. If this display indicates a candidate channel for a new allotment, it should be verified by use of FRIP's Channel Search function located under the UTILITIES menu. The Channel Search function will perform the required two-way analysis. It must of course also pass the FRIP interference analysis at time of application.
c) MAP TYPE 3 - PROPOSED STATIONS: Shows the signal strength contours of a proposed station relative to the contours of other stations around it. Map type 3 is accessed by selecting the Draw Map button on the Gains, ERP's, and PSAC's screen under the CALCS menu. It provides a visual indication of the coverage of a proposed station, as well as the potential of interference to and from other stations.
When first displayed, the map is automatically zoomed in on the local area and shows the 40 dBu PSAC of the first channel of the proposed station (in green) and the pertinent interference contours of other stations in the Region-9 database (yellow, blue, and red). The interference contours will be CCIC's of other stations having the same channel (in yellow), OCIC's of other stations having the next lower adjacent channel (in blue), and OCIC's of other stations having the next higher adjacent channel (in red). This map display shows all contours which could produce potential interference to the proposed station.
By pressing the D key, the direction of potential interference is switched showing potential interference from the proposed station to other stations. The first of three possible scenarios in this mode shows the 14.4 dBu CCIC of the proposed station (yellow) and the 40 dBu PSAC contours of other stations having the same channel. The other two scenarios can be displayed in turn by pressing the T key. Pressing T once displays the 33.3 dBu OCIC (red) of the proposed station and the 40 dBu PSAC contours (green) of stations having the next lower adjacent channel. Pressing T again shows the same 33.3 dBu OCIC contour of the proposed station (but now in blue) and the 40 dBu PSAC contours of other stations having the next higher adjacent channel. Pressing T a third time returns to the first display in this mode. Pressing D again returns to the display as originally presented.
d) MUTUAL AID MAPS: These are selected under the MUTUAL AID menu for either the Calling Channel or any one of the TAC channels. The maps show the 40 dBu contours of all stations in Florida which have been licensed and which are known or believed to be in operation.
8. IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY:
If you have problems installing or using FRIP, contact any of the following DMS staff:
Bob Ferrell, 850-922-7406, bob.ferrel@dms.
Jean-Pierre Saliba, 850-922-7418, jean-pierre.saliba@dms.
Kent Raheb, 850-922-7417, kent.raheb@dms.
Leon Simmonds, 850-487-2105, leon.simmonds@dms.
Charles Hadley, 850-922-7505, charles.hadley@dms.
Akram McKee: 850-922-7419, akram.mckee@dms.
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[1] The Frip5La icon will appear best on Windows desktops with a dark background. The Frip5Lb icon will appear best on desktops with a light background.
[2] To install the MS LineDraw font, open the Windows Control Panel, select “Fonts”, then select “File”, and “Install New Font”, and navigate to the LineDraw.TTF font file located in the FRIP5L folder. When done, the MS LineDraw font will be available in Windows Notepad and Wordpad.
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