High Frequency Propagation Models - ICEPAC, VOACAP, REC533


Disclaimer: The software contained within was developed by an agency of the U.S. Government. NTIA/ITS has no objection to the use of this software for any purpose since it is not subject to copyright protection in the U.S.

No warranty, expressed or implied, is made by NTIA/ITS or the U.S. Government as to the accuracy, suitability and functioning of the program and related material, nor shall the fact of distribution constitute any endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Advertisement: If you require software changes to meet your needs, you may contact:
Retired: As of Feb 3, 2005, after 33 years of work, Greg Hand has retired from federal service. He will still be involved in this HF software, but just do not expect instantaneous email contact as he might be having fun somewhere.
View the News files that detail the changes made for each version of the software. (Since Dec 1992)

The following HF propagation models for Windows PCs are available here:
  • HFWIN32 - Windows (all operating systems) 32-bit versions of ICEPAC / VOACAP / REC533
    • Now (6May15) using InstallMate©.
      • Tarma no longer would support new Windows versions.
      • These newer installations may not work on Windows systems older than 2000.
    • (2Feb04) using Tarma Installer ©.
    • Updated with new compiler, much faster than 99.0201 or previous versions.
  • HFCC.zip - Antennas used by the ITU & HFCC *** New 2/13/2003 ***
    • These antennas are useful for HF Broadcasters and their coordination meetings.
    • *** New 2/10/2012 *** hfcc_more.zip - 6 Rhombic antennas added.
ICEPAC is IONCAP with ICED profile model developed by NTIA/ITS.
VOACAP is IONCAP modified by USIA/VOA for broadcasting.
REC533 is the ITU-R PI.533 model for international HF planning.
readme.txt file describes installation procedures.

spaceweatherweek2004.ppt - Power Point presentation given at Space Weather Week 13 April 2004


*** Real New 12/29/2016 *** Ionospheric indices information.
A joint submission from the US and Australia for the Revision of Recommendation ITU-R P.372-8 Combination of Radio Noise (previously know as CCIR Report 322-3) will be presented in Geneva April 2007.
Software detailing the changes may be obtained here.

Other useful links:

Join the VOACAP Mailing List.
User's Guide - Signal-to-Noise Predictions Using VOACAP - CD now available (7/9/2009)
VOACAP Quick Guide - by Jari Perkiomaki (Finland).
http://www.voacap.com/ - a website for VOACAP maintained by Jari.
Space Environment Center for real-time monitoring/forecasting of solar & geophysical events.
Ionosphere Home Page from the National Geophysical Data Center.
Ionospheric indices information. *** New 12/29/2016 ***:
Old Ionospheric indices information. (Left for historical purpose.)
ITU HF web page contains Rec 705 antenna and other ITU related info.
The HFCC ( High Frequency Co-ordination Conference ) informally coordinates short wave broadcasting.
IBB - International Broadcasting Bureau (VOA, RFE,...)
ARRL - National Association for Amateur Radio.
NEC Antenna programs (4nec2 by Arie interfaces to ITS HF).
Shortwave from Wikipedia
Ionosphere from Wikipedia