• What is SignalServer?

    • Please see About

  • Why must I enroll a callsign?

    • Enrolling a callsign records information about a transmitter facility in a database. That information includes such boilerplate things as latitude, longitude, continent, antenna height AGL, and so forth. When a plot is requested the plot engine uses the database to provide the boilerplate as parameters to the plotting system, saving the user the trouble of having to enter it each time a plot is requested. We also use the boilerplate to create the portions of KML/KMZ files that indicate what stations might lie in the service area of a transmitter. We also record the user's IP number and some other things to make mitigating attacks easier, and to allow us to keep statistics.

  • I requested a plot, but nothing happened

    • This is usually caused by entering incorrect information in the database. Re-enter the information, either as a "new callsign", or an "update" to the old callsign. Callsigns consist only of letters, digits, and dashes, and will be mapped to upper case before being recorded. No "blanks" or underscores are allowed, although some legacy entries are now incorrect in the database.

    • Record latitude and longitude as "decimals", ie use "36.020833" rather than "36 ° 1' 15" N"
    • The latitude "95 ° 40' 32" W" should be entered as "-95.675556"

  • All I got was a colored "bullseye"

    • This happens when the boilerplate information in the database indicates your station location is in the middle of a body of water. Almost always, if you are in the Western Hemisphere, it really means that you neglected to use "-" on the longitude entry when you enrolled the callsign. If you are in the Eastern Hemisphere, use "+" longitude. Above the equator, use "+" latitude entries, and below the equator use "-" for latitude entries.

    • Record latitude and longitude as "decimals", ie use "36.020833" rather than "36 ° 1' 15" N"
    • The latitude "95 ° 40' 32" W" should be entered as "-95.675556"

  • There are some stations in my "Locations" which are obviously incorrect

    • This happens when stations record their latitude and longitude incorrectly.

  • My plot is obviously not correct

    • This happens when stations record their latitude and longitude incorrectly. Did you reverse latitude and longitude ?

  • How do I Use Google Earth Online?

    • Download the KMZ file which these pages have generated for you
    • Go to Google Earth
    • Select the "hamburger" - the three horizontal bars in the top left corner
    • Select "Projects" from the new menu which pops up
    • Select "Open a New Project"
    • Select "Import KML from a computer"
    • Use the pop-up menu to load the KMZ file you downloaded into Google Earth

    A good alternative, if you have the resources, is to download google-earth-pro and install it on your own computer.

  • How do I handle displaying multiple plots?

    • Just load each of the KML/KMZ files into Google Earth.

  • Are there alternatives to Google Earth?

    • We rely heavily on Google Earth for placing plots in geographical perspective, but there are alternatives. You can use Google Earth on the web or downloaded versions (we use google-earth-pro) are available for local use. We have reports of a system called "cesium" working well also. Any system which uses Google's KML/KMZ files should be satisfactory.

    Some possible alternatives include:

    • kmlviewer.nsspot.net

  • I want to use SignalServer to do ... but I don't see how with the web interface.

    • This website deliberately provides only for some common situations. We suggest you download and install SignalServer for your local machine. SignalServer has a lot of options and parameters, and possibly you will find that it can be used for your situation. See the About for information about downloading and creating your own installation.

  • Do you use any Javascript or Java on the website ?

    • Nope. No PHP either.