mini dB-Calculator

Chances are you’re listening to some music right now while reading this article. The same chances are that music is coming from a radio station. Although it’s possible to stream across the web, it doesn’t mean it’s an easy process. A lot of values need to be taken into consideration, and if you’re up to the task, then applications like mini dB-Calculator are sure to come in handy.

On the visual side of things, the application is wrapped around a classic window design that looks pooled out of the last decade, but then again, aesthetics are not the main feature here. On the other hand, this simplicity lets you easily accommodate, and doesn’t overwhelm or confuse you with any kind of glittery effects.

There aren’t many buttons to press except for a few drop-down menus and those found by default on the title bar. All areas are separated by tabs and at a first look, it seems you are able to perform a decent amount of operations and calculus. Your main tools are text fields that need to be filled in with numerical values, while result is displayed as you type.

Each area has its own distinctive set of requirements so you can calculate field strength, coaxial cable, EIRP/ERP, SWR, and more. A practical advantage is that interactive fields are easily distinguished by their color, while results are shown in plain white cells.

At the core, calculus is done according to a set of physics rules, which are mostly shown, but not explained throughout the different parts of the application. This means you need to know what you’re doing, otherwise you find yourself scratching your head, even though values get displayed regardless of what you type in.

Sadly, there is no possibility to save results in any way, so you need to keep a text editor nearby. What’s more, it isn’t even possible to select or copy any numerical values other than the ones you write down, which has an impact on overall practicality.

Bottom line is that before you start off any ambitious project you need to get your facts straight, and mini dB-Calculator is what is trying to do for radio amateurs. The incentive is good, but it could have used a bit more documentation, even though you find a graph here and there to give you an idea on what you’re about to process.