• .DBF data base files. The Results Data Base files written and used internally by TAP are in this format. You can view the contents of the files with FoxPro, Excel, etc. Since these files are used internally by TAP, be careful if you open the files with any other program, since changes to the content or structure of the files may affect their operation in TAP.
• ASCII X-Y-Z files. These files can be exported from TAP with the Coverage menu by selecting the "Export Coverage to ASCII File" item. Each line of the file contains a simple triplet of longitude, latitude, and value.
• .DXF drawing files. These files can be exported from the TAP Map Window using the Export command.

Several programs, including SURFER and MapInfo include a DXF import option. Reading the .DXF files into most programs is a relatively simple operation.

Some programs may offer a simple ASCII import option. In this case, be sure the order of the imported values (longitude, latitude, value) is the correct order for the program.

Importing the .DBF files may offer the most flexibility, especially if the third-party program offers selection options, such as SQL select options. For example, to import a Results Data Base (RDB) file from TAP into MapInfo, follow these steps:

1. From the File menu, choose "Open Table".
2. Select a File Format of "dBASE DBF", then navigate through the directory structure to find the file you want (usually located in the SWTAP\WORK directory). The TAP file name will be a function of the Task which generated the file, such as R0000123.DBF for task number 123.
3. The data base (or "Table") will be opened in a row and column format. Each row (or "record") represents one data point, and each column one "field" of information. The fields of most interest for this import function are the longitude ("RDB_LON"), the latitude ("RDB_LAT"), and the value ("RDB_VAL") in the table.
4. You can use the Query menu and the "Select All" option to select all of the points in the file. Note that there may be some points representing the transmitter site and other information inserted by TAP. You can unselect these records by clicking the box to the left of each row.
5. If you are familiar with SQL language you can use the SQL Query item in the Query menu to manipulate the data, such as selecting only points with values above a certain threshold, etc.
6. Use the Table menu and the Create Points option to map the points. Be sure to specify
   • "X-Coordinates from column Rdb_lon"
   • "Y-Coordinates from column Rdb_lat".
7. Note that the values in the RDB_VAL field are field strength in dBu (dB above one microVolt per meter) for field strength studies, or the clearance-to-Fresnel ratio for shadowing studies.
8. You can also select the symbol to be used in the same form.
9. Use the Window menu and select New Map Window to select the RDB that you are using and plot in a map window.

This provides the basic information for plotting TAP coverage information in third-party mapping software. For more information of the options available you should consult the documentation for that software.