SURFER Terrain Analysis Package (TAP) SURFER TM (from Golden Software) is a powerful contouring and plotting software package that was selected the PC Magazine "Editor's Choice" for three-dimensional plotting programs (March 14, 1989). Several TAPTM programs are designed to provide output files formatted for compatibility with SURFER input formats. Area topographic elevation data retrieved with TAP programs can be plotted as topographic contour maps or three-dimensional surface plots using SURFER. SURFER's flexibility allows the plot to be viewed from any azimuth or elevation angle. The 3-D plots provide a powerful tool for land development studies, locating potential radio transmitter sites, etc. The TAP radio propagation programs produce output files containing field strength information that can be plotted by SURFER to produce field strength contour maps to define areas of high and low field strength. Three-dimensional plots of field strength can be used to quickly visually communicate relative signal strength over a coverage area. Drawings can be scaled to any map scale to produce overlays, and SURFER's multi-color plotting can produce powerful presentations showing changes in elevations or field strength. SURFER supports dozens of printers and plotters for graphic output. TAP users with plotters or printers not supported directly by TAP can send plotting output to a file which can be plotted using SURFER. Use This TAP Module To: Draw Terrain Surface: Three dimensional plots of topographic elevation data can be drawn from any viewing azimuth and elevation angle. The user has complete control over line type, colors, scaling, etc. Draw Topo Maps: Elevation data can be plotted as topographic maps showing contours in evenly divided steps or specific contour values selected by the user. Contour labeling, line types, scaling, borders, titles, etc., are all user-defined. Draw Field Strength Maps Overlaid on 3-D Topography Maps: Plotting field strength over a coverage area provides a useful overview of the coverage provided by a facility, showing good coverage as well as potential problem areas. This is especially useful when comparing multiple site locations or facility designs, or when presenting information to a non-technical audience, such as zoning boards, company management, etc. Draw Field Strength Contour Maps: Field strength values can be plotted as contours of any selected values. Contour labeling is controlled by the user. Plot can be drawn to any scale for use as a map overlay. SURFER can be used to produce two- and three- dimensional plots of topographic and field strength data from TAP.