What's New

V. 12.8a

1. The main program SatPC32 can now manage up to 4 different 
configurations. Configuration #1, for example, could steer a single 
satellite transceiver to work the normal V/U and U/V satellites. 
Configuration #2, for example, could steer a separate radio (FT-817, 
IC-706MKIIG) as RX and the satellite transceiver as TX. This 
configuration is useful for AO-51, mode V/S. Most users will receive 
S-band with a 13cm/2m down converter and a 2m RX. Configuration #1 would 
not work because the satellite transceiver cannot simultaneously receive 
and transmit on the same band (2m).

The Keplerian data only needs to be updated with one configuration. The 
new data will be used by the all configurations.

The configurations can be switched via mouse click in menu 'Setup', 
'Configurations'.

2. In 'Real Time' mode the program updates it's calculations once per 
second. With previous versions the update interval could not be changed. 
Now the speed can be increased by 5 and 10 fold (menu 'CAT'). On the 
higher bands the Doppler shift can change by 50 Hertz per second and 
more. That will cause scale effects on the received signal. Due to the 
narrow filters CW signals even can be lost. Increasing the update speed 
can prevent these effects.

3. In menu 'CAT' a bottom line has been added. It displays the complete 
data line from file Doppler.SQF. So, the optional comments at the end of 
a data line can also be seen. That is particularly helpful with 
satellites that provide multiple modes (i.e. AO-51 and ISS) and 
therefore require multiple data lines in Doppler.SQF.

4.  CAT steering of the Icom radios IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000 and IC-910H has 
been simplified. With previous program versions the IC-706MKIIG and 
IC-7000 required an extra line between the radio's ACC jacket and the 
PC's COM port to inhibit frequency changes while the radio is 
transmitting (because that would cause frequency errors). The IC-910H 
required the line with SatPC32ISS. This line is no longer necessary.

5. The programs now works flawlessly on 64-bit Windows systems, except 
rotor steering with the interfaces FODTrack, KCT, IF-100 and RifPC. The 
kernel driver that is used to output data to these interfaces is a 
32-bit version. A 64-bit version is not available yet. The KCT and RifPC 
could not be used anyhow with 64-bit systems because they require an ISA 
slot which is no longer supported by newer PCs.

The program also works flawlessly under Windows 7. It supports the 
96-dpi (100%) and the 120-dpi 125%) fonts. It does not work properly 
with the new 144-dpi (150%) fonts. Program versions 12.8 and older work 
only with the 96-dpi fonts.

6. The CD and the Internet Setup File now include the tool 
DataBackup.Exe. Via a single mouse click, the program can generate a 
backup copy or restore the entire SatPC32 data folder (all personal 
settings). That is particularly helpful when the program is upgraded.

7. Some bugs have been fixed (concerning, i.e., downlink correction and 
transverter operation).