What's new:

Vers. 12.8b

1. SatPC32, SatPC32ISS, Wisat32 and SuM support now additionally rotor control of the M2 RC-2800 rotor system.

2. The CAT control functions of SatPC32, SatPC32ISS and Wisat32 have also been expanded. The programs provide now also CAT control of the new Icom transceiver IC-9100.

3. The main windows of SatPC32 and SatPC32ISS have been slightly changed to make them clearer. With window size W3 the world map can be stretched (only SatPC32).

4. The accuracy of the rotor positions can now be adjusted for the particular rotor controller. SatPC32 therefore can output the rotor positions with 0, 1 or 2 decimals. Corrections of the antenna positions can automatically be saved. In previous versions that had to be done manually.

5. The tool 'DataBackup' has been added to the list of programs that can be started from the SatPC32 menu 'Programs'. The tool allows to save the SatPC32 program data via mouse click and to restore them if necessary. After the program has been configured for the user's equipment the settings should be saved with 'DataBackup'. If problems occur lateron the program can easily restore the working configuration.

6. The rotor interfaces IF-100, FODTrack, RifPC and KCT reqire the kerneldriver IOPort.SYS to be installed. Since it is a 32-bit driver it will not work on 64-bit Windows systems. On such systems the driver can cause error messages.To prevent such messages the driver can now optionally be deactivated.

7. SuM now outputs a DDE string with azimuth and elevation, that can be evaluated by client programs. Some demo files show how to program and configure the client.

8. Some minor bugs in 12.8a have been fixed.

Vers. 12.8a

1. The main program SatPC32 can now manage up to 4 different configurations. All settings with the menus 'Satellites', 'RotorSetup,'Radio Setup', 'Options' etc. can be done separately for each configuration (see manual sect. D7f).

For example, one can program configuration #1 to steer a single satellite radio (Kenwood TS-2000, Icom IC-910H, or Yaesu FT-847). This configuration can be used to work the V/U and U/V satellites (FO-29, VO-52, SO-50 etc.).

Configuration #2 could be configured, for example, to steer a separate radio (IC-706MKIIG or FT-817) as RX and the satellite transceiver as TX. This configuration can be used to work AO-51, mode V/S. Most users will receive the S-band with a 13cm/2m down converter and a 2m RX. Configuration #1 would not work with this mode, because the radio had to receive and transmit on the same band (2m). In satellite mode uplink and downlink must be in different bands, and with non-satellite mode one can't hear the own signal because the radio cannot receive and transmit at the same time.

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

The Keplerian data must be updated only with one of the configurations. The new data will then automatically be used by the other configurations as well.

2. In "Real Time" mode SatPC32 updates its calculations once per second. With previous program versions this speed couldn't be changed. Now the speed can be increased by 5- or 10-fold. The change is only temporary, however. Therefore, the program will always start with the 1-second updates. Selecting a new Configuration restarts the program, so the 5- or 10-fold updates must be re-selected after changing between configurations.

On the higher bands (23cm and higher) the Doppler shift can change by 50 Hertz per second and more. That will cause a scale effect 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 of the chosen satellite and the chosen frequency from file Doppler.SQF. Therefore, the optional comments at the end of a data line can also be seen now. The user doesn't need to open the file Doppler.SQF to get this information. That is helpful particularly 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 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 por to inhibit frequency changes while the radio is transmitting (because that would cause frequency errors). This line is no longer necessary.

The PTT status of these radios is now checked via the software. The CAT system of the IC-7000 provides a particular command. The CAT system of the IC-706MKIIG does not. With this radio the program checks the S-meter reading. The read command never returns 0 unless the radio is in TX mode. Thanks to Antony Monteiro, AA2TX. He figured out this solution and told me the trick.

The IC-910H required the extra wire when steered by SatPC32ISS. This wire is also no longer needed.

5a. The program now also runs flawlessly on 64-bit Windows systems, except for rotor steering with the interfaces KCT, FODTrack, RifPC and IF-100. These interfaces require the kernel driver IOPort.Sys for data output to the PC's parallel port. IOPort.Sys is a 32-bit driver that doesn't work on 64-bit systems. A 64-bit version of the driver is not available yet. The KCT and RifPC could not be used anyhow with 64-bit systems because they require an ISA slot. ISA slots are not supported by the newer PCs, however.

b. The program also runs under Windows 7. It works properly with the 96-dpi (100%) and the 120-dpi (125%) fonts, but not with the 144-dpi (150%) fonts invented by Windows 7.

6. Some bugs have been fixed, for example bugs regarding downlink correction and transverter operation.

Vers. 12.8

1. The 16-bit setup program has been replaced by the latest 32-bit Vista compatible version of Installshield Express.

2. The CAT steering functions of SatPC32 have been expanded:

a. The program now supports Doppler tuning with a single ICOM IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000 and compatible radios, although these radios are not full duplex satellite transceivers. Previous versions of SatPC32 already support satellite operation with a single one of the Yaesu half duplex radios FT-817, FT-857, FT-897.

With half duplex transceivers you can't hear your own signal on the downlink like you can with full duplex radios. However, the program automatically sets the uplink and downlink frequencies to the correct values. So, it allows voice operation over FM and SSB satellites and also digital operation. Read the "Hints for .... users of Icom radios" how to calibrate SSB frequencies when using a half duplex radio. The file can be opened from the SatPC32 menu "?" / "Hints for...".

b. Full duplex satellite operation with 2 separate radios for uplink and downlink has been improved.

Previously, one had to run the tool TxController (that came with SatPC32) to steer 2 separate radios. SatPC32 then steered the RX radio directly and TxController the second radio as the TX. Via DDE, TxController received the data calculated by SatPC32, using the data to steer the mode and frequency of the TX radio.

A problem occured when the user switched between a V/U satellite (uplink on VHF, downlink on UHF, e.g. AO-51) and an U/V satellite (uplink on UHF, downlink on VHF, e.g. VO-52). With V/U satellites the VHF radio had to run as the TX and the UHF radio as the RX, with U/V satellites the situation was vice versa. Since TxController could only steer the TX radio, a second instance of SatPC32 and TxController and a program re-start were necessary when the user switched between such satellites.

Now SatPC32 itself steers also the second radio directly. The configuration can be done in the "Radio 2" section of the menu "Radio Setup".

Numerous devices can be combined, e.g. the Yaesu semi duplex transceivers with each other or with Icom semi duplex radios or single band radios or Icom radios with each other.

With 2 Icom radios only a single serial port is required. Both radios can be connected in parallel to the CAT interface.

When the user switches from a V/U satellite to a U/V satellite or vice versa the program will (optionally) exchange the roles of both radios as TX and RX. Example: With FO-29 a FT-817 (that is connected to the UHF antenna) runs as RX, an IC-706MKIIG (that is connected to the 2m antenna) runs as TX. When the user tunes the FT-817 with the VFO around the passband the program will automatically tune the frequency of the IC-706MKIIG to the correct uplink frequency and the user will immediately hear his signal on the new frequency.

When the user switches to a U/V satellite the IC-706MKIIG will run as the RX on VHF. When the user tunes it's VFO the program will tune the FT-817 to the correct UHF uplink frequency.

3. The Vista compatibility has been improved. Previously the SatPC32 data files were stored in the SatPC32 program folder. They could be edited with Notepad. Under Windows Vista, however, this method causes problems if the new "User Account Control" (UAC) is activated (recommended by Microsoft). Then Vista inhibits changes of the original data files and creates copies with the changes instead. Vista saves these copies in a hard-to-find "compatibilty" folder.

Therefore the SatPC32 data files are no longer stored in the program folder but in a sub folder 'SatPC32' in the system folder for application data.

The program displays the path of this data folder in the bottom line of the menu 'Satellites'.

4. SatPC32 now includes a simple text editor that can alternatively be used besides Notepad to edit auxiliary files (data files, i.e. Doppler.SQF).

In the file DivOptions.SQF the user can choose whether auxiliary files are to be opened with Notepad or with the built-in editor.

5. Further improvements:

a. SatPC32 supports now the FMN (narrow FM) mode of the IC-910H. In the file Doppler.SQF enter FMN as the mode if this mode is to be set.

b. With previous version the menu "CAT" needed to be closed when the satellite is changed. Otherwise the program could not update the frequency list. That has been changed. So, the CAT window can now be left open during operation. It should then be moved out of the main window.

c. The program now shows the file date of the selected Keplerian data file in the bottom line of the menu "Satellites". So the user immediately knows whether the data should be updated.

d. SatPC32ISS:

CAT steering of the FT-736R didn't work reliably when the satellite's uplink and downlink frequency are the same, e.g. the packet frequency of the ISS on 145.825 MHz. This has been fixed.

e. Some minor bugs have been fixed.

Vers. 12.7

1. The program now comes with additional sets of 2D and 3D physical world maps. Via mouse click the user can switch between political and physical maps.

2. The political 2D world maps have been updated. Now they show the border lines of the successor states of the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia.

3. The programs (SatPC32, SatPC32ISS and Wisat32) now support rotor steering with the Italian rotor system ProSistel.

4. The "Uplink Calibration" feature has been expanded. With previous versions this function could only be used with "normal" SSB satellites (SSB on Uplink and Downlink). Now it also works with mixed-mode satellites (Uplink: SSB, Downlink:FM). Sometimes AO-51 is using this mode.

The "Uplink calibration" function allows users to automatically calibrate the Uplink frequency for best audio pitch of their downlink signal and to save the change. With future program starts the user will then immediately hear his own downlink when he switches to that satellite, without the necessity to tune around and produce QRM.

Important: With SSB/FM satellites the SatPC32 control "V" must be switched to "V+" before the "Uplink Calibration" function can be used.

5. The programs (SatPC32, SatPC32ISS,Wisat32) no longer use the IOPort.SYS driver for port access. This driver doesn't work on 64-bit systems. So, no special version of these programs is necessary for 64-bit systems.

The driver was used to steer the German rotor interface IF-100. Since direct steering of this Interface by SatPC32 is no longer possible the update includes a little server program similar to the rotor driver files for the other interfaces and controllers supported by SatPC32. The new IF-100 server program is only functional with 32-bit systems. The other rotor interfaces and controllers - except the FodTrack interface and the KCT-Tracker - are supported with 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

6. Some minor improvements have been made with SatPC32ISS, WinAOS and WinListen.

Vers. 12.6

1. Previous program versions displayed the AOS and LOS times of the next passes of the shown satellites inside and below the world map. With version 12.6 the program can alternatively count down the remaining hours and minutes until the next AOS or LOS. A new control button enables the user to toggle between the two display modes.

The program updates the remaining times with each update of the graphical window (by default every 10 seconds).

2. For a quick overview the program can optionally display in a separate window a countdown of the remaining times until the next AOS or LOS and show the maximum elevation of the next pass of all selected satellites.

This window is also updated simultaneously with then update of the graphical window.

3. The program can now output an acoustic message when a satellite is rising. Thus it will draw the user's attention to the rising even if he is not watching the screen.

4. The sub tone steering functions of the program have been expanded. These functions support now also the Kenwood TS-790A.

5. The auxiliary program WinAOS has been improved. All passes of a particular satellite can be highlighted by clicking on the satellites' name. This facilitates the overview over the coming passes of that satellite.

6. Some bugs have been fixed.

Vers. 12.5

1. With previous versions the program showed the AOS times of the satellites below and within the world map. The program now additionally shows the max. elevation of the next pass. This will be helpful if at the user's location satellites can only be received above a certain minimum elevation.

2. For the same reason WinAOS now allows users to define a minimum elevation for the calculated passes.

3. The order of the selected satellites (menu 'Satellites') can now be changed using 'Drag & Drop' in a list. It is no longer necessary to delete and add satellites to change their order.

With Wisat a new little auxilary program can be used for this purpose.

4. At program start SatPC32 switches the satellite transceivers into satellite mode. This function can now optionally be de-activated. This can be useful if separate radios are used for Uplink and Downlink.

5. SatPC32ISS switches the Kenwood TS-2000 automatically into Split mode. With previous program versions that had to be done manually.

6. The automatic Internet updating of Keplerian data files has been simplified.

7. Some bugs have been fixed, i.e. the following: With previous program versions the direction arrows pointed into a wrong direction when the satellite's SSP was close to the date line. With the 3D view the error message (floating point error) came up in some situations.

Vers. 12.4a

At present this version can only be downloaded from the internet. To update version 12.4 simply install 12.4a over that version.

Attention: Don't install 12.4a over 12.3 or older program versions! If you are using an older version SatPC32 12.4a must be installed into a completely empty folder. You may - i.e. - rename your present SatPC32 program folder "SatPC32_12.3" or similar. Version 12.4a can then be installed into a new folder "SatPC32" as suggested by the setup program. When the new version is working flawlessly the old program folder can simply be removed with the Windows Explorer or any other file manager program.

1. With the south-centered 450-degree-rotor Yaesu G-5500 (or compatible) the new version supports the full 450-degree-range of that rotor. That avoids (even without using the "Flip" mode) in several cases the 360° turn the azimuth rotor has to run when the satellite crosses the observer's meridian in the North.

2. An additional set of larger 3D-maps is available. With the 3D-view the user can now choose 2 map sizes. To activate the new function the self-extracting file "Maps3D_2.Exe" must be unpacked in the new sub folder "Maps3D_2".

3. SatPC32ISS (the special program version for in-band operation with the ISS and other in-band satellites) now also supports the Yaesu FT-847. With previous versions this radio could not be steered. The revised file utilizes the solution of Don Woodward, KD4APP.

4. The number of selectable COM ports has been increased because several new PCI cards are using COM port numbers higher than 10.

5. Some minor bugs have been fixed.

Vers. 12.4

1. The setup of the SatPC32 programs has been simplified. In previous versions the user had to do the settings in the auxiliary program 'SatSetup', in the menu 'Options' and some settings required manual editing of auxiliary text files.

All settings regarding the user's location, rotor and CAT steering can now be done in particular setup menus. Also, all rotor driver files that come with SatPC32 now contain their own setup menus. Manual editing of the auxiliary files is no longer necessary.

2. In previous program versions the driver files used by SatPC32 to steer a particular interface had to be copied into the SatPC32 program folder. This is no longer required. SatPC32 now automatically selects the correct driver file.

3. Updating of Keplerian data has been simplified, too. Keps files from the Celestrak or AMSAT HTTP servers can now be downloaded directly by SatPC32 via mouse click. The program will automatically work with the new data from the next program start.

Download of Space-Track files and replacing the unhandy Space-Track satellite names with AMSAT satellite names can easily be done with the TLE Retriever by Dr. T.S. Kelso or HalloKepler by Gerd Riesner, DB3DH. These tools are free and allow automatic login on particular websites. It's no longer necessary to start the browser to access these websites.

4. Some CAT interfaces don't require an external power source but are fed directly from the COM port. To power such interfaces SatPC32 can now optionally switch the RTS pin to +12 V (+5 V if you are using a USB-to-Serial adapter).

Vers. 12.3

1. The rotor steering functions of SatPC32, SatPC32ISS and Wisat32 support now - optionally - the 'Flip' mode. This mode avoids the 360-degrees turn the azimuth rotor has to run if the satellite crosses the turning point of the rotor during a pass. The program turns the antenna horizontally 180 degrees off the current azimuth angle and vertically to 180 degrees minus the true elevation. So, the antenna points to the satellite but must not cross the turning point of the azimuth rotor during the pass.

2. The antenna can now automatically be turned to a selectable parking position after a pass.

3. The sub tone functions have been expanded:

a. The program can set now different tone frequencies for the same satellite. That is important with satellites like SO-50. This satellite requires a 74.4 Hertz burst tone to be opened and a 67.0 Hertz continous tone to be worked. The tone frequencies can be switched via mouse click.

b. The program steers now also the PL-tone functions of the Kenwood TS-2000 (Kenwood has fixed the PL tone bug).

4. The CAT steering functions support more radios. The tool TxController has been expanded. The previous version could steer only Yaesu radios. The new version supports Icom and Kenwood radios, too, provided their CAT commands for frequency and mode control are compatible with those for the Icom or Kenwood satellite transceivers. Therefore radios of different brands can be steered, in example the Yaesu FT-817 for RX with the Icom MKIIG for TX or the Icom RX IC-R20 with a Yaesu FT-857.

5. SatPC32, Wisat32, SatPC32ISS, WinListen and WinAos can now automatically replace the satellite names used in Space-Track Keplerian source files by AMSAT satellite names. The source file remains unchanged.

Also, the program package includes the new tool "SatRename". This program creates source files with AMSAT satellite names from Space-Track TLE files.

6. The tool ServerLabjack,that comes with SatPC32, has been improved (higher resolution, display of the actual antenna positions).

7. Some bugs in Vers. 12.2 have been fixed.

Vers. 12.2

1. The program now supports rotor steering with the Labjack U12/ PiggyBack combination, which works via a USB port, and with the W0LMD-Trackers (Mini, Junior, Senior) which allow rotor control via a COM port.

2. The CAT steering functions have been expanded. SatPC32 now provides CAT control of the Yaesu half-duplex transceivers FT-817, FT-857 and FT-897. The program allows satellite operation with a single one of these radios. With SSB-satellites the VFOs track automatically when the user tunes (QSY) with the radio's VFO knob.

ATTENTION: Please read the hints regarding the necessary precautions when using these 3 radios with a RX-preamplifier, before you steer the radio with SatPC32. You will find these hints in the 'Readme(Yaesu).txt' file in the subfolder 'Yaesu'. The file can be opened from the menu '?|Hints for..'.

3. SatPC32 allows full duplex operation with tracking VFOs if 2 of these radios are used, i.e., the FT-817 for RX, the FT-857 for TX. The SatPC32 program package includes the new tool "TxController". This client program receives the uplink frequency and mode calculated by SatPC32 thus it can steer a separate TX radio. Therefore the RX radio can be steered by SatPC32 directly and the TX radio can be steered by TxController.

4. New functions have been added to the CAT menu:

a. The interval can now be set separately for FM and SSB/CW transponders. For SSB/CW operation an interval of about 100 Hz is a proper value, for FM the interval can be set to 500 Hz and more. (Meaning of "interval": The program will update the radio's frequency after the Doppler shift change exceeds the interval value). The program will automatically use the right interval value when a satellite is selected.

b. The RX frequency can now be calibrated separately, without changing the TX frequency. This function is particularly helpful with the FT-817/857/897 transceivers. The user cannot hear back his own downlink signal with these radios. Therefore he cannot calibrate his Uplink frequency as he can do with the full-duplex satellite radios. With the new function, however, he can tune his RX for best audio pitch of the received signal.

5. The options of the program have been expanded.

a. In the previous program versions the rotor and CAT steering functions became disabled from the 2nd program instance to avoid conflicts caused by multiple access to the same port. The user can now optionally activate the steering functions with the 2nd and further instances.

b. The user can select whether the "general" DDE interface shall output data constantly or only when the satellite is in range. This interface allows third-party-programs to evaluate the rotor and CAT data calculated by SatPC32.

c. Further, the user can select whether the frequencies output by the DDE interface shall include possible converter/transverter offsets or not. If, i.e., a 13-cm signal shall be received via a 13-cm / 2-m downconverter, the radio must be tuned on 2 m. With the latter setting the client can steer the radio directly. Otherwise the client itself would have to handle the offsets.

d. Regarding the Yaesu FT-817/857/897 the user can select whether SatPC32 shall steer uplink and downlink or the downlink only. The latter option is helpful when separate radios are used vor RX and TX. The program then doesn't need to toggle the VFOs of the RX radio and the received signal will remain un-disturbed.

6. The list programs WinListen and WinAOs will now also automatically recognize the offset UTC - local time, thus the offset must not be entered manually.

Version 12.0

1. The graphical functions have been expanded. The world maps can now be displayed in 3D mode (the Earth appears as a globe) as an option in addition to the present 2D world maps. All graphical functions except Zoom2 are available with the 3D maps (display of multiple satellites, Sun line, ground track, direction arrows, Observer2, etc.). To get a uniform appearance with the 3D maps the 16-bit 2D maps have been re-colored.

2. The functions of the "Options" menu have been improved. Changes of the program window size and switching between UTC and local time now take effect immediately and don't require a program re-start (as they did before). A program re-start is now only required for changes of settings that usually remain unchanged (radio settings, selection of serial and parallel ports, etc.)

3. In previous versions the offset between UTC and the observer's local time had to be entered manually. The entry had to be changed with the beginning and the end of the Daylight Savings Time period. The program now automatically determines the time zone offset from the Windows local time zone setting. If necessary, manual time zone entry is still possible using the SatSetup program.

4. New control buttons are added to allow instantaneous selection of the time zone display (UTC or Local) and program window size.

5. The program uses a new date/time calculation routine that improves reliability of the Preview function.

6. The programs support now rotor control via an USB port with the Labjack U12 USB-Multi-IO device in combination with the PiggyBack interface.

Note: The driver file ServerLabjack.Exe is experimental. Any necessary updates will be posted on my website www.dk1tb.de.

Version 11.4

1. The programs now support the SatEl rotor interface.

2. The ground tracking functions have been improved. The satellite's ground track can now be displayed either temporarily (for about 10 seconds) or constantly.

3. Bandswitching has been improved. When the user switches between satellites with different uplink/downlink bands, for example between AO-10 (uplink 70cm, downlink 2m) and FO-29 (uplink 2m, downlink 70cm) a band change is required - except with the Yaesu FT-847. With all other transceivers the band change had to be done manually at the radio. With the Icom transceivers IC-820, IC-821 and IC-910H SatPC32 now automatically changes bands if necessary. The CAT systems of the Kenwood TS-790 and the Yaesu FT-736R don't allow band switching via the software.

4. The SatSetup auxiliary program has been improved. Western longitudes no longer need to be converted to Eastern longitude values, but can be entered with a minus sign.

5. The North American version version of SatPC32 now correctly supports the subaudible tone function in the North American version of the Icom IC-910H firmware.

Version 11.3

1. SatPC32 now supports the subaudio-tone-functions of the Icom IC-910H and the Yaesu FT-847, FT-736R. The program can switch the tone automatically on when the users selects a satellite that requires a subaudio tone on the uplink signal (at present only SO-50). With the Yaesu transceivers the program also can set the tone frequency expected by the satellite. The CAT systems of older radios don't include commands for the sub tone functions.

2. The program now interfaces with Uni_Trac 2003. All hardware supported by Uni_Trac - beyond the hardware which can be controlled already by SatPC32 directly - now can be used with SatPC32, too.

3. Also, a "general" DDE interface has been added to SatPC32 which outputs the rotor positions, downlink and uplink frequencies and modes and the MA value. The DDE string is updated every second, the format is exactly the same as the Wisp32 DDE string. Third party client programs can receive the SatPC32 results via this DDE interface and utilize them for their own purposes, i.e. to steer a particular interface. The program package includes demo client programs (EXE-files and source code in Visual Basic and Delphi) which demonstrate how to access the interface.

4. In previous versions the bottom area of some windows was displayed incorrectly under Windows XP when the Window style property was set to "XP style". This problem has been fixed.

Version 11.2

The programs now support the FODTrack rotor interface.

Version 11.1

1. The rotor driver has been exchanged. Port access now is limited to the few port addresses used by SatPC32.

2. New functions have been added to the CAT menu:

a. The frequency entries of SSB satellites in the Doppler.SQF file now can easily be optimized for your rig. To do that you don't need to edit the file manually. Using the right frequency entries is most important to hear your own signal immediately back when you select the satellite.

b. Another new function will help you to find your dowlink signal very easily and without tuning around. This function is particularly helpful for AO-40 operation.

Version 11.0

1. New functions have been added:

a. The grid locator of the mouse pointer may be displayed When the mouse pointer is moved across the world map . This function can be enabled and disabled by left clicking the mouse while the mouse pointer is on the map.

b. The "Observer 2" function allows the user to enter a grid locator and then see that grid location marked on the world map. Azimuth, elevation, range and squint data for that location is displayed in a separate "Observer 2" window. This function may be enabled by pressing the space bar or by clicking on the "Obs." menu.

2. The CAT functions for the FT-847 have been improved. The Sub VFO knob now can be used (besides the mouse and +/- keys) to adjust the TX frequency, i.e. to adjust the uplink frequency to "match" the downlink frequency.

3. A set of 16-bit world maps has been added. The maps contain almost as many colors as the the 24-bit maps, but are smaller and faster.

Procedure to install the 16-bit maps:

Go to Options menu.

Click "16-bit" button. A German WinZIP self-extractor Window will open. If the preset target folder "C:\Program Files\SatPC32" is not your SatPC32 folder first click the "Durchsuchen" (search) button and search for your SatPC32 main folder.

Click the "Extrahieren" (extract) button.

Click the "Schliessen" (close) button.

Re-start SatPC32 for the new maps to take effect.

4. The 'Options' menu has been expanded. The world map sets (8-, 16- or 24-bit) now can be selected in this menu.

5. The SatPC32 package now contains a special version of SatPC32.Exe in the SatPC32\ISS directory. It can be used (with most radios) for Ham radio operation with the ISS. Note: does not work with the FT-847 due to limitations in the FT-847 CAT commands. Since the ISS downlink and uplink frequencies are in the same band, the 'normal' program version can not be used for ISS contacts, because it switches the radios into satellite mode where downlink and uplink frequencies must be in different bands. Refer to the StPCISS.txt file for a detailed description of how to configure the ISS tuning function.

6. Some bugs (regarding to WinListen and ServerSDX) have been fixed.

7. The ServerEgis.Exe file has been updated. Antenna positions now can be entered with 2 decimal digits.

Version 10.0

1. The program now can be obtained also via Internet download. The user downloads the demo version (with the only restriction, that he has to enter the geogr. coordinates at any program start). After registration he gets a password, that switches the program to full version. The password is valid also for updates.

2. When the mousepointer is moved onto one of the controls R, C, etc. hints are displayed that show the function of that control. When it is moved onto one of the letters below the world map the satellite's name is displayed.

3. Frequencies and Doppler shifts are displayed now with the preview and MA function (in previous versions only with the real time function).

4. The 'Options' menu has been expanded. The radio parameters (model name, baudrate, etc.) now can be selected in the 'Options' menu. The user doesn't need to edit the YaesuPar.SQF, IcomPar.SQF or KenwoodPar.SQF files.

5. A new menu item '?' has been added to SatPC32. From this menu the Readme.txt, The mnual (HTML format), the FAQs file (also in HTML format),

and the hints for Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood users can be displayed. Further, from this menu the most important auxiliary files, that can be edited only manually (Doppler.SQF, Squint.SQF) can be opened. These files now contain hints themthelves how to modify them. This will make modifications easier.

6. in possible update the user specific settings (QTH, radio parameters etc.) will not be overwritten. In previous versions they became overwritten when the file in the update was newer than the user's one.

Version 9.0

1. The kernel driver (for rotor control) is now compatible with Windows XP.

2. The "Preview" function has been improved. You can now hold down the "fast forward" or "fast reverse" key and see a smooth time animation. The user can easily specify the speed of animation (time increment) and starting time/date when entering "Preview" mode.

3. Time displays (current time, next AOS, next LOS) can now be set to UTC or local time.

4. The main text display (AZ, EL, MA, Range, Squint, etc.) is now easier to read when the selected satellite is above the horizon. The text is now black on a white background instead of white on a gray background.

5. Some bugs have been fixed.

Version 8.0

1.Arrows, that show the direction of the satellite's track,are displayed in the world map (optionally).

2. Due to the experiences with AO-40 the frequency correction functions have been improved.

3.Some functions regarding to the FT-847 have been modified.

4.The accuracy of SatPC32, Wisat32 and WinListen has been improved. The calculations of these programs are based on the SGP4/SDP4 model, the results therefore are highly accurate.

Version 7.5a:

1. The programs now support CAT control of the Icom IC-910H. Since the firmware of the IC-910H is not quite compatible with the IC-820H/IC-821H firmware the Icom routines had to be

modified.

2. Operation with 23cm-moduls has been improved.

Version 7.5:

1. The program now supports the Kenwod TS-2000.

2. In Vfo mode all supported radios (except the FT-736R, see below) can be tuned with the Vfo as well as via keyboard and mouse. Tuning with the Vfo does not work, however, with the KCT Tuner, but only if the radio is connected to a COM port. The FT-736R can be tuned only via the PC, since it's Vfo can not be read.

3. If the downlink mode is changed with the radio buttons, the program automatically sets the corresponding uplink mode.

4. In SSB mode the radio can be switched to CW with the new control "CW" and vice versa.

5. The converter/transverter offsets are stored now in the the Doppler.SQF file. So, for converter/transverter operation one only has to select the frequency pair in the CAT menu.

6. A bug with converter/transverter operation (Icom only) has been fixed.

***** DK1TB ****