Downloads
1 a. If you want to test the SatPC32 programs you can download the present German or English version 12.8b. The program will be installed as Demo version. The only restricition of the Demo: The user's QTH coordinates can not be stored for the main program SatPC32.Exe, but have to be entered at every program start.
What's New in
Vers. 12.8b ?
The full versions can be activated by entering a registration code. The code can be obtained from
AMSAT- DL (European users),
AMSAT-UK (users in Great Britain) or
AMSAT-NA (North American users).
The files themthelves contain detailed information on how to purchase the code..
The included programs SatPC32ISS, Wisat32, WinAOS, WinListen,
SuM and SuMListen (see
page 'Software') are full versions.
2. Downloads
Read this before you dowload one of the
files, please.
If you run Windows Vista or Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit) read also the file
Vista
and Windows 7 compatibility .
SatPC32
Demo ( English version, 32 MB, for European
users)
SatPC32
Demo ( English version, 32 MB, for North American
users)
.
SatPC32-Demo
( German version, 32 MB)
Look also for possible patch files (sect. 7 below)!
Manual (English, V. 12.8b,
300 K, HTML-Format)
Manual (German, V. 12.8b, 250 K, HTML-Format)
Manual (English, V. 12.5, 500 K,
PDF-Format, illustrated by DJ1KM)
Manual (German, V. 12.5, 500 K,
PDF-Format, illustrated by DJ1KM)
3. Installation
Unzip the downloaded file into an empty folder on your HD and
proceed as described in the file "Read this before your download
.....", see above. .
IMPORTANT: Under Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit) right click on the
filename "setup" and from the list that opens choose "Run as
administrator".
Updating of older program versions
Program version 12.8b can be installed over
versions 12.8, 12.8a (that means into the same program folder that contains
the older program version). Unfortunately, the Installshield setup program of SatPC32
V.12.8b deletes all program data of versions. 12.8 and 12.8a, however. Your personal settings
will be lost. The program 'DataBackup.Exe' allows you to easily save your
settings via mouse click and then to restore them after the installation of
V.12.8b is finished. The program 'DataBackup.Exe' is contained in the
SatPC32Demo ZIP files that can be downloaded with the links above.The
files contain also the file UpdateInstruction.txt Unzip the
downloaded file into an empty folder on your HD. Read the
UpdateInstructions.txt. or click on Update
Instructions
and run DataBackup before you start the setup
program.
After V. 12.8b has been installed DataBackup can also be started
from the SatPC32 menu "Programs". Add a line "DataBackup"
(without quotation marks) to the list of the auxilary. file "Program.SQF".
The file can be opened and edited from the SatPC32 menu "?", "Auxiliary
Files".
Don't install SatPC32 12.8b over 12.7 or
older versions but into a completely empty program folder!
Up to V. 12.7 the program stored program data in the SatPC32 program
folder and several sub folders. That can cause problems under Windows Vista and
Windows 7, however. Beginning with V. 12.8 the program therefore stores data in a data
folder 'SatPC32' and several sub folders in a Windows system folder for
application data. For detailed hints read the Update Instructions,
please.
4. FAQs
With possible questions or problems read the FAQs file, please. The file contains answers to frequently asked questions -
for example on how to update Keplerian data - and solutions for known problems.
The file that can be downloaded with this link will continuously be completed and therefore possibly be newer than the file that comes with SatPC32.
5. More Downloads
a. The Space-Track TLE Retriever by Dr. T.S. Kelso is a very comfortable tool which allows users with an active Space Track account to easily download Space Track data sets and use them to generate standard CelesTrak data sets that can be used with SatPC32.
Downlod the SpaceTrackTLE-Retriever
HalloKepler by Gerd Riesner, DB3DH, is a similar comfortable program.
Downlod HalloKepler
b. DDESat32 Vers. 12.8 (full version).
DDESat32 is an interface program to be used with Wisp32. The program is in German but easy to understand by
everyone (see the description and screenshots on the page 'Software').
To install the program unzip the downloaded file into an empty
folder on your HD. Start the setup program in that folder and follow the
instructions.
For detailed information read the
DDESat32 Manual (English).
Download DDESat32 for use with SatPC32 V. 12.8 and 12.8a.
If you are using SatPC32 12.4 ... 12.7 download the older version DDESat32_12.4.
c.
The program AOS.Exe (DOS-version) can be downloaded (for free),
either in German or in English. The program creates lists in chronological order
of the audibility times of satellites.
AOS V. 3.0 (German) (159 K)
AOS V. 2.5 (English)
(68 K)
d. SuM programs
The SatPC32 V. 12.8 setup program installs these programs automatically.
e. ServerSDX for Yaesu compatible azimuth
(only) controllers
The ServerSDX.Exe file that comes with SatPC32 is designed to steer Yaesu
GS-232B compatible rotor controllers for azimuth/elevation rotors. The
program doesn't work with controllers for azimuth-only rotors, for example the
Alfa Spid RAK rotors. With the link below you can download a special ServerSDX.Exe
file that can be used to steer such azimuth rotors.
First save your present ServerSDX.Exe file. You will find it in the sub
folder "SDX" in the SatPC32 program folder (usually C:\Program
Files\SDX). Then unzip the downloaded file into that sub folder and
restart SatPC32.
e. TimeSync
Satellite operation requires a highly accurate system time. With the
link below you can download the tool TimeSync. It synchronizes the PC's system clock
with one of the internet time servers. This way you can ensure that
the PC's system time is accurate.
Extract the TimeSync setup program from the downloaded ZIP file and save it
somewhere on your HD. Start it by double clicking on the file name "TimeSyncSetup.Exe"
and follow the instructions.
IMPORTANT: Under Windows Vista and Windows 7 the setup program must be started
with the option "Run as Administrator". To do so right click on the
program name and in the list that opens choose that option.
The setup program generates an icon (shortcut) on the desktop. To start TimeSync double click on the icon. For further instructions click on the "Help" button in the TimeSync program window. .
Download TimeSyncSetupE.ZIP
f. Buffer interfaces
Buffer interface for Labjack U12
Buffer interface for Labjack U3
For rotor control with the Labjack U12 and U3 an interface is required that buffers the output terminals of the U12 and U3 vs. the rotor control box. Unfortunately the readymade 'Piggyback' from NLSA is no longer available. With the 2 links above you can download the schematic diagrams of this homemade interface which also show how to connect it to the U12 and U3. The interface can easily be
duplicated, the only component is a ULN2003AN. I don't have a PC board, however. I mounted the chip and the 8-pin DIN connector on a small piece of conductor board, see picture.
6. Accy
How to add data for new satellites
The data files that come with SatPC32 contain data for many important radio
amateur satellites. Data for other satellites must be added manually to the
existing data files. For detailed hints see the "Tutorial" by Wayne
Estes, W9AE. It can be displayed from the
FAQs file, sect. 1a.
With the link below you can download data of the lately launched SO-67 and HO-68. The data
can be added to the existing data files Doppler.SQF, SubTone.SQF and
AmsatNames.txt.
SatPC32 data for SO-67 and HO-68
7. Patches
I. Modified SatPC32.Exe, bug fixes
a. The SatPC32 frequency window shows the downlink and uplink frequency of the chosen satellite, adjusted for the current Doppler shift in line #1, and the Doppler shift itself in line #2. The modified file can optionally display the downlink and uplink frequency at the satellite instead of the Doppler shift in line #2:
The setting can be switched and saved in menu "Mode".
The new feature is helpful - for example - if users want to
specifiy the frequency for a sked over a linear transponder. They
can agree a downlink frequency at the satellite and tune their radios to that frequency via the
VFO knob or the 5 up/down frequency controls. The program will then
automatically set the correct uplink frequency. With the Doppler correction
mode "Correct uplink and downlink" (the "true rule",
selectable in menu "Mode") the program will hold the chosen
uplink and downlink frequency constant at the satellite. Both users will hear
the partner (and their own dowlink signal) without the necessity of further
frequency adjustments.
Also, the feature allows to
easily specify and save a starting frequency, for example 10 KHz above the
center of the passband.
b. Further, the file corrects a bug concerning CAT control of the YAESU
FT-857 and FT-897. Some satellites (currently only SO-50) require a sub
tone on the uplink signal to be worked and / or to be opened. SatPC32
automatically sets the required tone frequencies. This function failed with the
Yaesu FT-857 and FT-897. The bug has been fixed at March 14th 2013. Older
versions of this file don't fix the bug.
Also, the file fixes the IC-9100 issue mentioned below (IIa).
c. First make a backup copy of your current SatPC32.Exe, for
example rename the file. Then unzip the downloaded ZIP file into the SatPC32
program folder (usually C:\Program Files\SatPC32).
To activate the full version you must have the SatPC32 registration code.
European Users: SatPC32_FreqAtSat_e.ZIP
American Users: SatPC32_Freq AtSat_a.ZIP
The difference between the American and European version only concerns the ICOM IC-910H. Some CAT commands of the American and the European version of this radio are different.
II. Modified SatPC32ISS.Exe and Wisat .Exe files.
Important: These files are only needed for setup files which have been
downloaded before Dec. 14th, 2011 and only with SatPC32ISS and Wisat32. Regarding
SatPC32.Exe download the file above, that also contains the bug fix
mentioned below.
With the links below you can download mofied exe files of SatPC32ISS and Wisat32 that fix some errors of
program version 12.8b.
First save the present files, for example rename them. The files are located
in the SatPC32 program folder (usually C:\Program Files\SatPC32).Then unzip the
downloaded file into that folder.
Fixed errors
a. If Cat control of the ICOM IC-9100 is made via the USB port of the
radio it is most important to first close SatPC32 or at least to disable CAT
control (C-) before the radio is turned off. Otherwise an error message
will appear (DCB error). With SSB satellites this message will even be
repeated every second (because the program tries to poll the VFO once per
second). If this happens press the 'Return' key of the keyboard to
close the message window and simultaneously try to shut down SatPC32 via the
mouse.
The modified files trap this error. If the radio is turned off while CAT control is active the program disables CAT control and can be terminated nomally. If you want to continue CAT control first close SatPC32, then turn on the radio, then restart the program .
If the error stays on the radio should be controlled via the
traditional CI-V port. That works flawlessly but requires a serial (physical or
"virtual") port of the PC and a CAT interface for level conversion
RS-232/TTL, for example the ICOM CT-17. For PCs without a physical serial port
- for example Laptops - a "CAT cable" is an easy,
inexpensive solution. The CAT cable is a combination of a
USB-to-Serial adapter and a CAT interface that connects the radio directly to a
USB port of the PC. It requires an appropriate driver of the USB-to-Serial
adapter, however, see also Vista
and Windows 7 compatibility.
I obtained my cable from Landolt Computer, a German dealer (http://www.landolt.de/info/afuinfo/icom_cat.htm).
It works flawlessly under Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7,
32- and 64-bit.
b. With SatPC32ISS the position of the AOS and LOS
times below the world map has been adjusted. The term "max. Elev." has
been removed. This program doesn't calculate the maximum. elevation.
SatPC32 12.8b Patch english (English version for European. users)
SatPC32 12.8b Patch english NA (English version for American users)
SatPC32 12.8b Patch deutsch (German version)