SatPC32 and
Wisat32
Satellite
Tracking Programs Version 12.8d
© 2017
- 2020 Erich Eichmann, DK1TB
Kiewningstr. 57
D-32756 Detmold
(translated by George
Mathgen, LX1BB, revised by Wayne Estes, W9AE)
Contents:
1. Compatible rotor interfaces
2. Compatible radios
3. System requirements
5. Multiple
starts
6. Remote control
1.
from CD
2. from Internet Download
2. Menu Rotor Setup
3. Menu
'Radio Setup'
C. Program functions and
displays
Open file
(select new Kepler data)
11.The 16 control buttons
R, C, A, V, T, U, CW, M, Z, G, S, D, W, AL(Ct), 3D and Pl
Appendix to control V: VFO mode
12.Letters A – L below
the graphical display
13. Display locator
14.
Display 2nd location
8. IOPort.reg and
IOPortDeActivate.reg
I. Files which can be
opened with Notepad
7. SatFiles.SQF (Wisfiles.SQF, AOSFiles.SQF)
9. DivOptions.SQF
10. AmsatNames.Txt
11. Celestrak.SQF
II. RotorServer.SQF,
CatServer.SQFServer
The programs SatPC32 and Wisat32 perform
orbit calculations of earth orbiting satellites.
SatPC32displays the footprints of one or more selected
satellites on political or physical world maps and outputs related text data. The physical maps
are based on one of the 'Blue Marble' maps ('August' Blue Marble, Next
Generation). NASA's Earth Observatory, as the owner of the Blue Marble
maps, kindly permits the use of their maps (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/BlueMarble).
Wisat32 shows a list of satellite positions in real
time but without graphical functions.
Both programs allow antenna tracking and radio frequency tuning (CAT) to
compensate for Doppler effect. Wisat32, however, does not support CAT steering
of the Icom and Yaesu half duplex transceivers. Through multitasking, they can
work together with third party satellite programs like WiSP. In such case, they
control the above mentioned steering functions while the automatic satellite
switching remains synchronized with the third party program.
VFO frequency tuning, as required by modes like SSB through analog
transponders (AO-7, VO-52), is also possible.
1. Compatible rotor interfaces
a.The antenna tracking function
is laid out for the AMSAT-DL rotor interface developed by Dr. J. Hocke and
described in the AMSAT-DL journal 6/86, as well as for the ready built IF-100
interface.
The following rotor interfaces and controllers are also supported:
b. EGIS rotors,
c. RIF-PC rotor interface (Orbitronics),
d. Winrotor parallel port and USB interfaces (Funkbox),
e. ARS (EA4TX),
f. Kansas City Tracker/Tuner,
g. Yaesu GS-232-rotor interface and compatibles (for example the G6LVB Tracker, DL7AOT and CX6DD
interfaces, Easy-Rotor-Control controller (ERC-M), the French SatDrive interface),
h. HalloRotor interface
(DB3DH),
i. FODTrack rotor interface (AMSAT-CE).
j. SatEl rotor interface (Satellite Electronics),
k. SAEBRTrackBox (N8MH),
l. Labjack U 12 / PiggyBack (NLSA) combination,
m. Labjack U3/ Piggyback combination,
n. W0LMD Tracker (Mini, Junior,
Senior).
o. WEController (IK0VVE),
p. ProSisTel Rotorsystems,
q. M2 RC-2800 Rotorsystems.
r. Alfa Spid controller (native
modes Rot2, MD1, MD2 and Yaesu emulation)
Please read the instructions in the subdirectories 'IF-100', 'EGIS', 'RIF-PC',
'WinRotor32', 'ARS', 'KCT', 'SDX', 'HalloRotor', 'FODTrack',
'SatEl', 'SAEBRTrackBox', 'Labjack', 'ProSisTel' and 'W0LMDTracker'.
2. Compatible
radios
CAT steering is possible with
a. Yaesu's
FT-736R,
FT-847,
FT-817,
FT-857,
FT-897
FT-991/FT-991A
transceivers.
CAUTION: Please read the files 'Readme(Icom).txt' or
'Readme(Yaesu).txt' in the subfolders 'Icom' and 'Yaesu' regarding the necessary precautions when using Icom
or Yaesu half duplex radios (IC-706MKIIG and compatibles, FT-817, FT-857, FT-897, FT-991/991A) with a
RX-preamplifier, before you steer the radio with SatPC32. The files can easily be opened from the
menu '? | Hints for ...'.
These radios can only be controlled by SatPC32, but at present not by Wisat32.
b.ICOM's
IC-820H,
IC-821H,
IC-910H ,
IC-706MKIIG,
IC-7000,
IC-7100,
IC-9100,
IC-9700
and other ICOM radios using the same protocol (e.g. IC-275H/IC-475H).
c. Kenwood's
TS790 E/A,
TS-2000,
TS-711/TS-811.
With other radios the frequencies
displayed by SatPC32 may be used
for manual frequency settings (see FAQ.doc).
You will find detailed instructions on how to connect your radio to the PC and how to control it by SatPC32 for
all supported models in the
'Yaesu', 'Icom' and 'Kenwood',
subfolders ('Readme(Yaesu).txt', 'Readme(Icom).txt', 'Readme(Kenw).txt'). These
files can easily be opened from the '?' | 'Hints for...' menu.
SatPC32comes with a DDE interface allowing third-party-programs to process the
rotor and frequency data calculated by SatPC32. The data stream format is
compatible with the Wisp32 (GSC) DDE output.
3. System
requirements
The programs run on a PC under Windows 98/ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000,
Windows XP, Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit) and Windows 7 and 8 (32- and
64-bit). Please look at the 'Vista and Windows 7 compatibility' file on my
website http://www.dk1tb.de, English page
'Downloads'.
4. Compatible
resolutions
Under Windows XP and Vista SatPC32 supports the 120 dpi fonts (‘125%’), under
Windows 7 and 8 also the 144 dpi fonts (‘150%’). User defined fonts are not
supported.
Windows' Full Screen option is not activated, as it would generate disturbing
optical effects in the graphical display.
5. Multiple
starts
SatPC32 allows multiple starts in order to track different satellites. You have
the option to disable the steering functions at the 2nd start to avoid
multiple accesses of the same port.
Wisat32 does not allow
multiple starts. Accidental multiple starts will be automatically prevented.
SatPC32 can be
remotely controlled with tools such as 'Logmein'. With previous
program versions it was not possible, however, to remotely switch the radio between receive and
transmit. SatPC32 and SatPC32ISS vers. 12.8c therefore
provide 3 'PTT' buttons. The buttons can be displayed/hidden via double click
on the status bar.
B. Setup
I. Installation
1. from CD:
The CD starts automatically, if not,
start the installation by clicking 'Execute' in the 'Start' menu. Under Windows
XP (or older) enter ‘d: setup’ (without quotation marks) and follow the instructions ('d' stands
for the CD drive). Under Windows Vista, Windows 7 and 8 enter ‘d:AmsatAutoNA’,
otherwise you will get the message: ‘You do not have sufficient privileges to
complete this installation…’ or similar.
Alternatively you can do the
following: Open the disk drive with the Windows Explorer. Right click on the
filename ‘Setup’ and from the list that opens choose the option 'Run as
Administrator’. Then follow the
instructions.
Store the downloaded ZIP file in an
empty folder on your HD. The folder name should be 'SatSetup'.. Extract
the ZIP file into this folder. RIGHT click on the file name 'setup' and
from the list that opens choose 'Run as administrator'. Then follow the
suggestions of the setup program.
II. Settings
After loading SatPC32 open the menu 'Setup' and it's sub menus.
With this sub menu determine your location. Enter the location's
altitude above sea level in meters and the location's geographical position.
Enter either the locator (6 digits)
or longitude and latitude. Further,
enter the UTC offset (time difference between UTC and your local time). If you
keep the setting 'auto' the program will take the offset automatcally from the
Windows time zone setting. Leave
the file filter for Kelplerian Element files (default: '*.*) unchanged for the
time being.
Important: All changes in this menu will take
effect only after a restart of SatPC!
The menu itself contains instructions for all necessary entries. To
display them, mark the value of an item in the right list and click on the 'Help'
button. Additionally read the FAQs file (sect. 2) for instructions
regarding the file filter.
In the upper section you can select the interface or controller you want
to steer from a list. To select a device click on the control of the combo box.
In the list that opens click on the corresponding item. Then click on the
(upper) 'Store' button.
On 64-bit Windows systems rotor steering with the Kansas City Tracker
(KCT), IF-100, FODTrack and RifPC
interfaces doesn't work. These
interfaces require the driver IOPort.SYS.
There is no 64-bit version of this driver available, however.
Note: In former program versions the driver files had to be copied into
the SatPC32 program folder. From vers.12.4 this is no longer required.
If you are using an ARS, HalloRotor or WinRotor interface SatPC32
expects the driver files to be in the standard folder of the rotor
software. If the driver file can't
be found there the program will display an error message. Click on 'Search' and
navigate to the driver file and mark it's name. Then click on 'Store' to save
the server file's name and path.
Some interfaces that work at the PC's parallel port (IF-100, RifPC,
FODTrack) require the port address and a delay value to be set.
The item 'Rotor turning point' is
evaluated only by the IF-100 and FODTrack interfaces, the KCT Tracker and the
Labjack U12 / U3.
The item 'Minimum elevation' is evaluated by all interfaces and controllers.
With previous program versions also antenna corrections could be saved
in this part of the menu. From version 12.8b such corrections can be specified
and automatically be saved in menu 'Rotor’, see below.
Beginning with version 12.8b you can also specify the accuracy of rotor
control. SatPC32 can output the antenna positions to the driver program with 0,
1 or 2 decimals, depending on the number of decimals the rotor controller accepts. Presently only the EGIS
controller accepts values with 2 decimals.
With the SatPC32 menu '? | Hints[rotor]' you can display detailed instructions
regarding all interfaces and
controllers supported by SatPC, and how to setup the program for a particular interface hardware. The menu itself also contains
instructions for all necessary entries in the upper section of the menu. To
display them, mark the value of the particular item in the right list and click
the 'Help' button.
Important: All changes in the upper section of this menu will take
effect only after a restart of SatPC32!
In the lower section of the menu several optional settings can be made. For
detailed information see sect. D.7.b below (menu 'Rotor Setup').
a. Settings in section 'Radio
1'
aa. select the COM port to which
your 1st radio or the CAT
interface is connected. If no radio is to be steered, the CAT port has to be
set to 0 to avoid timeout errors.
If the radio shall be steered via
the KCT Tuner activate the option 'KCT Tuner'.
bb. Enter a proper CAT delay
value.
Try the following delay values:
Yaesu FT-736R: 20,
FT-847. 30 at 4800 or 9600
baud, 20 at higher baud rates.
FT-817/857/897: 110 at 38400 baud.
Kenwood TS-790: 70
TS-2000:
20 at 57600 Bd.
Icom IC-820H, IC-821H,
IC-910H, IC-9100: 40 – 90 at 9600, 20 – 70 at 19200 baud, 140 at 1200 baud.
cc. With non-satellite radios
(e.g. the Icom and Yaesu half duplex radios) uncheck the option 'Satellite
mode'.
dd. Activate the option 'Autom.
RX/TX Change' when separate radios for uplink and downlink are to be
steered.
ee. With CAT interfaces that
don't require an external power supply check the option 'RTS +12V'.
b. Settings in section 'Radio
2'.
aa. If only a single radio or two Icom radios
are to be steered select 'None' for brand.
bb. Select the COM port to
which the 2nd radio or the CAT interface is connected.
cc. select the brand
and with the 2 combo boxes
select model, baudrate and device address (Icom radios only).
All changes become effective only after a restart of SatPC32.
With the SatPC32 menu '? |
Hints[Radio] ' you can display detailed instructions regarding the Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood
radios, how to connect the radio
to the PC and how to set the parameters for CAT control.
The Yaesu FT-736R and FT-847, the Icom IC-910H and the Kenwood TS-2000
will be automatically switched into satellite mode by SatPC32.
The Yaesu FT-817, FT-857 and FT-897 are not full-fledged satellite
transceivers and do not allow full duplex operation. With these radios all
settings for satellite operation are performed by the program.
The Icom IC-820 and IC-821 need to be switched manually into satellite
mode. You should select 'SatL-R'
mode since most analog transponders are using a reverse frequency scheme. This
setting will not be done by the program.
With the Kenwood TS-790, the 'MAIN' window must contain a 70cm and the
'SUB' window a 2m frequency at program start, provided the program starts with
a satellite with a 2m Downlink / 70cm Uplink (AO-10, AO-40, if used with a
13cm/2m down converter). If you start with a satellite with 70cm Downlink / 2m
Uplink (FO-29, UO-22) the 'MAIN' window should display a 2m and the 'SUB'
window a 70cm frequency. The
program then will automatically switch both bands to VFO A and will set the
appropriate modes and frequencies.
With the FT-736R switch on satellite mode before you start SatPC32 the
first time. Turn the 'SAT' switch to position 'RX'. If you start SatPC32 with a
2m Downlink / 70 cm Uplink satellite (AO-10, AO-40, if used with a 13cm/2m
downconverter) select 2m for RX.
If you start with a 70cm Downlink / 2m Uplink satellite select 70cm for RX. You
may switch bands with the radio's 'REV' key.
When you switch between satellites with different frequency schemes
while operating, for example between AO51 and VO-52 or vice versa, a band
change will be necessary (except with Icom IC-706MKIIG and compatibles and the
Yaesu FT-847, FT-817, FT-857 and FT-897,
which will accept any legal frequency sent by the program). For detailed informations see the
FAQ.htm file, section 'Bandswitching'.
From program version 11.4 SatPC32 automatically switches bands as needed
with Icom transceivers and the Kenwood TS-2000.
With the Kenwood TS-790 and the Yaesu FT-736R band change can be done
only manually at the radio because the CAT system of these radios doesn't
include commands for bandswitching. With the TS-790 use the 'MAIN/SUB' key,
with the FT-736R use the 'REV' key.
With this
menu you can determine
settings the progam shall use when it starts. Also, settings regarding the
graphical screen can be chosen. For detailed instructions see section D.7.d (menu
'Options').
C. Program functions and
displays
1. SatPC32
a. The program calculates the
positions of all satellites contained in your satellite list and displays their
footprints on a world map. Antenna tracking and radio tuning can be done for
one satellite only. That one will be called the 'actual satellite' from now on.
Its footprint is shown over a highlighted background and its subsatellite point
is marked by a cross, the color of which changes depending on the background.
The footprints of other satellites displayed on the screen are delimited by a
frame and their names and AOS times are shown near their respective
subsatellite points, (see below).
A smaller cross on the map identifies the observer's location.
A second location can be marked by entering its locator.
To open the input window click on menu 'Accy', 'Observer 2' or press the
'Space' bar.
If other satellites than the actual one are shown on the map, the
following data are displayed around their subsatellite points:
·
A letter associated with the satellite, the
satellite name as published in the Kep file,
·
its next AOS time (Marked
'A') in UTC or local time. For satellites in hearing range, only LOS times will
be shown (Marked 'L'),
·
optionally an arrow that
indicates the satellites tracking direction.
When the control area 'S' is
activated, the sunline is displayed. The subsolar point is marked by a yellow
'S'. A satellite is in the shadow of the earth (eclipse), when it's area of
visibility is completely outside the sun's area of visibility.
When the control 'G' is activated, the ground track of the satellite's
next orbit will be displayed. The distance between 2 dots corresponds to a
2-minute time interval. Clicking the control once (the caption shows 'Gt') will
display the groundtrack temporarily for a few seconds, clicking the control two
times (the caption shows 'G+') will display the ground track constantly.
b. Clicking the '3D' control
will display the world maps in a 3D view mode (the Earth appears as a globe).
The function only works with the window sizes W2 - W5 (with the window size W1
the window would be to small to display the globe). The 3D view function
supports all graphical options which can be chosen with the 2D maps: displaying
of multiple satellites, Sun line, ground track, direction arrows, etc. The
Zoom2 function is not supported, however.
c. In the Header line, the
following information is shown
·
The program name and version,
·
the addendum
‘[Registered version]’ (CD version),
‘[Unregistered version]’ (demo version)
’[Registere to …]’ (the user’s name and callsign, registered Internet
version). .
d. Below the menu bar you will find
·
The satellites's name and
ident letter,
·
the transceiver frequencies
in kHz,
·
aa. the Doppler correction for
receive and transmit frequencies in kHz. Their value depends on the satellite
frequency and the satellite speed relative to the observer. The + or - sign preceding
the receiving frequency (value at the left) indicates that the satellite is
moving towards the observer or moving away from him. At maximum proximity the
value changes from positive to negative, at maximum distance the opposite
occurs. So, if the RX value is positive, the received signal is higher in
frequency than the nominal frequency and the TX frequency has to be negative to
assure that the TX signal, corrected by the Doppler effect, reaches the
satellite at its nominal receiver frequency.
bb. alternatively the
receive and transmit frequencies at the satellite.
The feature is helpful if users want
to specify the frequency for a
sked over a linear transponder.They can agree to a downlink frequency at the
satellite (for example 10 kHz above the center of the passband) 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 if the Doppler correction mode
is set to ‘uplink + downlink’ in the ‘Mode’ menu. While automatic Doppler tuning is engaged, the program will
hold the chosen uplink and downlink frequencies constant at the satellite. Both
users will hear their partner (and their own downlink signal) without needing
further frequency adjustments.
The
setting can be toggled and saved in the "Mode" menu.
·
the frequency adjustment in
Hz via the CAT menu options.
Frequency adjustment of the uplink frequency can be achieved with the up/down
controls in the 'CAT' menu, with the +/- keys on the main keyboard for 10 Hz
steps or with the +/- keys on the
numeric block for 100 Hz steps. The adjustment is only valid for the satellite
to which it has been applied and remains in effect until it is voluntarily
changed or if the program is closed.
The Downlink adjustment can be done with the up/down controls in the 'CAT' menu
or with the up/down keys on the numeric block in steps of 10 Hz (with keys
8/2) and 100 Hz (with keys 9/3).
All corrective values will be reset to 0 when another satellite is selected or
for the next pass of the same satellite.
·
whether the satellite is in
the sun or in the earth shadow ('eclipsed'),
·
Date and time in UTC or local
time.
Below the world map, data relating to the actual satellite are displayed
in text form. If the satellite is in hearing range, the text color is enhanced.
·
Azimuth and elevation of the satellite,
·
its MA value. Satellite
orbits are usually divided into 256 equal time slices. In practice, the MA
value is essentially useful for satellites with pronounced elliptical orbits
(Phase III satellites) where mode changes are performed at predetermined MA
values. For such satellites MA 0 relates to perigee (closest point to earth),
MA 128 to apogee (greatest distance from earth), and MA 256 is identical to MA
0.
·
Satellite height over ground,
·
Satellite distance from the
observer in km,
·
Latitude and Longitude of the
subsatellite point (i.e. the point where the satellite is in zenith),
the Squint angle. This angle is only
shown for satellites allowing its calculation. After reentry of AO-13, only
satellites with their Z-axis pointed directly toward the center of the earth
fall into that category (KO-23, KO-25, and UO-22).
·
next AOS (Acquisition of
signal) and LOS (Loss of signal) times and the satellite's maximum elevation in
that pass . For satellites in hearing range, only LOS is shown.
Below SatPC's graphical display, a rectangular area containing letters (A-L) is
shown. By pressing these letters you can switch the active satellite. For
satellites in hearing range the corresponding letters are shown in enhanced
color.
Four blocks of data are displayed on the status bar at the bottom of the
main SatPC32 window:
aa. Latitude/Longitude of the user.
bb. The chosen configuration and satellite group.
('Setup' -> 'Configuration' menu and 'Satellites' menu)
cc. Name and date of the Keps file currently in use.
dd. Doppler correction mode (Uplink and Downlink, Uplink only, Downlink
only, selectable in 'Mode' menu).
Double clicking on the status bar displays/hides the 3 'PTT' buttons
that allow users to switch the radio between receive and transmit.
The program calculates the positions of selected
satellites and displays the results in list form. Calculations are performed in
one-second intervals.
The main difference to SatPC32 consists in the
lack of graphical functions as well as some restrictions regarding the CAT
steering (see D4 below) and various settings (see D7 below)
The
following data will be displayed:
·
The
program header showing the Group- as well as the selected satellite name.
In the row below the header:
·
whether the satellite is in
the sun or in the earth shadow,
·
the frequencies the
transceiver is set to (in kHz),
·
Doppler shift for transmit
and receive frequencies in kHz,
·
The frequency adjustments
made through the adjustment function,
·
the Squint angle,
·
Date and Time in UTC or local
time.
The list shows the
following:
·
The satellite name as it
appears in the Kep file,
·
Azimuth and elevation of the
satellite. For satellites in hearing range, the data are shown in enhanced
color.
·
MA-value of the satellite,
·
Height over ground in km,
·
Longitude and latitude of the
subsatellite point,
·
the Squint angle,
·
Next AOS and LOS times.
Details can be found in the SatPC32instructions above
(C.1)
3. DDE interface
SatPC32 includes a DDE interface (which must not be confused with the DDE
interfaces that can be activated in the 'Options' menu, see below D. 7.)
This
interface is constantly active and can be used by any third party client program
to receive the name of the selected satellite, the rotor positions (azimut,
elevation), the downlink and uplink frequencies and modes and the MA value
calculated by SatPC32. The DDE string is updated every second. It has exactly
the same format as the DDE string of Wisp32.
With the auxiliary file 'DivOptions.SQF' (to be opened from the '?|Auxiliary
files') menu, different options for the DDE output stream can be chosen:
a. The user
can select whether the interface shall send data constantly or only when a
satellite is in range (elevation > 0). If the satellite is in range, the
program sends the related data. If it is out of range, the program will send the message: **
No Satellite **
b. The user can select whether the converter / transverter offsets should be
subtracted if they are contained in the transmitted frequency.
For
example, when a 13-cm beacon signal is received via a 2-m/13-cm Downconverter,
the radio must be set on a 2 m frequency. When the interface outputs the 2-m
frequency (instead of the satellite's downlink frequency), the client can send
the frequency data directly to the radio and must not care about the offset,
The file
'DivOptions.SQF' contains detailed instructions about its use.
To establish the DDE link with SatPC32 the Client has to set the DDE parameters
as follows:
Server name: SatPC32
DDE Topic: SatPcDdeConv,
DDE Item: SatPcDdeItem.
(To establisch a DDE link with
SatPC32ISS set the server name to: SatPC32ISS.)
The program package includes demo programs (EXE-files and source code in
Visual Basic and Delphi) that show how to read the DDE output of SatPC32 and
how to dertermine the DDE-Topic and DDE-Item properties in the client program.
For details see the subfolder 'DDE_Demo' in the SatPC32 main folder.
To run the demo programs
first start SatPC32, then start VB_Client.Exe or
Delphi_Client.Exe in their subfolder, then click the 'Open Link' button.
The program 'TxController' included
in SatPC32 (from program version 12.2 on) is a client program that receives data
via the DDE interface (see the subfolder 'TxController' in the SatPC32 program
folder).
D. Program operation
Unless otherwise stated, the following instructions
are valid for both programs. These make use of the Mouse to select Menu functions,
mark options or enter data. Only a few functions require keyboard use.
This menu pops up a dialog field where you can select
a separate Keplerian file for each satellite Group.
For orbit calculations, the programs recognize
Keplerian files in either AMSAT or Nasa-2-line format. SatPC32 automatically
recognizes the data format and no file editing is required.
After you select a Keplerian file the program will
automatically pop up the menu 'Satellites'. Close this menu with the 'OK' button to store the selected
Keplerian file for future program starts.
For detailed
instructions how to work with Keplerian data files read the file FAQs ,
section 2.
The available Kep files in the selected directory path
are also shown in the 'Satellite' menu. If a Kep file with more recent data is
available, you simply select it in the 'Satellite' menu.
The selected source file's path is
shown in the bottom line of the menu 'Satellites”.
Attention: From
program version 12.8 the programs expect (by default) the source files to be
stored in the sub folder 'Kepler' in the SatPC32 data folder. When you download a source file with
the 'Update Keps' function (menu 'Satellites') it will be stored in that folder regardless of
the selected path. Therefore do not change this path and folder name and save
all source files in this folder!
Program closing is also achieved through this menu.
Then, the last window position on the screen will be saved. By using the 'Close
program' cross in the upper right of the window, position saving will not
occur.
This is the most important mode in regular practice.
Calculations for the actual satellite and its data display are performed in
one-second intervals. Graphics are updated at intervals dictated by the
'Options' menu settings. For other selected satellites, a one-second-interval
check is made to see whether an AOS or LOS has taken place. For satellites with
a priority setting (see below), a check is made to determine whether the
minimum elevation angle has been reached.
Automatic antenna tracking and frequency tuning as
well as the automatic switch to a satellite with a priority setting can only be
done in this operating mode.
During real time operation, the following
sub-functions can be enabled/disabled or controlled by clicking the 'letter'
buttons:
R Rotor control (automatic
antenna tracking).
C CAT tuning (automatic Doppler tuning).
A Automatic satellite
switching.
V VFO tuning (for tuning
across the passband of a transponder while
Doppler tuning is enabled).
M Multiple satellite display.
D Direction arrows indicating
the movement of satellite footprints.
3D 3D world maps (toggles between 2D and 3D map display)
The 3D map is not available
when the smallest program window
size is selected.
Z Zoom map display
(only window sizes W1 – W3).
S Sun terminator and
satellite eclipse indicator.
G Ground Track for the next
orbit.
Clicking once (Gt) displays
the ground track for a few seconds.
Clicking twice (G+) displays
the ground track continuously.
The distance between 2 points
corresponds to a 2-minute time interval.
CW Toggles
between SSB and CW mode.
This control is
deactivated when the radio is in FM mode.
T Subaudible tone. For satellites such as SO-50 that require a
subaudible tone on the
uplink. Refer to the manual to
determine
if/how your radio model
supports this function.
U (or L) Toggles the time display between UTC
and Local time.
AL (or Ct)
Toggles the display of AOS/LOS
times and remaining times until next AOS (Countdown).
W Window size. Scrolls through the 5 available program
window sizes.
For additional Graphics choices,
please refer to the instructions in the 'Options' menu (C II 7b).
Pl (or BM)
Toggles between political and Blue Marble world maps.
By clicking on one of the letters below the graphic
display, you can switch the actual satellite. Such a change may also be performed by clicking
on the satellite name in the 'Satellite' menu (or by marking the satellite name
in the satellite list) followed by a click on the 'act. Satellite' button in
the 'Satellite' menu.
With this option you can display the actual
satellite's orbit evolution (and that of other selected ones) for a chosen time
interval and for time steps between one second and 12 hours.
By calling up this function, a dialog field for time
entries pops up. Below the menu bar in the upper left corner, a small window
with two arrows appears. By clicking on the arrows, future or past orbit
positions can be displayed. Further, the control 'F' is displayed. It can be
activated and deactivated by clicking on it. When it is activated the time
increment between the calculations is 5 times as high as normal to enable fast
navigation.
Satellite switching, selected satellite and ground
track display as well as zoom factor change, window size change and switching
into 3D-view mode will become effective at the next time step.
This function allows you to preset an MA-value. The
program calculates the precise time at which that value is reached. The MA
value meaning has already been described under C.1. above.
This menu opens a window with three dialog fields.
Instructions concerning the Kep files have already been given under 1. above.
First, select a Kep file from the list in the left
field. If you mark a Kep file and click the OK button, the filename will be
saved for later program starts. If a new file is added, you only need to mark
its name and click the OK button. If the file does not contain the name of at
least one selected satellite (see below), the OK button is blocked. In that
case you either need to change the Kep file or select different satellites.
The middle field displays a list of satellites for
which the Kep file contains data. To transfer a satellite into the list on the
right field (selected satellite list), double-click the satellite name or mark
the satellite name followed by a click on any button. The same procedure
applies if you decide to discard a satellite from the list.
The selected satellite list can contain a maximum of
12 satellites.
By clicking on a satellite name (highlighting) in that list, three menu options
will be activated:
The
'Remove' button will remove a satellite from the list.
With he 'Show on/off' button you can display the satellite
on the world map provided the 'M' function (below the menu bar in the upper
left of the screen) is activated. A star then precedes the satellite's
identification letter.
Clicking the OK button saves all selections.
To select the actual satellite, mark its name and
click the 'act. Satellite' button.
The button 'Satel. Names' will open a sub menu which provides options
regarding the handling of satellite names by SatPC32. These options are
intended to be used with Space-Track TLE files. The satellite names in these
files are often different from the AMSAT satellite names and usually much
longer and therefore rather un-handy. With the options of this menu the user
can choose whether SatPC32 shall
- use the original satellite names from
the source file, or
- replace these names by the
corresponding AMSAT names if an AMSAT name is available
and leave the original name if not, or
- display only satellites for which an
AMSAT name is available.
The program takes the AMSAT satellite names from the file AmsatNames.txt
in the SatPC32 data folder. This file can be opened from the SatPC32 menu '?' | 'Auxiliary Files' and edited with
Notepad, for example, to update the file when a new satellite is available.
The aforementioned options can be used with source files up to 1200 data
lines or 250 satellites, for example Space-Track bulk files of amateur or
weather satellites. With
very long files, for example the Space-Track 'Full Satellite Catalog” files
with thousands of satellites, use
the SatRename program to create a new Keplerian data file of normal size.
By clicking the 'Sat-Groups' button, a list showing
the available satellite groups is displayed. By double-clicking on a group or
highlighting a name and clicking the OK button, you can switch to another
group. If you wish to edit a group, mark its name and click the 'edit' button.
By clicking on the ‘New’ button you can add a new group (up to 12). The group
wll start with the source file ‘nasa.all’ and the satellites selceted for group
‘Standard’. Click the button ‘Edit’ and choose the source file and satellites
you want. By clicking on the
‘Remove’ button you can delete an existing group (except group ‘Standard’).
With the button 'Sort Sats” a dialog window can be
opened which allows users to change the order of selected satellites. Using
'Drag & Drop' a satelite can be moved to a new position in the right list
of that window. The changes require
a program restart to take effect.
The control 'Update Keps' allows to download Keplerian
data files directly from the program. This is the easiest methode to update
Keplerian data.
When you click the button a window will open, showing
the list of download addresses of some Keplerian data files. At delivery these are the CelesTrak files 'amateur.txt ' ,
'geo.txt', 'intelsat.txt', 'noaa.txt' and 'weather.txt' and the AMSAT file
'nasa.all'.
To add the addresses of other files edit the text file 'Celestrak.SQF' in the
SatPC32 program folder. Add only addresses of Http servers (addresses that
start with 'Http'), however. The function doesn't support direct
downloads from FTP servers (addresses that start with 'FTP'). Downloads from
these servers via a Http server are possible, however. The file 'nasa.all' on
the AMSAT FTP server. I.e., can be downloaded via the Http server.
For detailed instructions how to update Keplerian data
read the FAQs file, section 2.
CAT tuning is only possible with satellites whose
frequency settings are contained in the Doppler.SQF file. More information
about that file will be given later (section 'Auxiliary files').
a. The RX and TX
frequencies can be put in manually within the indicated limits. In that case,
automatic tuning will be disabled to avoid involuntary frequency changes.
Re-activation of automatic tuning is achieved by clicking on the 'C' field in
the upper left corner of the screen.
b. Different steps of
CAT tuning intervals can be selected. In FM mode, this setting is not critical.
In SSB mode however, the step-value should not exceed 100 Hz because the pitch
change due to such a frequency drift is already clearly audible. Values between
50 and 80 Hz seem to be a good compromise for both modes.
The satellites'
Up- and Downlink frequencies are usually located in different bands. The higher
of those frequencies is used by the program to determine whether the frequency
interval has been reached.
The Icom and Yaesu half duplex transceivers (Icom
IC-706MKIIG and compatibles, Yaesu FT-817, FT-857, FT-897) however are an
exception as the program will update the lower band frequency only when the
Doppler shift of this band has changed within the chosen interval. Since most
satellites are using the lower band for uplink, the program needs to adjust the
uplink frequency only at about every third update, hence reducing the number of
VFO switching by about two thirds.
SatPC32 updates
it's calculations internally once
per second. With previous program versions this speed couldn't be changed. Beginning wih
version 12.8a the speed can be increased to the 5- or 10-fold. The change is
only temporary, however. So, the
program will always start with the 1-second step.
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 CW filters CW
signals even can be lost. These effects can be avoided by increasing the update
speed.
c. On the FT-736R, in
FM mode the precision of automatic frequency tuning can be observed on the
S-meter's center tuning indicator. On the FT-847 in FM mode you can watch the
discriminator status display selected through menu # 34.
ICOM radios use LEDs as a center tuning indicator. However, these are not as
precise as Yaesu's mechanical S-meter.
Any
lack of precision can be balanced by entering a corrective value. With SSB
satellites, this is done by calibrating the uplink frequency – except for the
Icom and Yaesu half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG and compatible, FT-817/857/897). Since the own
signal cannot be heard with these radios, the frequency calibration has to be
done at the downlink frequency.
The efficiency of calibrations may also be followed on the S-meter's center
tuning indicator.
The uplink calibration can be set in steps of 10, 100 or 1000 Hz with the
corresponding up/down controls in the 'CAT' menu. The 10-Hz steps can also be
set with the 'normal' +/- keys, the 100-Hz steps with the +/- keys of the
numeric block of the keyboard.
The downlink correction can be set with the 3 corresponding controls in the
'CAT' menu, the 10-Hz steps with the up/down keys 8 and 2, the 100-Hz steps
with the keys 9 and 3 of the
numerical block.
For FM satellites, the downlink adjustment controls are deactivated.
FM satellites
seldom need any frequency adjustments.
For every receiving frequency correction, the transmit frequency is automatically adjusted by a
corresponding amount.
Frequency adjustments through the 'CAT' menu have a
different effect for FM - than for SSB operation. In FM mode, the adjustment is
made on the Downlink frequency by the indicated value. The Uplink frequency is then
modified by a corresponding one. So, for a 70cm Downlink and a 2m Uplink, the
Uplink frequency adjustment is only 1/3 of the indicated value. The assumption
is that RX and TX frequencies, at the satellite as well as at the ground
station, are derived from the same basic crystal frequency and that deviations
between satellite and ground station have a similar effect on both frequencies.
It is also possible, however, to correct the uplink and downlink frequencies
separately . To enable that option click the control 'V' to 'V+'.
The downlink frequency can then be corrected with the
'Downl. Corr.' controls, the uplink frequency with the 'Upl. Corr.' controls.
With VFO
operation over SSB satellites the
Uplink frequency is adjusted to allow you to change the pitch of your own
signal coming back from the satellite (see below e).
In that respect, the extreme importance of the PC's
clock setting should be kept in mind. For SSB operation it should have an
accuracy of one second. For steep overhead passes, Doppler shift may drift up
to 60 Hz per second in the 70-cm band and an impreciseness of a few seconds may
already significantly influence the pitch of your own signal.
It is equally important to use fresh Keplerian
elements. These are published on a weekly basis by most packet radio mailboxes
and the internet and satellites (for detailed informations see the 'FAQs'
file). Keplerian elements, which are a few months old, are not suitable any
more for SSB operation.
The frequency adjustments mentioned before are not
permanent. They only remain in effect until the next satellite change or until
the program is closed. If frequency deviations become permanent, they must be
taken into account by modifying the Doppler.SQF file accordingly.
The described adjustment function may be used to find
out frequency inaccuracies (see instructions for the Doppler.SQF file).
d. Some satellites
work on multiple frequencies. If these are recorded in the Doppler.SQF file,
they can be toggled by clicking them in the list shown in the 'CAT' menu. This
selection is not permanent either. By starting SatPC, the program always will
use the first frequency pair on the list for the actual satellite. When editing
the Doppler.SQF file, you should ensure that the most frequently used frequency
pair is entered before any other frequency used by the satellite.
In the bottom line of menu 'CAT”
the program displays the complete data line of the chosen frequency pair from
file Doppler.SQF. So, also the optional
comments at the end of a data line can be seen. 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 therfore
require multiple data lines in Doppler.SQF.
e. With analog
transponders (satellites which allow SSB and CW operation, for example VO-52)
exact frequency data are most important to hear your own signal immediately
with the right audio pitch when you select such satellite That will probably be
not the case with the frequency data that come with SatPC32. Due to hardware
caused frequency deviations these data cannot be optimized for any particular
equipment. Sometimes your own signal will not be audible at all with the
default frequency data until you modify it slightly.
The SatPC32 CAT menu functions, however, allow you to
easily determine the optimal frequency data for your equipment and to store
them automatically in the Doppler.SQF file. You don't need to edit that file
manually.
With previous program version this feature worked only with 'normal” SSB
transponders (SSB on uplink AND downlink). From program version 12.7 this
feature works also with transponders using SSB on the Uplink but FM on the
downlink. AO-51 switches to that mode from time to time.
Important: With
the satellites using this mixed mode the SatPC32 control 'V” (for 'VFO”) must
be switched to 'V+” before the following steps can be executed!
Please proceed as follows:
(Note: All steps aa. – ee. have to be done only ONCE!
They must not be repeated at future program starts!
Note: The following does not apply to
the Icom IC-706MKIIG and compatibles and the Yaesu FT-817/857/897 transceivers.
Regarding these radios, read the 'Readme(Icom).txt” or 'Readme (Yaesu).txt” file which can be opened from the '?
|Hints for...” menu.
aa. Select the desired
satellite, for example VO-52, while it is in range for your location.
bb. Tune the VFO to an
unused frequency.
cc. While transmitting
and whistling or sending CW signals calibrate the TX frequency with the TX
correction controls of the CAT menu or the +/- keys of the keyboard until you
hear your signal with the correct audio pitch. With the Yaesu FT-847 you may
also use the Sub VFO knob for this step.
Caution: Do not use other methods to find your signal
since the program needs to know the amount of correction to change the TX
frequency accordingly.
dd. Click the
'Change/Store Data File' button in the CAT menu. In the window that opens click
the 'Uplink Calibration' button. The program will then automatically change the
TX frequency entry in the Doppler.SQF file. When you select that satellite at
future program starts you should immediately hear your signal. Minor remaining
frequency deviations may then be corrected with the +/- keys of the keyboard or
the correction controls of the CAT menu. If your signal's is too high, click
the '+' key, if it is too low click the '-' key
ee. With satellites which require an
outdoor converter or transverter (e.g.
AO-40 with a downlink on 13 cm and an uplink on 70 or 23 cm) you will
probably have to search for your downlink signal because temperature-induced
frequency variations of the converter's local oscillator. These frequency variations can be 10
kHz or more.
Fortunately, SatPC32 provides a simple process to
correct for daily variations in converter L.O. frequencies. The result is that you can find your
signal easily on satellites such as AO-40. For this purpose the program evaluates
the actual beacon frequency to determine the actual frequency deviation of the
converter L.O.
Please proceed as follows:
aaa. First select an unused frequency on the
transponder. Correct your TX signal as described above (step cc) until you hear
your signal with the right audio pitch. Then store the TX correction (step dd
above).
bbb. Tune the VFO to
the beacon frequency until you receive the beacon signal with zero beat. Then
click the 'Change/Store Data File» button in the CAT menu. In the window that
opens click the 'RX/TX Freq. Data'.
Steps aaa and bbb typically only need to be done once,
when initially calibrating the Doppler tuning for your converter(s) and
transceiver.
f. When you select
that satellite (for example AO-40) at future program starts, the program will
immediately tune the RX to the expected beacon frequency (considering the
actual Doppler shift). But you will likely not immediately hear the beacon
signal, at least not with zero beat, due to frequency changes of the converter
L.O. (caused by outdoor temperature changes). Therefore tune the RX VFO to the
beacon signal until you receive it with zero beat. Then click the 'Correct
Actual Deviation' button in the CAT menu. The program will then automatically
correct your uplink frequency (but will not store that correction value). Tune
the VFO to an unused frequency. Now you should hear your signal with the right
audio pitch or close to it.
Step f typically needs to be done at the beginning of
every AO-40 operating session, in order to calibrate the Doppler tuning
software to 'today's' downconverter L.O. frequency. By using this procedure, there is no need to transmit
excessively to find your signal on the AO40 downlink. Your transmit signal should be within 500 Hz of 'perfect' on
the first transmission if you have followed these steps carefully.
Please, see also the FAQ.htm file (section 'AO-40
operation') and the explanations at the end of the Doppler.SQF file.
By calling up the Rotor Steering dialog field through
the corresponding menu item, different antenna tracking functions can be
selected.
a. You can
select an antenna position by hand. Automatic tracking is then disabled in order
to avoid an involuntary automatic back setting of your antenna. By clicking the
'R' button in the upper left of the screen you can reactivate automatic
tracking.
Antenna settings made by the program can be modified
in one-degree steps in every direction. However, as the resolution of the AMSAT
rotor interface is higher than one degree, the rotor does not move at every
step. Moreover, rotor inertia compensation built into the program may lead to a
delay in activating this function.
b. By clicking the 'Park' button you can park the antenna in a
selectable position.To specify the parking position enter azimuth and elevation
in the 'Parkposition' text fields. Click the 'Save' button to store the
settings.
When the option 'Park antenna automatically after a
pass' is checked the program will steer the antenna to the parking position
when the satellite's elevation drops below the 'minimum angle' (see auxiliary
program SatSetup, default: -3 degrees).
c. Antenna
settings made by the program can be modified in one-degree steps or less
(depending on the 'decimals' setting in menu 'Rotor Setup') in every direction. However, as the
resolution of the rotor interfaces and controllers may be less than 1/10 degree or even 1 degree, the
rotor does not move at every step. Moreover, rotor inertia compensation built
into the program may lead to a delay in activating this function.
Corrections made by this function are not permanent remain
only valid until the program is closed. To make them permanent click the 'Save Corr. ' button.
This function is also used for test purposes, for
instance to check the right value of the rotor steering delay in SatSetup. If
the rotors correctly follow the single steps (with the above-mentioned
exception), the delay value is sufficiently high. However, it should not be set
higher than necessary to avoid that the LEDs on the interface will flicker in
automatic mode, even if the satellite's position did not change accordingly.
You can check this by selecting 'tracking by intervals' and then track a Phase
III satellite which changes its position very slowly. As long as the
satellite's position does not actually change, the LEDs on the interface should
not show any reaction.
1. With the
'Mode' menu, different options for Doppler correction can be chosen.
aa. Up-
and Downlink frequency correction
With this setting, the frequencies at the satellite
remain constant. If two stations use this setting, they basically can hear each
other during an entire satellite pass without frequency adjustment, despite the
fact that frequency drift due to Dopplershift is different for each of them.
The situation is basically the same as for Pacsat
operation: All stations arrive with the same frequency at the satellite despite
different Dopplershift values and all stations hear the same frequency
transmitted by the satellite.
An additional advantage is that several stations
operating at different frequencies maintain the same frequency interval between
each other. The QRM to be expected is therefore smaller than with the options
below.
This method should definitely be preferred to all
other methods provided that both QSO partners use automatic Doppler correction.
bb. Uplink
frequency correction only
That method is widely used for QSO's with stations
without automatic frequency correction. They only need to adjust the Uplink
frequency but not both. In principle, no manual adjustments are needed if both
QSO partners use automatic frequency correction, provided that Doppler shift
drift is similar for both stations. This is the case if they are not too far
away from each other.
cc. Downlink
frequency correction only
The same principles apply as in bb. above.
The setting of the correction method can be seen above
the date display. The selected mode can be saved through the 'Mode' menu.
Pacsat operation is done on fixed frequencies. As the
correction method under aa. is the only one to be considered, it will be set
automatically if you switch to such a satellite. However, it can be modified
manually. The same applies to the VFO mode (see below).
For ICOM gear, the menu comprises a list containing address
pairs for different radios as shown in the IcomPar.SQF file. The selection is
done by a mark in the list followed by an OK.
Attention: From program version 12.8 steering of two separate radios for uplink
and downlink has been simplified.
Please read the 'Hints[Radio]' file for Icom users for information how
to utilize the menu 'Mode'.
The file can be displayed from the SatPC32 menu '?'.
2. With the menu ‘Mode’ you
can further select, whether SatPC32 should display the Doppler correction or
the frequencies at the satellite, see D1d
above.
This menu includes 6 sub menus:
Note: From program
version 12.2, some options (which do not appear in the sub menus of the 'Setup'
menu) can be changed in the auxiliary file 'DivOptions.SQF', see D 10 and F 9
below.
a. Observer
Opening this menu starts the auxiliary program SatSetupObs.Exe.
Enter the location's altitude above sea level in meters and the location's geographical
position. Enter either the locator (6
digits) or longitude and latitude.
Further, enter the UTC offset (time difference between
UTC and your local time). If you keep the setting 'auto' the program will take
the offset automatcally from the Windows time zone setting.
Finally, you may determine a file filter for
Kelplerian Element files.
For detailed instructions mark the value of the
particular item, then click on 'Help':
b. Rotor Setup
All settings concerning rotor steering can be done in
this menu.
With the SatPC32 menu '? | Hints[rotor]' you can display detailed instructions
regarding all interfaces supported
by SatPC32 and how to setup the
program for particular rotor hardware. The menu itself contains instructions for all
necessary entries in the upper section of the menu. To display them, select the
value of the particular item in the right list and click the 'Help' button.
The menu contains 2 sections:
aa. In the
upper section you can select the rotor interface or controller you want to
steer from a list. To select a device click on the control of the combo box. In
the list that opens click on the corresponding item. Then click on the (upper)
'Store' button.
If you are using an ARS, HalloRotor or WinRotor
interface SatPC32 expects the driver files to be in the standard folder of the
rotor software. If the driver file
can't be found there the program will display an error message. Click on
'Search' and navigate to the driver file and mark its name. Then click on
'Store' to save the server file's name and path.
With some interfaces which work at the PC's parallel
port (IF-100, RifPC, FODTrack) the port address and a delay value must be
entered. Since fast PCs would
output the data too fast for these interfaces a delay value must be determined
to slow down the data output. For proper delay values see the FAQs file,
section 4.
The item 'Rotor turning point' has to be set with the
IF-100 and FODTrack interfaces, the KCT Tracker and the Labjack U12. The other
interfaces don't evaluate this item.
The item 'Minimum elevation' is evaluated by all
interfaces and controllers.
With previous program versions also antenna corrections could be saved
in this part of the menu. Beginning with program version 12.8b these
corrections can be specified and saved in menu 'Rotor'.
From version 12.8b, you can also specify the accuracy
with which SatPC32 will output the rotor positions (0, 1 or 2 decimals). The setting depends on whether the selected rotor interface or
controller accepts only integer values or values with decimals. Presently
only the EGIS controller accepts 2 decimals.
Important: Changes in the upper section of this menu require a program restart to
take effect.
bb. In the lower
section of the menu 'Rotor Setup' several options for rotor control can be
chosen: You can decide whether the tracking should be initiated at certain time
intervals or upon satellite position changes (angular change). Interval- as
well as angular variations, at which horizontal or vertical tracking
adjustments will occur, can be freely chosen. For LEO satellites I
personally use 10 second intervals and a 5 degree angle (Antennas: 70cm: 2x21
el., 2m: 2x9 el.)
For horizontal tracking based on angular change, you can choose constant angle-
or gain dependent triggering. At high elevations, the satellite's azimuth
varies very rapidly. By choosing constant angle, the antenna will therefore be
adjusted very often. This is not necessary because the horizontal beam angle of
the antenna virtually gets also bigger at high elevations. The gain loss due to
an azimuthal error therefore becomes
smaller with increasing elevation. (At 90-degree elevation, the azimuth is
without any significance). By choosing the setting 'Gain dependant', the program adapts the horizontal
tracking angle to the given elevation value. Therefore, the number of tracking
steps of the horizontal rotor will be drastically reduced without any gain
loss.
This option should be the preferred one for LEO satellite operation. The time
interval option is suited for Phase III satellites, as the rotor activation
rate does not harm the rotors. By setting the correct delay value, the
interface only reacts if the satellite's position change is higher than the
resolution of the interface (0.7 degrees vertical, 1.4
degrees horizontal).
Under all tracking options, the rotors are activated with a precession of one
half step, either one half of the time interval or one half of the tracking
angle, to ensure that the satellite moves through the antenna focus.
Any change in the tracking options is immediately effective.
With the Option menu setting 'Max. Elev' you can specify whether the range of elevation rotor motion
should be limited to 90 degrees or 180 degrees.
Warning: Do not select the '180' option unless you are sure that
your antenna system allows 180 degrees elevation rotation. Problems may be
caused by lack of space, short cables or moisture (if the antenna is not
waterproof from the bottom side).
The '180' option enables 'Flip mode' which is helpful to minimize loss of
transponder access when the satellite passes the azimuth turning end-point
during a pass. Without 'Flip Mode' the azimuth rotor must rotate 360
degrees to continue tracking when the satellite crosses the azimuth rotor's end
point. With flip mode enabled, the program steers the azimuth rotor to the
opposite direction of the satellite's azimuth position andthe elevation ro tor
to an elevation of 180 degrees minus true elevation. Consequently, the
azimuth rotor only needs to rotate 180 degrees when the satellite crosses the
azimuth rotor's end point.
SatPC32 will always begin tracking a satellite with 'normal' antenna tracking,
and will only enter flip mode if the satellite crosses the azimuth rotor's end
point. The color of the 'R' control changes to yellow when the rotor is
in flip mode to warn that the elevation exceeds 90 degrees, and that the rotor
controller's azimuth meter is 'off' by 180 degrees.
With the 450-degree-south-centered
azimuth rotor Yaesu G-5500 the option '450°' can be chosen instead of Flip
mode. With this setting the program utilizes the additional 90-degrees-sector
between North and East. This way
the program avoids with several
passes the 360-degree turn the rotor has to run when the satellite crosses the
user's meridian in the North. The option is only available with south-centered
450-degree azimuth rotors and only when flip mode is off. The program recognizes
automatically whether utilizing the additional 90 degree-sector is indicated
for a particular pass or not.
Important: Changes in the
lower section of the menu will immediately take effect. When you click the 'OK'
button changes will be valid until the program becomes terminated or new
options are chosen. Click the 'Store' button to save changes for future
program starts.
c. Radio Setup
All settings concerning the CAT steering can be done in this menu.
Attention: If you are using a single radio or 2 single Icom
radios all settings have to be done in the 'Radio 1' section. In section
'Radio 2' the radio brand setting then must be 'None'!
aa. With the
SatPC32 menu '? | Hints[Radio] ' you can display detailed instructions
regarding the Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood radios how to connect the
radio(s) to the PC and how to set the parameters for CAT control. Additional
detailed hints can be found in the FAQ file, section 3.
First select the COM port to which the radio (1st radio rsp.) is connected. If no COM port is
available set the COM port number to 0. If you are using the KCT Tuner for CAT
control check the option 'KCT Tuner'.
Attention: When this option is checked no CAT output will be sent to a
COM port, even if a COM port is selected!
Enter the CAT delay value. For proper values see sect. B.II.3 ('Radio
Settings').
Then select the radio brand (Yaesu, Icom, or Kenwood)
and set the particular parameters for the radio. Proceed as follows:
Click on the control of the lower one of the 2 combo boxes in the 'Radio 1'
section. The list of supported models will be displayed. In the list click on
the model you want to select.
Then click on the control of the upper one of the combo boxes. In the list that
opens click on 'Baudrate'. Open the list of the lower combo box and select the
proper baudrate. Select the highest baudrate supported by the radio. Don't
forget to set the same baudrate at the radio.
With the Icom radios the device address also has to be set. With the TS-2000
you can additionally decide whether you want the radio to start with the
tracking function ('TRACE') on or off.
The option 'RTS +12V' allows to switch the RTS
line (pin 7 of the 9-pin, pin 20 of the 25-pin serial port) 'high'. This
voltage can be used to feed CAT interfaces which don't require an external
power source.
When the option 'Satellite mode' is checked SatPC32 will
automatically switch the satellite transceivers FT-847, IC-910H and TS-2000 into
'Satellite' mode. With the FT-847 and the IC-910H this function can be disabled
by unchecking this option. When separate radios are used for Uplink and
Downlink it can be useful to run these radios in non-satellite mode.
The option 'Autom. RX/TX Change' should
be activated only when separate radios for uplink and downlink are to be
steered, see bb.
bb. From program version 12.8 a second radio can be steered by SatPC32
directly (with former program versions the second radio had to be steered via
the tool TxController). The settings can be done in section 'Radio 2'.
When all changes are finished click on the 'Store'
button to save the settings.
Important: Changes in
this menu require a program restart to take effect.
d. Options
aa. You can
decide whether times shall be displayed in UTC or local time, whether automatic
antenna steering, CAT tuning, automatic satellite change (refer to instructions
for the Prior.SQF file), should be
activated at program start. With SatPC, the display of all selected satellites,
the sun line, the zoom factor, AOS announcement, displaying of direction arrows
and ground track can be pre selected. Any changes become effective only at the
next program start.
bb. You can choose whether you want the program to start
with the 'political' world maps (default) or the pysical 'Blue
Marble' world maps. With screen resolutions of 800*600 (or larger) you
can further choose the window size of the SatPC32 main window. 3 window sizes
are available (640 * 480, 800 * 600 and 1024 * 768).
cc. For the standard display of the world map in SatPC,
you can choose whether the horizontal bearing of the map should be centered on
the subsatellite point of the actual satellite, the observer's location or the
longitude 0 (Greenwich). These changes come immediately into effect. To become
permanent, they have to be saved.
dd. SatPC32 updates the graphical window in selectable 'intervals'
(default: 10 seconds). This interval can be chosen in this menu, too.
ee. For orbit calculations SatPC32 is using the Pascal implementation of the
NORAD SGP4/SDP4 model by Dr. T.S. Kelso. At the time being the NORAD Keplerian
Element Sets are based on the SGP4/SDP4 model. So, using the SGP8/SDP8 model will be no improvement.
However, the option 'SGP8/SDP8' allows this model to be used for test purposes.
ff. Changes in this menu will immediately take effect, except changes of the
Orbit calculation model and the 'Activate at start…' options. Logically these
options will only be evaluated at the program start.
Clicking the 'OK' button will not save changes. The program will use them until
it is terminated or other settings are chosen. To use changes permanently click
the 'Store' button.
e. AOS announcement
The program can optionally output an
acoustic message when a satellite is rising. The properties of the synthetic
voice can be set in this menu. In the menu 'Options' the user can preselect
whether the functions shall be activated at program start.
The speech function requires a TTS
(Text-To-Speech) engine to be installed on the PC. Windows XP installs
automaically the American English voice 'Sam'. So, this voice is
preselected. Other voices can be
downloaded from the internet – many of them for free. Some American and British
English voices, i. e., can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft website
http://www.microsoft.com/msagent/downloads/user.asp#tts
After installation the voices will
automatically be added to the list of the combo box 'Voices' in the menu 'AOS
announcement'.
f. Configurations
The main program SatPC32 can manage
up to 4 different configurations.
All settings with the menus 'Satellites', 'Observer', 'Rotor Setup',
'Radio Setup', 'Options' , 'Mode' and '?' ('Auxiliary Files') refer only to the
chosen configuration. Each configuration uses its own complete set of data
files (only the Keplerian data files are shared). So, each configuration can be setup completely independent
from the others.
You can, for example, setup 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, 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,
in non-satellite mode the radio cannot transmit and receive at the same time,
thus you can't hear you own signal.
Updating the Keplerian data files in
any one configuration causes the Keplerian data to be available for all
configurations.
The 'Program' menu allows other programs to be loaded.
The program names are stored in the 'Program.SQF' file. They have to be located
in the SatPC32 directory, otherwise a path indication has to be put into the
Autoexec.bat file. At delivery, Notepad, SatSetup, WinAos and WinListen are
present.
With this menu 2 sub menus can be opened:
a. Sub menu 'Obs'
A window is opened that allows the entry of the
locator for a second observer. This window can be opened by pressing the 'Space'
bar. The locator has to be entered
either with 4 or 6 digits. The entry is finished by clicking on the 'OK' button
or pressing the 'Enter' key.
The location of the 2nd observer then will
be marked in the world map by a cross. Azimuth, elevation, range and squint
angle of the actual satellite, regarding to the second location, then will be
displayed in the window. Clicking on the 'Remove' button or pressing the '-'
(minus) key will stop the function and remove the cross from the map. Clicking
on the 'Cancel' button or pressing the 'ESC' key will hide the window but not
remove the cross.
b. Sub menu 'CountDown'
With this sub menu a window can be opened which contains the names of the selected
satellites, the remaining times in hours and minutes until their next AOS (or
LOS) and the maximum elevation of
their next passes. The program updates the remaining times simultaneously with
the update of the graphical window (by default every 10 seconds).
a. With this menu the Readme
text file, the Manual.htm file and the FAQ.Doc file can be opened. Hints for users
of Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood radios can be displayed.
b. The menu contains a sub menu
'Auxiliary files'. The following SatPC32 auxiliary files can be edited only manually.
With this menu these files can be opened with Notepad or the built-in
editor.
Doppler.SQF,
Squint.SQF,
Prior.SQF,
ParPort.SQF,
Program.SQF,
Standpos.SQF,
SatFiles.SQF,
DivOptions.SQF,
SubTone.SQF,
AmsatNames.SQF,
Celestrak.SQF.
For more information see the
hints in section 'Auxiliary Files'. The files themthelves also contain hints how
to be modified.
Important: If you are running
Windows Vista (32 or 64-bit) you have to consider the new 'User Account Control' (UAC)
function when you modify
these files manually. For information how to avoid problems read the FAQs file (section
1, 'Choice of an editor') and the hints 'Vista Compatibility” on my
website (www.dk1tb.de/Vista_eng.htm).
c. Finally, with this menu an info window can be
opened that contains data about the author as well as addresses about where to
purchase the program.
Below and on the left of SatPC's menu bar, there are
16 small control areas.
With these you can activate or deactivate
R Rotor control (automatic
antenna tracking). While the
program steers
the
antenna in Flip mode the color of this control changes to yellow.
C CAT tuning (automatic Doppler tuning).
A Automatic satellite
switching.
V VFO tuning (for tuning
across the passband of a transponder while
Doppler tuning is enabled).
M Multiple satellite display.
D Direction arrows indicating
the movement of satellite footprints.
3D 3D world maps (toggles between 2D and 3D map display)
The 3D map is not available
when the smallest program window
size is selected.
Z Zoom map display.
S Sun terminator and
satellite eclipse indicator.
G Ground Track for the next
orbit.
Clicking once (Gt) displays
the ground track for a few seconds.
Clicking twice (G+) displays
the ground track continuously.
The distance between 2 points
corresponds to a 2-minute time interval.
AL/Ct With the world map and with the
text below the map the program
can either display the AOS and LOS
times of the next passes or the remaining times until the next AOS
or LOS in hours and minutes. The control enables the user to toggle
between these display modes.
CW Toggles between SSB and CW mode.
This control is deactivated
when the radio is in FM mode.
T Subaudible tone. For satellites such as SO-50 that require a
subaudible tone on the
uplink. Refer to the manual to
determine
If/how your radio model
supports this function.
Read the file 'SubTone.SQF” for detailed instructions how to use this control.
U (or L) Toggles the
time display between UTC and Local time.
W Window size. Scrolls through the 3 available program
window sizes.
Pl/BM Toggles
between 'Political” (Pl) and 'Blue Marble” (BM) maps.
In the 'Options' menu you can determine the default
state for most of these options.
In
Wisat32, the M, Z, G, S, D, 3D ,W and Pl functions are absent as they refer to
the graphical functions.
The VFO mode is only useful for SSB
operation. Therefore, it will be automatically activated if an SSB satellite is
selected and automatically deactivated if you switch back to a FM satellite. The
automatic setting can be changed manually.
With the VFO mode on all radios supported by SatPC32
can be tuned via the VFO knob ('transparent tuning”) as well as by the PC.
There are 2 restrictions for tuning via VFO:
This function does not work with the KCT Tuner (since
the module ServerKCT does not support reading functions). The radio therefore
needs to be connected to a COM port.
Further, the function does not work with the Yaesu
FT-736R, since its VFO frequency can not be read by the PC.
The frequency adjustment by the PC has to be done
through the CAT circuits. This is achieved by clicking the 5 up/down buttons
with the mouse. They allow frequency steps of 20, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 Hz.
The same frequency steps can also be entered with the
keyboard. All related keys are located in the middle block:
100 Hz: up and down keys
500 Hz: insert and delete keys
1000 Hz: home and end keys
5000 Hz: page up and page down keys
By keeping the mouse key or a keyboard key pressed,
the band will be scanned at approximately 10 steps per second.
For fixed frequency operation, the VFO function is
meaningless, but it can always be activated or deactivated manually.
The program also supports 'transparent' mode switching
(only FT-847, TS-2000). When the downlink mode of the radio is changed, the program
automatically corrects the uplink mode.
12. letters A – L below the graphical display
A different
satellite can be selected by clicking on a letter in the field below the
graphic display in SatPC, or
on the left border in Wisat32.
If you select a satellite while another with higher
priority is present, the program switches automatically to the latter. To avoid
this, this feature has to be deactivated with the (A)utomatic satellite change)
function (A-).
13. Clicking on the world map with the left mouse
key activates a function that displays the locator of the mouse pointer
position in the map. To disable
the function also click on the map.
14. To enter a
locator press the 'Space' bar. An
input window will be opened. Enter the locator with either 4 or 6 digits. Then
press 'Enter' or click on the 'OK' button. The function will display a cross in
the world map at the position of the locator.
To remove the entry press the 'Space' bar again and then the 'Minus' key ('-')
or click on the 'Remove' button.
15. PTT buttons
SatPC32 can be remotely controlled with tools such as 'Logmein'. With previous program versions it was not possible to remotely switch the radio between receive and transmit. In version 12.8c, SatPC32 and SatPC32ISS provide 3 'PTT” buttons, one in the upper left, one in the upper right and one in the lower right corner of the world map. To have a button close to each group of the SatPC32 controls is helpful, particularly if the program runs on a device with a small display, for example an iPhone.
The PTT buttons are hidden by default. Double clicking on the status bar (bottom of the main window) will display/hide the buttons. Clicking on a button switches the radio between receive and transmit. The function works with all supported radios whose CAT system provides a 'PTT” command.
In addition to SatPC32and
Wisat32, the program directory contains several auxiliary programs which can be
opened from the SatPC32 menu 'Programs' or can be added to the list
program list of the menu. Most of
them contain detailed instructions themthelves on how to use them.
1. SatPC32ISS
SatPC32ISS.Exe is a special version of the SatPC32 main program SatPC32.Exe, that is intended to be used for
amateur radio contacts with the ISS or other transponders with uplink and
downlink in the same band ('In-Band' satellites). The 'normal” SatPC32 doesn't
support 'In-Band” operation.because it switches the satellite radios into the
satellite mode. That mode allows full duplex operation (receiving and
transmitting at the same time). Therefore it requires the uplink and downlink
frequencies to be in different bands.
2. WinAos
calculates the AOS and LOS times for one or more selected satellites and
displays them in chronological order on the screen, sends them to a printer or
saves them in a file. You then have an overview of the possible contact times
for FM or SSB transponder satellites. Please read the instructions
3. Winlisten performs various calculations for a specific
satellite. Results are displayed on the screen in table form and can be output
to prointer or a file. You can choose between the display of all satellite
positions, positions with positive elevation only and the display of AOS and
LOS times. In addition, AOS times can be calculated for two different, freely
selectable locations. Please read the instructions in the 'Help' menu.
4. SuM
The program SuM (the name stands for 'Sonne und Mond' = 'Sun and Moon')
displays azimuth and elevation of sun and
moon in realtime and steers the antennas.
5.
SuMListen
This program SuMListen outputs lists with azimuth and elevation of sun and
moon for selectable periods.
6. SatRename can be
used to replace the satellite names used in Space-Track TLE files by AMSAT
satellite names.
7.
DataBackup
The Installshield setup program deletes the data files of an existing
installation when it instally an update and your personal settings will be lost. DataBackup allows you to
first save your settings via mouse click and then to restore them after the
installation of the update is finished. If you have a flawlessly working
configuration you should also save the settings with DataBackup. That allows you to easily restore a
working configuration if errors occur.
8. IOPortDeActivate.reg and IOPort.reg
The rotor interfaces IF-100, RifPC, FODTrack and KCT require the driver
IOPort.SYS to be installed on the PC. The SatPC32 setup program installs the
driver and adds it to the Windows registry. The program sets the value of sub key 'Start” to 2. That causes the driver to start
automatically when the system boots.
IOPort.SYS is a 32-bit driver and therefore doesn't work on 64-bit
systems (a 64-bit version of the driver is not available and will not be
available). If you try to use one of the aforementioned interfaces on a 64-bit
systems you will get an error message, saying that the driver IOPort.SYS could
not be found. On 64-bit systems the driver therefore should be disabled. That
can easily be done with the tool 'IOPort.DeActivate.reg'. The file is
located in the SatPC32 program folder (usually C:\Program Files\SatPC32, on
64-bit systems C:\Program Files (x86)\SatPC32). To run the file start the
Windows Explorer or another file manager and navigate to the file. Right click
on the filename and from the list that opens choose 'Open with”. Open
'IOPortDeActivate.reg' with the registration editior and allow the changes.
Then reboot the PC. The file
disables the driver by changing the value of sub key 'Start” to 4. The driver
can be disabled also on 32-bit systems if none of the aformentioned interfaces
is to be used.
'IOPort.reg' works similar to 'IOPortDeActivate' but sets the value of
the sub key 'Start” to 2. That is
the setting at program start. So, IOPort.reg should be run only if the value had been changed, only with
32-bit systems.and only if one of the aforementioned interfaces is to be used.
This tool creates and updates the aux. file AmsatNames.txt from the source
file nasa.all via mouse click.
AmsatNames.txt contains the 'identifirers' and the assigned satellites
names of all satellites contained in the source files nasa.all or nasabare.txt.
10. DDE_Demos The sub folder DDE_Demos in the SatPC32 pogram folder
contains some examples of DDE client programs , that ustilize the DDE strings
sent by SatPC32 and SuM (see C.3 below). The folders contain also the source code of all demo programs in VB and Delphi. So, it is easily possible to
write own client programs that utilize
the SatPC32 and SuM DDE output for
rotor and CAT control.
For data storage, SatPC32 uses a series of auxiliary
files identified by the .SQF extension. These files are stored in the data
folder 'SatPC32' (the path to this folder is shown in the bottom line of menu
'Satellites'). Most of these files are automatically generated by the programs;
others have to be edited manually with an editor like Notepad or the built-in
editor. By editing a file, it is essential not to modify the file format. Be
careful not to add blanks or blank lines, especially at the end of the file.
The end of file sign has to be inserted immediately behind the last entry. For
decimal markers, the point has to be used.
The comma is used to separate multiple parameters as
can be seen in the DOPLER.SQF file.
The
following files can only be edited manually:
I. Files which can be
opened by the SatPC32 '?' menu
The following
files can only be edited manually. They can be opened in the SatPC32 '?'
menu with the SatPC32 built-in
editor or with Notepad:
Doppler.SQF,
Squint.SQF,
Prior.SQF,
ParPort.SQF,
Program.SQF,
Standpos.SQF,
SatFiles.SQF,
DivOptions.SQF,
SubTone.SQF,
AmsatNames.Txt,
Celestrak.SQF.
These files themselves
contain instructions how to be modified. The following sections contain further detailed instructions.
This file contains all data required for the CAT
tuning to operate. CAT tuning only works for satellites whose frequencies are
contained in the file. To use the program's tuning functions during VFO
operation, these data are also needed.
The Doppler.SQF file delivered with the program
already contains the most popular satellite data. Editing these file only
becomes necessary if those data have to be changed or if new satellites have to
be added.
To edit the file you need to enter:
·
The name of the satellite.
Please, read the important instructions ibelow or in Doppler.SQF.
·
The receive- and transmit
frequencies in kHz
·
The Up- and Downlink modes
·
The frequency trend of the
satellite (normal or reverse)
·
The converter and transverter offset frequencies
As a general rule, all 7 parameters have to be
present, even if some of them are irrelevant for a particular satellite. In that
case the unused data may have any value.
Name of the
satellite: Enter the name assigned to the satellite in the aux. file AmsatNames.txt. (SatPC32 menu '? > Auxiliary Files > ;
AmsatNames.txt').
The spelling must exactly be the same in both files.
If AmsatNames.txt doesn't contain the satellite's name use the name from the source file. Then the file will only
work with source files that use the same name for the satellite, however.
For more detailed information read the FAQ's file, sect. 1c: 'Use of Satellite Names in SatPC32',
Frequencies: If the receiving frequency is the only one needed
(UO-11), the trasmitting frequency has to be set to 0.
For satellites using multiple frequencies or frequency
pairs, the name has to be repeated each time. At program start, the first file
encountered for a specific satellite will be used. By editing the file, you
should therefore pay attention to put the most used frequency as a first entry
in the list.
For Pacsats, their nominal frequencies can be put in.
The frequency entries for SSB transponders (FO-20,
FO-29, AO-10, and AO-40) are somewhat critical.
Due to temperature influences and hardware related
deviations between satellite and transceiver you probably will not immediately
hear back your own signal, when you switch to the satellite.
With SatPC, however, the optimal frequency entries in
the Doppler.SQF file can be determined and stored easily. To do this you do not
need to edit the Doppler.SQF file manually. Please,
read the FAQ.htm file (which can be opened with the SatPC32 '?' menu), section
5 'AO-40 operation' for detailed instructions.
With satellites like FO-20, FO-29 you probably will
immediately hear your own signal (even with the right audio pitch) when you switch
to that satellite later on.
With satellites that require an (outdoor) converter or
transverter like AO-40 you probably will have to search for your signal with
every program start, however, mainly due to the frequency variations of the
converter (transverter) L.O., caused by the outdoor temperature changes. With the CAT capabilities
of SatPC, however, you will find your signal easily. For detailed instructions
see the FAQ.htm file, sect. 5, 'AO-40 operation'.
If a new satellite is available, you may copy the
entry of another satellite and modify the entries for the new one. For the RX
and TX frequency you may enter the nominal passband center frequencies (for
FO-20, FO-29, i.e., you would have to enter 435850.0, 145950.0). After you have
found your own signal, correct the uplink frequency as described above.
Mode: Furthermore, operation modes for Uplink and Downlink
have to be entered by using the symbols already shown in the file. Possible
mode symbols are: USB, LSB, CW, FM, FMN, DV, USB-D, LSB-D, depending on the
radio used.
For FM and FMN mode, VFO operation is automatically
disabled, but can be reactivated manually.
Attention:
if you operate a FT-736R with a standard FM-filter, the FM symbol has to be entered
for FM operation. If you have replaced the narrow FM filter by a broader one
(20kHz) as I did it like many others, you need to replace all FM symbols in the
Doppler.SQF file by FMN
For the
frequency evolution, the symbols NOR and REV have to be used.
The 2 last Parameters of the Doppler.SQF lines contain
the converter and transverter offsets in kHz.
The FT-736R can operate on 2m and 70cm as well as on
23 cm with an optional module. ICOM transceivers operate on 2m and 70cm. For the
higher bands, converters and transverters are required. In that case, the final
operating frequency has to be put into the Doppler.SQF file, otherwise
calculations would be wrong. As the transceiver requires a frequency in the 2m
or 70 cm band, the program needs to know the frequency offset of the converter
/ transverter.
For 2m/70cm frequencies the offsets are preset to 0,
since these bands usually don't require converters/transverters.
The entries for AO-40 contain examples of a 13cm/2m
down-converter and a 70cm/23cm up-transverter.
The offset that has to be entered is
equal to the crystal frequency of the converter/transverter.
This file contains the names and parameters of
satellites that allow squint angle calculation. These are
a. the ones whose Z-axis
always points to the center of the earth (i.e. UO-11, UO-22, KO-25). Enter”v”
(without quotation-marks) as first parameter behind the satellites name and set
the two following parameters to 0.
b. the spin-stabilized
satellites.
Since ALON and ALAT are time dependent, the first parameter
has to contain the day, to which these values refer. Use the format: ddmmyyyy.
The following parameters contain ALON and ALAT.
Example: AO-40, 17032002, 337, 0 (but see the following section!)
c. AO-40
At present,
AO-40 is not a 'normal' spin-stabilized satellite. Due to the 'Mystery effect'
its attitude is not stable but has constantly to be corrected by the command
stations. Actually, the entries in the Squint.SQF file therefore would require
constant updates. The file itself contains hints, how to avoid this effort. To
open the file click the SatPC32 '?' menu item. In the list that opens click the
'Auxiliary files' item and select 'Squint.SQF'.
The program performs automatic satellite switching for
satellites with a priority setting. This works as follows: If no priority
satellite is in hearing range, the program switches to a priority satellite as
soon as that satellite's elevation reaches the minimum elevation angle,
provided the satellite effectively comes into hearing range.
If during the hearing range of a priority satellite,
another one with higher priority shows up, the program switches to that one,
but only at elevation 0 to avoid reception time losses. If a priority satellite
reaches LOS, the program switches to a lower priority satellite, provided it is
in hearing range.
The file contains the names and priority degree of the
satellites with a priority setting. A maximum of 9 satellites can be entered.
The satellite with the highest priority 1 has to be first in the list, the
satellite with priority 2, second etc. If the program is used in conjunction
with WiSP, priority settings in both programs have to be the same.
The file contains the parallel port addresses of your
PC which are required for the rotor steering. The entry is done in hexadecimal
form, therefore the value has to be preceded by a dollar sign ($). At delivery,
$378, $278, $3BC and $ 2BC are put in.
If your system uses different values, these have to be
entered in ParPort.SQF to replace the standard values. Some systems use the
above values in a different order. In that case too, the file may be modified
accordingly.
The port addresses as well as their assignment to
LPT1, LPT2 etc. can be found
a) under Windows 95/98 and
Windows 2000in the control panel (Start- Settings - Control Panel - System -
Ports - Resources)
b) under
Win NT with WinMSD (Resources - I/O - ParPort -Properties). WinMSD is delivered
with Windows NT and can be loaded with Start - Execute.
Only the basic value has to be entered.
Normally, your PC has not more than two parallel ports.
In that case you should keep the entries in lines 3 and 4. Otherwise an
erroneous setup of the port number in SatSetup may lead to an error warning of
the system at program start.
This file contains the names of the programs that can
be called up from SatPC. The program name has to be entered without its
extension and has to be present in the SatPC32 directory or in a directory
whose path is contained in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. A maximum of 10 programs can
be entered.
This file contains callsigns of stations to which the
antenna position should be set through the 'Rotor Steering' dialog field. The
callsign and the azimuth angle have to be entered; elevation is automatically
set to 0.
7. SatFiles.SQF (WisFiles.SQF, AosFiles.SQF)
These files contain the names of the Satellite Groups
that have been installed for the respective main program. A maximum of 12
groups are allowed for SatPC32, Wisat32 and WinAos. For each entry in the list,
a file with the same name has to be present in the SatPC32 directory. Depending
on which main program uses the file, its name must contain the extension
'.Sat', '.Wis' or '.Aos'. The names of the satellites selected for each group
are stored in these files. If you want to add a group, a file with the same
name and with the related name extension has to be created. To do this, you can
copy the 'Standard.sat' file, rename it and edit it in the Satellites menu.
This file contains the names and parameters of
satellites that require a subaudible tone on the uplink signal for access. At
present, the only satellites of this kind are SO-50 and AO-51. The file itself
contains detailed hints how to be used.
This file allows program settings in addition to those found in the
'Options' menu, related to the 'general' DDE interface, the use of multiple
program starts and the choice of an editor.
The user can select whether the DDE interface shall output data constantly or
only when the satellite is in range (default setting).
Also, he can select whether the frequency values sent by the interface will
include possible converter/transverter offsets.
The file also allows to select whether the rotor and CAT steering
functions will become disabled from the 2nd program instance on.
With the Yaesu FT-817, FT-857and FT-897 transceivers the user can
select, whether the program will only track the downlink (which can be useful
if 2 of these radios are used) or both the downlink and uplink.
The file itself contains detailed hints about the different settings.
This file contains the Amsat names of actual amateuer
satellites. SatPC32, Wisat32, WinListen, WinAos and SatRename evaluate this
file to replace the satellite names usend in the Space-Track TLE files by AMSAT
satellite names. The file itself contains detailed hints how to be used.
Beginning with Vers. 12.8d, release 7/2020 the file contains the data
for all satellites contained in the source file nasa.all (approx.
200). Additonally AmsatNames.txt can be generated and
updated from nasa.all via mouse click using the utility program 'CreateAmsatNames.exe'.
This program is located in the SatPC32 program folder. It can be started from
the SatPC32 menu 'Programs'.
This file contains the internet addresses of Keplerian
data files that can be downloaded with the 'Download Keps' function in menu
'Satellites'. The file itself contains detailed hints how to be used and how to
add new addresses.
II. RotorServer.SQF,
CatServer.SQF
The file 'RotorServer.SQF' contains the path and filename of the rotor server
program that has been selected in menu 'Rotor Setup'.
The file 'CatServer.SQF' contains the path and filename of the selected CAT
server program. At the time being ServerKCT is the only program CAT server
program. It can be selected by
activating the option 'KCT-Tuner' (menu 'Radio Setup').
In the
following files SatPC32 stores the settings for the radio (brand, model name,
specific parameters).
The settings can
be selected in the menu 'Setup', 'Radio Setup'.
From program
version 12.8 these files contain the settings of 'Radio 1'. Similar files for
'Radio 2' are stored in the sub folder 'Radio2' in the data folder 'SatPC32'.
1. YaesuPar.SQF (for Yaesu
only)
The two first
lines contain values in hexadecimal form for two frequency steering commands.
The values are set automatically by the program.
The third line
contains the Baud rate between PC and CAT system in decimal form. The Baud rate
for the FT-736R has to be set to 4800 Bd. For the FT-847 4800, 9600 or 57600
Bd. are allowed. The FT-847 comes with a preset of 4800 Bd. This can be changed
through menu #37.
The fourth line
contains the name of the Yaesu transceiver (FT-736R or FT-847).
At delivery,
the programs are preset for the Yaesu FT-736R.
2. IcomPar.SQF, IcomName.SQF
(for ICOM only)
These files
contain the settings for Icom radios, which have been selected in the 'Radio
Setup' menu.
Please read the
detailed instructions in the 'Readme (Icom).txt' file text in the ICOM
subdirectory.
At delivery, the file comes with the settings for the IC-910H.
3. KenwoodPar.SQF (for Kenwood only)
This file
contains the settings for Kenwood radios, which have been selected in the
'Radio Setup' menu.
Please read the
detailed instructions in the 'Readme (Kenw).txt' file in the Kenwood
subdirectory.
At delivery, the file comes with the settings for the TS-2000.