Re: [amsat-bb] Satellite Windows

["Peter A. Klein" <pklein@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>    I am looking for a satellite tracking program that can determine a mutual
>    window between two or more terrestrial locations. Wisp is giving me two
>    different answers. The written print out does not match the graphics.

WinSat, by Joe Holman, AD7D, has an excellent "Mutual Visibility" function
that outputs a chart of access times to the screen, and then to a file you
can print.  You set up two QTHs in a text dialog box, select an interval
time, and run.  The program quickly runs the orbits mathematically, and
outputs lines of information only for those times that are mutually visible
between the two locations.  You tell it to stop when you've got enough
information.  It's available from AMSAT (not free), last I heard.  Here's a
sample output:

Station #1:  KD7MW
Station #2:  KH6 Hawaii
Satellite :  FO-29
                  Station #1    Station #2
     UTC          El/Az/Sq      El/Az/Sq     Phs/Mode(s)
09-10-99 22:36    03/210/056    19/089/051   103/NA
09-10-99 22:37    06/214/055    21/079/050   106/NA
09-10-99 22:38    09/218/054    21/068/050   108/NA
09-10-99 22:39    13/224/053    21/058/050   110/NA
09-10-99 22:40    16/230/052    20/048/051   113/NA
09-10-99 22:41    19/238/051    17/039/052   115/NA
09-10-99 22:42    22/247/049    15/032/053   118/NA
09-10-99 22:43    24/257/048    12/025/054   120/NA
09-10-99 22:44    25/268/048    09/020/054   122/NA
09-10-99 22:45    25/280/048    06/015/055   125/NA
09-10-99 22:46    23/291/049    03/012/055   127/NA


Instant Track (IT) can determine mutual visibility, but only visually.  You
set up two QTHs (called "observers") on the screen, run the tracking in
"fast forward" and watch the footprint circle.  You also have to slow your
computer down or use the "no coprocessor" version, or the fast forward may
be too fast to be useful.  I think this will be corrected in the Y2K-fix
release expected later this year.  IT is commercial, and available from
AMSAT.  It's DOS software, but very fast and convenient to use for general
tracking.

WinOrbit (freeware) can also fast forward (called) "pseudo real time."
Like IT, you can set up two QTHs, track fast forward, and watch the footprint.

STSPlus has the best display of any program.  Again, you can "fast forward"
it to determine mutual visibility by watching the access circle.  Since it
also shows the ground track for 3 future orbits, it may be easier to "zero
in" on a time to actually check the access circle.  It's freeware, and DOS
software.

My personal favorites are IT for general tracking, and WinSat for its
mutual visibility function.  WinOrbit has a kind of klunky user interface,
but has some orbital models that are fun to play with, and its reporting
capability is pretty good.  STSPlus is a thing of beauty, and also gives
great real-time doppler frequency corrections. Its orbital model works for
LEOs only, not for high satellites like AO-10 or P3D.

See the AMSAT Web site for information on downloading or purchasing these
programs.

Hope this helps!

73,
--Peter, KD7MW

--- Peter
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