TRAKSAT TRAKSAT is a new satellite tracking program for amateur radio and optical users alike. The program was written by Paul Traufler. It provides all the features you would expect from satellite tracking software and much more. What makes this program so different is all the options available to the user. TRAKSAT has covered many areas the optical user has required for many years. TRAKSAT makes it easy for the beginner to see satellites without all the fuss other programs require. The experienced satellite observer will like all the power and flexibility TRAKSAT provides. The program uses "pop-up" style windows for easy use. Below is a brief summary of the options available in TRAKSAT. Elements: TRAKSAT can read in standard ASCII NASA/NORAD 2-line element sets. No pre-processing required. The elements are even available from several BBS's around the country. (Some of the BBSs are listed in the documentation.) Tracking Stations: Over 730 cities are included in the tracking station file. The user can easily modify the file to include any special stations. Real Time Tracking: The program can display real time satellite data or a start/stop time mode can be used. (To not only track satellites in real time but predict into the future/past as well.) Visibility: The user can select Line Of Sight (LOS) or Optical visibility of the satellites. The LOS method is best for amateur radio use while the Optical method is for the back yard astronomer. Graphics: TRAKSAT has several graphics features also. A satellite ground track can be produced as can a "sky view". The sky view comes in handy for finding the satellites in the night sky. Orthographic (3-D) views are also included in TRAKSAT, i.e., see the orbital track about the earth from a point in space. Analytical Solution: The analytical solution will determine rise and set times of the satellite. This option is VERY FAST and can easily produce a evenings ephemeris of satellites that will be "seen". No satellite tracking program has even come close to matching the speed of this option. The user can "define" his or her favorite satellites and produce a quick look for the nights viewing. Multi-Tracking: Up to six satellites can be tracked at one time with this option. The user can define any of the satellites used in the multi- tracking modes. Graphic or tabular outputs are available in the multi-tracking modes. Tabular Output: TRAKSAT can produce tracking information on the screen or to a file for later use. (Ephemeris generation) Batch Mode: This mode is similar to the tabular output but it can use more than one satellite. The output can go to the screen or a file. Printer Output: TRAKSAT can print out the graphic screens to a printer. This combined with the sky view can produce "star maps" to use outside far away from the computer to help locate the satellites. Documentation: The documentation included with TRAKSAT is both helpful and extensive (65+ pages). Many areas are covered in the documentation along with a complete list of sources used in TRAKSAT. A brief overview of the methods used in TRAKSAT is included in the document also. Availability: TRAKSAT is available directly from the author. Send $10.00 to the address below for a complete copy. ** STATE DISK SIZE REQUIRED WHEN ORDERING ** TRAKSAT and its companion files is being distributed as shareware. You are encouraged to share this software with others provided that it is distributed complete with documentation and in unmodified form and that no fee or other consideration is charged or accepted. Paul E. Traufler 111 Emerald Drive Harvest, Al. 35749 (205) 726-5511 (Work) (205) 830-8450 (Home) Required Hardware: IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2, clone, etc. with 640K memory, hard disk is recommended, mouse is optional but supported. Any display type for the text mode screens, but VGA preferred for the graphic modes. (CGA, EGA, VGA, and Hercules graphic modes are supported.) A numeric coprocessor (8087/80287/80387) is NOT required, but it is RECOMMENDED. TRAKSAT is compatible with Windows 3.0. ---------------------------------------------------------------- TRAKSAT REPORTED PROBLEMS Version Date Problem ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1.0 12-29-89 TRAKSAT version 1.0 released (first release). (THIS FILE HAS BEEN CONDENSED TO SAVE SPACE) 2.60 1-15-91 TRAKSAT version 2.60 released. This version corrects a few minor bugs. The user can now select the type of twilight, star background update interval, printer pins, plotting color, and more from the Main Menu. A file view option was added also. ** TRAKSAT IS OVER ONE YEAR OLD NOW !!! ** 2.65 3-15-91 Fix a few MINOR bugs in the Analytical solution options and added 0 degree min. elevation for LOS operations. Satellite file output improved. COMMERCIAL VERSIONS of TRAKSAT can output HP/GL files for laser printers and inserting into documents. Tracking station altitudes added to TRAKSAT.CTY file. Save the LOS/Optical flag setting from one run to the next. Added altitude to tabular output options. XT USERS WITH A COPROCESSOR INSTALLED PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED NOW. 2.70 6-07-91 Fixed a few minor bugs in file name routines. Added default satellite to load when starting the program. Added a shell to DOS option. Added sensor/antenna coverage plot options to ground tracks. Fixed a few minor errors. -------------------------------------------------------------------- What is Next? This section is the "dream" improvement area. Sometime in the future these ideas MAY make it into TRAKSAT. I have always kept an open mind when it comes to improvements especially when the ideas come from registered users. Please take the time to express your ideas and suggestions to improve TRAKSAT. ********************************************************************* * REMEMBER THAT REGISTERING TRAKSAT WILL HELP KEEP THE IMPROVEMENTS * * COMING! * ********************************************************************* Improve the star background plot as not to erase the screen but just update it. Polar projections also. Add online help for some areas, improve documentation. Add support for laser printers. (NOW IN REGISTERED COMMERCIAL VERSIONS) Add a save screen to PCX, GIF, etc. files. Add sun terminator to 3-d plots. TRAKSAT Satellite Tracking Program TRAKSAT Order Form (PERSONAL USE ONLY) 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Make checks payable to: Paul E. Traufler 111 Emerald Drive Harvest, Al. 35749 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Qty ____ TRAKSAT NON-REGISTERED Version @ $10.00 each $_________ ____ TRAKSAT Laser Printed Document @ $15.00 each $_________ ____ TRAKSAT REGISTERED Version @ $25.00 each* $_________ Total $_________ * THERE IS NO FIXED CHARGE FOR THIS PROGRAM, but in the spirit of the shareware concept, if the end user finds this package useful, and would like to help fund development of enhancements to this package, any amount that the end user feels is appropriate for the value received in using this package will be gladly accepted. Diskette type (check or circle one): [ ] 360K [ ] 720K [ ] 1.2M [ ] 1.44M Payment: (check or circle one): [ ] Check [ ] Money Order [ ] Other Checks and Money Orders must be drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. funds Name _______________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Phone _____________________ Comments ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ 2.70