SMART TRACK v.0.92p (c) 1990-92 W6PIO [A versatile satellite tracking program for MS-DOS] Background: SMART TRACK v.0.92p is for MS-DOS; however, SMART TRACK was originally written in 1989-90 for the ATARI ST computer, as there were no adequate satellite tracking programs available for that machine. Most of its success has been here, at W6PIO, and in Europe where the ATARI ST is more prevalent in the amateur radio community. SMART TRACK has had outstanding success on the ATARI ST, and a release of the next version for the ATARI ST is planned. SMART TRACK was written using GFA Basic for the ATARI ST. The GFA Basic interpreter and editor were exceptionally easy to use and fast, and error correction in the editor mode was outstanding. The GFA Basic Compiler made the compiled version of SMART TRACK easy for other to use as a stand alone program. When GFA Basic and the GFA Basic Compiler became available for MS-DOS, we couldn't resist the urge to port SMART TRACK over to MS-DOS. It was a challenge requiring more than expected rewriting to accommodate the system differences. NOTE: There are other exceptional satellite tracking programs already available for MS-DOS, and SMART TRACK doesn't pretend to supercede these outstanding programs. On the other hand, SMART TRACK has a couple selling points: 1. Former ATARI ST users of SMART TRACK, who are now using MS-DOS, have available through SMART TRACK v.0.92p a satellite tracking program for MS-DOS that they are familiar with and already know how to use. Operation of SMART TRACK is identical between the MS-DOS version and the ATARI ST version. 2. SMART TRACK v.0.92p is FREEWARE. It doesn't cost a dime. All you have to do is download it or copy it from someone else. Future versions, if there is a demand, will possibly require a small fee for mailing of upgrades. If you're just getting started and need a satellite tracking program, this may be for you. SMART TRACK v.0.92p is provided free to use and duplicate, but it is copyrighted and the executable program SMRTRACK.EXE may be neither modified nor sold. Introduction: SMART TRACK v.0.92p requires MS-DOS version 3.x or higher and a 286 or higher machine with 640x480 VGA graphics capability. (The ATARI ST monochrome mode has 400 lines. Rather than trying to cram everything into 320 lines EGA mode on the PC, we elected to use the standard medium and small fonts and go to the 480 line VGA mode.) A monochrome monitor is all that is required for SMART TRACK v.0.92p, as the program runs in the 640x480x2 graphics mode to maintain maximum compatibility with the ATARI ST version of SMART TRACK. If you use a laptop computer with a monochrome liquid crystal display, SMART TRACK looks great on the screen! SMART TRACK is delivered as an executable file (ST.EXE) to run on MS-DOS. It does not require a hard disk, although a hard disk will provide faster execution as well as more memory for the "station library" (LIBRARY.DAT) file. There is a configuration file (SMRTRK92.CFG), a world map screen data file (ST_WORLD.SCR), a menus screen data file (ST_MENUS.SCR), and several additional data files (.DAT), some of which may be modified by the user during program execution (or with a text editor outside the program). SMART TRACK has been written as user-friendly as possibly, and modifications or additions to the data files are generally through prompts during program execution. Most of the interactive menus and prompts are self-explanatory, but additional information on program operation is included in this file (README.TXT). Most of the menu prompts are in the upper left sector of the screen, and hot keys are indicated by the letters in parentheses. Hot keys are used extensively. Additional information can also be obtained via Compuserve 70275,574. I will respond as soon as possible with answers to your questions. Users wishing to be notified of improvements and upgrades should send an SASE to Ed Epperson W6PIO, 3637 N. Moraine Av., Claremont, CA, 91711. Instructions: A. FILES. 1. The OPSKED__.DAT files are operating schedules for the various satellites. They are NOT REQUIRED -- the program runs quite well without them, but the operating modes (and estimated doppler for modes B and J) will not be indicated on the screen. 2. The OSC_____.DAT files are element sets. You will NEED AT LEAST ONE. I have provided several. If you try to run SMART TRACK without any, the program will prompt you to make one before allowing you to proceed. The first two blanks (after "OSC") are for the OSCAR number (10, 13, 17, etc.) or possibly (RS or B1) which is my temporary method for denoting RS10/11 and BADR-1, respectively. Any one or two character string will suffice for identifying a satellite. A better method will be worked out later, but so far this has worked out comfortably. The last three blanks (just before ".DAT") denote the element set which might be _93 or 452 or _R4, for example. (The R4 denotes Rex number 4, because the element set came from Rex, G4JUJ.) Any one, two, or three character string will suffice for identifying the element set. Don't be concerned about remembering the format -- SMART TRACK takes of everything while prompting the user for the data. 3. There are BAHN___.DAT files. These are self-explanatory, providing the user has some knowledge of Bahn coordinates. If not, it suffices to know that the Bahn coordinates are used in SMART TRACK to determine the squint angle, or pointing angle, of the satellite antenna relative to the user location. There are two options for entering the Bahn data -- either Bahn coordinates or Inertial coordinates -- but the data which are written to the file are always in Inertial coordinates, as they don't change daily like the Bahn coordinates do. Bahn coordinates are continually updated automatically by SMART TRACK, using the Inertial coordinates in the Bahn file, so you don't have to keep updating your Bahn coordinates unless the satellite is deliberately magnetorqued, or encounters an attitude change. You will likely enter your original Bahn coordinates in Bahn format because that is what's usually available. I have provided two Bahn files. As with the OPSKED files, these files are NOT REQUIRED to run SMART TRACK. If the BAHN___.DAT file is missing for the satellite on the screen, Squint Angle will not be available. 4. The LIBRARY.DAT file is for station locations. SMART TRACK will display as many as five stations (one Primary station and up to four Auxiliary stations) on the screen, simultaneously. These are displayed on the screen as the small rapidly flashing circles. In addition to the data on the upper right of the screen, you can also show AZ and EL data and doppler for the first two Auxiliary stations displayed. Data for the Primary station are always shown on the upper right of the screen. Data for up to two Auxiliary stations are displayed on the upper left of the screen when desired. In other words you can display another station's antenna pointing data as well as your own, simultaneously. This feature is real handy if you want to advise another station of its correct antenna pointing coordinates. The LIBRARY.DAT file is NOT REQUIRED. 5. The TIMING.DAT file sets the UTC (GMT)/computer time offset (in hours). The file supplied here has an 8 hour offset for Pacific Standard Time. If your computer time is the same as UTC (GMT), you would set this to zero when the prompt is issued. The Century Start merely selects which century you want SMART TRACK to assume as its operating century. It can begin anywhere, and the program will be valid for the subsequent 100 years. The file also is used to set your computer time and date if you care to update it from the executing program. The TIMING.DAT file is NOT REQUIRED, but the displayed UTC (GMT) time may be in error if you're not on Pacific Standard Time, so it's best if you set up your own TIMING.DAT file. 6. The OSC_DFLT.DAT file holds up to ten particular satellite/element set combinations which you select individually by pressing "O" in the Automatic Track Mode or Manual Track Mode menu. I have provided an OSC_DFLT.DAT file, but it can be modified as you will see through experimentation. An OSC_DFLT.DAT file with at least one satellite included IS REQUIRED. If SMART TRACK doesn't see it, it will prompt you to make one and help you do it. 7. Print files for producing hard copies of satellite tracking data are generated by SMART TRACK. The only printer I have tested with SMART TRACK is the Brother HL9 which is a clone of the HP Laserjet II. Emulation modes tested with SMART TRACK are Epson FX80 and HP Laserjet II. I believe the program will print to a standard Epson printer, when the FX80 mode is selected, but no guarantees. I plan to support other printers as needed. SMART TRACK writes to a Print file on disk. Included in the written file are printer formatting characters, so the file can be printed later from the computer outside execution of SMART TRACK. This prevents SMART TRACK from bombing just because of a printer compatibility problem. Obviously, you could use an editor to delete the formatting characters from the Print file, set up your printer format by other means, and then print the .LIS or .LIP file and get the same results. There are only three formatting commands necessary: 1/8 inch line spacing, condensed (16.6 characters/inch, approx.) font, and left margin = 0. The only two options currently available for printing are Satellite Orbits (primarily for high altitude satellites) and Satellite Passes (for LEO satellites). The Satellite Orbit file (xxxxxxxx.LIS) consists of a single page of data for each selected orbit. Data for an orbit will be written to a print file only for those times when the satellite is above the horizon. The Satellite Pass file (xxxxxxxx.LIP) consists of a sequence of satellite passes (above the horizon) with as many as six passes per page. The first part of the .LIS or .LIP file name contains the OSCAR number and Element Set number. If the particular file already exists when you choose to write a new Print file by the same name, the program will prompt you for a decision to overwrite the existing file or to append to it. 8. The ST_MENUS.SCR file provides all the screen menus used during execution of SMART TRACK. This file is REQUIRED for operation. Do not modify it. 9. The ST_WORLD.SCR file provides the data for the map of the world, and it too is REQUIRED for operation. Do not modify it. 10. ST.EXE is the executable file. Just put ST.EXE and all the other files in the same folder and type ST to execute SMART TRACK. 11. Depending on your system, ONE of the following overlay files is REQUIRED: GFABAS00.OVL if you have a normal PC/AT GFABAS03.OVL if you have a 386 GFABAS70.OVL if you have a PC/AT with a 8087 or 80287 GFABAS73.OVL if you have a 386 with 387 or a 486 These are not the proprietary GFA Basic Interpreter files. They are intended to be given away with .EXE files written and compiled from GFA Basic. All four files are included here, but you need only one in your folder. Caveat: I have thoroughly tested SMART TRACK on a 286/80287 with the GFABAS70.OVL file, but testing on other machines has been minimal. B. HOT KEYS. (M)anual Track Mode. There are two track modes -- Automatic Track Mode and Manual Track Mode. Each is selected from the menu for the other. Both Track Modes have the same menu options except for the (T)ime/Date Select option in Manual Track Mode. In Manual Track Mode, the time and date can be selected using the (T) key or the Arrow keys. Depressing the INSERT key will bring the Manual Track Mode up to the current time and date. (T)ime/Date Select. Permits the user to select a specific date for the Manual Track Mode display. The arrow keys are simpler to use, however. (M)anual Track Mode and (A)utomatic Track Mode. (S)tation Select Mode. Selects up to four Auxiliary station locations to be displayed on the screen as blinking circles. Be sure to note which station you are modifying or adding (Primary or Auxiliary 1 through 4). CAUTION: Toggle to the station you want to modify or add before entering any data! (H)ome Station can be selected, but it will normally be in place as the Primary station. (This is usually you.) (L)ibrary of Stations can be used for selecting the station, or... (S)elect Station Coordinates manually as prompted, or... (C)ursor or Mouse Selection is just what it says. But if you don't have a mouse, the arrows keys won't function here either. (We'll change that later.) (R)emove this Station from Display if you don't want it. (T)oggle to the station you wish to add or modify. (See CAUTION above.) When you back out of this menu using (N), there will be blinking circles on the map corresponding to the station locations you have selected. When you are back on the Manual Track Mode menu or the Automatic Track Mode menu, tracking data for the first two of the selected Auxiliary stations can be displayed in the upper left of the screen by pressing (C) as noted on the screen. Pressing (C) a second time returns to the corresponding Track Mode menu. (O)SCAR Select Mode. Shortcut method for selecting the satellite from a menu having a maximum of 10 choices. These constitute the OSC_DFLT.DAT file, which is created using the (D)efault File menu discussed later. It is quite possible that you might have several dozen element sets for various satellites, but only wish to access a few of them regularly. That's what (O) is for! Of course, if you want to select one of the other satellite/element sets, merely type "F" (for a full menu) followed by carriage return at this point, as indicated in the prompt, and then follow the additional prompts. (D)ata Entry Mode. This is the menu from which most of the data files are constructed by the user interacting with SMART TRACK. (B)AHN File. (a non-mandatory file) Select the coordinate system in which the data are given -- usually Bahn (B). Then follow subsequent instructions. The program permits you to save the old Bahn file as an ".OLD" file with the same prefix. (You may want to copy it back to the original ".DAT" file later while in DOS, who knows!) (O)perating Schedule File. (another non-mandatory file) Type in the Mode when prompted. This will be one to three characters, like "B" or "JL", or "OFF". SMART TRACK works best when the entries are done in chronological order -- i.e., starting at MA=0 and finishing eventually at MA=256. The last entry could be for the omni antennas, in which case you might type OMN for the mode. SMART TRACK recognizes Modes B and J for the purpose of computing approximate doppler frequencies, based on the center frequencies of the Modes B and J frequency bands. You might want to examine the OPSKED13.DAT file while in DOS to see how it looks. (E)lement Set File. (you need at least one) Follow the prompts. If an Element Set file already exists by the same name, you will be prompted to create a (N)ew one or (C)hange an existing one. There is some degree of error- checking in the values entered, but be careful. The Decay Rate is fixed at zero by design. This will normally not make a significant difference in tracking accuracy, and equations have not been implemented in SMART TRACK for using this parameter. If (C)hange is selected, the old value will appear briefly before vanishing in anticipation of your numerical entry. The last two entries, Epoch Rev, and Source, are not critical to anything. Most sources include the Epoch Rev. The Source can be left blank. (D)efault File. This creates or modifies the OSCAR Select Default file, OSC_DFLT.DAT, mentioned previously. Just follow instructions with each option. (N)ew Default File creates a new OSCAR Select Default file. (C)orrections to Old Default File. (A)dd a Satellite to Old Default File. (D)elete a Default Satellite. (H)ome Station File. You will need to set up the coordinates and the name for your home station. The files are provided to you with the home station for W6PIO. (T)iming File sets up some time references. A carriage return will normally keep the existing value for that entry. (S)et Computer Clock. (Two entries -- Date and Time) This allows the user to set the computer Date and Time if desired. Some users use UTC (GMT) while others use Local. (C)reate Timing File. (Two entries -- Time zone and Century) Some users set their computer clocks to UTC (GMT) and some set them to Local time. In either case, you will need to set the time zone difference between UTC (GMT) and your computer clock. Merely enter the time zone difference at the prompt. The Century Start prompt wants to know the starting year for the century over which SMART TRACK is valid. It doesn't really matter much what year you pick, but 1990 might be a good idea if you want to project orbits ahead until 2090! (L)ibrary Editor allows you to edit the Station Library from which stations are selected using the previously mentioned Station Select option. (A)dd to Station Library. In the Configuration file, SMRTRK92.CFG, there is a variable, probably "250", which determines the maximum number of stations in the library. You can modify the .CFG file while in DOS Mode -- memory is the only thing to watch out for. The (A)dd option will not permit more than this value. If the .CFG file is missing, the default value in the executable code is 100. (D)elete this Station. Just press the (D) key and watch the station disappear from the scroll. (M)odify this Station. Just follow the prompts. (N)o Further. Press this key when done. (E)lement Set Display. Displays Element Set Data for the current satellite as well as the current orbit number. Depressing the (E) key again returns to the Track Mode menu. (C)o-Station Display, as discussed above, shows tracking information for up to two Auxiliary stations. Pressing (C) again returns to the Track Mode menu. If you are in Manual Track Mode, the Manual Track Mode menu will vanish and its Hot Keys will be inactivated, but the arrow keys for incrementing the time can still be used for changing the time of the display. The time increment is shown in the upper left part of the screen. This powerful combination permits the user to quickly look ahead to tracking data for any station location for any time in the future. (P)rint Mode was discussed previously. Use Automatic Track Mode or go to Manual Track Mode and select a date or orbit for which you want a listing or sequence of listings). The print files .LIS and .LIP can be sent to a printer later. (S)equence of orbits, primarily for high altitude satellites. (P)ass listings, primarily for LEO's. (Q)uit will get you back to DOS if you respond with (Y)es. NOTE: You can usually execute a "QUICK QUIT" from SMART TRACK at any point in the program by merely pressing ^E (Control-E). C. DISPLAY. The satellite is directly overhead the place on the earth denoted by the slowly blinking square. The area surrounding the square out to the horizon line (either a smooth symmetrical curve extending from left to right or an oval) denotes the region which is visible to the satellite and vice versa. Time and date are displayed in the upper right portion of the screen in UTC (GMT) format. Probably the most important data on the upper side of the screen are the Antenna coordinates. These indicate the Az and El angles for pointing your antenna. The number to the right of Az and El is the slant range from the station to the satellite. Doppler is only approximate and is indicated as a convenience only for Modes B and J in Automatic Track Mode. Squint Angle denotes the computed pointing angle of the satellite antenna relative to the line of sight to the station. For OSCAR 13, smaller values are better than large values. Satellite Coordinates denote the Longitude and Latitude for SSP (directly below the satellite) and Altitude above the Earth surface. Radius of Coverage is the radius of the circle on the Earth represented by the horizon seen by the satellite. If a mouse is implemented, either button or both buttons can be depressed to observe the coordinates of the mouse cursor while it is moved along the map, the current Epoch time, or the current Bahn coordinates. Coordinates of the cursor are given in Longitude/Latitude and in Grid Square coordinates.