ke4nt1
Group: Members
Posts: 2329
Joined: Oct. 2003 |
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Posted: Oct. 24 2004,15:11 |
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Updated - 10/24/2004 - ke4nt
XPlanet 1.1.0
What a cool app..
I have this running in windowed mode by default.
You must see http://xplanet.sourceforge.net for many more uses for this app !!
The scripts for other planets and views are available and incredible !
This works with the Predict-Gsat satellite simulator to make the
live desktop background satellite position monitor... see above..
Run it without the windowed default for full background application..
Screenies to whet your appetite:
   
Max:
Using most of these apps to their full extent typically requires
one to have an amateur radio license, since they log with one.
Certainly the APRS app, which TRANSMITS as well as receives..
But there is no reason not to play with them, similar to the way
one would use a "scanner" to monitor the police,fire, and amateur airwaves.
For the Xastir app, it will work with your GPS unit if you have the serial connection.
Xastir normally connects via Radio to the internet via the APRS network,
providing email and other services to amateur radio operators in areas with
NO INTERNET CONNECTION.
I have had many fine chats ( messenger style ) with other radio ops on the
internet from my laptop connected via radio thru APRS while on-the-road.
I have also sent and received email thru the APRS network from other users
who are not hams, and have internet/email access, while NOT having any
direct internet access myself, only the radio, TNC, and laptop..
There are volunteer sites that bridge internet access with the radio links.
These links require a valid License, published by the FCC, and a passcode.
Go to http://www.findu.com for more info on the APRS/HAM network.
Another site is http://www.ariss.net . This site shows recent positions of the
ISS Space Station, and recents contacts made to it and thru it via APRS.
The Predict-GSat app is for tracking satellites.
Useful for finding a "window of opportunity" to 'work' someone via radio.
It also finds "visible" passes for you to view in the skies from your location.
Iridium Flashes are popular among astromonical buffs. You can track them .
Visible ISS and shuttle passes can be predicted, as well as eclipses ..
( the moon is also a "satellite" )
While the Mir, Shuttles, and ISS are my favorite to contact, I have worked
many people via the AO40 amateur satellite, and worked the Russian Birds
RS12 and RS15 many, many times..
Most ALL satellites have "beacon" frequencies, which are listed in this program.
Tuning your scanner or receiver to them, and having some type of outoor
antenna connected (even a wire) ,
you can "hear" their passing over your location, and predict their return..
Most either transmit their operational status,
or a "hi hi de musat" message in Morse Code ..
I use a Terminal Node Controller ( TNC = Radio Modem ) to decode
the packets that are transmitted from many of the satellites.
With a transmitter, the satellites are easy to communicate with.
They require low-power, and very minimal antennas ,
since they are "line-of-sight" receivers. Fun stuff..
Both programs are easy to use, and don't require a lot of CPU to run..
The XPlanet app is one of many apps that will work from the
Predict-Server, receiving orbital data and painting in realtime
the satellites "footprints" in your "window-of -opportunity" .
73
ke4nt
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