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Ham Radio CD-ROM (Emerald Software) (1995).ISO
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control.doc
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1986-07-02
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These programs, documentation, and NASA Prediction Bulletins (MASTER.DBF)
were downloaded on July 1, 1986. Current NASA Prediction Bulletins
are available for the satellites in MASTER.DBF from the following BBS:
Celestial BBS RCP/M
512 892-4180 in Austin TX
512 892-4180
Here's the documentation I promised you for using that program to update
the NASA Prediction Bulletins and generate the GrafTrak II compatible files.
To just update the element sets, type CONTROL, which is the menu for my SAT
TRAK program (something which was started with two former NORAD types who have
since lost interest). Although the programs still give them credit, nothing
more than the basic idea is really theirs any more. In fact, UPDATE is
entirely my creation, from top to bottom and uses the Prediction Bulletin on
the BBS directly. The other programs (LOOK, TRAK, and OBS) are in various
stages of completion, but who knows when they'll be done. Anyway, just type
the number to run UPDATE (4, with no CR). UPDATE will load immediately and
the element set file will be loaded, too.
The commands are all menu driven and usually require a single character
response (no CR). There is plenty of error checking and warnings when you are
about to do something dumb. To update an element set (or delete one), select
2. You will then be presented with a menu of element sets, showing Catalog
Number, Satellite Name, and Element Set Number (this allows you to tell at a
glance whether an ElSet requires updating). Select the satellite by using the
cursor keys and hit ENTER to update (you exit from here by typing 'E' or 'e').
Now, you can update by typing '1' (notice that the numeric keypad is now
active), delete, or exit (CR). When updating, hitting ESC at any time will
revert to the current ElSet. Also, updating is forced into the standard
format for Prediction Bulletins. That is, there are certain places where only
numbers are permitted, others where only + or -, etc. Notice that some fields
cannot be changed (e.g., the line number or the 'U' after the Catalog Number).
If you backspace, the numbers revert to previous values. Hitting ENTER will
skip to the beginning of the next field. You may 'space' over anything using
either the spacebar or the decimal point (that's so you don't have to reach
for the spacebar when using the numeric keypad, since you can't change any of
the decimal points in the format -- they're all fixed). You can backspace
from anywhere but the last field (the checksum digit). If you screwed
something up, just enter the checksum and it should (unless by chance it is
correct) return you to the beginning of the same line (sounding a warning
bell) so that you can make corrections. You may then hit ENTER to get back to
what you want to change. If you enter a line and the checksum fails and you
cannot find an error, hit ESC, because the element set is corrupted.
Anyway, the forced format helps ensure proper element sets and helps
check for errors (you still have to be careful about transposing numbers).
All this can be done with one hand using the numeric keypad. Once you're done
with an ElSet, hit ENTER to return to the menu. When done with everything,
hit 'E'. The new database will be written out (deleting any you marked for
deletion) and then reading the new set back in (this is faster than sorting).
You can also add new satellites (or build a new database, although you usually
DON'T want to do this!). To exit the program, return to CONTROL and type 'X'
(for eXit). I think 'Q' (for Quit) works, too.
To convert to GrafTrak II format, run CONV-GT. It reads the MASTER.DBF
file and writes out a file for each satellite included in it, using the
Catalog Number (something guaranteed to be unique) for a filename. You then
run SED87 (by itself or from GrafTrak) and load in each file using the 'R'
command. Once you have done this the first time, it will be much easier in
the future, since CONV-GT automatically includes the Catalog Number in the
description line for the satellite. That way, you know which file to load.
For example, I have the GPS satellites in a GrafTrak II format database named
NAV.SAT (how original). To update the elements, I run SED87 NAV. Once
inside, you look at the Catalog Number of the satellite, type 'R', enter this
number, and the elements are updated! You then skip to the next record by
typing 'N' and repeat until all are updated. That's it! The only drawback is
that it writes blanks to the fields for uplink/downlink (which I don't use).
I'm trying to get a description of the database itself so I can avoid this
problem in the future.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions, you know where to get hold
of me. By the way, I only included compiled code, but if you're really
desperate for the source, let me know. The main reason I do this, is that
these are not finished products and I don't want it circulating (it's a matter
of pride). I particularly don't want them circulating in a modified form
(over which I have no quality control) until the entire packages are complete.
Hope you understand.
TS Kelso
8000 B West Gate Blvd.
Austin, TX 78745
elso