 AcuSat Help Index

Introduction

Overview

Getting Started

How To ...

Create and Use Workspaces

Edit Satellite Data

Edit Location Data

Commands

File menu

Edit menu

View menu

Help menu

Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Support and Purchasing Info

Online Support

How to Purchase AcuSat


File menu commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

New Workspace	Creates a new workspace.
Open Workspace	Opens an existing workspace.
Save Workspace	Saves an opened workspace using the same file name.
Save Workspace As	Saves an opened workspace to a specified file name.
Print	Prints a workspace.
Print Preview	Displays the workspace on the screen as it would appear printed.
Print Setup	Selects a printer and printer connection.
Exit	Exits AcuSat.


Edit menu commands

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Remove From Workspace	Removes a satellite or location from the current workspace.
Add to Workspace	Adds a satellite or location to the current workspace.
Edit Satellite Database	Opens the Satellite Database for editing.
Edit Location Database	Opens the Location Database for editing.


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

Toolbar	Shows or hides the toolbar.
Status Bar	Shows or hides the status bar.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:

Help Topics	Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
About	Displays the version number of this application.


File New command
New Workspace command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new workspace in AcuSat.

You can open an existing workspace with the Open Workspace command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+N


File Open command
Open Workspace command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing workspace.

You can create new workspaces with the New Workspace command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+O


File Open dialog box

The following options allow you to specify which file to open:

File Name

Type or select the filename you want to open.  This box lists files with the extension you select in the List Files of Type box.

List Files of Type

Select the type of file you want to open: AcuSat only opens AcuSat workspaces.

Drives

Select the drive in which AcuSat stores the file that you want to open.

Directories

Select the directory in which AcuSat stores the file that you want to open.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Save command
Save Workspace command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active workspace to its current name and directory.  When you save a workspace for the first time, AcuSat displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your workspace.  If you want to change the name and directory of an existing workspace before you save it, choose the Save Workspace As command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+S


File Save As command
Save Workspace As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active workspace.  AcuSat displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your workspace.

To save a workspace with its existing name and directory, use the Save Workspace command.


File Save As dialog box

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the file you're about to save:

File Name

Type a new filename to save a workspace with a different name.  A filename can contain up to eight characters and an extension of up to three characters.  AcuSat adds the extension you specify in the Save File As Type box.

Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the workspace.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the workspace.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File 1, 2, 3, 4 command
1, 2, 3, 4 command (File menu)

Use the numbers and filenames listed at the bottom of the File menu to open the last four workspaces you closed.  Choose the number that corresponds with the workspace you want to open.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your AcuSat session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  AcuSat prompts you to save workspaces with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Remove from Workspace command (Edit menu)

Use this command to remove the currently selected data from the workspace and put it on the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Cutting data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+X


Add to Workspace command (Edit menu)

Use this command to insert a copy of the clipboard contents at the insertion point.  This command is unavailable if the clipboard is empty.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+V


View Toolbar command
Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar, which includes buttons for some of the most common commands in AcuSat, such as File Open.  A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Toolbar is displayed.

See Toolbar for help on using the toolbar.


Toolbar

The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below the menu bar.  The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used in AcuSat,

To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu (ALT, V, T).

<< Add or remove toolbar buttons from the list below according to which ones your application offers. >>

Click	To

Open a new workspace.

Open an existing workspace.  AcuSat displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate and open the desired file.

Save the active workspace or template with its current name.  If you have not named the workspace, AcuSat displays the Save As dialog box.

Print the active workspace.


View Status Bar Command
Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the AcuSat window.  To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you use the arrow keys to navigate through menus.  This area similarly shows messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them, before releasing them.  If after viewing the description of the toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following keys are latched down:

Indicator	Description

CAP	The Caps Lock key is latched down.

NUM	The Num Lock key is latched down.

SCRL	The Scroll Lock key is latched down.


Help Topics command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using AcuSat and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of AcuSat.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of AcuSat.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the AcuSat window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Title Bar

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and workspace.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Workspace Control-menu button

Maximize button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the workspace

Restore button


Scroll bars

Displayed at the right and bottom edges of the workspace and data panes.  The scroll boxes inside the scroll bars indicate your vertical and horizontal location in the pane.  You can use the mouse to scroll to other parts of the pane.


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the AcuSat window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.

Keys:	CTRL+F10 enlarges a workspace window.


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	CTRL+F4 closes a workspace window

ALT+F4 closes the <<YourType>> window or dialog box


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.


Editing Satellite Data

AcuSat maintains a variety of data on each satellite to make calculations, sort satellites by region, and give you a place to store comments or notes on each satellite.  To open the Satellite Database for editing, you can:

1.  Select “Edit Satellite Database” from the edit menu.

2.  Double-click a satellite in the Satellite Data Tree or the Satellite Grid.

3.  Right-click a satellite in the Satellite Data Tree and choose “Edit Satellite Data” from the popup menu.

You can add or remove satellites from the database or edit data for existing satellites.  AcuSat maintains the following data fields for each satellite:

1.  Name - each satellite must have a unique name.

2.  Bands - any combination of C, Ku, and DBS is allowed.

3.  Slot - the orbital slot of the satellite in degrees East or West.

4.  Region - choose a region from the list.

5.  Comments - you can store up to 255 characters of data here for your own reference.

Whenever you create a new satellite or modify data for an existing satellite, you will be prompted to save changes when you select another satellite from the list.

To include a satellite in your look angle calculations, you must add it to a workspace.  See Creating and Modifying Workspaces for details.


Editing Location Data

To open the Location Database for editing, you can:

1.  Select “Edit Location Database” from the edit menu.

2.  Double-click a location in the Location Data Tree or the Location List.

3.  Right-click a location in the Location Data Tree and choose “Edit Location Data” from the popup menu.

You can add or remove locations from the database or edit data for existing locations.  AcuSat maintains the following data fields for each location:

1.  Name - each location must have a unique name.

2.  Site Latitude - latitude in degrees North or South.

3.  Site Longitude - longitude in degrees East or West.

4.  Magnetic Variation - magnetic variation for the location.

5.  Region - choose a region from the list.

By default, AcuSat will calculate the magnetic variation for the location when you save it.  This

calculation is essentially accurate to +/- .5 degrees, but cannot account for local fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field.  If you have a reliable reference that can give you the actual variation for your location, use it.

To enter your own value for magnetic variation, clear the “Calculate Variation Automatically” checkbox and enter the value in the box, and check the option button for degrees East or West.  For more information, see Magnetic Variation Calculations.

Whenever you create a new location or modify data for an existing location, you will be prompted to save changes when you select another location from the list.

To calculate look angles for a location, you must add it to a workspace.  See Creating and Modifying Workspaces for details.


Magnetic Variation
Magnetic variation (also referred to as magnetic deviation or magnetic declination) is the difference in degrees East or West between magnetic North and true North.


Magnetic Variation Calculations

AcuSat uses the Department of Defense World Magnetic Model for calculating magnetic variation.  It is important to note that this model is useful only for calculating the long-wavelength magnetic fluctuations due to the Earth's core.  Local fluctuations caused by irregularities in the Earth’s crust, magnetic storms, or aurora cannot be included in the model, so errors of  several degrees may be encountered in certain locations.  These errors will affect only the azimuth calculations, not elevation.

Because Magnetic North is not stationary, you should update any Magnetic Variation data that you have entered manually once a year.  If you are using the “Calculate Variation Automatically” option, you don’t need to worry about it – the DOD model accounts for the annual change.

The DOD World Magnetic Model that comes with AcuSat is accurate until the year 2000, and will slowly become less accurate after that.  For the purposes of most satellite users, this degradation in accuracy will be negligible for many years.  An updated Model will be available in 2000, and will be offered as a downloadable update.

For more information about the DOD model, visit the web site for the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Center-A  for Solid Earth Geophysics in Boulder, Colorado:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/wdc


Satellite Data Dialog

The Satellite Data Dialog provides an interface to the Satellite Database.  Here you can create new satellites for the database or edit data for existing satellites.

Satellite Name

If you are creating a new satellite, enter a unique name here.  For an existing satellite, select a name from the listbox and the name will appear here.

Band(s)

Used to display / edit the bands this satellite uses.

Orbital Slot

Display / edit the orbital slot for this satellite.

Region

Display / select the coverage region for this satellite.

Comments

Display / edit comments for this satellite.

For more information, see Editing Satellite Data.


Location Data Dialog

The Location Data Dialog provides an interface to the Location Database.  Here you can create new location for the database or edit data for existing location.

Location Name

If you are creating a new location, enter a unique name here.  For an existing location, select a name from the listbox and the name will appear here.

Latitude

Used to display / edit the site latitude for this location.

Longitude

Display / edit the site longitude for this location.

Magnetic Variation

Display / edit the magnetic variation for this location.  AcuSat calculates this value by default.  If you have a reliable reference for this value and want to enter it yourself, clear the “Calculate Variation Automatically” checkbox and enter a value.  See Magnetic Variation Calculations for more information.

Region

Display / select the region for this satellite.

For more information, see Editing Location Data.


Satellite Details Dialog

The Satellite Details Dialog provides a summary of information about the current satellite and location.  Clicking the “Edit Data” button opens the Satellite Data Dialog.


Grid Options Dialog

The Grid Options Dialog allows you to modify the presentation of the data in the Satellite Grid.  These settings only affect the current workspace.

Sort Order

Satellites in the Satellite Grid can be sorted according to their orbital slot or alphabetically by name.

Azimuth

AcuSat can display either true azimuth or magnetic azimuth based on the magnetic variation for the current location.

Show Bands

Allows you to filter the display to show only frequency bands you are interested in.  Any combination of bands can be checked.

Satellite Names

Check the “Display Slot Value With Satellite Name” checkbox if you want the slot assignment for each satellite displayed along with its name.  Slot values displayed here are rounded to the nearest whole degree.  Slot values displayed in the Details Window  are displayed with .1 degree accuracy.  AcuSat uses the more precise value in making its look-angle calculations.


Details Window

The Details Window displays the current satellite.  Clicking the “Detailed Report” button opens the Satellite Details Dialog.


Location Window

The Current Location is displayed at the top of this window.  The Location List is directly below.  You can change the Current Location by selecting it in the list.


Arc Display
The Arc Display

The Arc Display contains the Satellite Grid, a description of the Band Filters currently in use, and the “Grid Options” button, which displays the Grid Options Dialog.  The azimuth and elevation calculations in the Satellite Grid are based on the current location.  The satellites in the grid are displayed according to the sorting and filtering options in the Grid Options Dialog.


Location List
The Location List contains all the locations in the current workspace.  The current location is selected from the list.


Band Filters
The Band Filters allow the user to limit the satellites being displayed according to frequency band.


Satellite Grid
The Satellite Grid displays satellites in the current workspace. The satellites in the workspace are sorted and filtered according to the settings in the Grid Options Dialog.  The current satellite is selected from this grid.


Print Options Dialog

The Print Options Dialog appears whenever the Print or Print Preview menu items are selected.  Select from the following options to format your printed reports:

Print Look Angles For

You can print the look angles for the current location, or you can batch print look angles for all the locations in this workspace.

Font

Allows you to choose the font for your printed reports.


Data Pane
Database Pane

The Database Pane contains the Database Tab Control, which determines whether the Satellite Data Tree or the Location Data Tree is visible.  Move between them by clicking the tabs.

The Database Pane displays all the satellites and locations in the AcuSat database.  You can edit an item in either tree by double-clicking it.  Items are added to the workspace from these trees by dragging them into the Workspace Pane or by other methods described in Creating and Modifying Workspaces.


Satellite Data Tree

The Satellite Data Tree displays all the satellites in the AcuSat database.  The satellites are grouped by region.  The nodes of the tree can be expanded or collapsed by double-clicking the folder image at the node or by clicking the small +/- button to the left of the folder image.

See Creating and Modifying Workspaces for more information on how to use the data trees.


Location Data Tree

The Location Data Tree displays all the locations in the AcuSat database.  The locations are grouped by region.  The nodes of the tree can be expanded or collapsed by double-clicking the folder image at the node or by clicking the small +/- button to the left of the folder image.

See Creating and Modifying Workspaces for more information on how to use the data trees.


Workspace Pane

The Workspace Pane contains the Location Window, Details Window and the Arc Display.  These windows display all the data in the current workspace.

See Creating and Modifying Workspaces for more information on how to use the Workspace Pane.


Support

Online support for AcuSat is available from:

The AcuSat Web Site:  www.acusat.com

E-mail:  support@acusat.com


purchase
Purchase Information

To purchase AcuSat by mail, send a money order or a check drawn on a U.S. bank for $90.00 US to:

Blue Ravine Software

P.O. Box 6477

Folsom, CA 95763-6477

CA residents add 7.75% sales tax ($6.98).

For online purchase information, visit the AcuSat Web Site at www.acusat.com.


FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

I added a new location to the database, but it doesn’t show up in the list of locations that I can calculate look angles for.  What’s wrong?

Before a new satellite or location can be used for any calculations, you must add it to the workspace.  Find the new location in the Location Data Tree and drag it into the Location List in the workspace.  If you added a new satellite, you would drag it into the Satellite Grid.

I dragged a satellite from the Satellite Data Tree into the Satellite Grid, but it still doesn’t show up.  Why can’t I see it?

The frequency band for your satellite is being blocked by the Band Filter in the Satellite Grid – i.e. the grid is set to display only Ku-band satellites and you added a C-band satellite.  Click the Grid Options button and check the band you want displayed in the “Show Bands” checkbox group.


File Print command
Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document.   This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be printed:

Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection.  Choose the Setup option to change the printer and printer connection.

Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so  you can select a printer and printer connection.

Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

All	Prints the entire document.
Selection	Prints the currently selected text.
Pages	Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To boxes.
Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies of each page.

Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing.  Generally, lower quality printing takes less time to produce.


Print Progress Dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that AcuSat is sending output to the printer.  The page number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.


File Print Preview command
Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when printed.  When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed in their printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.


Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.


File Print Setup command
Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection.  This command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer and its connection.


Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and its connection.

Printer

Select the printer you want to use.  Choose the Default Printer; or choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current installed printers shown in the box.  You install printers and configure ports using the Windows Control Panel.

Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources.  Specify the tray here.

Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Page Setup Command
Page Setup command (File menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Overview

AcuSat is an application designed to assist satellite professionals with the task of tracking the ever-increasing volume of satellites used for broadcast operations.  AcuSat maintains a database of satellites and geographic locations, sorted by region.  The user selects locations and satellites from the database to create workspaces.  Each workspace contains a list of locations and a grid containing the satellites and look angles.  By creating these workspaces, the user views only the locations and satellites he or she wants to see.

AcuSat will also print reports based on the current workspace.  Look angles for a single location or all the locations in the workspace can be printed.  SNG operators and RV owners who do not carry a laptop computer in their vehicles will find this feature useful.


Workspace
A workspace is a user-defined document that stores locations and satellites for viewing.  The current workspace is visible in the right-hand pane of the AcuSat application.


Getting Started

When you first ran AcuSat, it opened a workspace called “United States Ku Band Satellites”.  Take a few minutes to view this workspace and see what is there.  In the upper-left portion of the workspace pane (the right-hand pane in the main window) is the Location List.  This list displays all the locations in this workspace.  As you will see from scrolling down the list, they are all cities in the U.S.  Click a city in the list and see what happens.

In the Satellite Grid (on the right side of the workspace pane), all the look angles have changed to reflect the new Current Location as you selected it in the list.  Click a satellite on the grid, and you’ll notice that the satellite data in the Details Window has changed to match the Current Satellite as you selected it in the Satellite Grid.  Clicking the Detailed Report button displays a brief summary of the information in the workspace.


Creating and Modifying Workspaces

To create a new workspace, select “New Workspace” from the File menu.  If you made any changes to the current workspace, you will be prompted to save it.

Next, add the satellites you want included in the workspace.  In the Database Pane (the left-hand pane in the main window), select the satellite tab to display the Satellite Data Tree.  Expand the “Satellites” folder by clicking the small box with the “+” in it or by double-clicking the folder.  It will expand to display a series of regions.  Expand the folder for the region you are interested in, and you will see a list of satellites.  There are several ways to add satellites to the workspace:

1.	Use the mouse to drag the satellite into the satellite grid.

1.	Right-click the satellite and choose “Add Satellite to Workspace” from the popup menu.

1.	Choose “Add Satellite to Workspace” from the Edit menu.

You can add all the satellites in a region by using one of these methods on a region folder rather than an individual satellite.

When you have added all the satellites you want, click the location tab in the Database Pane.  Use the same process to add locations to the workspace as you did to add satellites, but note that you must drag locations into the Location List rather than the Satellite Grid.

You can remove a satellite or a location from the workspace by:

1.	Right-clicking it and choosing “Remove (Satellite or Location) from Workspace” on the pop-up menu

1.	Left-clicking it and choosing “Remove (Satellite or Location) from Workspace” from the Edit menu.

1.	Left-clicking it and pressing the Delete key or Ctrl-X.


Current Location
The Current Location is the location currently selected in the Location List.  All look angle calculations are based on this location.


Current Satellite
The Current Satellite is the satellite currently selected in the Satellite Grid.  This satellite appears with the Current Location in the Details Window.