[amsat-bb] Re: Puters??

[Len Revelle]

Hey Jerry and welcome to the birds,

I've been more of a listener than a user for the past few years with a  
few flurries of activity. I am getting active again myself.

I own an Arrow to be used with the D7 or VX-8 but that has been mostly  
procrastination to date.

As to software, I have tried all the free packages and all are  
relatively decent. I used, and registered, SatPC32 for the most part  
and found it very good. I particularly like the fact that it will  
drive multiple radio types, e.g. an FT-817 and an IC-706Mk2g, or any  
combination of the typical DC-daylight multi-modes available today.  
The learning curve was a tad long for me but that may just be me. All  
apps have their quirks and nuances. Since I have bailed from all  
things Windows wherever possible, I now use MacDoppler and really like  
it though it will not drive the multi-mode HF/V/U radios as does  
SatPC32. Both MacDoppler and SatPC32 licenses are available at AMSAT  
for a discount.

That said. The tracking software one uses depends largely upon  
equipment. If you are planning to use AZ/EL rotors you need a package  
that includes the rotor drivers for your controller. None of them work  
with all rotor controllers. If you plan the hand-held antenna/ HT  
route you may only need something like PocketSat+, an older Windows  
Mobile app that displays tracks only. It works well in my smartphone  
and other hand-held computers.

Len Revelle N9IJ
n9ij at comcast.net



On Apr 19, 2009, at 7:45 AM, n3tl at bellsouth.net wrote:

> Hey Jerry,
>
> There are a number of software packages available that will allow  
> you to connect one or two radios to your computer and provide  
> Doppler-tuning through the program.
>
>