[amsat-bb] SatPC32 version 12.8b is released

[Wayne Estes]

SatPC32 version 12.8b is available for download at
http://www.dk1tb.de/downloadeng.htm

The main SatPC32 program window now displays more information such as 
the date of the Keplerian elements file in use.

Before upgrading your SatPC32 installation, be sure to use the new 
program (in the ZIP file) to backup your user configuration.  The 
upgrade erases all previous user configurations, but the new program 
will restore your configurations after upgrading.

The download is a demo version that requires users to enter their 
lat/lon each time the program is started.  To make the program fully 
functional, enter your existing registration code or purchase a 
registration code from the AMSAT web site:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=Software

DK1TB, the author of SatPC32 has donated the software to AMSAT.  All 
sales of SatPC32 are used to support AMSAT.

Here are the changes described in the What's New file:

1. SatPC32, SatPC32ISS, Wisat32 and SuM now support rotor control of the 
M2 RC-2800 rotor system.

2. The CAT control functions of SatPC32, SatPC32ISS and Wisat32 have 
been expanded. The programs now provide CAT control of the new Icom 
transceiver IC-9100.

3. The main windows of SatPC32 and SatPC32ISS have been slightly changed 
to make them clearer. With window size W3 the world map can be stretched 
(only SatPC32).

4. The accuracy of the rotor positions can now be adjusted for the 
particular rotor controller. SatPC32 therefore can output the rotor 
positions with 0, 1 or 2 decimals. Corrections of the antenna positions 
can automatically be saved. In previous versions that had to be done 
manually.

5. The tool 'DataBackup' has been added. The tool allows users to save 
the SatPC32 program data via mouse click and to restore them if 
necessary. After the program has been configured for the user's 
equipment the settings should be saved with 'DataBackup'. If problems 
occur later, the program can easily restore the working configuration.

6. The rotor interfaces IF-100, FODTrack, RifPC and KCT require the 
kerneldriver IOPort.SYS to be installed. Since it is a 32-bit driver it 
will not work on 64-bit Windows systems. On such systems the driver can 
cause error messages.To prevent such messages the driver can now 
optionally be deactivated.

7. SuM now outputs a DDE string with azimuth and elevation, that can be 
evaluated by client programs. Some demo files show how to program and 
configure the client.

73,
Wayne Estes W9AE
Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik