[amsat-bb] Tracking

[Burns Fisher]

Joe,

Part of the question is whether you actually DO have the clock set
correctly on your computer.  Both the time and the time zone.  I can
imagine a web-based program that works either from an external time source
(i.e on the web server) or that gets the time from your browser.  I don't
know web page does which, but you might as well be sure you have your
computer clock right.

The other things that cause variation is if the keplerian elements are up
to date, and how fast the elements are changing (which generally relates to
the stability of the orbit you are trying to track).  The AMSAT page should
be pretty up to date.  If you can download from Celestrak, those will be up
to date.  (AO-85 won't be there....get them from amsat.org).

There are also several programs that work on iPhone (and probably others as
well).  I use PocketSat3 on the iPhone.  It is always very close to what
SatPC32 says on my PC, and that matches when I get signals from AO-85, so I
guess they are right :-)  BTW, I'm not say SatPC32 is any better than
Orbitron.  They both should be fine if given the right data.  I don't know
about HRD, but I have no reason to believe it would be wrong, again if give
the right data.

So I guess the summary that I'd suggest making sure your PC time AND DATE
is correct even if you are using a web-based program.  iPhones generally
keep pretty good time, and phone-based programs also work well.

73,

Burns, W2BFJ

On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 9:51 AM, Joe <nss at mwt.net> wrote:

> As in when is a bird gonna come by?
>
> I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?"
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg
> It never ever failed.
>
> I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds.
> But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar
> 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
>
> My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try
> display totally different pass times.
>
> Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The
> tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions
> could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly
> the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a
> orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other
> words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is
> just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
>
> BUT............
>
> And there always is a but isn't there.
>
> Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are,
> and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly
> over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago
> regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is?
> I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different
> places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
>
> What is someone to do!?
>
> Joe WB9SBD
> EN43
> --
> Sig
> The Original Rolling Ball Clock
> Idle Tyme
> Idle-Tyme.com
> http://www.idle-tyme.com
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>