[amsat-bb] SatPC32 12.8d is released

[Wayne Estes]

The English version of SatPC32 12.8d is now available for download on 
the author's web page.

http://www.dk1tb.de/downloadeng.htm

Here's What's New in the 12.8d version:

1. The CAT commands of the IC-9100 have been extended again. The program 
now also controls the DV mode (DV for 'Digital Voice') of the radio. The 
operating mode must be entered as DV in the file Doppler.SQF.

With the FT-817 the program now additionally supports the CWR mode.

2. All SatPC32 programs now process significantly larger Keplerian 
element source files. Especially because of the numerous new Cubesats, 
the number of data sets contained in the source files has increased 
significantly. For example the file Cubesat.txt currently contains data 
for nearly 400 satellites. The previous version of the SatPC32 programs 
could only read up to 320 data sets (only SatPC32 itself up to 500). All 
SatPC32 programs have been expanded to handle sets of up to 1500 satellites.

3. In all programs (SatPC32, SatPC32ISS, Wisat32, WinAOS and WinListen), 
the list of satellites contained in the source file ('Available' list in 
menu Satellites) is now displayed in alphabetical order to facilitate 
locating individual satellites.

4. The program SatPC32ISS now also allows the creation of up to 12 
satellite groups. The new Cubesats have also increased the number of 
'in-band' satellites. Originally, in-band operation in amateur radio was 
only available at the ISS.

5. In order to accelerate a change between the individual satellite 
groups, the 'Groups' window can now be called up by clicking on vacant 
areas of the main window, except in the Satellite menu. Such free 
positions are located on the right and left of the frequency window. 
Editing the groups (create or delete a group, add or remove satellites) 
can only be done in the Satellites menu.

6. In the Satellites menu the data sets of the satellites contained in 
the active source file can now be displayed. When called, the data set 
of the currently selected satellite is displayed. The feature helps you 
to immediately know the identifier of the satellite. This allows you to 
add an entry to the file 'AmsatNames.txt' (menu '?' > 'Auxiliary 
files'), so that the satellite can be displayed in the entire
program with its AMSAT name or with a user defined name.

7. The program has improved control of the sub-audible tone required by 
some satellites. For many years SO-50 was the only such satellite. 
Switching sub tone was no issue. Now we have several (AO-85, AO-91, 
AO-92) The program can now automatically switch the sub tone on/off when 
switching between PL tone satellites and others, changing between u/v 
and v/u satellites, changing the group, closing the program etc.

8. In addition, numerous minor changes and error corrections have been made

Some people have complained about the difficulty of manually adding a 
new satellite and its corresponding tuning information. The Programs 
menu can now launch the W9KE DopplerSqfEditor to aid this process.

Please read the instructions before installing or updating the program. 
You probably want to run the DataBackup program before updating an 
existing version. Existing registration codes work with the new version.

Thanks to Erich Eichmann DK1TB for donating this software to AMSAT. Sale 
of registration codes and CDs is a major fund raiser for AMSAT. And 
thanks to Erich for providing user support on amsat-bb and updating the 
program for 20 years. No other satellite tracking program provides such 
comprehensive radio Doppler tuning.

Wayne Estes W9AE
Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik