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