Re: PREDICT for DOS configuration question
WA4SCA said :
, so now to figure out the scheduling.
As I recall (without looking) the InstantTrack method, something like 000B045S090B270 would indicate mode B from 000 to 045, mode S from 045 to 090, back to B, etc for an orbital schedule, but as Greg says we don't have any of those. Maybe a test of something like that would at least show if the format was similar for Predict. I can't think of what else it might be useful for. I don't think we have any that would use a weekly schedule either, but I understand the general query to find the formats ...
With source code in hand (on screen), I'm sure someone (with more time on their hands than me) could figure out what it was looking for, and how it was formatted. .. Or someone might show up and just tell us.
Good luck Alan... /;^)
Interesting - I have no predict.db file. I've never seen any mention of it in the source code, either. Just to clarify and hopefully resolve my brain fog, I am referring to KD2BD's version 2.2.1D of predict for DOS, released Nov 4, 2002. If there is a more recent version not mentioned on his website, I'd be interested in obtaining it.
website I'm referring to - http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/predict.html
Or perhaps someone else has taken the source and modded it as I have over the years. I know the software has much more versatility under Linux, but right now I'm just concerned with the latest DOS build.
Tnx, Rich, N8UX
At 10:48 AM 3/14/2009, you wrote:
WA4SCA said :
, so now to figure out the scheduling.As I recall (without looking) the InstantTrack method, something like 000B045S090B270 would indicate mode B from 000 to 045, mode S from 045 to 090, back to B, etc for an orbital schedule, but as Greg says we don't have any of those. Maybe a test of something like that would at least show if the format was similar for Predict. I can't think of what else it might be useful for. I don't think we have any that would use a weekly schedule either, but I understand the general query to find the formats ...
With source code in hand (on screen), I'm sure someone (with more time on their hands than me) could figure out what it was looking for, and how it was formatted. .. Or someone might show up and just tell us.
Good luck Alan... /;^)
<- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->
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Hi Rich,
Actually, I am using Predict 2.2.1, but under Linux. I don't recall how the ALON/ALAT info was entered, but I probably just went into the database to edit it. I agree, there doesn't seem to be a user interface to that data.
Where are you looking for the database file? The program is old enough that it probably doesn't have the modern default file location under My Documents, but rather whatever directory you happen to be in when you run it, or perhaps wherever the program is installed. Do you get the "Welcome to Predict!" message every time you run it? If so, it's not finding the database either, so maybe there is a problem with the file system and the file isn't being created.
Greg KO6TH
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:44:07 -0400 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org From: redailey1@gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: PREDICT for DOS configuration
Interesting - I have no predict.db file. I've never seen any mention of it in the source code, either. Just to clarify and hopefully resolve my brain fog, I am referring to KD2BD's version 2.2.1D of predict for DOS, released Nov 4, 2002. If there is a more recent version not mentioned on his website, I'd be interested in obtaining it.
website I'm referring to - http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/predict.html
Or perhaps someone else has taken the source and modded it as I have over the years. I know the software has much more versatility under Linux, but right now I'm just concerned with the latest DOS build.
Tnx, Rich, N8UX
At 10:48 AM 3/14/2009, you wrote:
WA4SCA said :
, so now to figure out the scheduling.As I recall (without looking) the InstantTrack method, something like 000B045S090B270 would indicate mode B from 000 to 045, mode S from 045 to 090, back to B, etc for an orbital schedule, but as Greg says we don't have any of those. Maybe a test of something like that would at least show if the format was similar for Predict. I can't think of what else it might be useful for. I don't think we have any that would use a weekly schedule either, but I understand the general query to find the formats ...
With source code in hand (on screen), I'm sure someone (with more time on their hands than me) could figure out what it was looking for, and how it was formatted. .. Or someone might show up and just tell us.
Good luck Alan... /;^)
<- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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Where are you looking for the database file? The program is old enough that it probably doesn't have the modern default file location under My Documents, but rather whatever directory you happen to be in when you run it, or perhaps wherever the program is installed. Do you get the "Welcome to Predict!" message every time you run it? If so, it's not finding the database either, so maybe there is a problem with the file system and the file isn't being created.
Greg, et al,
Problem was on my end. A not-so-senior moment, a brain fade, I was not paying attention. I was not using ver 2.2.1D, but rather an older version that I had modified back around 2000. Downloaded the latest zip archive from KD2BD's website, and lo, there was the missing .DB file, as well as new docs, and a fresh .EXE with all the latest SGP4/SDP4 improvements (2002).
Time really got away from me here. Back in 2000 I was having a lot of fun modifying the C source and building my own DOS and Linux versions of predict that displayed many more satellites on the screen, as well as calculating rise times for more than 3 satellites at a time on the (M)ulti-sat real time display. I was also working with the Fodtrack interface, and following along with AO-40 preparations, culminating in modifying a 10 ft satellite dish to receive telemetry from AO-40 before it went silent (read - s9 w/no preamp!). I also remember the day in 2002 when Oscar 7 came back to life somewhat. Glad to see 7 is still surprising us.
Then I had to put all things AMSAT onto the back burner until recently. So I'm playing a lil catch up with software and bringing my brain up to speed again.
Getting back to Predict for a moment. I had noticed that when I installed my old software setup (on a now much faster computer than I had 10 years ago), Predict was doing fine with several satellites, as I compared it's real time output with that of satpc32 and various online resources. But the output for several older satellites was *way* off. When I installed the latest package, this problem went away. Since I never touched the prediction model code when I was doing my mods, I can only assume that the old orbital dynamic model John was using in the program had begun to act really quirky. The new SGP4/SDP4 code is spot-on to the tenth. The ability to enter bahn coordinates and schedules is a plus also.
All in all, I like predict because it offers a minimalist approach to providing satellite data. It's snappy text based display is just right for my needs. Soon I will begin to rediscover it's operation under Linux, and all that the new distros have to offer... not to mention the quantum leap in hardware since I was last programming!
Thanks guys! tu de Rich, N8UX
participants (3)
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Alan Sieg WB5RMG -
Greg D. -
Rich Dailey (gmail)