Hi Everyone,
I've finally had time to write up a short article about a technique I use when operating the satellites portable -- hand-drawn "radar" plots.
Normally I use a netbook computer running HRD software to show the position of the satellite in the sky in real-time, but there have been occasions when I haven't been able to have the netbook with me. These hand-drawn plots are just the ticket -- it converts a line in the table of numbers from sat prediction software (ie. a print-out of a week's worth of passes from SatPC32, or a print-out from the http://amsat.org satellite tracking module) to a crude radar plot good enough to track the sat pass. Before leaving on a sat-portable road trip, I'll always bring a long printout of passes just in case the computer goes dead, so I'm not stuck without any ability to track.
(Yes, I know there are smartphone apps that will do the same thing, but I don't have a smartphone!)
(And yes, many of you probably already do the same, but up until now I haven't seen any references for how to do this...)
http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2011/12/manual-radar-plots.html
73 and Happy Holidays!
Dave KB5WIA
Dave,
You've reinvented The OSCAR Locator! :O)
73 Glenn AA5PK
----- Original Message ----- From: "David Palmer KB5WIA" kb5wia@amsat.org To: "AMSAT BB" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 7:26 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Hand-Drawn "Radar" Plots
Hi Everyone,
I've finally had time to write up a short article about a technique I use when operating the satellites portable -- hand-drawn "radar" plots.
Normally I use a netbook computer running HRD software to show the position of the satellite in the sky in real-time, but there have been occasions when I haven't been able to have the netbook with me. These hand-drawn plots are just the ticket -- it converts a line in the table of numbers from sat prediction software (ie. a print-out of a week's worth of passes from SatPC32, or a print-out from the http://amsat.org satellite tracking module) to a crude radar plot good enough to track the sat pass. Before leaving on a sat-portable road trip, I'll always bring a long printout of passes just in case the computer goes dead, so I'm not stuck without any ability to track.
(Yes, I know there are smartphone apps that will do the same thing, but I don't have a smartphone!)
(And yes, many of you probably already do the same, but up until now I haven't seen any references for how to do this...)
http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2011/12/manual-radar-plots.html
73 and Happy Holidays!
Dave KB5WIA _______________________________________________ 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
David,
Would you cross post this to amsat-edu@amsat.edu?
Here's the angle. This is exactly the type of graphing project that a school math class could use to meet STEM standards. Not only is graphing and plotting part of standards in middle schools and high schools so the the concept that heavenly bodies have a predictable movement. I would like to see the link to your page posted with a challenge to develop lesson plans around it that meet those standards. I like things that start with hands on activities that then can be ported out to demonstrate the same concept with technology. Follow it up with a satellite contact. Hooked!
Thanks for the post.
EMike McCardel, KC8YLD AMSAT-EDU Moderator
E. Michael McCardel, KC8YLD Ohio Section Affiliated Club Coordinator, ARRL
NO CODE REQUIRED When All Else Fails... There's Amateur Radio Learn more via www.ARRL.org
On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 8:26 PM, David Palmer KB5WIA kb5wia@amsat.orgwrote:
Hi Everyone,
I've finally had time to write up a short article about a technique I use when operating the satellites portable -- hand-drawn "radar" plots.
Normally I use a netbook computer running HRD software to show the position of the satellite in the sky in real-time, but there have been occasions when I haven't been able to have the netbook with me. These hand-drawn plots are just the ticket -- it converts a line in the table of numbers from sat prediction software (ie. a print-out of a week's worth of passes from SatPC32, or a print-out from the http://amsat.org satellite tracking module) to a crude radar plot good enough to track the sat pass. Before leaving on a sat-portable road trip, I'll always bring a long printout of passes just in case the computer goes dead, so I'm not stuck without any ability to track.
(Yes, I know there are smartphone apps that will do the same thing, but I don't have a smartphone!)
(And yes, many of you probably already do the same, but up until now I haven't seen any references for how to do this...)
http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2011/12/manual-radar-plots.html
73 and Happy Holidays!
Dave KB5WIA _______________________________________________ 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
participants (3)
-
David Palmer KB5WIA -
Edwin M. "EMike" McCardel, KC8YLD -
Glenn AA5PK