I loved using the manuel method! I even went so far as to derive the orbit equations myself. But it was exciting when the tracking software for the Timex Z-81. Still have have one in the shack.

Dave

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-----Original Message-----

From: "i8cvs" domenico.i8cvs@tin.it Subj: [amsat-bb] Re: NASA 2 Line via mail? Date: Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:07 am Size: 1K To: "J.D. Smith" jaydsmit@gmail.com; "AMSAT-BB" amsat-bb@amsat.org

Hi Smith, N4VIL

Early in 1972 I was receiving by regular post the 2 Line Orbital Data from Goddard to be used for the meteorological satellites ESSA-8, NIMBUS and TIROS

For traching I used as well the azimuthal map of the earth with a foot print transparent overly and a revolving satellite orbital path.

Yes...no computers at all in the Ham shack at that time but manual tracking using a map a pencil and a clock was a beginning very useful and exciting.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico

----- Original Message ----- From: "J.D. Smith" jaydsmit@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:15 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: NASA 2 Line via mail?

Rich,

I remember receiving the two line elements from Goddard in the

mid-eighties.

I was just getting into amateur radio, but was only using the data to predict visual sightings of the shuttle and satellites. I believe the list

I

received was a generic for visable satellites. I used the data to manually plot an orbital track with grease pencil on a piece of acetate, using it

as

an overlay on a map of the earth. I'm sure there's probably more than a

few

people here that did the same 'back in the day'. Aren't computers great!

73,

J.D. Smith N4VIL _______________________________________________ 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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