As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43
Hi Joe,
Try http://amsat.org.ar/pass.htm hope it helps.
73, lu7abf, Pedro Converso
On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 11:51 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43 -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Joe,
Part of the question is whether you actually DO have the clock set correctly on your computer. Both the time and the time zone. I can imagine a web-based program that works either from an external time source (i.e on the web server) or that gets the time from your browser. I don't know web page does which, but you might as well be sure you have your computer clock right.
The other things that cause variation is if the keplerian elements are up to date, and how fast the elements are changing (which generally relates to the stability of the orbit you are trying to track). The AMSAT page should be pretty up to date. If you can download from Celestrak, those will be up to date. (AO-85 won't be there....get them from amsat.org).
There are also several programs that work on iPhone (and probably others as well). I use PocketSat3 on the iPhone. It is always very close to what SatPC32 says on my PC, and that matches when I get signals from AO-85, so I guess they are right :-) BTW, I'm not say SatPC32 is any better than Orbitron. They both should be fine if given the right data. I don't know about HRD, but I have no reason to believe it would be wrong, again if give the right data.
So I guess the summary that I'd suggest making sure your PC time AND DATE is correct even if you are using a web-based program. iPhones generally keep pretty good time, and phone-based programs also work well.
73,
Burns, W2BFJ
On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 9:51 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43 -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I have found the AMSAT-US website predictor to be very reliable:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/index.php [2]
At least for the satellites I track.
Get your 6 digit grid locator, plug it in and go.
Steve AI9IN
On 2015-12-21 09:51, Joe wrote:
As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg [1] http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg [1] It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43
Links: ------ [1] http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg [2] http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/index.php
See below for answers,,, Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 12/21/2015 9:32 AM, Burns Fisher wrote:
Joe,
Part of the question is whether you actually DO have the clock set correctly on your computer. Both the time and the time zone. I can imagine a web-based program that works either from an external time source (i.e on the web server) or that gets the time from your browser. I don't know web page does which, but you might as well be sure you have your computer clock right.
Well that I know is correct, according to WWV at least it is and via RF not a possible delay via a internet based time thing. I have WWV playing and watch the time change at the tone.. It is sooo close I doubt if it is even a tenth of a second off.
The other things that cause variation is if the keplerian elements are up to date, and how fast the elements are changing (which generally relates to the stability of the orbit you are trying to track). The AMSAT page should be pretty up to date. If you can download from Celestrak, those will be up to date. (AO-85 won't be there....get them from amsat.org).
Been there done that often,,, no differences...
There are also several programs that work on iPhone (and probably others as well). I use PocketSat3 on the iPhone. It is always very close to what SatPC32 says on my PC, and that matches when I get signals from AO-85, so I guess they are right :-) BTW, I'm not say SatPC32 is any better than Orbitron. They both should be fine if given the right data. I don't know about HRD, but I have no reason to believe it would be wrong, again if give the right data.
So I guess the summary that I'd suggest making sure your PC time AND DATE is correct even if you are using a web-based program. iPhones generally keep pretty good time, and phone-based programs also work well.
No I phones here, cell service here in the boonies is like dialup speeds if at all. more like a 1940's party line phone system he he he.
Joe WB9SBD
73,
Burns, W2BFJ
On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 9:51 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43 -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
just now on FO-29 from FM66
Joe
If you like the Oscar locator take a look here, http://www.tomdoyle.org/HomePage/HomePage.html The fourth one down. Download,enter your grid locator, make sure your computer clock is correct and select satellite and your good to go. Wont point your antennas or run your rig but it like the Oscar locator your use to, just the computer version. I use Satpc32 and if you have your location, PC clock and the Kep's up to date you should be pretty close. Good Luck
73 John W0JW
On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 9:42 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
See below for answers,,, Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 12/21/2015 9:32 AM, Burns Fisher wrote:
Joe,
Part of the question is whether you actually DO have the clock set correctly on your computer. Both the time and the time zone. I can imagine a web-based program that works either from an external time source (i.e on the web server) or that gets the time from your browser. I don't know web page does which, but you might as well be sure you have your computer clock right.
Well that I know is correct, according to WWV at least it is and via RF not a possible delay via a internet based time thing. I have WWV playing and watch the time change at the tone.. It is sooo close I doubt if it is even a tenth of a second off.
The other things that cause variation is if the keplerian elements are up to date, and how fast the elements are changing (which generally relates to the stability of the orbit you are trying to track). The AMSAT page should be pretty up to date. If you can download from Celestrak, those will be up to date. (AO-85 won't be there....get them from amsat.org).
Been there done that often,,, no differences...
There are also several programs that work on iPhone (and probably others as well). I use PocketSat3 on the iPhone. It is always very close to what SatPC32 says on my PC, and that matches when I get signals from AO-85, so I guess they are right :-) BTW, I'm not say SatPC32 is any better than Orbitron. They both should be fine if given the right data. I don't know about HRD, but I have no reason to believe it would be wrong, again if give the right data.
So I guess the summary that I'd suggest making sure your PC time AND DATE is correct even if you are using a web-based program. iPhones generally keep pretty good time, and phone-based programs also work well.
No I phones here, cell service here in the boonies is like dialup speeds if at all. more like a 1940's party line phone system he he he.
Joe WB9SBD
73,
Burns, W2BFJ
On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 9:51 AM, Joe [email protected] wrote:
As in when is a bird gonna come by?
I'm an old timer. Remember the "Oscarlocator?" http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/images/oscarlocator.jpg It never ever failed.
I am seriously interested in getting active again on many of the birds. But unless I fix a problem I am having I won't be I'll go back to EME Oscar 1 or was that Oscar 0? And other weak signal modes.
My problem is. pass predictions. Many of the different sources I try display totally different pass times.
Now I can understand with the two "Programs" I use, ( Orbitron & The tracker in HRD ) if I don't have something set right the pass predictions could be in error. My fault. weven tho I could set up both programs exactly the same. I still get passes that are not the same. sometimes like 1/2 a orbit off. other times even worse the passes are like 1 pass off in other words one program says the pass is just ending, and the other says it is just beginning. But again, this all could be operator error.
BUT............
And there always is a but isn't there.
Web page based trackers, now those should work no matter where you are, and what time your computer says it is true? I mean is a bird is directly over say Chicago, shouldn't every web site show it being over Chicago regardless or where you are or what time your computer says it is? I look at like 4 different pages and they have the same bird in different places. some again 1/2 an orbit wromng, some like 10 minutes different.
What is someone to do!?
Joe WB9SBD EN43 -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (6)
-
Burns Fisher -
EC4TR Luis -
Joe -
John Fickes -
Pedro Converso -
skristof＠etczone.com