               ****************
               * SAT_EXPLORER *
               ****************

            by Gabriel Rivat F6DQM
            =======================

SAT_EXPLORER is a free software for satellite and EME users.

Minimum configuration : WinXP and +
Mandatory files (in the same directory as Sat_Explorer.exe):
 * Sat_Explorer.exe
 * NTPort.dll
 * zntport.sys (to be recopied in WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/DRIVERS directory if WinNT, 2000, XP/ 7/ 8/ 10
   and the parallel port is used). 
   Two different copies of this driver are available : one 
   for 32bits (X86) and one for 64bits system (X64).
   If using the install package, they will be automatically installed in the right system directory.
 * A two-Element-line file (see celestrack.com or AMSAT site )

When you create a shortcut on the bureau, be sure that the starting repertory is
the one that contains Sat_Explorer.

It provides visibility forcasts as a waiting delay and a visibility duration very
quickly and all the time.
Ten (and even more) satellites can be monitored simultaneously.

The program is written to be run as a background task while you are running other
programs in your PC or doing odd jobs.

If you specify it, when a satellite is approaching, a sound alarm will be sent.
The program will be restored on screen if it was reduced in the task bar and the
name of the approaching satellite will blink yellow for a quick view.

As soon as a satellite is visible, the name of the satellite blinks green; an 
alarm is optionaly sent and the program window is restored on screen if it was 
reduced in the task bar.

When a satellite disappears, its next visibility is immediatly computed and 
monitoring restarts for this new visibility.

For each of the monitored satellites, SAT_EXPLORER provides a detailled 
description of the next or current visibility, minute by minute : elevation, 
azimuth, range, altitude, position, phase and Doppler shift.
You can choose to monitor a further visibility if the next one is unusable 
because of a too low or to short visibility.

As said before, this software is a continuous forecasting aid for satellite users.

It required Win95 or more and a TWO-LINE-ELEMENTS file in NASA format to run 
correctly. You will find such a file on the radioamateur packet network or on the
Net (try celestrack.com for example) but if you are a satellite user, you probably
already have such a file in your computer.

It is possible to monitor several sets of satellites with Sat_Explorer : just 
duplicate the executable in as many directories and run each of them separatly 
with their own set of satellites.
You may create a shortcut for Oscar satellites, another one for meteo satellites,
etc.

VERY IMPORTANT : 
While running this program under VISTA, WIN7, 8, 10 from a sub-directory under the directory Program Files, 
you will have to start this program as administrator anyway for getting full access to all functions of it, especially the recording of text files, image files, sound files. 
If you don’t do that, the produced files won’t be accessible because of the UserAccountControl (UAC) of Windows.
If you don’t want to run the program as admin, you have to install it in a sub-directory which is NOT under C:\Program Files,
but anyw<here else, for example C:\MyPrograms\. There, the function of the UAC takes no effect.

The very last release is available on my site :
http://f6dqm.free.fr

Best 73s and good trafic via satellites
Gabriel Rivat F6DQM

History :
VERSION 3.7.3
=============
- To mask script errors when downloading TLE files.

VERSION 3.7.2
=============
- Minor fixes

VERSION 3.7.1
=============
- to fix an anomaly when stopping the Moon tracking
- to fully display the long date format

VERSION 3.6.9
===========
- to fix an anomaly when downloading TLE files

VERSION 3.6.8
=============
- To replace ioctrl.dll by ntport.dll

VERSION 3.6.7
=============
- Extended treatment of the LPT port addresses

VERSION 3.6.6
=============
- to update ioctrl.dll (cancelled in release 3.6.7)
- to fix install executable for 64bit architecture
- To update space-track login procedure

VERSION 3.6.4
============
- To set elevation offset of EGIS between +/-45 degrees
- To fix an error generated in previous release

VERSION 3.6.3
=============
- Minor corrections
- To update the help files

VERSION 3.6.2
=============
- When sun tracking, to compute angles every second.
- Also to position antenna every second if necessary.
- Also to design the displays such as those of the moon.

VERSION 3.6.1
=============
- To fix an anomaly in the EGIS commands

VERSION 3.6.0
=============
- To add spanish language (Translation by JuanPablo Garcia, EA4CIV)

VERSION 3.5.8
=============
- To fix an error in previous release

VERSION 3.5.7
=============
- Optimization of the generation time of the EME coverage map
- Update of the help in Spanish (Juan Pablo EA4CIV)
- Update of the help in german (Eckert DJ4UF)

VERSION 3.5.6
=============
- To adapt the EME coverage image with unusual display settings of Windows configuration.

VERSION 3.5.5
=============
- To update the help files and to access help topics from the related program windows. 

VERSION 3.5.4
=============
- Several improvements of the code.

VESRION 3.5.3
=============
- to fix an error

VERSION 3.5.2
=============
- To set the number of satellites per group to a maximum of 15 instead of 10.

VERSION 3.5.0
=============
- To add the tracking of the Moon in using buit-in algorithms instead of 2-line file.
  The pointing accuracy is said to be better than 0.1°.
- To add the antenna interface EGIS.

VERSION 3.4.4 à 3.4.9
=====================
- Test releases

VERSION 3.4.3
=============
- To add DXCC prefixes

VERSION 3.4.2
=============
- To replace www.f6dqm.fr by f6dqm.free.fr

VERSION 3.4.1
=============
- To add sub-menu for direct access to the spanish help
- To add LPT driver for 64-bits architecture
- New release of ioctrl.dll library 

VERSION 3.3.8
=============
- Option to display the current time in 24-hour format. This is for users living in countries where the 
  system time is in the 12-hour format (HH + AM/PM).
- To fix an error in the display of the successive visibilities (following release 3.3.2).

VERSION 3.3.7
=============
- To fix an error in the horizontal hour scale of the 24H Timetable which happenned when the local time system 
  is in a 12-hour format (AM/PM)

VERSION 3.3.6
=============
- For space-track, the LOGIN procedure is now supported by Sat_Explorer prior to downloading
  For other sites requiring a login procedure, it still has to be done manually by the user.
- Option for automatic downloading if the TLE file is too old.


VERSION 3.3.5
=============
- Add hints when the mouse moves over some elements of the map.

VERSION 3.3.4
=============
- Add error messages when a COM port is unavailable.

VERSION 3.3.3
=============
- To re-organize the menus of the map
- Option to display only the current position and current coverage of the satellite 
  (visible or not).
- Option to create a HTML page and a JPG image of the map every minute. Option to upload this page
  on a FTP server (must be authorized by the firewall)
- Option to have the map always on top (never masked by other windows)
- Option to by-pass the control of the TLE checksums (not recommended !)


VERSION 3.3.2
===========
- To improve the drawing of the satellite visibility areas on the ground (better precision).

VERSION 3.3.1
===========
- In the menu Group/AZ Beam (Azimuth control only), introduction of data bases for
 DXCC, CB, US-WAS (US States), F-DDFM (French departments) and a personnal list
for immediate beaming toward all these directions.

VERSION 3.3.0
===========
- Add the control of the M2-ORION 2800Px rotor interface (last model)
- To fix an error in the saving of the configuration that use serial ports.

VERSION 3.2.9
============
- to add an important note in the EA4TX antenna thumbnail about the usage of the ARSVCOM software which replace the 
  ARSWIN software.
- To fix a possible error when launching the program relating to the restoring of the serial port which is chosen by the user.

VERSION 3.2.8
============
-To add a button in the About window which allows to verify if the user uses the last release.
 
VERSION 3.2.6
============
- To fix errors generated by particuliar releases of Windows 7.
 
VESRION 3.2.1
=============
- In menu, option to search for a new release on the WEB site of the author

VERSION 3.1.9
============
- On the map, option to create a fast motion of the satellite up to its next visibility

VERSION 3.1.8
============
- To replace .hlp help files by .chm help files

VERSION 3.1.6
=============
- to modify login procedure (for example for sat-track.org)
- to add different separator choice in the DXCC list

VERSION 3.1.5
=============
- to fix an error with the decimal separator in the DXCC list

VERSION 3.1.4
=============
- To fix a bug in the treatment of COM ports
- To fix a bug in the treatement of the Parking command for the ProSistel interface

VERSION 3.1.2
=============
- 5 new maps of the Earth

VERSION 3.1.1
=============
- Small modifications for Windows7
- Better precision when displaying the satellite and its footprints on the map. 
- To update the DXCC list which is used in the display of the common visibility between two stations.
- Add moon TLE for 2013 and 2014

VERSION 3.1.0
=============
- Only display the existing COM ports in the thumbnails of antenna interface intitialisation.

VERSION 3.0.9
===========
- Availablity of recent release displayed in the Info menu
- Option to automatically control this availability when opening the program

VERSION 3.0.8
===========
- Improve the login control for space-track.com
- Add the Browse button to make easier the typing of the destination file of downloaded TLE file

VERSION 3.0.7
============
- Add HTTPS for downloading TLE files

VERSION 3.0.6
=============
- Add button in the 24 hour window to print the starting time and the ending time of visibilty of the 
  satellites for the next 24 hours.

VERSION 3.0.5
=============
- Add choice "360 or 450°" for the azimut calibration factor for POURSAT and FODTRACK cards
- Add overlapping treatment for POURSAT and FODTRACK cards.
- Add option to "Stop tracking on 360° azimut step".

VERSION 3.0.4
=============
- Add possibility to control azimuth between 360 and 450°  if the user's interface 
  accepts overlapping (systems GS, EasyComm, TrakBox, KCT et Prosistel only).

VERSION 3.0.3e
- Save the heigth and width of the waiting window.

VERSION 3.0.3b
- COM lists up to COM14

VESRION 3.0.3
- Add PROSISTEL interface
- Change serial component

VERSION 3.0.2
- Button to clear a group

VERSION 3.0.1
- Table of renammed satellites is sorted in alphanumerical order
- A right click on a satellite of the TLE file opens the Rename window and insert
  a new record with the NORAD number and the actual name.
  If the NORAD number already exists, the focus is put on this record
- Add buttons +24 and -24 in the 24h graphical display of the visibilities to move
  to next or previous 24h.

VERSION 3.0.0
- Modification of the program to manage satellites through their NORAD number instead
  of satellite names.
- In the table of renammed satellites, replacement of the old name by the NORAD number 
  when possible

VERSION 2.9.4
- In the 24H graphical display of visibilities, a hint shows the actual date of a 
  visibility when the mouse points it.

VERSION 2.9.3
- to control the age of a TLE file and start the downloading of a new release if accepted

VERSION 2.9.2
- Option to resume tracking when pass ends.

VERSION 2.9.1
- Add option AZ-Beam to control azimuth (local or DX traffic)
- Improve saving the Info datas

Version 2.9.0
- Add offset capabilities for Az and EL
- Reduce the Movenow.com window when executed

version 2.8.9a
_ Add converter from Deg/min/sec to decimal degrees

version 2.8.9
- Add sun tracking

Version 2.8.8
- To commande the KCT interface
- Optimization of the 2-line elements file
- Pen menu

Version 2.8.7b
- display of the satellite plane orbit

Version 2.8.7
- operation mode of the satellite frequencies

Version 2.8.6
- 24 hour timetable

Version 2.8.5
- Zoom on map
- Earth night can appear dark as option
- Satellites out of work are shown in red (Celestrak inputs only)
- Other minor modifications and corrections

Version 2.8.4c
- Chooice of 8 COM ports

Version 2.8.4
-Fix bugs

Version 2.3.2
-DDE exchange
-Minor modifications

Version 2.8.3
- Possibility to rename satellites from their object number.

Version 2.8.2
- Add traking with the TRAKBOX interface

Version 2.8.0
- DDE data are compatible and treated by TRX-Manager. (www.trx-manager.com)
- TCPIP data are the same as DDE data

Version 2.7.1
- Introduction of the Login URL for WEB sites that need it
- Automatic extraction of compressed GZip files.
- Option to rename the satellites.

Version 2.7.0
- Implementation of the TCP/IP server.Many thanks to Michel F5WK for the help.
Under Win95, this release requires Windows Sockets 2.0 in your configuration
unless you will be unable to run Sat_Explorer.
The Install program is w95ws2setup.exe that you can download from the Web site
of MicroSoft.

Version 2.6.7
- New data in the DDE exchange
- Possibility to add a comment to each mode

Version 2.6.4
-Add potentially information "in eclipse"
-Delete the blinking that appeared when the map was redrawn
-Add the current coverage when the satellite is not visible
-Add az & el angles on the map when the satellite is visible
-Fix a bug when using a different starting date for calculation

Version 2.6.3
-New original map
 
Version 2.6.2
-Add italian language thanks to Vicenze Mone IK8OZV
-Option to display UTC time

Version 2.6
-Possibility to change the starting date of calculations (old passes can be 
 displayed) 
-possibility to display the orbit and satellite position until the next 
 visibility.
-Map key
-Save the last position of Map and DX windows
-Minor corrections and modifications.
-Creation of help in german language thanks to Reinhard Richter DJ1KM. All 
 german words in the program were also verified and corrected by Reinhard.

Version 2.5.2
-Fix a bug in DX squint calculation which appears in version 2.5.0
-Keep synchronisation between station et DX ephemeris in case of DX change 
 through a right click in the map

Version 2.5
-Manual command for antenna parking
-for Internet availability

Version 2.5.1
-Fix a bug with the reduced window

Version 2.4.4
-Add the possibility to associate a couple of Uplink and Downlink frequencies 
 to each mode
-Compute Doppler corrections for uplink and downlink every second and send it
 to DDE
-Possibility to change the current mode

Version 2.4.1
-Possibility to center the map on longitude 0 or longitude 180

Version 2.4.0
-Downloading 2-line-elements file from Internet
-Create a personal satellite data file
-Possibility to test and verify the antenna tracking system in Initialization
-Antenna-parking
-Save the ephemeris table to file
-Print the ephemeris table between two specific dates 

Version 2.3.1
-Fix an anomaly on map when clearing the DX station

Version 2.3
-Add a menu to reduce the Ephemerids window
-Add an option to delete the quit message
-Fix a few reported anomalies

Version 2.2.7
-EA4TX tracking

Version 2.2.4
-Fix a bug in the 2.2.2 release
-Re-organisation of the groups of satellites. Now, each group has its own 2-line
 file.

Version 2.2
-Easycomm tracking
-Correction of errors
-Add the possibility to display all the DX visibility periods during the same
 satellite visibility period.
-Compatibility with WinXP display
-Several little improvements

Version 2.1 :
-Introduce tracking for PourSat, FODTrack or GS-232 systems
-Save last DX coordinates
-Set in blue the next satellite to rise beyond the warning timeout
-Display on a Mercator map of the earth of : 
*the local station position 
*the DX sation position
*the satellite position when visible
*the current or global coverage area of the satellite during its visibility
*the footprint of the satellite during its visibility
*the sun position
*the illumination zone

========================================================



     