Any recommendations for a tracking program?

Philip Chien (kc4yer@amsat.org)
Tue, 4 Mar 1997 10:43:41 -0500

I'm helping to set up a tracking program for a museum.

I'm looking for something with some specific characteristics, and don't
know enough about Windows tracking programs, so I was hoping that somebody
would have some suggestions.

1)  Must have a graphical map of the world
2)  Fully functional (e.g. not crippled) freeware or shareware
3)  capability to automatically run from a .BAT file or Startup folder when
the computer is powered on
4)  Capability to semi-automatically update and maintain elements through
Macros, automatic Internet access, whatever.
5)  Accurate predictions of satellite visibility status
6)  Capability to print tables both to printer and file of predicted
visible passes


In general it's something which I have to be able to teach museum
volunteers to operate and maintain.  Anything which is automated or
requires low amounts of user maintenance is highly desirable.

I will not use a crippled program which has incomplete capabilities or a
limited amount of time for access.  However the museum is willing to pay a
license fee for whatever program is eventually used.


Orbittrack for the Macintosh and Tracksat 2.8 for DOS have most of these
capabilities, but I'm looking for something in the Windows world which
could meet these requirements.

Any suggestions?


Philip Chien, KC4YER@amsat.org
Earth News - space writer and consultant