WSH Software

Ralph E. Taggart WB8DQT

WSHFax Version 1.5

This is the latest version (1.5) of the basic WSHFax program featured in the 5th Edition. The program is written to control the WSH Interface hardware. It is a .ZIP file containing everything you need. This version incorporates built-in help files and integrates the WSH Predict tracking function.

WSHFax Version 3.5

This is a self-extracting .ZIP file with the latest version (3.5) of WSHFax. While still compatible with the most basic VGA-equipped system, the software can generate 256 grayscale .BMP image files that can be viewed on any PC with high-end graphics capability. Words alone are not adequate to emphasize the differences in the two approaches, so try this Ver. 1.5 vs. Ver. 3.0 page to see what the new version can do with the same WSH Interface. Ver. 3.5 also supports the optional use of a GPS receiver to provide automatic up-dating and calibration of the PC clock, assuring image acquisition accurate to +/- 1-second!

Expect even more software developments in the months ahead. I have used all sorts of display systems in the past few years and some of them work really well. However, the WSH Interface, despite its low cost, can equal anything out there and it is better than most. The key is to write software to match its capabilities...

FUTURE WSHFax RELEASES:

Ver. 3.6. This version is in beta-testing and looks good. It employs unused parallel port lines to provide computer control of the station receiver. Right now it is working with both the old Vanguard WEPIX 2000 and the Hamtronics R139. In the end it should support most of the common receivers out there. The receiver frequency can be remotely set from the Main Menu, but the real power comes in the UNATTENDED mode, where the computer ALWAYS sets the receiver to the proper frequency for a specific pass! Given all the RF interference around these days, it is almost a sure thing that you will lose passes when the conventional scanning function locks up on a spurious signal. With Ver. 3.6 the frequency selection is automatic and fool-proof.

WSHFax Ver. 3.X On-line Manual

The WSHFax Ver. 3.X software versions are essentially self-prompting, but I have included this on-line manual to give you a feel for the software and its capabilities.

Tracking Software

There are a seemingly endless number of tracking programs out there, many of which are optimized for Windows and provide a wide range of functions. However, most of these "bells and whistles" are superfluous if your are using an omni-directional antenna and simply need to schedule your station operations. The Pass Schedule program, by Dr. T.S. Kelso is perfect for this situation. It is a simple DOS program (which runs just fine under Windows) that generates extremely accurate pass schedule tables for any spacecraft you select. I use this program exclusively for tracking and will be introducing software that will transform the program output directly into the AUTO.DAT files that the WSHFax software uses to support unattended operation! Dr. Kelso's Pass Schedule program, lots of other tracking programs, all Keplerian orbital elements, can be downloaded via links from his Celestrak Home Page.