NAME
    psatcal - print coming satellite passes from *predict*

SYNOPSIS
    psatcal [-h] [-v] [-d *days*] [-e *minimum elevation*] [-p *predict
    server*] [-t *start time*] [-s *list of satellites*] [-l]

DESCRIPTION
    Print coming satellite passes from the *predict* multi-user satellite
    tracking and orbital prediction program written by John A. Magliacane,
    KD2BD. The idea is to get a paper calendar of the coming satellite
    passes to see when to switch on the radio. This kind of calendar is
    useful for fixed station or mobile operation when exact control of
    elevation and azimuth is not possible or is not needed due to omni
    directional antenna.

    The *predict* needs to be started in server mode with *-s* switch. Read
    the *predict* manual page to see how to setup the predict server.
    *psatcal* sends "PREDICT satname unixseconds" query to the *predict*
    server and reads back the parameters from the coming passes within
    following *-d days*. Only passes with closes approach elevation at least
    *-e minimum elevation* are included. The list of coming passes is sorted
    in time and the passes are printed with parameters:

    *aos* acquisition of signal time in UTC

    *los* loss of signal time in UTC

    *sat* short satellite name

    *el* elevation at time of closest approach (TCA)

    *range* range in kilometers at time of closest approach

    *compass* direction for the satellite pass

    *sun* flag to show if the satellite is in sun "*" or possibly visible
    "+"

    *up[kHz]down* rough estimate of Doppler shift for up- and downlink
    frequencies at AOS in kHz, at LOS the signs are inverted

    *up [dB] down [dB]* minimum/maximum free path signal attenuation in dB
    for up- and downlinks

OPTIONS
    -h display a short help text

    -v print version

    -d how many days to print, default is one day

    -e minimum satellite elevation at TCA, default is 10 degrees

    -p predict server, default is localhost:1210

    -t start time in unix seconds, default is 0 or now

    -s list of satellites

    -l ask from *predict* list of satellites in database

EXAMPLE
    Print AO-51 and VO-52 passes for seven days with at least 10 degree
    elevation at TCA:

              psatcal -d 7 -e 10 -s "AO-51 VO-52"

FILES
    If accessible ~/.predict/predict.db can be used to show up- and downlink
    frequencies and modes for satellites with switch -l. You need to edit
    $preddb variable in the script. The up- and downlink frequencies for
    doppler calculation are also "hard wired" in variables %fup and %fdown.

DIAGNOSTICS
    The *psatcal* has been tested with *predict* v2.2.3 and with perl
    v5.8.0. It uses Socket and Getopt::Std perl modules. You may need to
    adapt the script to your environment.

BUGS
    The Doppler shift is only rough estimation. The program breaks if there
    is no frequency data for the satellite or the satellite is not known by
    predict.

AUTHORS
    The socket communication is based on the predict *demo* client written
    by Rich Parry, W9IF.

    Jaakko Koivuniemi OH7BF, if tod lars ta fb7ho

SEE ALSO
    predict(1), Socket(3pm), Getopt::Std(3pm)