gpredict

Introduction

gpredict is a graphical opensource program to visualize satellite locations across the earth. It helps you track satellite and predict the orbit of satellites.

For TinyGS stations this is a handy tool to predict when the groundstation could potentionally be in reception range of a satellite.

Prerequisites

Make sure your system is capable of running gpredict. Either on a linux or mac system. Once installed load the application start it up and you'll be welcomed by a default screen showing a few satelites and the ISS space station.

Setup gpredict for TinyGS

In order to show up the relevant TinyGS satellites in gpredict we need to configure a new module and download the relevant TLE data.

1. Go to Edit and select Preferences
2. In General click the tab called Ground Stations and Add New
3. Fill out the relevant data, where the Latitude and Longitude are the most important to visualise your place on the world map.

4. In the TLE Update tab, click on Add TLE source. This will add a new line at the bottom names http://server.com/file.txt. Replace this text with the correct TLE url.
5. On completion click OK and go back to the main screen.
6. Click on Edit and Update TLE data from network

The basic steps are now done, and now we can move on to the actual visualisation.

7. Go to File and select New Module
8. Give the module a name.
9. Select your the Ground Station you've created in step 2.
10. Select the desired Satellites you want to see. Suggested values can be found here

11. Press OK and behold a nice view of earth with your groundstation visible and the satellites in the air.