 Track II Help Index

Operations

Overview

Updating Elements

Commands

File menu

Edit menu

Satellite menu

View menu

Update menu

Table menu

Position menu

Clock menu

Help menu


File menu commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

Load Block	Loads one of the four user-selectable satellite blocks
Save Block	Saves the currently selected satellites to one of the four user-selectable blocks.
Print	Prints the current main window.
Print Setup	Selects a printer and printer connection.
Exit	Exits Track II.


Edit menu commands

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Undo	Reverse previous editing operation.
Cut	Deletes data from the document and moves it to the clipboard.
Copy	Copies data from the document to the clipboard.
Paste	Pastes data from the clipboard into the document.


Satellite menu commands

The Satellite menu offers the following commands:

New Satellite	Adds a satellite to the tracking display.
Remove Satellite	Removes a satellite from the tracking display.
Swap Satellite	Exchanges the last satellite for a new one.
Clear All	Removes all satellites from the tracking display


View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

Ground Track	Enables or disables the ground track display on the tracking map.
Name Label	Enables or disables the satellite name display on the tracking map.
Footprint	Enables or disables the satellite footprints on the tracking map.
Rise/Set Sounds	Enables or disables a beep sound when a satellite comes into or goes out of range.
Alternate Map	Switches between the standard map (Europe) and the alternate map display.
Status Bar	Shows or hides the status bar.


Update menu commands

The Update menu offers the following commands:

Auto (AMSAT)	Updates the satellite element database from a file in AMSAT (multiline) format.
Auto (NASA)	Updates the satellite element database from a file in NASA (2 line) format.
Manual	Shows the satellite elements for a single satellite so they can be edited manually.
Add Satellite	Adds a new satellite to the elements database.
Delete Satellite	Deletes a satellite from the elements database.
Export (AMSAT)	Saves a file with the current elements in AMSAT format.
Export (NASA)	Saves a file with the current elements in NASA format.


Table menu commands

The Table menu offers the following commands:

Quick Schedule	Shows a quick schedule (rise and set times and maximum elevation only) for a single satellite.
Full Schedule	Shows a full schedule (Azimuth and Elevation every minute) for a single satellite.
Multi Schedule	Shows a quick schedule for all the satellites currently being tracked.


Position menu commands

The Position menu offers the following command:

Select/Edit	Shows a list of the six available user locations. Any of them can be changed or selected to be the current location.


Clock menu commands

The Clock menu offers the following commands:

Fast	Enables or disables the accelerated time mode.
Slip	Enables or disables the clock slip mode.


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:

Index	Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
Using Help	Provides general instructions on using help.
About	Displays the version number of this application.


File Exit command
Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your Track II session.  You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu.  Track II prompts you to save documents with unsaved changes.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Double-click the application's Control menu button.

Keys:	ALT+F4


Undo/Can't Undo command (Edit menu)

Use this command to reverse the last editing action, if possible.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+Z or

ALT-BACKSPACE


Cut command (Edit menu)

Use this command to remove the currently selected data from the document and put it on the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Cutting data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+X


Copy command (Edit menu)

Use this command to copy selected data onto the clipboard.  This command is unavailable if there is no data currently selected.

Copying data to the clipboard replaces the contents previously stored there.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+C


Paste command (Edit menu)

Use this command to insert a copy of the clipboard contents at the insertion point.  This command is unavailable if the clipboard is empty.

Shortcuts

Keys:	CTRL+V


View Status Bar Command
Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.


Status Bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Track II window.  To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar command in the View menu.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you use the arrow keys to navigate through menus.  This area similarly shows messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress them, before releasing them.  If after viewing the description of the toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following keys are latched down:

Indicator	Description

CAP	The Caps Lock key is latched down.

NUM	The Num Lock key is latched down.

SCRL	The Scroll Lock key is latched down.


Index command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using Track II and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the copyright notice and version number of your copy of Track II.


Help Using Help Command
Context Help command

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of Track II.  When you choose the Toolbar's Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and question mark.  Then click somewhere in the Track II window, such as another Toolbar button.  The Help topic will be shown for the item you clicked.

Shortcut

Keys:	SHIFT+F1


Load Block 1-4 command (File menu)

Use this command to load one of the four user-definable blocks of satellites. You can store four separate blocks of up to six satellites using the Save Block command.

Shortcut

    Keys :	F9 (Block 1)

F10 (Block 2)

F11 (Block 3)

F12 (Block 4)


Save Block 1-4 command (File menu)

Use this command to save one of the four user-definable blocks of satellites. To reload a block, use the Load Block command.

Shortcut

    Keys :	Alt+F9 (Block 1)

Alt+F10 (Block 2)

Alt+F11 (Block 3)

Alt+F12 (Block 4)


New Satellite command (Satellite menu)

Use this command to add a satellite to the tracking screen. Up to six satellites can be tracked at any one time. Select the satellite that you want from the selection box.


Remove Satellite command (Satellite menu)

Use this command to remove a satellite from the tracking screen.


Swap Satellite command (Satellite menu)

Use this command to swap the last satellite loaded for a new one. Select the new satellite that you want from the selection box.


Clear all command (Satellite menu)

Use this command to remove all the satellites from the tracking screen. Useful if you are tracking several satellites and want to look at just one; this may be quicker than removing the ones you don’t want.


Ground Track command (View menu)

This command enables or disables the ground track display. This is a red line showing the path of the satellite. This can be useful to see where a satellite has been (or is going) but can also be confusing, especially if you are tracking several satellites at once.

Note that the ground track is always disabled in Clock Slip mode.


Name Label command (View menu)

Enables or disables display of the satellite name on the tracking screen. If you only track one satellite at a time, you may not want the name displayed.


Rise / Set sounds command (View menu)

This command enables or disables a ‘beep’ sound made when a satellite comes into or goes out of reception range.


Footprint command (View menu)

Use this command to enable or disable the satellite footprint (receivable area) display on the tracking screen.


Alternate Map command (View menu)

This command switches between the ‘standard’ and ‘alternate’ map displays. Select the map which is most appropriate for your location.

The ‘standard’ map has Europe and Africa in the middle, North and South America to the left and Australia and the far east to the right. It is most suitable for users in Europe, Africa, the middle East, South America and the eastern USA and Canada.

The ‘alternate’ map has Australia and Japan near the middle, Europe to the left and North and South America on the right. It is most suitable for users in Australasia, the far east and the western side of North America.


Auto command (Update menu)

Use this command to update the satellite elements from a file in either NASA 2-line or AMSAT multiline format.


Manual command (Update menu)

Use this command to edit elements by hand for a single satellite. It is also useful to show how old the elements are for a particular satellite.


Add Satellite command (Update menu)

Use this command to add a new satellite to the satellite database. A maximum of 64 satellites can be stored. You will need to know the name and the correct catalogue number of the satellite in order to add it successfully.


Delete Satellite Command (Update menu)

Use this command to delete a satellite from the satellite database. You should only delete a satellite if you are certain that you will not want to track it again.


Export Elements command (Update menu)

Use this command to generate a file containing all of the current elements in NASA 2-line or AMSAT format. This may be useful if you need to update other systems.


Quick Schedule Command (Table menu)

This command produces a quick schedule for the selected satellite. The schedule contains rise and set times and positions (Azimuth) and the maximum elevation of the pass.


Full Schedule Command (Table menu)

This command produces a full schedule for the selected satellite. The schedule contains rise and set times and positions, and also intermediate azimuth and elevations at one minute intervals. Note that for passes longer than about 20 minutes, the step size may be several minutes in order to fit a whole pass on the screen.


Multi Schedule Command (Table menu)

This command produces a multiple satellite schedule for all of the satellites currently on the tracking screen. You can select the smallest maximum elevation of interest (for all passes, enter 0º). You also have to specify the length of the schedule in days (up to 28). The passes will be displayed in chronological order, in the quick schedule format (rise and set times and maximum elavation only).


Select / Edit Command (Position menu)

Use this command to change the current user position, or enter a new location. Up to six locations can be stored. Any one of them can be selected as the current user position.


Fast Command (Clock menu)

Enables or disables the accelerated time mode. This is useful to see where a satellite is going to go.

Shortcut

     Key : 	F4


Slip Command (Clock menu)

Enables or disables the Clock Slip mode. This lets you change the time temporarily to see where a satellite has been or is going. Use the buttons above and below the time display to change the time.

Shortcut

     Key : 	F5

     Enable / Disable button above time display.


Title Bar

The title bar is located along the top of a window.  It contains the name of the application and document.

To move the window, drag the title bar.  Note: You can also move dialog boxes by dragging their title bars.

A title bar may contain the following elements:

Application Control-menu button

Document Control-menu button

Maximize button

Minimize button

Name of the application

Name of the document

Restore button


Scroll bars

Displayed at the right and bottom edges of the document window.  The scroll boxes inside the scroll bars indicate your vertical and horizontal location in the document.  You can use the mouse to scroll to other parts of the document.


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the Track II window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.

Keys:	CTRL+F10 enlarges a document window.


Close command (Control menus)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Double-clicking a Control-menu box is the same as choosing the Close command.

Note:  If you have multiple windows open for a single document, the Close command on the document Control menu closes only one window at a time.  You can close all windows at once with the Close command on the File menu.

Shortcuts

Keys: 	CTRL+F4 closes a document window

ALT+F4 closes the <<YourType>> window or dialog box


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


No Help Available

No help is available for this area of the window.


Select Satellite Dialog Box

This dialog box lets you select a satellite to use for tracking or a schedule. Double-clicking on a satellite will immediately select that satellite. Alternatively, click once on a satellite name then on the OK button.


User Location Dialog Box

Up to six user locations can be stored. The buttons at the left select the one which is currently in use. For each location, latitude and longitude should be entered (in degrees). Latitude is positive for north, negative for south. Longitude is positive for west, negative for east.


Update Info Dialog Box

Shows the progress of the auto update operation.


Schedule Window

Shows the currently selected schedule. The buttons have the following functions :

Cancel : 	Closes the schedule window and returns to the main tracking screen.

More : 	Shows another page (if available).

Print	Close the schedule window, and prints the schedule you have just seen.


Multi Schedule Dialog Box

The Smallest Maximum Elevation is the limit above which passes will be shown. As an example, if you enter 20º then only passes which rise above 20º at some point will be displayed. To see all passes, enter 0.

The Schedule Length is the length of time (in days) to calculate the schedule for. The longest time that can be entered is 28 days.


Elements Dialog Box

Used for entering a new satellite or editing an existing one. For new satellites, a unique name and catalogue number must be entered. For existing satellites, these cannot be modified.

We recommend using the automatic update facility whenever possible.


Execution Key (Dongle) not found

The software execution key (or ‘Dongle’) was not found. It should be connected to the parallel printer port of your computer.


Configuration file not found

A file which is necessary for correct operation was not found. The software is probably not installed correctly.


Incorrect Execution Key (Dongle)

The software execution key (or ‘Dongle’) is not the correct one for this software. Check that it is connected to the parallel printer port of your computer. It is also possible that the software has not been correctly installed.


No room to add any more satellites

The satellite database can contain a maximum of 64 satellites. This limit has been reached.


Satellite name and catalogue number must be entered

When entering a new satellite, a unique name and catalogue number must be entered in order to be able to identify that satellite in future.


Duplicate catalogue number

When entering a new satellite, a unique name and catalogue number must be entered in order to be able to identify that satellite in future.


Duplicate Satellite name

When entering a new satellite, a unique name and catalogue number must be entered in order to be able to identify that satellite in future.


Delete Satellite

If you delete a satellite from the satellite database, you will never be able to track it again unless you add it again. Only delete a satellite if you are really sure that you have to.


Overview
Satellite Blocks

To make it easy to track more than six satellites, Track II lets you store four blocks of up to six satellites. You can save the current satellites to one of the blocks using the Save Block command, and quickly reload them using the Load Block command.

You can also use the function keys F9 to F12 to load blocks 1 to 4, and Alt+F9 to F12 to save them.


No Help Available

No help is available for this message box.


File Print command
Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document.   This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be printed:

Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection.  Choose the Setup option to change the printer and printer connection.

Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so  you can select a printer and printer connection.

Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

All	Prints the entire document.
Selection	Prints the currently selected text.
Pages	Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To boxes.
Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies of each page.

Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing.  Generally, lower quality printing takes less time to produce.


Print Progress Dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that <<YourApp>> is sending output to the printer.  The page number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.


File Print Preview command
Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when printed.  When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed in their printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.


Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.


File Print Setup command
Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection.  This command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer and its connection.


Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and its connection.

Printer

Select the printer you want to use.  Choose the Default Printer; or choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current installed printers shown in the box.  You install printers and configure ports using the Windows Control Panel.

Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources.  Specify the tray here.

Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Page Setup Command
Page Setup command (File menu)

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