APRSKEPS.txt

APRSKEPS.exe is a version of APRSnet that has an ORBIT predictor.  It
             is designed to uplink Pseudo MIR posits to MIR so that
             it digipeates its actual position...  It was derived 
             from APRSnet.exe.  It must run in an APRS800 environment
             and it must have these additional files:

                SYSTEM\APRSKEPS.ORB
                SYSTEM\ANETEXT.SYS

APRSnet.exe  is a version of APRS that has been trimmed down by removing
             all extraneous stuff such as WX interface, DX and DF stuff
             so that it can hold as many as 450 stations instead of
             the usaual APRSdos maximum of 150.  APRSnet.exe also has a 
             modified dumb-terminal-Screen that can be used to dial up a 
             TELNET access to APRServe.

Only people with a "unix shell" type of dumb terminal text only access
to the internet will typically use APRSnet.

APRSKEPS on the otherhand has another application on the radio only.
WIth its ORBIT calculator, it can generate pseudo posits for MIR or
any other satellites.  I use it linked to the internet to provide the
moving Satellites that everyone is seeing on www.aprs.net.

For MIR or the Space Shuttle SAREX, however, APRSkeps can be used with 
a TNC to transmit these pseudo posits over the air for digipeating by
the spacecraft making it appear that the spacecraft is transmitting
its own position live.  In this application, ONLY specific authorized
stations should use it.  We only need three stations on any single 
pass doing the uplinking.  This willl provide natonwide coverage.

Hopefully we will find about 6 dedicated stations to perform this 
function on a permanent basis (if authorized by SAREX and MIREX and
AMSAT.).

SO, although APRSkeps evolved from APRSNET and contains much of the 
internet stuff, you can ignore most of that.  Here are the step-by-step
procedures to activate your station for uplinking posits.

1.  APRSkeps is an APRS800 derivative and must run in an APRSdos 800
    or later environment.

2.  APRSkeps must have the file APRSkeps.ORB in the APRS\SYSTEM directory

3.  Run APRSkeps and configure your station and TNC normally.  Be sure 
    that your PC date, time and UTC offset are correctly entered.

4.  Select alt-S-KEPS.  You will be prompted for the following items:
    * Enter Spacecraft to be uplinked (Pick one of the 6 APRS capable
      satellites that are already being shown on your screen)
    * Enter Spacecraft Callsign to be uplinked from your station.  This
      is the callsign that others will see.  Use SSID = your FCC area
    * Enter transmission periodicity (60 seconds or so)
    * Enter Type of Format, Grid-in-to or Lat/Long (Grid recommended)
    * Enter port (Radio or Internet)  (Radio)

5.  Do an alt-S-SAVE to save the configuration.  Enter your normal
    validation number AND UPLINK validation number.

6.  If you ever need to change any of the normal APRS configuration 
    items simply restart APRSKEPS/NEW to force a new start.

NOTES:  It will only be necessary to have APRSkeps stations in 6 regions
of the USA.  These stations will append an SSID to the object indicating
their FCC callsign region.  THis way, users will be able to tell at a 
glance, who's uplinked object is being used.  MIR-6 will be  uplinked 
in California, and MIR-4 will be uplinked in Florida for example.
Here are the recommended regions where there should be an uplink 
station:

    7) Pacific Northwest      9) North Central     1) New England
    6) Southern California    5) Texas             4) Florida

KEPLARIAN ELEMENTS:  APRSkeps will track every satellite listed in
APRSkeps.orb.  But it will only uplink ONE that is selected with
the alt-S-KEPS commands.  If you modify APRSkeps with a text editor,
be sure to keep a copy in APRSkeps.BAK so that you have a file in the 
proper format.  For now you will need to manually updated whenever new 
KEPS arrive.  Be careful when editing and follow the existing format 
exactly so that APRSkeps can read it properly.  Notice that APRSkeps 
will ignore the satelite name in this file and will use only the 
CALLSIGN you entered with the alt-S-KEPS commands.

BACKUP PLAN:  If all else fails, run any version of APRS and simply
place a MIR-X obeject on your map and uplink it normally with 
manual updating.  Don't forget VIA R0MIR!
