Skip to content

Getting Started

This guide walks you through launching FBSAT59 and performing basic setup for the first time.

Launching FBSAT59

Linux

If you installed via AppImage:

./fbsat59-0.3.50-x86_64.AppImage

If you installed via .deb:

fbsat59

Windows

Click Start Menu → FBSAT59

macOS

Open Spotlight (Cmd+Space) → Type "FBSAT59" → Press Enter

First Launch

When FBSAT59 starts, you'll see:

  1. Splash Screen — Shows "Initializing database...", "Fetching TLE data...", etc.
  2. Main Window — Dashboard with satellite tracking display
  3. Status Bar — Bottom-right shows "Ready" and LAN access URL with QR code

What Happens Automatically

  • ✅ Database initialization (SQLite)
  • ✅ TLE (Two-Line Element) data download from CelesTrak
  • ✅ Transmitter frequency database sync from SATNOGS
  • ✅ Location detection (GPS, browser geolocation, or IP-based)

Note: First launch may take 10-30 seconds on slower machines. This is normal.

Set Your Location

FBSAT59 needs your location (latitude, longitude) to calculate accurate satellite passes.

Automatic Detection

By default, FBSAT59 tries to detect your location in this order:

  1. GPS Device — If gpsd daemon is running
  2. Browser Geolocation — Prompts if Web UI accessed via mobile
  3. IP Geolocation — Uses ip-api.com (requires internet)
  4. Manual Entry — Settings → Location

Manual Location Setup

  1. Open Settings (or use menu: View → Location)
  2. Choose one of:
  3. Latitude / Longitude — Enter decimal degrees (e.g., 35.6895, 139.6917)
  4. Maidenhead Grid — Enter QTH locator (e.g., PM95aq)
  5. Click Save

Example: Tokyo, Japan - Latitude: 35.6762 - Longitude: 139.6503 - Grid: PM95aq

Select Satellites

The left sidebar shows a list of all known satellites. To track a satellite:

  1. Click on a satellite name in the list
  2. Right-click to see options:
  3. Open in SATNOGS (frequency database)
  4. Add to Favorites
  5. View technical details

Using Favorites

Mark frequently-tracked satellites as Favorites:

  1. Right-click satellite → Add to Favorites
  2. Open View menu → Favorites (or click Favorites tab)
  3. Your favorite satellites appear in a dedicated tab

Dashboard Overview

The main window has several tabs:

Tab Purpose
Dashboard Map + radar display with real-time satellite positions
Satellite List Full list of all satellites with status
Passes Upcoming satellite passes (AOS to LOS)
Radar Real-time sky view showing satellite positions
Pass Chart Graphical elevation vs. time for selected satellite
Radio Control Frequency/mode selection and radio link (if configured)
Communications Decode APRS, FT4, Q65, CW, SSTV telemetry
SDR Control Receive with software-defined radio

Dashboard Tab

Shows: - World Map — Current satellite positions (colored dots) - Radar Overlay — Sky view centered on your location - Status Bar — Current time, next satellite pass, web URL

Click on any satellite dot to select it.

Access from Smartphone

FBSAT59 includes a built-in Web server for mobile access.

On Your Mac/Linux/Windows:

When FBSAT59 launches, check the Status Bar (bottom-right):

🌐 LAN Access: http://192.168.1.100:8080  [QR Code]

On Your Smartphone:

  1. Same WiFi network as your computer
  2. Open browser → Enter the URL or scan the QR code
  3. You'll see satellite list, pass predictions, and radar display

Available on Mobile: - Satellite list with Favorites - Pass predictions for selected satellite - Radar display (compass mode if phone has gyroscope) - Upcoming passes for selected group

Basic Operations

Track a Satellite in Real-Time

  1. Select a satellite from the left list
  2. View its current position on Dashboard map/radar
  3. Check Pass Chart for upcoming passes
  4. Set reminder for upcoming AOS (Acquisition of Signal)

View Upcoming Passes

  1. Click Passes tab
  2. Select a satellite or group
  3. Choose date range
  4. View AOS/LOS times and peak elevation

Receive Satellite Signals

If you have an SDR (Software-Defined Radio):

  1. Connect your SDR to your computer via USB
  2. In Settings → SDR Settings, select your device
  3. Open SDR Control tab
  4. Click [Connect] and tune to satellite downlink frequency
  5. View waterfall/spectrum display

Connect Your Radio

Using Hamlib (Direct Radio Connection)

If you have an amateur radio:

  1. Connect via Serial/USB to your radio
  2. Open Settings → Rig Settings
  3. Select your radio model from dropdown
  4. Click [Connect]
  5. Return to Radio Control tab → Frequency/mode will auto-sync

Supported radios: 700+ models (IC-9700, FT-991A, TS-2000, etc.)

Web Interface (Optional)

Access FBSAT59 from your phone without connecting a radio:

  1. Find the LAN URL in Status Bar (e.g., http://192.168.1.100:8080)
  2. On your phone, open that URL in a browser
  3. You'll see:
  4. Satellite list
  5. Pass predictions
  6. Radar display with live compass mode
  7. Optional: Remote radio control (if Rig connected)

Next Steps

Now that you're up and running:

  1. Detailed Setup — Hamlib, SDR, IP location
  2. Communications — Decode APRS, FT4, Q65, CW
  3. Radio Control — Advanced rig control
  4. Troubleshooting — Common issues

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
L Toggle Lock (Doppler tuning)
R Record audio
T Toggle Autotrack
? Help & keyboard shortcuts

Need Help?