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Configuration Guide

Fine-tune FBSAT59 for your specific setup and preferences.

General Settings

Display

  • Theme: Light / Dark mode
  • Language: English / 日本語 (requires restart)
  • Font size: Adjust UI scale
  • Start at login: Auto-launch on boot

Time Zone

Choose display format for pass times:

  • UTC — Consistent for logs & online collaboration
  • Local — Convenient for ground station operations

Notifications

  • AOS Notification: Alert when satellite rises above horizon
  • Advance warning (5/10/15 min before AOS)
  • Platform: Linux notify-send / macOS osascript / Windows toast
  • LOS Notification: Alert when satellite sets

Radio Settings

Radio (Rig 1)

Select your primary radio:

  • Model: Dropdown of 700+ Hamlib-supported radios
  • Connection: Direct (USB/serial) or Network (TCP)
  • Port/IP: Auto-detected or manual entry
  • Baud rate: Default 38400 (some older radios need adjustment)
  • RTS/CTS: Hardware flow control (usually off)

Secondary Radio (Rig 2)

Optional second radio for: - Split-frequency operation (uplink/downlink) - Backup receiver - Different frequency band

Rotator (Antenna)

If you have a motorized rotator:

  • Model: Select rotator type (G5500, Yaesu, etc.)
  • Port/IP: Connection settings
  • Magnetic declination: Corrects compass for your location
  • Min/Max elevation: Limits antenna movement

SDR Settings

Device Selection

  • Driver: SoapySDR, USRP, PlutoSDR, etc.
  • Device: If multiple devices available
  • Sample rate: Depends on device (1–3 MSPS typical)

RF Settings

  • Gain: 0–50 dB (adjust based on antenna & band)
  • AGC: Auto gain control (useful for wideband)
  • PPM Correction: Fine-tune frequency calibration
  • Measure with known transmitter
  • Adjust until frequency error is minimized

Recording

  • Audio output device: Which speakers/headphones
  • Recording format: MP3 or WAV
  • Recording path: Where to save files (~audio_recordings/)

Data & Database

TLE Sources

Control which sources FBSAT59 fetches Two-Line Elements from:

  • CelesTrak: Primary source (always enabled)
  • Amateur, CubeSats, Weather, Earth Observation
  • Updated 1–12 hours depending on category
  • Space-Track.org: Secondary (optional, requires account)
  • AMSAT: Operations status (updates daily)

Default: CelesTrak only (sufficient for most users)

SATNOGS Sync

Synchronize transmitter frequency database:

  • Auto-sync: Every 7 days
  • Manual: Satellite menu → Fetch Transmitter Database
  • Frequency editing: Add/edit/delete transmitters locally

Web Interface Settings

Port

  • Default: 8080
  • Change if port conflicts with other services
  • Restart FBSAT59 after changing

Authentication (Local Network Only)

  • No authentication (assumes trusted local network)
  • For remote access, use VPN instead

CORS

Enable cross-origin access (for web app integration)

Logging & Telemetry

QSO Log Format

  • ADIF: Universal radio log format
  • Export frequency: Manual or auto-save

UDP Log Broadcasting

Send QSO data to external tools (wavelog, GridTracker):

  • Enable: Check to broadcast
  • Destination: IP:port (e.g., 192.168.1.50:2333)
  • QSO types: APRS, FT4, Q65 confirmed contacts

Privacy & Security

Data Retention

  • TLE cache: Kept indefinitely (safe, public data)
  • QSO logs: Stored locally in SQLite (not uploaded)
  • Location history: Not tracked (current position only)

Network

  • Port 8080: LAN access only (firewall blocks WAN)
  • No cloud sync: Everything stays on your machine
  • VPN recommended: For remote access

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
L Toggle Doppler Lock
T Search Transmitters
R Record audio
? Show keyboard help
Ctrl+Q Quit FBSAT59

Troubleshooting Settings

Reset to Defaults

To start fresh:

# Linux / macOS
rm -rf ~/.config/fbsat59
rm -rf ~/.fbsat59-db.sqlite

# Windows
rmdir %APPDATA%\fbsat59 /s

Then restart FBSAT59.

Check Settings File

Settings are stored in:

  • Linux: ~/.config/fbsat59/settings.json
  • macOS: ~/.config/fbsat59/settings.json
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\fbsat59\settings.json

View with any text editor for advanced tweaking.

Next Steps