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Web Interface (Mobile Access)

FBSAT59 runs a small web server so you can watch a pass and connect the rig from a phone or tablet on the same network — no app to install.

Getting in

When FBSAT59 starts, the window status bar shows the LAN URL and a QR button, e.g. http://192.168.1.100:8080. On a device on the same network, open that URL or scan the QR code. There is no login — access is LAN-only and the port is not exposed to the internet.

The server always listens on port 8080; this is not configurable. For access from outside your network, use a VPN (WireGuard, Tailscale) rather than port-forwarding.

The four tabs

Tracking

  • Satellite list with live elevation / azimuth / range, and the favorite groups from the desktop
  • A radar (sky view) for the selected satellite
  • Compass toggle — on a phone that grants orientation access the radar rotates to match which way you're facing (Android works over plain HTTP; iOS needs HTTPS and a permission prompt)

Antenna

A large, across-the-room readout for use during a pass:

  • Big AZ / EL figures
  • A pass progress bar with an LOS countdown
  • The selected satellite's transponder frequencies
  • Buttons to connect / disconnect the desktop's Rig and Rotator

Pass Prediction

Upcoming passes for the selected satellite — AOS / TCA / LOS, max elevation (quality-coloured), duration — over a range you pick with the +6h / +24h / +3d / +7d buttons. Search refreshes it.

Group Pass

The same, for a whole group: pick a group in the dropdown, Search, and page through every upcoming pass in one table.

Desktop vs. mobile

The mobile UI is read-and-monitor plus rig/rotator connect. Editing QTH, transponders, favorites and every setting is done in the desktop app. Updates arrive over a WebSocket about once a second.

Any modern browser works (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). Several devices can connect at once and all see the same live data.

Troubleshooting

Problem Check
Page won't load You're on the same Wi-Fi as the desktop; the IP matches the status bar; the network isn't a "guest"/AP-isolation network; try http://localhost:8080 on the same machine
Radar slow to update Wi-Fi signal; close other tabs; check desktop CPU load
Compass does nothing Grant the browser motion/orientation permission; on iOS the page must be served over HTTPS; recalibrate with a figure-8 motion

More in Troubleshooting.

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