			=========================
			PREDICT QUICK START GUIDE
			=========================

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
===================
PREDICT requires the ncurses, pthreads, alsa, and curl libraries.
These are generally provided in many modern Linux distributions.

Automatic rotator control capability requires Hamlib and related
utilties to be installed.  Hamlib can be found here:

	https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib/releases/latest


UNPACKING
=========
The PREDICT archive can be unpacked in any directory for which read
access is provided for all system users.  Typically, this is /usr/src
or /usr/local/src.  As root, move the tar file to such a directory and
issue the command:

	tar xvfz predict-3.0.2.tar.gz

to unpack the file.


COMPILATION
===========
PREDICT's compilation and installation procedure differs slightly from
that of most software, but should easy enough to understand and follow.

After unpacking the tar file, move (cd) into the predict-3.0.1 directory.
As a security precaution, please execute the included "configure" script
as a regular system user (not as "root") by typing:

	./configure

The "configure" script runs some compiler tests and if all goes well,
compiles PREDICT and some related utilities.  If there's a problem, the
error messages displayed should help in diagnosing the problem.  Usually
this will be related to a missing library required by PREDICT.

By default, PREDICT and earthtrack will be installed under /usr/local/bin.
A different installation directory can be specified on the command line:

	./configure /usr/bin 


INSTALLATION
============
If compilation succeeds, the "configure" script will run "su" and ask for
the system's root password to perform a system-wide software installation.

This process will generate symbolic links between the executables created
in the PREDICT installation directory and the destination directory specified
(/usr/local/bin by default).

The "configure" script will also check the system's /etc/services file to
ensure that UDP Port 1210 has been reserved for PREDICT.  If it has not,
then instructions are provided as to how to edit the file to allow PREDICT
UDP network access to port 1210.


FIRST TIME USE
==============
First time users will be asked to enter their groundstation latitude and
longitude in decimal degrees or in degree, minute, second (DMS) format.
Normally, PREDICT handles longitudes in decimal degrees WEST (0-360
degrees), and latitudes in decimal degrees NORTH.  This behavior can be
modified by passing the -east or -south command line switches to PREDICT
when it is invoked.  A ~.predict directory will be created to store and
manage all user data, and some default data will be placed into this
directory to permit for first-time use.  If an internet connection is
available, the default Keplerian orbital data provided with PREDICT will
be updated to the latest available via celestrak.com.


UPGRADING FROM PREVIOUS VERSIONS
================================
Quite a lot has changed since PREDICT version 2.3.1.  When upgrading
to version 3.0, PREDICT will detect a previous version of a user's
data files and convert them to be compatible with the latest version of
this software.  That process includes reading a user's existing "predict.tle"
file and generating a new "predict.kep" file, which will be used in its place.

An existing "predict.db" satellite transponder database file will be used
to generate separate transponder files for each satellite of interest
under a new $HOME/.predict/xponders directory.  In addition, a default
"groups.list" file will be copied under the ~.predict directory to officiate
automatic network downloads of satellite Keplerian data from celestrak.com.
Reasonable defaults are provided, but you may need to edit this file to
permit automatic updates for all the satellites related to your specific
interests.

Antenna AZ/EL rotator control is now handled exclusively through Hamlib
(rotctld).  Hamlib supports the Fodtrack and EasyComm controller protocols
previously supported by PREDICT, plus many, many more.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
=======================
Please consult the man page, or the files under the "docs" subdirectory
for more instructions on the use and capabilities of PREDICT.

The latest news and information regarding PREDICT software is
available at: https://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/predict.html.

I can be found on LinkedIn at:

	https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-magliacane-9836b71aa/

Happy Tracking!
 
--
John, KD2BD
kd2bd@qsl.net
July 2026

