			=========================
			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
=========
Under an Android/Termux environment, the PREDICT archive can be unpacked
your home directory:

	tar xvfz predict-3.0.0.tar.gz


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-3.0.0 directory
and run the "configure" script:

	./configure

The "configure" script runs some compiler tests and if all goes well,
compiles PREDICT.  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.

If all goes well, a symbolic link will be created between the predict
executable just generated and /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin.
Similary, a link will be installed under
/data/data.com.termux/files/usr/share/man/man1 for PREDICT's man page.


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 3.0.0, 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
