Simon’s World Map
See Also:
Version 1.3.8 released December 29th, 2022
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Version 1.3.8 released December 29th, 2022 〰️
Introduction
Now that I'm working DX on 80m I need a simple display which shows me at the very least:
Current Time
Sunrise / Sunset
Greyline map
DX stations
There are commercial geo clock solutions such as Geochron, but as a programmer with spare 4k monitors and computers I decided to write my own, that way I have exactly what I want.
Software
This is a rewrite of a previous project from many years ago. It requires minimal CPU power, will run on any Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 system using x86 architecture.
Written to learn new areas of Direct2D graphics and new features of Visual Studio 2022.
As time permits the program will be updated, There are interesting ideas in the pipeline.
Rotators
Full support for the ERC Mini, ERC V4 and all Yaesu GS232A/GS232B rotators. DDE interface for other software such as PST Rotator.
💾 Download Now
Just click on the image to go to the downloads section.
Support
If you have questions, there are two support groups:
The SDR-Radio.com mailing list,
The SDR-Radio.com online forums.
Greyline
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Applies a standard shadow to the area not in the sun.
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Overlay the Night Lights map to the area not lit by the sun.
Aurora
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Updated every few minutes with live data from the Space Weather Prediction centre, National Oceanic Aand Atmospheric Administration.
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Display North and/or South Hemispheres.
Satellites
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Track one main and up to ten secondary satellites.
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Data downloaded from Celestrak in the latest OMM format.
Maidenhead Squares
Sunrise/Sunset
CQ & ITU Zones
Moon Footprint & Status
Great Circle
💾 Downloads
These kits are signed, there is NO need to uninstall old kits. If the program will not start, make sure the C++ redistributable is correctly installed.
December 29th, 2022
Solar Flux value is now the most recent value.
Fixed a bug where the settings could be lost if the World Map is running when the system closes down.
Reduced CPU and GPU load throughout the program.
Options file (XML) updated less frequently.
Fixed error with A,K for non-WWV sources.
Changed timezone Icons, now showing a clock. Size is selectable.
Moon distance now correctly displayed.
Moon Status Hemisphere setting now saved correctly.
Fixed erroneous prefix text of right of display.
December 12th, 2022
Note: when upgrading the current layout settings may be lost.
When installing a popup appears if the program is currently running, you acknowledge and the program is stopped.
The uninstaller is now code-signed, kit generated using NSIS 3.08.
Replaced Microsoft's XML with pugixml. The pugixml is very robust, is actually much faster than the Microsoft code.
Many performance optimisations. Greatly reduces the processing while dragging/panning.
Aurora and Greyline
Was inadvertently allowing dragging/panning even when Zoom was not enabled. This broke a lot of logic.
Fixed a couple of drawing bugs including loss of Greyline.
November 27th, 2022
Bugfix: Restores dragging (panning) the map when zoom is enabled except when the map is centred on either the moon or a satellite.
Added keyboard shortcut Ctrl+T to take a screenshot,
Small UI update to reduce a vertical line at 180 degrees in Zoom mode,
Window offsets correctly updated when time zones are switched off.
Albedo Map
November 26th, 2022
Added a Reset option to the Windows Start menu. When selected, the Current layout is not loaded.
Added sanity checks to display of the moon and satellite footprint.
Maidenhead square is now shown in the info popup.
Zoom now uses of the whole screen in Zoom mode even if the aspect ratio was not 2 : 1.
Prefixes - added Outline text format, good when using a dark map such as Vegetation.
Satellites - added Light colours, also good when using a dark map such as Vegetation.
Tracking the ISS
On startup this version checks SDRSpace.com for newer versions. You'll not see an update until 1.3.6 is available.
If zoom is enabled, you can now track sun / moon / satellite. Sun and moon track longitude, satellite tracks both longitude and latitude. In the attachment I'm tracking ISS. Another small but niggling issue resolved.
November 19th, 2022
Info boxes no longer overlap
Map can be centred on the main satellite
Locator support - Ribbon bar, Home, Show, Locator
Added moon libration (position)
Replaced many ribbon bar checkboxes with buttons
In Ribbon Bar, Home, Show now options for the entries, accessed by clicking the dropdown button
Removed unnecessary processing while moving the mouse over the display
3D Clock display now has a light shadow
3D Clock display header/footer now shown more clearly
Station text sunrise/sunset changed
Direct2D Effects now correctly tidy up resources
Reorganisation of ribbon bar's Standard and Great Circle options
Greate Circle display now centred,
Minor UI tidy-ups.
November 10th, 2022
Added Moon footprint and status
Map can be centred on the moon
Aurora was offset by 180°
Clock and sun/moon icons now show correctly when using the Clock offset option
Clock size scaling changed when using Consolas
Fixed a bug in the ribbon bar, when the ribbon bar is not fixed (i.e. just dropped down) the sliders work!
Fixed minor UI issue display large satellite footprints
Tracking ISS and four NOAA satellites
I am not planning on writing a fully featured rotator program but am open to suggestions for improvements. A major design consideration is using the Orbit Mean-Elements Message (OMM) XML format files. You can interface to rotator programs with Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), all settings are in the ribbon bar.
Main Satellite Selection
Secondary Satellite Selection
DDE Configuration
C++ Redistributables
The software requires the C++ 2015-2022 redistributable; this installs Microsoft C and C++ (MSVC) runtime libraries.
The redistributable is included in each download. By the time you install a kit it is possible that a newer version of the redistributable is available, download from Microsoft if required.
Program Doesn’t Start
If you see an error message such as 'Msvcp140.dll not found' when starting the program, then the 2019 redistributable kit must be reinstalled.
To reinstall, select 2015-2019 C++ Redistributable from the Simon’s World Map entry in the Start Menu.
Uninstall, then
Install.
⚠️ Never copy missing DLLs manually, always use the Redistributable kits.