Jump to content

SimTX Guide/Stations: Difference between revisions

From SimTX Wiki
VisualWikitext
Clanker (talk | contribs)
660 edits
User guide for the SimTX desktop app
 
Clanker (talk | contribs)
660 edits
Add screenshots of the SimTX desktop app
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{SimTX Guide navigation}}
{{SimTX Guide navigation}}
A '''station''' is the place you transmit and receive from. It belongs to your SimTX account and works on every server. A ground station has:
A '''station''' is the place you transmit and receive from. It is saved to your account and works on every server. A ground station has a name, a callsign, a location, one to eight antennas and up to eight radios. Several transmissions and receivers can use one station at the same time. Satellites are stations in orbit; see [[SimTX Guide/Satellites|Satellites]].
* a name and a callsign;
* a location: latitude, longitude and altitude;
* one to eight antennas;
* up to eight radios.


Many sessions can use one station at the same time: several transmissions and receivers, on the same antenna or on different ones. Satellites are stations too; see [[SimTX Guide/Satellites]].
You manage stations in the '''Stations''' tab. '''Mine''' lists your ground stations and satellites; select one to see its details. [[SimTX Guide/Map and coverage|Map and coverage]] describes the globe and the lists.
 
== The Stations tab ==
The '''Stations''' tab shows a globe and a list beside it.
* '''Mine''' lists your ground stations and satellites, with buttons for '''New station''' and '''Launch satellite'''.
* '''World''' lists public stations, ad-hoc listeners and transmitters, and satellites in orbit. Search by callsign, owner or frequency, and filter by '''All''', '''Ground''', '''Satellites''' or '''On air'''.
 
Select a station to open its details: its antennas and radios, what is running on it, and the satellites that pass over it. '''Show on globe''' moves the globe to it.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Map control !! What it does
|-
| '''Refresh''' || Reloads the station list.
|-
| '''Coverage''' || Shows the approximate coverage of your Transmit station. '''Hide coverage''' removes it.
|-
| '''Orbits''' || Shows or hides the orbit rings of satellites.
|-
| Fit button || Zooms the globe to show all stations.
|}
 
The legend in the lower left shows the markers: '''Your station''', '''On air''', '''Listening''', '''Satellite''' and '''Your RX''', and the simulation time in UTC.


== Create a station ==
== Create a station ==
# In the '''Stations''' tab, select '''Mine''' and press '''New station'''. The station editor opens beside the globe, with the sections '''Basics''', '''Location''', '''Antennas''' and '''Radios'''.
[[File:SimTX Guide Stations pick on globe.webp|thumb|center|770px|alt=Globe over central Europe with a Place the station card showing 48.1990° N, 15.8554° E with Cancel and Done, and a new pin east of Demo hilltop.|Pick on globe: the new station's pin, its coordinates and the Done button.]]
# Under '''Basics''', enter a '''Name''' and your '''Callsign''', and choose '''Public''' or '''Unlisted''' (see [[#Public and unlisted|below]]).
# In the '''Stations''' tab, select '''Mine''' and press '''New station'''. The station editor opens with the sections '''Basics''', '''Location''', '''Antennas''' and '''Radios'''.
# Under '''Location''', press '''Pick on globe'''. The editor steps aside and a card asks you to place the station. Click the globe where the station stands, or drag the pin, then press '''Done'''. '''Cancel''' or Esc keeps the old position.
# Under '''Basics''', enter a '''Name''' and your '''Callsign''', and choose '''Public''' or '''Unlisted'''.
# Under '''Antennas''', set up the antenna. A new station starts with a dipole; change its type or add more (see [[#Antennas|Antennas]]).
# Under '''Location''', press '''Pick on globe''', click the globe where the station stands and press '''Done'''. You can also drag the pin or type the '''Latitude''' and '''Longitude'''.
# Under '''Radios''', check the radio. A new station starts with one radio based on a generic HF transceiver (see [[#Radios|Radios]]).
# Under '''Antennas''', set up the dipole the station starts with, or choose another type.
# Under '''Radios''', check the radio the station starts with.
# Press '''Create station'''.
# Press '''Create station'''.


Nothing is saved until you press '''Create station''' (or '''Save''' when editing). '''Cancel''' or Esc asks before discarding your changes. When you create your first station, the in-app guide outlines each of these steps in turn.
=== Altitude ===
 
When you place the station, the app fills in '''Altitude''' with the ground height at that spot, in metres above sea level. If you type your own altitude, the app keeps it; '''Use ground height''' goes back to the ground height. If the lookup fails, enter the altitude by hand. Antenna height is set on each antenna.
You can also type the '''Latitude''' and '''Longitude''' directly. While you listen ad hoc, '''Use my receive location''' copies your receive position.
 
=== Altitude and ground height ===
When you place the station, the app looks up the height of the ground at that spot and fills in '''Altitude''', in metres above sea level. The note under the fields then reads ''Altitude is the ground height at this spot.''
 
If you type your own altitude, the app keeps it, even when you move the station. Press '''Use ground height''' to go back to the looked-up height. If the lookup fails, enter the altitude by hand.
 
The altitude is the height of the ground. The height of each antenna above the ground is set separately, on the antenna.


== Antennas ==
== Antennas ==
A ground station has one to eight antennas. Press '''Add antenna''' to open the antenna gallery. It groups the built-in types as '''Wire''', '''Beam''' and '''Whip and turnstile'''. Under '''Your own model''', '''NEC deck''' imports a wire model from a file; see [[NEC File Import]].
[[File:SimTX Guide Stations antenna mount.png|thumb|center|663px|alt=Antenna card for Sat X-Yagi with type Crossed Yagi, driven element length, height, feedline loss, Mount set to Az-El rotator, Parks at azimuth 180, Elevation 25, and an SWR check at 435 MHz.|A crossed Yagi on an Az-El rotator that parks at 180° azimuth and 25° elevation.]]
[[File:SimTX Guide Stations antenna gallery.png|thumb|center|663px|alt=Add an antenna panel with cards for Dipole, Inverted-V, Vertical, Full-wave loop, Longwire, Beverage, EFHW 49:1, Yagi 3-el, Yagi 5-el, Crossed Yagi, Helix, Monopole, Turnstile and NEC deck.|The antenna gallery, grouped as Wire, Beam, Whip and turnstile, and Your own model.]]
'''Add antenna''' opens the antenna gallery, grouped as '''Wire''', '''Beam''' and '''Whip and turnstile'''. '''NEC deck''' under '''Your own model''' imports a wire model; see [[NEC File Import]].


Select an antenna to open its card:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Field !! Meaning
! Field !! Meaning
Line 57: Line 26:
| '''Name''' || The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
| '''Name''' || The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
|-
|-
| '''Type''' || The antenna type. Changing it resets the length to that type's default.
| '''Type''' || The antenna type. Changing it resets the length.
|-
|-
| Length || The main dimension. Its label depends on the type, for example the wire length of a dipole.
| Length || The main dimension. Its label depends on the type.
|-
|-
| '''Height''' || Height above the ground, in metres.
| '''Height''' || Height above the ground, in metres.
Line 65: Line 34:
| '''Feedline loss''' || Loss of the cable to the radio, in dB.
| '''Feedline loss''' || Loss of the cable to the radio, in dB.
|-
|-
| '''Mount''' || '''Fixed''', '''Azimuth rotator''' or '''Az-El rotator'''. See below.
| '''Mount''' || '''Fixed''', '''Azimuth rotator''' or '''Az-El rotator'''.
|-
| '''Check SWR at''' || Shows the SWR of this antenna at a frequency you choose.
|}
 
'''Import NEC deck…''' replaces the built-in model with your own; '''Use built-in''' goes back. '''Remove''' deletes the antenna. A station always keeps at least one antenna. [[Antenna System]] explains how to choose and tune an antenna.
 
=== Mounts ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Mount !! What it does !! Fields
|-
|-
| '''Fixed''' || No rotator. A directional antenna always points the same way. || '''Points toward''', in degrees from north, for directional types
| '''Points toward''' || On a '''Fixed''' mount, the direction of a directional antenna, in degrees from north.
|-
|-
| '''Azimuth rotator''' || Turns around the horizon. The elevation stays fixed. || '''Parks at azimuth'''
| '''Parks at azimuth''', '''Elevation''' || On a rotator, where the antenna points when a session starts. '''Elevation''' is only on an Az-El rotator.
|-
|-
| '''Az-El rotator''' || Turns around the horizon and tilts up, for satellites high in the sky. || '''Parks at azimuth''', '''Elevation'''
| '''Check SWR at''' || The antenna's SWR at a frequency you choose.
|}
|}


The park heading is where the antenna points when a session starts. On a rotator you can turn the antenna while you transmit or receive, or let it follow a satellite; see [[SimTX Guide/Rotators and tracking]].
'''Import NEC deck…''' replaces the built-in model with your own and '''Use built-in''' goes back. '''Remove''' deletes the antenna; a station keeps at least one. See [[Antenna System]] for choosing and tuning, and [[SimTX Guide/Rotators and tracking|Rotators and tracking]] for rotators.


== Radios ==
== Radios ==
A '''radio''' is a saved transmitter and receiver profile. Press '''Add radio''' to add one, and choose a model under '''Based on''' to fill in typical values.
[[File:SimTX Guide Stations radios.png|thumb|center|698px|alt=Radios section with HF transceiver expanded: Based on, Name, Power cap 100 W with 5, 10, 100 and 400 W shortcuts, Noise figure 8 dB and Transmitter imperfections, followed by a second radio, Portable 10 W.|A radio opened in the station editor, with its power cap and noise figure.]]
A '''radio''' is a saved transmitter and receiver profile. '''Add radio''' adds one; '''Based on''' fills in typical values for a radio model.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Field !! Meaning
! Field !! Meaning
Line 92: Line 53:
| '''Name''' || The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
| '''Name''' || The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
|-
|-
| '''Power cap''' || The highest power a transmission on this radio can use, in watts. The buttons below it suggest 5, 10, 100 and 400 W.
| '''Power cap''' || The most power a transmission on this radio can use, in watts.
|-
|-
| '''Noise figure''' || The receiver's noise figure, in dB, used when you receive with this radio.
| '''Noise figure''' || The receiver noise figure, in dB.
|-
|-
| '''Transmitter imperfections''' || The fifteen settings that make the transmitter sound like real equipment. See [[Advanced Transmitter Settings]].
| '''Transmitter imperfections''' || How the transmitter sounds. See [[Advanced Transmitter Settings]].
|}
|}


* The first radio in the list is the station's default. The Transmit and Receive tabs show it as ''<name> (default)''.
* The first radio is the station's default. The Transmit and Receive tabs show it as ''<name> (default)''.
* Your account also has a power limit. A transmission can't exceed the lower of the two.
* A transmission can't exceed the power cap or your account's power limit, whichever is lower.
* Final drive, compressor, frequency error and AM index are starting points that each transmission can change. The other imperfections come from the radio.
* Without a radio, sessions use a generic HF transceiver and your account's power limit.
* A station without radios uses a generic HF transceiver and your account's power limit.


== Public and unlisted ==
== Public and unlisted ==
Line 113: Line 73:
|}
|}


The editor starts with '''Public''' selected. Choose '''Unlisted''' if the location is your home or another place you don't want to show. Only you can transmit through your stations, public or not. You can change the visibility at any time.
Only you can transmit through your stations.
 
== Transmit from a station ==
# In the station's details, press '''Transmit from here'''. The '''Transmit''' tab opens with the station chosen. You can also choose it in the '''Transmit''' tab under '''Station''', '''Transmit from'''.
# Choose the '''Antenna''' and the '''Radio'''.
# Set the frequency, power, mode and source, and press '''Start TX'''.
 
The station sets your callsign and location. The radio caps the power: the '''Power (W)''' field shows ''up to'' the cap. '''Edit station''' opens the station editor. The '''Station''' section also shows the SWR around your frequency before you start.
 
== Receive at a station ==
In the '''Receive''' tab, '''Where you listen''' offers three choices:
* '''My station''': choose one of your stations under '''Receive at''', with its '''Antenna''' and '''Radio'''. '''Receive here''' in a station's details does the same.
* '''Public station''': receive at another account's public station. Search for it and select it. The session uses the station's main antenna. '''Receive here''' in the details of someone's public station does the same.
* '''Ad-hoc''': listen without a station, from any location, with a callsign and antenna of your own. This works without an account.


Press '''Start RX''' and connect your SDR program; see [[How to receive]]. In a station's details, '''Tune RX''' next to a transmission sets the receive frequency to it.
== Transmit and receive ==
* '''Transmit from here''' in a station's details opens the '''Transmit''' tab with the station chosen. See [[SimTX Guide/Transmitting|Transmitting]].
* '''Receive here''' opens the '''Receive''' tab with the station chosen. It also works on other people's public stations. See [[SimTX Guide/Receiving|Receiving]].


== Edit a station ==
== Edit a station ==
Select the station under '''Mine''' and press '''Edit''', or use '''Edit station''' in the '''Transmit''' or '''Receive''' tab. Change what you need and press '''Save'''.
[[File:SimTX Guide Stations editor.webp|thumb|center|800px|alt=Edit Demo hilltop: a globe of central Europe with the station pin, and the editor with Name, Callsign, Public or Unlisted, the location 47.27° N, 11.39° E at 574 m, three antennas, two radios, Cancel and Save.|The station editor for Demo hilltop, with the globe on the left and the Basics, Location, Antennas and Radios sections on the right.]]
# Select the station under '''Mine''' and press '''Edit''', or press '''Edit station''' in the Transmit or Receive tab.
# Make your changes and press '''Save'''.


You can edit a station while it is on the air:
Running sessions switch to the new settings without reconnecting. A session on an antenna or radio you remove ends; the editor warns before you save.
* running sessions switch to the new settings without reconnecting, and the editor says how many will;
* removing an antenna or radio that a session uses ends that session, and the editor warns before you save.


== Delete a station ==
== Delete a station ==
Open the station in the editor, or its details, and press '''Delete…''' at the bottom. Confirm with '''Delete station'''. This removes the station with its antennas and radios, ends any sessions on it, and can't be undone.
# In the station's details or the editor, press '''Delete…'''.
# Confirm with '''Delete station'''.
 
The station, its antennas and radios are removed and its sessions end. This can't be undone.


== Use my previous setup ==
== Use my previous setup ==
If you have no stations yet and the app finds an earlier transmit setup, it offers '''Use my previous setup'''. This creates a station from that callsign, location, antenna and radio.
With no stations yet, '''Use my previous setup''' creates a station from the callsign, location, antenna and radio of your earlier transmit setup.
 
== See also ==
* [[SimTX Guide/Satellites]]
* [[SimTX Guide/Rotators and tracking]]
* [[Antenna System]]
* [[How to receive]]
* [[SimTX API/Stations]]: stations in the developer reference.


[[Category:SimTX Guide]]
[[Category:SimTX Guide]]

Latest revision as of 20:48, 24 October 2026

User guidesGetting startedTransmittingReceivingStationsSatellitesRotators and trackingMap and coverageCatalog and add-onsHealthSettings and shortcutsTroubleshooting

A station is the place you transmit and receive from. It is saved to your account and works on every server. A ground station has a name, a callsign, a location, one to eight antennas and up to eight radios. Several transmissions and receivers can use one station at the same time. Satellites are stations in orbit; see Satellites.

You manage stations in the Stations tab. Mine lists your ground stations and satellites; select one to see its details. Map and coverage describes the globe and the lists.

Create a station[edit | edit source]

Globe over central Europe with a Place the station card showing 48.1990° N, 15.8554° E with Cancel and Done, and a new pin east of Demo hilltop.
Pick on globe: the new station's pin, its coordinates and the Done button.
  1. In the Stations tab, select Mine and press New station. The station editor opens with the sections Basics, Location, Antennas and Radios.
  2. Under Basics, enter a Name and your Callsign, and choose Public or Unlisted.
  3. Under Location, press Pick on globe, click the globe where the station stands and press Done. You can also drag the pin or type the Latitude and Longitude.
  4. Under Antennas, set up the dipole the station starts with, or choose another type.
  5. Under Radios, check the radio the station starts with.
  6. Press Create station.

Altitude[edit | edit source]

When you place the station, the app fills in Altitude with the ground height at that spot, in metres above sea level. If you type your own altitude, the app keeps it; Use ground height goes back to the ground height. If the lookup fails, enter the altitude by hand. Antenna height is set on each antenna.

Antennas[edit | edit source]

Antenna card for Sat X-Yagi with type Crossed Yagi, driven element length, height, feedline loss, Mount set to Az-El rotator, Parks at azimuth 180, Elevation 25, and an SWR check at 435 MHz.
A crossed Yagi on an Az-El rotator that parks at 180° azimuth and 25° elevation.
Add an antenna panel with cards for Dipole, Inverted-V, Vertical, Full-wave loop, Longwire, Beverage, EFHW 49:1, Yagi 3-el, Yagi 5-el, Crossed Yagi, Helix, Monopole, Turnstile and NEC deck.
The antenna gallery, grouped as Wire, Beam, Whip and turnstile, and Your own model.

Add antenna opens the antenna gallery, grouped as Wire, Beam and Whip and turnstile. NEC deck under Your own model imports a wire model; see NEC File Import.

Field Meaning
Name The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
Type The antenna type. Changing it resets the length.
Length The main dimension. Its label depends on the type.
Height Height above the ground, in metres.
Feedline loss Loss of the cable to the radio, in dB.
Mount Fixed, Azimuth rotator or Az-El rotator.
Points toward On a Fixed mount, the direction of a directional antenna, in degrees from north.
Parks at azimuth, Elevation On a rotator, where the antenna points when a session starts. Elevation is only on an Az-El rotator.
Check SWR at The antenna's SWR at a frequency you choose.

Import NEC deck… replaces the built-in model with your own and Use built-in goes back. Remove deletes the antenna; a station keeps at least one. See Antenna System for choosing and tuning, and Rotators and tracking for rotators.

Radios[edit | edit source]

Radios section with HF transceiver expanded: Based on, Name, Power cap 100 W with 5, 10, 100 and 400 W shortcuts, Noise figure 8 dB and Transmitter imperfections, followed by a second radio, Portable 10 W.
A radio opened in the station editor, with its power cap and noise figure.

A radio is a saved transmitter and receiver profile. Add radio adds one; Based on fills in typical values for a radio model.

Field Meaning
Name The name shown in the Transmit and Receive tabs.
Power cap The most power a transmission on this radio can use, in watts.
Noise figure The receiver noise figure, in dB.
Transmitter imperfections How the transmitter sounds. See Advanced Transmitter Settings.
  • The first radio is the station's default. The Transmit and Receive tabs show it as <name> (default).
  • A transmission can't exceed the power cap or your account's power limit, whichever is lower.
  • Without a radio, sessions use a generic HF transceiver and your account's power limit.

Public and unlisted[edit | edit source]

Visibility Meaning
Public Shown on the map, and anyone signed in can receive from it.
Unlisted Hidden from the map and usable only by you.

Only you can transmit through your stations.

Transmit and receive[edit | edit source]

  • Transmit from here in a station's details opens the Transmit tab with the station chosen. See Transmitting.
  • Receive here opens the Receive tab with the station chosen. It also works on other people's public stations. See Receiving.

Edit a station[edit | edit source]

Edit Demo hilltop: a globe of central Europe with the station pin, and the editor with Name, Callsign, Public or Unlisted, the location 47.27° N, 11.39° E at 574 m, three antennas, two radios, Cancel and Save.
The station editor for Demo hilltop, with the globe on the left and the Basics, Location, Antennas and Radios sections on the right.
  1. Select the station under Mine and press Edit, or press Edit station in the Transmit or Receive tab.
  2. Make your changes and press Save.

Running sessions switch to the new settings without reconnecting. A session on an antenna or radio you remove ends; the editor warns before you save.

Delete a station[edit | edit source]

  1. In the station's details or the editor, press Delete….
  2. Confirm with Delete station.

The station, its antennas and radios are removed and its sessions end. This can't be undone.

Use my previous setup[edit | edit source]

With no stations yet, Use my previous setup creates a station from the callsign, location, antenna and radio of your earlier transmit setup.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.simtx.net/index.php?title=SimTX_Guide/Stations&oldid=2511"