benb0jangles/EzTrak: satellite hand tracking made easy

EZ-TRAK is a comprehensive satellite tracking suite designed for amateur radio operators, weather satellite enthusiasts, and educational purposes. The software interfaces with an EZ-TRAK BLE device which is mounted to a lightweight foldable portable satellite dish antenna to hand track satellites in real-time, providing azimuth and elevation data for optimal antenna positioning.

EZ-TRAK DEMO: https://youtu.be/2A2lW0ONNiE

• Dynamic Satellite Tracking: Track satellites in real-time with azimuth/elevation display
• Pass Prediction: Calculate upcoming satellite passes for your location
• BLE Device Integration: Seamlessly connects to EZ-TRAK BLE device
• Position Recording: Record antenna pointing data for later analysis
• Multi-Source TLE Data: Download satellite data from Celestrak or SatNOGS DB
• User-friendly Interface: Easy-to-use application launcher and configuration tool

A graphical interface to configure and launch the main applications:

• Set your geographic location (latitude, longitude, altitude)
• Configure tracked satellites
• Set minimum elevation for valid passes
• Download and verify TLE data
• Launch main tracking applications

The main satellite tracking application:

• Visual polar plot showing real-time azimuth/elevation of your hand tracking antenna
• Real-time position display
• Pass prediction information
• Track recording functionality
• Automatic satellite data updates

Optional application for controlling wifi + imu antenna rotator (if available).

• Python 3.8 or higher
• Bluetooth-enabled computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
• EZ-TRAK BLE hardware device

pip install bleak matplotlib skyfield numpy requests

1. Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/benb0jangles/EZ-TRAK.git
cd EZ-TRAK

2. Run the launcher application:

1. Configure Your Setup:

   • Enter your latitude, longitude, and altitude
   • Select satellites to track (e.g., “NOAA 19”, “METOP-C”)
   • Set minimum elevation (typically 20° for good reception)
   • Download current TLE data

2. Launch Tracking Application:

   • Click “Launch EZ-TRAK” to start the main tracking application
   • Make sure your EZ-TRAK BLE device is powered on and nearby

3. Using the Tracker:

   • The circular display shows azimuth (compass direction) and elevation
   • The red dot shows the current position
   • Blue lines show predicted satellite passes
   • Yellow dot shows satellite position along blue line track
   • Use recording functionality to track your antenna movement

.

• Device Not Found: Ensure the EZ-TRAK device is powered on and within range
• TLE Download Errors: If Celestrak access is limited, try the SatNOGS data source
• No Satellite Passes: Verify your location settings and satellite selection

The application logs information to the serial console which can be helpful for troubleshooting. Look for messages related to:

• BLE device connection
• Satellite TLE parsing
• Pass prediction calculations

The EZ-TRAK BLE device is available from Ez-Trak sales page. This compact device:

• Interfaces with Farabrella satellite antenna Buy a Farabrella here to provide positional data
• Connects via Bluetooth Low Energy
• Battery-powered for field operation
• Simple button interface for recording and resetting

All Rights Reserved © 2025 Benb0jangles

This software is proprietary. No permission is granted to copy, distribute, or modify this software without explicit written permission from the author.

This project is provided as-is without any warranty. The software can be used for personal and educational purposes, but redistribution is prohibited.

• Satellite TLE data provided by Celestrak and SatNOGS
• Built using Skyfield for satellite calculations
• Special thanks to the amateur radio and satellite tracking community

Keep your files stored safely and securely with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD. With over 69,505 ratings and an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, this product has been purchased over 8K+ times in the past month. At only $129.99, this Amazon’s Choice product is a must-have for secure file storage.

Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Order now for just $129.99 on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!