EZ-TRAK Satellite Hand Tracking Suite

Overview

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.

Features

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

Components

1. EZ-TRAK Launcher (eztrak_welcome.py)

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

2. Satellite Tracker (eztrack.py)

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

3. Rotator Control (eztrackrotator.py)

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

Installation

Prerequisites

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

Required Python Packages

pip install bleak matplotlib skyfield numpy requests

Installation Steps

1. Clone this repository:

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

1. Run the launcher application:

python eztrak_welcome.py

Usage

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
   • Use recording functionality to track your antenna movement

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Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• 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

Debug Information

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

Hardware

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

Legal Notice

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.

Acknowledgments

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