Uploading to SatNOGS using GetKISS+ - the simple way

[dl7ndr]

I’ve prepared a GetKISS+ package to upload received packets from current digipeater satellites.
getkissplus_2025-03-19.zip (142.0 KB)

It’s from DK3WN’s current version.

A few things for getting started.

Enable Kiss Server on port 8001.

Edit conf.ini and adjust it for your case.

Now, run your SoundModem and then GetKISS+.

That’s all, have fun.

73
Daniel

[pe2bz]

Hi Daniel,
thanks for the instructions. I am going to try to start my first decoding steps

I get an error about tabctl32.ocx or one of it’s components are not there. Any quick solution for that ? Running Windows 11 freshly installed 2 days ago.

Ben

[dl7ndr]

Hi Ben,

tabctl32.ocx and other components are at DK3WN.

Daniel

[PE0SAT]

Maybe this will also help to get the DK3WN software up and running.

Thanks to @pe2bz I updated the Microsoft Visual Baisc VB60 runtime download link.

[yd9ckh]

Thanks Daniel to make an update.
Let me share my experience, that make it automaticaly open the soundmodem for each satellite.
Put this sat_app.ini in same folder with getkiss.

sat_app.ini

[dl7ndr]

I saw this function but never used it before.
Guess the satellite names in sat_app.ini must match those in TLEFILE.txt
Additionally you have to adjust the port and the path to the SoundModem files.

As for the TEVEL2 satellites (the last entries in your sat_app.ini) it’s currently not recommended to use GetKISS+ for uploading unless you play the recording after the pass to go packet by packet to know in advance from which of the 9 satellites the next packet will be and switch GetKISS+ each time to this satellite.
Otherwise you will upload packets to the wrong SatNOGS satellite entry.
SatNOGS will count those entries too, but they are meaningless and if there is a dashboard it could lead to false values being displayed.

If you like to upload TEVEL2 packets during the pass, I recommend Gr-satellites UPloader. Perhaps a or the next step in uploading packets.
GetKISS+ should be understood as a (first and) simple way, but simple also as in limited.

[SM0TGU]

@dl7ndr What is the difference in your package compared to DK3WNs version?
73 de Lars SM0TGU

[dl7ndr]

Hi Lars,

I’ve added a TLE file for the current digipeater satellites and edited the conf.ini a little bit.

Daniel

[SM0TGU]

OK Daniel. One thing to remember that the TLE data needs to be updated from time to time.
I have made a starter bat-file for Windows that downloads new kepler data at every start. I’m using the well known software Curl.

Create a bat-fil and replace the {folderlink…} below to your folder locations for getkissplus and curl.

# Starter bat-file for GetKISSPlus that download latest kepler data from AMSAT-NA and then starts GetKISSPlus
"{folderlink_to_curl}\curl.exe" "http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt" -o "{folderlink_to_getkissplus}\kepler.txt"
"{folderlink_to_getkissplus}\getkissplus.exe"

[dl7ndr]

If you like to keep it updated, then this is a cool little batch file.

However, there is no need to keep it updated as long as you untick filter if the satellite is not visible (3).

The batch file downloads TLE data from 100 satellites which are then displayed in the drop-down menu.
I wanted to keep it focused on the satellites with digipeaters.

[dvdiyen]

Any help in GetKISS+ get a runtime error.
Have added all the .ocx files

[PE0SAT]

Have a look at this page and make sure that all the files and directories are correct and available otherwise you will run into problems.

It is a great peace of software but picky when it comes to settings and dependencies.

Jan | PE0SAT

[dl7ndr]

In case Jan’s advice doesn’t help, tell us more about your installation and the error message.

For example, I can reproduce

if there are errors in the TLE file.

[dvdiyen]

I have the run time error 6

[dvdiyen]

Thank you Jan. I was following your webpage. Have added all .ocx files. The missing .ocx error got solved but but now having runtime error 6.

[dl7ndr]

@dl7ndr

your installation

Just tell us from where you installed what and to which directory on what system and in what sitation the error shows up.

[dvdiyen]

The installation is in C:\Libraries\OCX
The getkiss+ is also in the same directory
Using Windows 10

Once I run the .exe (getkissplus) i get the error
Followed the procedure given here DK3WN | Amateur Radio – PEØSAT

[dvdiyen]

Thanks for all the help. Fixed the issue.

[PE0SAT]

There is an error in one or more of the config files and as @dl7ndr mentioned the kepler file could also be the reason.

Below a working conf.ini

# This is the ini file for GetKISSplus v.1
# (c) Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN
# contact: mail@mike-rupprecht.de
# 
# soundmodem agw port (8000) isn't supported anymore
# use tcp port 52002 for ubuntu decoder and port 8100 for windows soundmodem
#

#path in which the kiss files are written
FILE_PATH = D:\Downloads\TLM

#your callsign
MYCALL = PE0SAT

#use QTH height in meters
QTH_LAT = 52.37N
QTH_LONG = 4.89E
QTH_HEIGHT = 5

#SATNOGS database
SERVER = https://db.satnogs.org/api/telemetry/

#Keppler TLE file
TLEFILE = D:\Ham\TLE\Data\MyKepler.txt

#tcp kiss port soundmodem 
TCP_SERVER = localhost
TCP_PORT = 8100

#start modem automatically [ON | OFF | AUTO ]
SOUNDMODEM = OFF

LEFT = 
TOP = 

Working sat_aoo.ini

GRIFEX;localhost;8100;D:\HAM\UZ7HO\HS\hs_soundmodem.exe
;localhost;8100;D:\HAM\UZ7HO\HS\hs_soundmodem.exe

Jan | PE0SAT

[dvdiyen]

I have fixed it. Thanks.