Creating the APRSdos SUN circle for Venus Transit                28 May 2004
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This file tells you how to create your own SUN object on your APRSdos screen 
so that you can have a nice display for your Venus Observations.  There are
two ways to report your observations on APRS.  

EYEBALL:  This  method simply uses the yellow pseudo Sun on the APRS map
to estimate your observed position of venus and then move the cursor to 
the relative position and then entering a VENUS object at that location.

GRAPHIC:  This is the method described on the web page which requires you
to develop a mechanical means of lenses and graph paper to end up with a
2.50 radius graph from which you can estimate relative coordinates.  Then
you simply enter the graphical coordinates you see into the LAT/LONG of
an object you create.

Notice that the first method requires the SUN object so that you have 
the relative yellow area on which to input your OBJECTS.  Having the sun
object is not required, but is handy for the graphical direct coordinate
entry method as well, since it lets  you visualize the results of your
entries.

MAKING THE SUN OBJECT IN APRSDOS:

First zoom into the 0.25 Mile range scale and move your cursor to the 
location of 0002.50N and 00002.50W.  Then hit HOME key to center your map
on that location.  Next, zoom out to the 2 mile scale and make the 
following actions:

COMMANDS or ACTION  VALUE or comments
------------------  ------------------------------------------------
CONTROLS-UPLINK     toggle UP to "up" disabling uplinking of objects
INPUT-ADD           Hit the I and A keys
Latitude:           0000.01N
Longitude:          00000.01W
Object name:        Sun
Symbol:             AREA, then select 8
Type:               Circle
Fill with color:    Y
Color:              14
Comments:           as needed
Correct:            Y

DISABLE UPLINKING OF YOUR SUN!:

Now you have a yellow pseudo sun on your map.  Now go to the Positions
list and down arrow to that line and hit U key to deselect the item
from a "+" active uplinked object to a OBJECT so that your station
does not tranmit this Sun and mess up everyone else's sun..

ENABLE UPLINKING OF YOUR OBSERVATIONS:

Now to re-enable the uplinking of your observation objects, you may
now re-enable uplinking of your objects by using the CONTROLS-UPLINK
command to toggle the "up" to uppercase "UP".

Now you are ready to post your objects.  I recommend that to keep your
observations distinct from everyone else's, that you use your callsign
suffix and then a serial number.  If someone else has the same suffix,
remember that APRS programs should be case sensitivie and so one of you
can use uppercase and one lower or mixtures.

Unfortunately APRSdos cannot interface directly with the internet, but
your objects should be picked up by a nearby IGate and interfjected
into the global APRS stream.

Enjoy!
de WB4APR, Bob