Navigator Light for DOS

Important note (05/18/99): A bug was found in version 1.2 date input procedure that mislead the user to enter date in the wrong format (day and month switched). This resulted in absurd results.

The error is corrected in the new version 1.3, which is available for download.

The program version appears when you close the program. Check it out. If your version is not 1.3 or latter, updating is strongly advised.

Many people asked me about the DOS version. The reason: it is small enough to run on the little palmtop computers from HP, the HP95lx, HP100lx and HP200lx. These computers are very small and run on ordinary AA alcaline batteries. I made some changes in the graphics interface, so the program now draws the simplified chart in the palmtop screen, which has a different graphics interface.

I know this documentation is incomplete. The original program documenation - in portuguese - has 45 pages. Some of it is already translated in the web site (http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav/).

This document explains some aspects of operating Navigator Light for DOS. The program has all the same calculation features found in the Windows version, and even some that are not. Users familiar with the Windows version should have no problem.

Uploading NAV.EXE to the palmtop

Palmtops don't have floppy disk drives, so you have to use its serial port to upload the program from a desktop computer. In order to do this, you will need a special serial cable (HP part 82222A). To upload, use the Windows Terminal, or any communications program that support Xmodem or Kermit transfer protocols. You can also use the infrared port, if you have the IR adapter in your desktop computer.

Once the cable is connected, run the terminal in the PC and press the COMM key in the palmtop. Set both programs to 19200 bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, parity none. Try typing something, to see if the other computer is receiving ok. Select either Kermit or Xmodem transfer protocols in both sides. Do the binary transfer of the file NAV.EXE. This transfer takes about 2 minutes.

Note: Once uploaded, you have to keep palmtop batteries charged or you loose the virtual disk data - and the program. AA Duracells will last 2 months, with minimal usage. Palmtops have a backup battery that keeps the memory while changing the main batteries. Keep spare batteries of both types. Check battery charge often.

Note: Navigator Light for DOS uses about 180k of memory. If the program gives a low memory error on start, try to allocate less memory to the virtual disk, leaving more memory for programs. Reserve at least 230k for programs. Read the palmtop manual for more details.

Running the program

This program runs in palmtops and PCS with MS DOS.

Running in a PC

type NAV PC (use the PC parameter)

Make sure you have CGA.BGI and EGAVGA.BGI files in the same directory.

Running in palmtops

You don't need any parameter. Just run NAV.

To start the program in the palmtop, use the FILER. Point the file NAV.EXE and press F4 (Run).

Operating the program

Once running, you can activate the menu, by pressing the space bar or the '/' key.

Menu commands can be activated by the capital letter, or by moving the cursor and pressing Enter.

Inputting data for Lines of Position calculation (LOPs)

1) First, select a celestial body, pressing 'B' 'S' (Body Select). Choose the celestial body.

2) To enter your measurements, press 'I' (Input)

For 23°45.6'W, type 23.456 (Use negative for East longitudes)

For 54°32.1'S, type 54.321 (Use negative for North latitudes)

For 34°67.8' , type 34.678

3) Calculate the LOP, by pressing 'C' 'L' (Calc Lop). If Lop looks ok, press 'S' to save it for the Fix calculation.

Calculating an Astronomical Position (Fix)

After saving two or more LOPs, press 'C' 'F' (Calc Fix). Program will calculate the Fix. Press 'M' to see the map with your LOPs and astronomical position.

Download Navigator Light for DOS

This program is released as shareware. If you like it and plan to use it regularlly, please register your copy.

Registration is only US$35.

Click here to download version 1.3 for DOS.

(navdos.zip - Zip compressed - 92047 bytes)

Comments and bug reports

Please contact me via e-mail <omar@tecepe.com.br> or visit the website (http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav).


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