Using computers for satellite operation was a great step ahead in the 80s. My first setup was a Basic program on a Sinclair ZX-81 with a Z80 core. I think that was 1981 or 82. It did only the prediction, no automatic antenna tracking, that was done manually.
Before we had to use an "OSCARLATOR" printed on paper. I wonder whether someone still has such an original Oscarlator. Would be nice to get a copy.
When a PC had not yet entered our homes, how did you track a satellite? 
Patiently, we waited for W1AW's RTTY bulletin on HF which broadcast among other things the daily equator crossing of the few satellites of our interest. Only one data per day for each satellite. Then we calculated by hand the subsequent orbits that applied to this stuff here.
It worked fine and we never lost a satellite.
Later in my house (late 70s) the first Apple ][ arrived and the new era began.
Good times ... and you learned a lot.
The OSCAR Locator........ I remember it well. but haven't seen one for 35 years !
Thanks for the memory !
I8LYL former I0LYL ... thanks for this information
I am remember also ....but some years later... I am using a simular one for RS10/11 in the beginning of my hamradio times....
computers are rare behind the wall in Y2 Land...
73 de dg0opk
My first help where to turn the antennas for AO-10/13 was a Sharp Pocket PC with a basic program from Karl Meinzer. Very nice tool!
73 Guntram oe9dgv
My first help where to turn the antennas for AO-10/13 was a Sharp Pocket PC with a basic program from Karl Meinzer. Very nice tool!
Actually this program from Karl DJ4ZC was amazingly small and the basis for many BASIC tracking programs from that era..
I confirm, at the time I think I took something from Karl DJ4ZC for my Basic program written for Olivetti M10. But with the Basic we were already in the modern era compared to the Oscar Locator.
Little memory available, not a single byte was wasted.
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My BASIC program for MSX and IBM-PC in 1988 ! : https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite/SATMBAS.TXT
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Message received from OSCAR 10 with an old teletype machine and homemade TU in 1985 !!! https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/hm/homemade.htm#a
Transparency for oscar locator in 1985 !..
Ok guys, let's specify that if we write about these memories it is not for nostalgia. Or maybe yes?
Telemetry transmitted on RTTY by Oscar-10 on August 21, 1985. Two blocks of telemetry. The left block with the satellite in eclipse, the one on the right after the eclipse. Note the temperatures in particular. Decoding program written by me for Apple][ and home built decoder. You didn't find anything ready, you had to make it at home, even the coffee. 
