avhrr level 1b data from saa, how to unpack?

[Alexander Brauns]

does anyone have a hint on how to unpack avhrr hrpt data from noaa
satellite active archive (SAA)? the data is provided via ftp in 8 or
10bit format, but the files are packed in some obscure way, the relevant
documentation (POD-polar orbital data guide) does only provide a fortran
routine for unpacking, I wonder if anyone already has a solution to this?

the images are intended for wildfire monitoring in northern guatemala

help would be appreciated

victor hugo ramos, alexander brauns
centro de monitoreo y informacion - cemec -
conap region VIII, peten, guatemala
tel +502-9260809
fax +502-9260812
e-mail: conappro at quetzal.net