User's Manual

Elster Handhelds
User Guide 20 3. Handheld operation
Using the stylus
Use the stylus to tap a command button or to move focus to a data entry field. If you do not
have a stylus, use the tip of your fingernail (not the soft pad of your finger).
Reading meters
Using the handheld device for meter reading is easy. The reading cycle consists of four
main stages:
1. Preparation:
a. Prepare the handheld device to accept the route from the Route Manager
software by touching the F3 - Route Manager Communications line in the main
menu or by pressing <F3>.
b. Once the handheld device is ready to accept a connection, Route Manager can
connect to the handheld device and the route is transferred from Route Manager
to the handheld device.
See Chapter 9, “Communicating with Route Manager.”
2. Initiate meter reading process:
• Begin meter reading by touching the F2 - Route Selection line in the main menu
or by pressing <F2>. The handheld device will display the Route Selection screen
that allows you to select a route for reading.
See Chapter 5, “Reading accounts.”
3. Acquire meter readings:
• If the meter shown on the Read screen has a RTM, then press <Enter> to begin
the read process. The handheld device will interrogate the RTM, report the
reading, and display the next meter in the route. If the meter is manually read,
then enter the numeric meter reading and press <Enter> to move to the next
account.
4. Transfer read data to Route Manager:
• When all readings have been gathered, the handheld device is unloaded by
pressing <Esc> to exit the route and return to the Main Menu. Then press <F3> to
enter Route Manager Communications. After the handheld device connects to
Route Manager, the handheld device will transfer stored readings to Route
Manager on the PC.
See “Uploading routes from device to Route Manager” on page 83.
Turning the device on and off
Dap
To turn the handheld on, press the <F1> key. If the handheld device is not in its charger, it
will normally turn off after three minutes of no activity.
To turn the handheld off, press the Blue key then press the <F1> key.
Radix
To turn the handheld on, press and hold the <Radix R> key until the handheld turns on.
The handheld turns off automatically after the handheld had been idle for more than two
minutes; the idle timeout is configurable (see the
FW900 User Guide for details).