ARC433 for PRO-433/Pro-528/PRO-2051 User Manual Version 0.98 2006 BuTel software The Netherlands – all rights reserved www.butelsoftware.com ARC433 User Manual 0.
Contents: 1 Introduction and quick start reference 1.1 Software Installation 1.2 Enter registration information 1.3 Connecting the scanner to your PC 1.4 Model and RS232 port setup 1.5 USB information 2 Using the memory channel editor 2.1 Reading data from the scanner 2.2 General hints and tips for using the editor 2.3 Programming conventional frequencies 2.4 Programming trunk frequencies 2.5 Sort data 2.6 Easy Fill 2.7 Using the clipboard 2.8 Copy/Move/Swap banks/channels 2.8.
1: INTRODUCTION: ARC433 is a windows software package for easy programming the RadioShack PRO-433 / PRO-528 and PRO-2051 scanners. System requirements: • Windows XP/Win2000 • minimum display resolution settings: VGA 800x600 • SMALL Fonts • PC interface RadioShack model 20-047 ARC433 Quick Start Reference: - Install the software (1.1) Enter the registration information (1.2) Connect the scanner to the PC (1.3) Setup communication port number (1.
1.1 Software installation: The ARC433 is available as Internet download or on CD-ROM. Important: we advise our customers to uninstall previous versions before installing new versions. The uninstall process will not remove any data files created with the software. Win2000/XP users: You must be logged on as administrator to install and use ARC433. Internet download: The downloaded file contains all the necessary files for installation. Run the exe file and the installer will automatically start.
Enter registration: Start the software by selecting START _ PROGRAMS _ BUTEL _ ARC433 _ ARC433 for RadioShack 433/528. After the start screen, select HELP _ REGISTER in the menu. Enter the name and key information: the name is case sensitive! No spaces are allowed. 1.3 Connect you scanner: The scanner must be connected to a serial or USB port using a PC interface that is compatible with your scanner, contact RadioShack for information. For USB ports the RadioShack 20-047 cable is available at www.
2: Using the memory channel editor: ARC433 includes the most versatile memory editor available on the market. Unlike other software packages you can use ARC433 without a scanner connected. This section describes most options available in the memory editor; in order to use the full power of the editor it is important that you read this section carefully. The editor does not require that a scanner is connected.
Using the memory bank selection tab you can set the active memory bank that you want to edit. 2.1 Reading data from the scanner: Because there is probably already some data in your scanner it is a good start to first read the data from your scanner. From the main menu select: PRO433/582 _ Read Data from Scanner Tip: you can also use the toolbar button or press F5. A new window is shown: On the left side you select the comport that is used for communication with the scanner.
2.2: Hints and Tips Once data is transferred to the memory channel grid you can use many options to edit your data. ARC433 is the most versatile editor available on the market. Using the menu or toolbar you can easily move/copy/sort data. All options also have a toolbar button available. Moving the mouse pointer over a toolbar button will show a small popup help text. General information about using the memory channel editor grid: You can edit data directly in the grid or you can use the editor bar.
2.3 Programming conventional frequencies: You can enter frequencies directly in the grid. In the grid there is no cursor shown. You can use BACKSPACE to make corrections in the grid. If you click on a cell the current data is copied to the editor bar, in the editor bar a cursor is shown (frequency and tag column only). When you enter a frequency and you press ENTER the other cells of that line are automatically programmed depending on your custom settings (default channel data).
To setup your scanner for receiving trunk systems: - Use internet/frequency lists to obtain the correct information about trunk system settings, trunk frequencies and trunk id’s.
2.6 EasyFill EasyFill is a simple but powerful option that lets you program data in a range of channels with only a few mouse clicks. Additionally you can use EasyFill for quickly program a range of frequencies in a memory bank so you can use a memory as a search bank. Select EasyFill from the Options menu or use the EasyFill toolbar button to display the EasyFill window: In the top frame the channel range is selected. DEFAULT will set the start and end channel of the selected bank.
Example: in the tag box the tag is set to ‘Police 1’. The channel range is set to 1-100. If fill series is selected, the software will automatically program ‘Police 1’ in channel 1, ‘Police 2’ in channel 2, ‘Police 3’ in channel 3 etc. See also section 2.9. The number of characters of the tag box is shown in blue. ARC433 User Manual 0.
2.7 Using the clipboard In the memory editor grid you can use the standard Windows clipboard options. In the toolbar shortcuts are available for cut, copy and paste options. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts CTRL C, CTRL X and CTRL V. Use these options to paste data from other applications like Excel. An additional clipboard option is available that will automatically select entire lines (Cut line, copy line and paste line).
2.8.1 Copy/Move/Swap Memory Channels: The ‘from’ and ‘to’ list boxes will automatically display the channel number, frequency and tag. Channels that are empty (no frequency programmed) are indicated as Empty. Current Bank: copy/move/swap channels in the active bank All Banks: copy/move/swap channels in all Banks 2.8.2 Copy/Move/Swap Memory Banks: Use this window to copy/move/swap entire memory banks. You can select the data that you want to copy/move/swap (frequencies, trunk id’s and trunk settings).
2.9 Fill Down / Fill Series The Fill down and fill series options are used to copy the same data into a range of channels. Fill series will automatically calculate ascending numbers in text tags (see examples below) This example will show fill down: Channel 10 contains Trunk=OFF, Delay Time = 4 seconds and Record =ON We want to copy this data to channels 11-20; first you must highlight the channel range: Now select the FILL DOWN option: ARC433 User Manual 0.
The software will automatically fill the selected range, using the data at the top of the selected range. Fill Series: Fill series only works in the tag column. It will look for number information in the tag and auto increase the number in ascending channels. Example: Channel 10 contains the tag ‘UHF Channel 431’: Highlight the channels where you want to copy the data to: Now select the FILL SERIES option and ARC433 auto calculates the new tags: ARC433 User Manual 0.
2.10 Other Options: DUMMY BANK: The dummy bank is a virtual bank. You can use this bank for temporary storage of data. The data in the dummy bank is not send to your scanner nor stored in a file. You can also consider the dummy bank as a large clipboard. You can use the cut/copy/paste options to move data between the dummy and memory banks. ARC433 User Manual 0.
2.11 Using Paste Frequencies for importing frequencies of the internet: With ARC433 you can very easily import frequencies from any website. • • Start the ARC433 software Open you internet browser and open a website displaying frequencies you want to import , for example: ARC433 User Manual 0.
• In your browser highlight the area (hold down right mouse button and move mouse) you want to import: • Now in your browser press CTRL – C (or select EDIT _ COPY from the top menu) Now go to ARC433 and click in the frequency column • ARC433 User Manual 0.
• Click the right mouse button and select ‘Paste Frequencies: ARC433 User Manual 0.
2.12: Uploading data into the scanner: From the main menu select: PRO433/528 _ Send Data to Scanner Tip: you can also use the toolbar button or press F6. A new window is shown: Select the communications comport, if you previously read data into the software your last selection is shown. Select the banks you want to upload and which data (frequencies / trunk settings) Click ‘Send To Scanner’ to start data transfer.
2.13 Import/Export data: ARC433 can import data from various sources: - import CSV data import using the clipboard: you can easily copy/paste data from Excel or other database software that supports the clipboard import frequencies from text/html/csv files. Use the Import CSV file option in the file menu. import directly from the Radioreference.com database.
2.14 Import CSV files: Select FILE _ IMPORT _ IMPORT CSV FILE. A new window is shown. Select File _ Open CSV file and browse for the CSV or text file that you want to import. The contents of the file will be shown in the grid. You can now simply copy data from this grid into the main editor grid: You can make changes in the grid by using a double click. You can use copy/paste option. The right mouse button will show a popup menu (see screenshot).
3 TRUNK SYSTEM SETTINGS: From the menu select TRUNK _ SYSTEM SETTINGS. A new window is shown; in this window you will find tabs where you can set the trunk bank settings. Depending on the selected trunk type the trunk settings for that system are shown. For information about these parameters please refer to the scanner Operating Manual. IMPORTANT: before you program trunk id’s you must first setup the correct trunk type to avoid problems during data upload. 3.
3.2 MOTOROLA TYPE1: For a TYPE 1 system it is very important that the trunk system is setup correctly before any trunk id’s are uploaded to your scanner. Depending on the fleetmap settings the scanner may not accept some trunk id’s. BC250/296D: ARC433 will always use a custom fleetmap even if you selected a predefined fleetmap. The correct settings for the custom plan are automatically programmed.
3.3 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – 900 MHZ: Due to a firmware bug you can not program Motorola Type2 900 system using software. The PRO-2051 does not support Mot2 – 900 systems. ARC433 User Manual 0.
3,4 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – UHF: You must program at least one base configuration for a type 2 UHF system. See next page for more information about frequency/step/offset. ARC433 User Manual 0.
3.5 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – VHF You must program at least one base configuration for a type 2 VHF system. See next page for more information about frequency/step/offset. ARC433 User Manual 0.
Explanation of base/step/offset parameters: For a type 2 VHF or type 2 UHF you must program base/step/offset parameters. For properly tracking a type 2 VHF/UHF system, the scanner needs channel number information. The tracking process is controlled by sending channel numbers instead of frequencies.
3.6 EDACS: You can use either AFS or decimal trunk id format. ARC433 will accept both AFS and decimal trunk id’s in the trunk id editor. When you program EDACS frequencies, it is important that you store each frequency in the correct location. This often is not the frequency order, so you must be sure you have the right sequence. It is normal that during Edacs trunk scanning or trunk searching the mode of the memory channels assigned to Edacs systems changes.
3.7 LT system: ARC433 User Manual 0.
4 TRUNK ID editor: Every bank can store a maximum of 100 trunk id’s (also known as talkgroups). You can also program a tag for every trunk id (stored in files only). The 100 trunk id’s are divided into 10 lists called scanlists. IMPORTANT: before you program trunk id’s you must set the correct trunk system type (select TRUNK _ SYSTEM SETTINGS. The trunk id editor will show the active trunk type, the software uses this information to check and correct new id’s that are entered.
Align left / center: align the trunk tags in the grid. MOVE UP/DOWN: select a line in the grid, and then use the up/down buttons to move the data in the grid. INSERT: insert an id in the list REMOVE: remove selected ID from list ARC433 User Manual 0.
5 SEARCH RANGE EDITOR (PRO433/528 models only): The scanner has 10 user programmable search ranges. For your convenience the software uses a preset list. You can select from the preset list, the data is then automatically copied. The search ranges are stored in a memory data file. The preset list can be modified. Preset ranges are stored in a file called src.txt and can be modified using notepad. ARC433 User Manual 0.
6 Software Settings N/A ARC433 User Manual 0.
7 Radioreference Database import ARC433 can import conventional frequencies, trunk system settings and talkgroup id’s directly from www.radioreference.com , Radioreference is the largest and most accurate scanner database in the world. For information about the database check out: http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR IMPORTANT: To use the Radioreference import option you must subscribe to their services (only $7.
7.1 Conventional Import: Enter you username and password and click CONNECT. You can now browse the database, select your State and County or Agency you want to import: ARC433 User Manual 0.
After a Agency or County is selected the available Sub Categories and Categories are shown, select the Categories you want to import: Each category will be imported as a group, therefore you can only import 20 categories per system. You can now select ‘Create System’ or preview the frequencies first by clicking the Preview option: ARC433 User Manual 0.
In the preview window you see detailed information about the frequencies found in the database. You can select the frequencies you want to import, by default all frequencies are selected. ARC433 User Manual 0.
7.3 Trunk Systems: ARC433 you can import trunk system settings and talkgroup id’s directly from www.radioreference.com , Radioreference is the largest and most accurate scanner database in the world. For information about the database check out: http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR IMPORTANT: To use the Radioreference import option you must sign up as a member and make a donation to Radioreference.com.
Once connected to the database you can browse States, Counties and Systems to get the trunk system frequencies and Trunk ID’s from the database. You can use the ‘VIEW’ options to preview the data per State/County or System. To import data, select at least one site and one group with talkgroup ID’s. Next press ‘Create System’ and a new system will be added to your systembrowser. Control Ch.
7.4 Radioreference Options: 1: Use Tag Filters: This option uses an external file to automatically filter/replace text tags. You can edit the file in notepad and define your own ‘filter’ rules. Locate ‘tagfilter.txt’ and open in notepad, here are some filter examples: "East","E" "West","W" "North","N" "South","S" "Police","PD" "Fire","FD" "Tactical","Tac" ";","" So ‘East’ will be replaced by ‘E” etc. The ; character will be removed. You can define up to 1000 rules to filter text.
8 General information and troubleshooting 8.1 Revision history: ARC433 V1.00: ARC433 User Manual 0.
