ScanCat-Lite-Plus & The Pro-96

loumaag · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2005, 01:12 PM

I need to communicate with anyone who has the latest version of ScanCat-Lite-Plus, a Pro-96, and also uses Win96 software.

I have tried the Demo version of ScanCat-Lite-Plus and found what I think is a failing in the program, but since I don't have a registered copy I would like to do an experiment with someone who does. (The demo won't allow saving a file or uploading to the radio.)

What I need to do is send someone a Win96 (.p96) file which I want you to upload to your radio using the latest version of Win96. Then, using ScanCat-Lite-Plus, I want you to download it into a new ScanCat-Lite-Plus file. Close everything. Reopen the ScanCat-Lite-Plus, upload the data into the Pro-96 and then (using Win96) suck it back out into a new .p96 file which you can return to me.

If anyone is willing to help me with this say so here and I will PM you for/with details. Thanks.

scanhoog · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2005, 01:48 PM

I'd love to hear the results of your experiments. I just downloaded scancat-lite plus demo and tried its read mode.

It is slow, but did extract the data properly as far as I can tell.

I'm curious if its additional delay modes (1,2,4,-2) actually would work in the Pro-96. I also noticed two additional FM modes (FMN, FMW). Are these truly supported by the radio? If so, I have a narrow-FM site nearby and would love to have that mode so it isn't so darned quiet.

I also notice the "MOT" and "EDACS" modes are specified differently [edited]. I'm not impressed with the UI of ScanCat lite. It looks to me like the UI paradigm is more tuned to other scanners (Uniden?). A nice thing about Win96 is that its approach exactly mirrors the corresponding radios (96, 2096) in concept (with a much more efficient interface).

I'm not going to spend much time on ScanCat, since the program won't write to the scanner. I wish they let you download 5 times or something more illustrative.

I also notice the settings page has almost nothing on it, whereas Win96 has a fair number of detailed settings. Would these settings be lost if you did a write config from ScanCat?

I am very happy with Win96, but always open to explore new options. I wish Butel had something to try for Pro-96. I also wish the Pro-96 had some real hidden features that software could exploit.

drouse3 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2005, 05:52 PM

Have you found help yet, I can do that. I just need the file.

loumaag · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2005, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drouse3

Have you found help yet, I can do that. I just need the file.

Thanks, PM on the way.

loumaag · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2005, 11:39 PM

Thanks to drouse3 I have completed the test I wanted to run and the results were as I suspected. ScanCat-Lite is next to useless for programming a Pro-96. It will read and write to the radio; however, what it reads and what it writes leaves a lot to be desired.

I have attached the summary of the test as a text file to this post. Anyone interested should download the file and take a look. Especially the people at Computer Aided Technologies. I will send them a copy of the report attached to an email and they will be welcome to do with as they wish.

scanhoog · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the detailed analysis. I think I'll stay away from their products for some time.

Just a quick look at the demo program suggests there MIGHT be issues. Your test indicates that the program is probably useless for the Pro-96.

I think they try to virtualize all scanner features into one internal and user interface model. That approach is much more complicated than using a specialized model for each scanner and then providing a common import/export/translate ability that might only cover a subset of available data for moving scanned freq lists (freq's, text tags, banks, some TRS details, but not every nuance for migration between dissimilar scanners).

I also guess that their programming is internally convoluted and poorly organized. I haven't seen a commercial application that is this sluggish on such a small amount of data in a long time. I have a very fast computer and the program seems sluggish (not just when importing data -- which really didn't take that long).

I like Win96, but would also be interested in additional options if something covers the basics very well and has some nice usability features on top of it. Filling bank(s) with a web service search from RR would be a nice feature.

fmon · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2005, 07:16 PM

Nice report Lou, with the insight and valued help of your collaborator drouse3, all scannist may be better informed prior to purchasing some scanner software. Based on this study, I would extrapolate your conclusions to include all Winxx programs as superior to ScanCat-Lite-Plus. Bravo Zulu.

And drouse3, you saved me some bucks, another day and I would have purchased ScanCat just to help the cheapskate out.

And Lou, I hope you sent a bright smile with your email to Computer Aided Technologies.

This worthy feed is bookmarked.

loumaag · #8 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 12:34 AM

Update:
The report I prepared with an email offering to work with them on the problems was sent just after my post on the 9th. As it was late I did not expect anyone to see it until the next day. It is now Sunday and I have not received any response from Computer Aided Technologies.

drouse3, who helped me in this effort posted (on Saturday) a query on the Scancat Yahoo group asking for some assistance with disappearing data using the software with his Pro-96. I am awaiting any responses he may get with interest. :?

drouse3 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 03:02 AM

I do not think you will hear from them soon. I posted that message beauase the scancat web site has a link to it. Remember with the demo version you do not find these problems, I use win96 . I tried scancat-lite to tranfer data between my PRO-95 and PRO-96. I was looking at the scancat gold for when I buy a BC796D, But I will stop my loss at $30.00.

unitcharlie · #10 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 03:48 AM

ok, let me ask a stupid question here... by the way lou, nice work! is scan-cat worth the money for one of the other scanners it is written for? i have a pro94b to keep up with... at this point very few freqs in it but want to send it out on the streets with a full load... does it work there?

loumaag · #11 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitcharlie

... i have a pro94b to keep up with... at this point very few freqs in it but want to send it out on the streets with a full load... does it work there?

Well, I will say this, I don't hold a lot of promise for it. But do what I did, which broached the subject to begin with. Download the demo, and using what you have in the 94, down load from the radio to the demo. See if what comes in looks like what you have in the radio. That was my first clue using the 96 that something was wrong. The test with drouse3 just confirmed it. I am sure that these guys (Comp. Aided Tech.) are capable guys, they have been around too long to not be, but that doesn't mean that everything they turn out is good. So...give the demo a shot and see. You might want to put some strange things in your 94 before you try this, the thing that rang my bell right away was the fact that it did not bring in the VHF Base/Offset/Step setups for my local State TRS. Doing this test with the demo doesn't cost anything but a little time.

unitcharlie · #12 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 02:06 PM

roger lou... i am trying to avoid the 40,567 key punches required to program the thing... thanx

click23 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 03:07 PM

Charlie,

Try Pro96. I have always had good results with Dons software. And if you have any problems or questions you can just ask him, Dons on this board.

Robert

loumaag · #14 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by click23

Charlie,

Try Pro96. I have always had good results with Dons software. And if you have any problems or questions you can just ask him, Dons on this board.

Robert:
The program you refer to is Win96, the radio it supports it the Pro-96. unitcharlie is dealing with a Pro-94, not a Pro-96 and Don has never written software for the Pro-94.

click23 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-14-2005, 03:46 PM

ops: Thats what I get for trying to work and and type at the same time. :rolleyes:

loumaag · #16 (**permalink**) 02-17-2005, 11:01 AM

Update2:
Still no direct response from CAT to me.

The post on the ScanCat yahoo group I mentioned earlier by drouse3 has been responded to. They asked him to specify what went wrong and he sent them some example files. Hopefully they will continue the dialog and not just drop it.

drouse3 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-17-2005, 03:48 PM

I sent the files like he asked for. Today I recieve an e-mail saying the files were not with the e-mail sent. It has been a long time since I have lost attachments on an e-mail.

Don

loumaag · #18 (**permalink**) 02-17-2005, 09:22 PM

That is pretty funny. I guess they lost mine too, although they never bothered to acknowledge getting them.

Easy to fix. Zip up the files, maybe even take a screen shot or two, add them to the zip and then stick the zip in the "files" section of the group. Once there, everyone can see them, so they can't claim they didn't get them.

drouse3 · #19 (**permalink**) 02-19-2005, 05:45 PM

I got a second e-mail telling me the files are no good because he does not have a copy of win96. Lou, I think its time to try your idea about sending the files.

loumaag · #20 (**permalink**) 02-19-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drouse3

I got a second e-mail telling me the files are no good because he does not have a copy of win96. Lou, I think its time to try your idea about sending the files.

You know, that is funny. Even a competetor can download Win96 and demo it for 30 days.

Next time you communicate with them, let them know about that free demo period; also say that you had conducted a test with someone and a report of the specific problems was sent via email to them but that they never acknowledged it.

In about one more week I will start making noises elsewhere on the net about how ScanCatLite does not work for the Pro-96. BTW, have you ever heard what RS employees who have to use it think of it. Try asking them some time.