ARC160 Software problems!

N1SQB · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 09:03 AM

This must the the week from hell when it comes to geting software to work right for me. I purchased the ARC-160 Software from Butel for my 2 Pro-162s. It installed without a problem. However, when it came time to read from the scanner it tells me that it does not see the scanner and that I should check the cable and the driver settings. I am using the 20-047 cable. Fearing something was wrong, I closed the ARC-160 and opened Win500 using my pro-106 as a test subject. No problem reading from or writting to the scanner. SO it is not the cable....Any suggestions? Unlike the WIN500 software, Butel software does not have a setting where you can manualy set the comports. I dont get what could be happening here. Any sugggestions guys?

Manny

spooney · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 09:53 AM

Which plug are you using to connect to the scanner? You need to be using the mono plug not the stereo one.

N1SQB · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 10:00 AM

I thought so too so I tried it with and without the adapter plug, nothing. This is happening to BOTH 162s. It just will NOT see the scanner. Like I posted earlier, without changing anything other than the radio, the cable worked great on WIN500 with my Pro-106.

Manny

spooney · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 11:03 AM

I guess it could be a bug in the software. I would ask Butel since they recently updated the program.

ke7xm · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 12:25 PM

Ok...I'll take a stab at it...

Some things I noticed with my 20-047 cable:

It won't work right if you allow windows to load the drivers. In the setup, you must load the drivers from the disk manually. There are 2 drivers needed, so you must go through the driver install twice.

My guess is you may only have one of the drivers loaded. (that may be all win500 needs to function)

Hope that helps

K

N1SQB · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ke7xm

Ok...I'll take a stab at it...

Some things I noticed with my 20-047 cable:

It won't work right if you allow windows to load the drivers. In the setup, you must load the drivers from the disk manually. There are 2 drivers needed, so you must go through the driver install twice.

My guess is you may only have one of the drivers loaded. (that may be all win500 needs to function)

Hope that helps

K

I will try that but I have software for 7 scanners. This is the ONLY radio giving me problems. My996,BCT15 (X3),780,785,Pro-163 all work perfectly with the same cable. I tried emailing Butel. Their suggestions I have already tried.

Manny

ke7xm · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 02:29 PM

Interesting.....

I am using Butel Ver. 1.02 Build 2 on two different computers with no problems. I think it is the latest version but I could be wrong. That is strange the cable would work with the other scanners and not the 162's. Maybe it is the software (or the software gods are just picking on you).

I would be interested to know what you find out.

73

K

N1SQB · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 03:57 PM

No thanks to Butel , I got it to work. I had to write to the scanner first. From that point on, it would go into wired programing mode vs. clone mode which it could not/would not get out of before causing an error. Weird but I found out by tinkering around with different functions. The other weird thing is that this software does not allow you to change or adjust the global settings like the keyboard beep. Everytime I write to the scanner, it resets back to the "on" mode and I have to manualy reset it. Bummer...

Manny

ke7xm · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 04:12 PM

Glad you got it to work. The reset problem bugs me too. When downloading new info, it likes to make changes to my custom band plan. (which has to be manually entered)

K

N1SQB · #10 (**permalink**) 02-25-2009, 04:32 PM

You would think that they would include that in the software. Why leave out global settings? I feel cheated somehow by not being able to program all my radios' features. Particularly something so important like contrast,key beep,data skip,battery save ect......

Manny

N1SQB · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 01:03 PM

I received a follow up letter of sorts from Butel. I was told in so many words, that it was MY fault for not checking and/or downloading the demo software and trying it before buying it. While this is true to a certain point, who would think that something as common as global settings would NOT be included? I dont get this persons attitude. He went on the defensive just because I said I was not satisfied with the software. I guess once they get your money, its on to the next person. It took me hours to figure out the problem and even then I discovered it by accident. He said that the global settings are planned for a future upgrade. Who does that these days? It should be included just like everybody else does. Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson about this particular company and it was not an expensive one so I did not fair too bad!

Manny

ke7xm · #12 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1SQB

I received a follow up letter of sorts from Butel. I was told in so many words, that it was MY fault for not checking and/or downloading the demo software and trying it before buying it. While this is true to a certain point, who would think that something as common as global settings would NOT be included? I dont get this persons attitude. He went on the defensive just because I said I was not satisfied with the software. I guess once they get your money, its on to the next person. It took me hours to figure out the problem and even then I discovered it by accident. He said that the global settings are planned for a future upgrade. Who does that these days? It should be included just like everybody else does. Anyway, I learned a valuable lesson about this particular company and it was not an expensive one so I did not fair too bad!

Manny

I understand your frustration. I still believe the developer has honorable intentions. Not including the global settings in the initial software release does seem unusual. Using the software does have it's quirks, but even in it's limited state, it was worth the 30 bucks not to have to program the little monster by hand.

Also, with RS discontinuing the Pro-162, I doubt we will see many (if any) software updates.

K

Dubbin · #13 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1SQB

I guess once they get your money, its on to the next person.

That's not true at all, Gommert is on this site constantly helping others.

AlabamaRS · #14 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

That's not true at all, Gommert is on this site constantly helping others.

Oooh no I agree with you, He is one of the nicest 1's also

N1SQB · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

That's not true at all, Gommert is on this site constantly helping others.

I did not see that in my case. He stopped short of pretty much blaming me for not finding these short falls before I bought the software. Thats no way to talk to a customer, even if they only spent $30. Anyhow, at least I dont have to program the "little monster" manualy anymore. LOL....

Manny

N1SQB · #16 (**permalink**) 02-26-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ke7xm

I understand your frustration. I still believe the developer has honorable intentions. Not including the global settings in the initial software release does seem unusual. Using the software does have it's quirks, but even in it's limited state, it was worth the 30 bucks not to have to program the little monster by hand.

Also, with RS discontinuing the Pro-162, I doubt we will see many (if any) software updates.

K

I agree with you!

Manny

Butelsoftware · #17 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Manny, you purchased ARC160 without trying out the software first.

We offer a 30 day demo version so you can explore the ARC160 software and compare with other offerings and then after 30 days you decide whether you like the software or not.
You decided not to make use of the 30 day trial that we offer. The software does exactly what is advertised on our webpages.

Gommert
Butel Software

N1SQB · #18 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Gommert!
I believe you already know my feelings towards your software and your attitude. There is no need to go any further with this discussion on here. I learned my lesson. Thankfuly it was not an expensive one. Thank you Don Starr for all your software, thats all I have to say.

Manny

Butelsoftware · #19 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 01:25 PM

You started a public discussion so I have the right to post a reply,
The lesson is use the 30 day trial period and then decide whether you want to purchase the software or not.

Gommert
Butel Software

AlabamaRS · #20 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1SQB

Gommert!
I believe you already know my feelings towards your software and your attitude. There is no need to go any further with this discussion on here. I learned my lesson. Thankfuly it was not an expensive one. Thank you Don Starr for all your software, thats all I have to say.

Manny

NO need for you to go any farther either?????