ARC396 Puts 000.000 as Frequency

[hotdjdave]

Sometimes when I upload frequencies from Butel ARC396 software to my Uniden BCD396T, the frequencies in some systems/groups come out as "0.0000MHz."

I have to reload it, sometimes more than once, to get all the frequencies to be accepted. It seems to be worse when I upload more than one system at a time, but it still happens on just one system as well.

 

[Butelsoftware]

Which version are you using? A simular problem was fixed in the latest 1.050Beta.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[hotdjdave]

1.031 Beta

1.031 Beta.

It never did it before. It just starting doing it a couple of days ago.

 

[Butelsoftware]

That's a very old release, update to 1.050B

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[hotdjdave]

Database Is Now Corrupt.

Even with the newest version of ARC396 PRO, there are frequencies with 0.0000 MHz. In fact, much of my files have been corrupted, leaving at least one channel of every group of almost every system with an entry of 0.0000 MHz for the frequency (over the top of what used to be there); and in many cases, two in each group.

I was planning to purchase the full version, now I am not sure what to do. This is hours worth of work down the drain. How can I be sure this won't happen with the new version. The new version displays me a message that it is expired and cannot upload. How can I test it if I cannot upload to my scanner, as this is when the problem occurs. I have removed all instances of ARC and Butel from my computer and the expired problem still exists, even though I just downloaded it.

I want to purchase and use the program, but I can't properly test the program. There has to be a way to override or bypass the "expired" problem.

 

[bacon]

Make sure you don't have an extra space at the end of the frequency.

 

[hotdjdave]

Make sure you don't have an extra space at the end of the frequency.

No, there is a pattern to the problem. In each group, it deletes the second entry, replaces the first entry with the second entry, the second entry becomes 0.0000 MHz in both the frequency spot and the channel name spot, and an entry is added at the end of the group (0.0000 MHz). This has happened with almost every system, and in each system it happens, it happens in every group.

This did not always happen. I was thinking it was some sort of built-in problem to happen for expiration purposes (I am using a demo version).

Whatever the cause, it has destroyed many hours of work on over 30 systems I built for my BCD396T.

 

[hotdjdave]

File Dumps

Now I noticed that when I close the program (the latest ARC396 Pro Beta trial), it dumps the following folders and files on my Windows desktop:

audio (folder)
backup (folder)
data (folder)
temp (folder)
defdata.ini (file)
history.txt (file)


What is going on?

 

[Butelsoftware]

Spaces are an issue in UASD, not ARC396 since it automatically removes them.

You installed/moved the software to your desktop instead of creating a shortcut, also see my reply in the ARC396 yahoogroup.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[RISC777]

Figured Out Yet ?

So, hotdjdave, did you get this figured out ?

What system, or is it all regardless of 'type?'

 

[hotdjdave]

Problem Still Exists

So, hotdjdave, did you get this figured out ?

What system, or is it all regardless of 'type?'

It is only the systems to which I make changes. The problem has been occurring only within the last week or so (after using it with no problems for a month or so).

If you ask me, I think it is some sort of built-in thing that happens when the trial version is supposed to end...however, mine has not yet ended (at least I have not yet gotten any messages).

I did get an expired message when I downloaded the newest trial version of ARC396 PRO, immediately opening after installing it. But when I open the older version, it does not give me the error.

I have gone back to using the UASD software for now. I did want to try out the newest version of ARC396 Pro to see of this problem is in that version before I purchase it...but I guess that will not be possible. I will just wait to see if there are any problems brought up in the forums and groups. The UASD software did not have any problem after uploading the rewritten data to the scanner.

Butel told me that my trial version should have been enough time to figure out if I want to buy the program, but when the problem starts right near the end of the trial, then how is one supposed to know if the newest version is any better without trying it first (which I cannot do because it immediately informs me that the trial is expired and that I cannot upload data - which is what I need to do to see if the problem still exists). I guess it is a catch-22 situation. I spent about two hours tonight fixing the errors in both the ARC files and because I saved the systems in the UASD software before I discovered the problem, I had to fix that data as well. It was not as hard as I thought it would be, but still! ARC format is not the same as UASD format (ARC is freq and name, UASD is name and freq) making it somewhat tedious to copy and paste.

Butel has not been any help, either, in this matter. They tell me that my version is old and expired and that I cannot use a newer version. What the heck am I supposed to do? It is not like I am trying to get another free trial (extended freebee), I just need to see if this new version has the same problem. There HAS to be a way to remove ALL of Butel and ARC files off of my computer and be able to download a new trial version without it telling me it is expired. Butel software has to have put some hidden file on my computer for the software to know that the trial version is expired. Like I wrote, I have removed every instance of Butel and ARC from my computer and Windows registry and the problem still occurs (the 0.0000 MHz and the expired message). Being so, how would the Butel software know it is expired (even after just downloading it and removing prior versions, files, and registry entries from my computer)?

Don't get me wrong, I love the ARC software and think it is far superior to the UASD software from Uniden. I have even promoted ARC software to others, here at RR and elsewhere. I want to purchase the full version, but not until I am satisfied that the software will work properly. As of right now, I do not know that and have no way to re-test the newest version of the software to make sure there are no problems.

 

[Butelsoftware]

Ok, I will try this one more time:

You are use a very old release (1.03) to upload data in the scanner and that is causing the dataloss problem. As I wrote before this problem has been fixed in later releases.

You can use a newer version but in demo mode you only have limited uploads and your demotime expired.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

 

[DaveNF2G]

I'd like to know why this whole discussion is being carried on in parallel in the ARC396 mailing list and very publicly here on RadioReference? Do you honestly want to evaluate the program and work out possible 'bugs' for everyone's good, or do you want to be sure your dissatisfaction is broadcast as widely as possible?

I question your motives, and I think Gommert has been more than cooperative with your "requests."

 

[hotdjdave]

...honestly want to evaluate the program and work out possible 'bugs' for everyone's good,...

But, according to Gommert, the newest version does not have the bugs anymore.

As for the other comment, it has nothing to do with it. The possibility that someone else was having the same problem MIGHT be the reason I posted in info so that they could respond with a possible resolution. Frankly, your cynicism is insulting. As for the posting in the Yahoo Group, that was to possibly get someone there who could have an answer that does not come here to RR - yes, if I have a problem, I go to more than ONE source to try to find a resolution.

Gommert has answered my question. My last post was in response to RISC777's question.

Thank you Gommert for your answer.

 

[RISC777]

Personal Opinion

hotdjdave ,
Having used the Uniden UASD software initially, then just out-right purchasing the Butel ARC software for every scanner I've got I have never regretted going with Butel's software (the PRO versions all the way around is the way I went). If you can afford it, don't justify it, make the purchase. I say emphatically it's worth it. And you'll always have the UASD in the event you do any sending / receiving of files in that format.
-Doug