Compiling MS Access database from FCC data

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seligman

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I would like to compile a Microsoft Access database to help update the railroad frequencies shown on this site.

Right now I have lots of notes on printouts or Post-it pad notes, which is very messy to keep organized. Additional fields and improved sorting abilities would help me greatly.

How easily can the FCC tables (from the FCC website) be linked together using MS Access?
What about the updates, can those be applied without too much trouble later on?
 
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If you're already familiar with MS Access it shouldn't be too difficult. The RR database allows you to export data to CSV (comma separated values) file format. Access can import CSV data files very easily. You can also do this with FileMaker, and several other database applications, as well as spreadsheets.
 
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seligman

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The table files I'm speaking of are the ones available here, updated on a regular basis:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=transaction&page=weekly

They do provide some SQL for table definitions (http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/data/documentation/pa_ddef42.txt) but unfortunately my SQL expertise is poor. I know how to link tables and create relationships, but I'm not sure how to get the tables and table headers into MS Access.

I really do love this site, but the database leaves out critical information that I need...Any help would be appreciated.
 
poltergeisty

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Well, your gonna need a very large hard drive.

You have to download the web page, decompress the data, run scripts and batch files. Too much work! If the FCC would only have an RSS feed it be easier.

Where exactly is the railroad date?

Why the author dosen't use HTTrack I don't know..
 
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seligman

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Let's say I'm able to create a database in MS Access to my liking.

How would I incorporate future updates without starting over? I suppose starting over isn't the end of the world, but I don't want to lose my notes. I'm going to place them in a different table, but nevertheless, updating seems more of a nightmare than starting from scratch.
 
PiccoIntegra

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The closest you're going to get without doing everything from scratch is a program on the FCC site called "Convert ULS". This program also comes with the VB6 source. One major issue is that it only deals with the licenses, not applications.

You can find it on this page: Spectrum Utilization Study Software (SUSS). Make sure you read the Introduction PDF as well.. it has all the info needed to get things set up. Good luck! :p
 
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seligman

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PiccoIntegra said:
The closest you're going to get without doing everything from scratch is a program on the FCC site called "Convert ULS". This program also comes with the VB6 source. One major issue is that it only deals with the licenses, not applications.

You can find it on this page: Spectrum Utilization Study Software (SUSS). Make sure you read the Introduction PDF as well.. it has all the info needed to get things set up. Good luck! :p
Click to expand...

I tried using Convert ULS but it doesn't want to work.

I keep getting a "Run time error 52, bad file name or number" and that's after I changed the default file locations.

The readme file doesn't address everything or else is outdated. Says the files have the format "uls_extract..PUBACC_xx.dat" where xx is the data set type. The instructions say to rename to "PUBCACC_xx.dat". But when I downloaded the files, they were in xx.dat format. I've tried various file name changes without success.

The settings menu also wants the location for Spec Cond Code.dat, Compact MDB File, Output MDB File, and FIPS Index Data. I have no idea what to specify for the last three. No instructions are given.
 
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