Help with RS Pro 2042/OS535 and PC!

[62Falcon]

Help! Deep breath!

I was given a Radio Shack Pro 2042 with the OptoScan 535 enhancement. I want to buy programming software for it. I've downloaded several demo and trial versions of compatible programs, but none of them can see the scanner; cannot open the serial port. I've tried two computers, a desktop PC and a laptop; I've also tried a serial cable and a Serial to USB adapter with no joy. I have other serial devices that work just fine on both computers. For the life of me I cannot get it work. I've tried all the baud rate settings and flow controls.

The previous owner says he had it working with s/w he downloaded, but I have no idea what it was and I'm not about to bug and annoy him since he was kind enough to give me the set. I've read about the Windows Direct I/O issue and perhaps it may help since both computers are Pentium 4 PCs.

I have no documentation for the OptoScan 535 board and I cannot find any since it is no longer made? I would like to get the Probe program, but......there is no trial or demo and there are no refunds! Assuming my OS535 is good, what am I missing? I just want to get it working with any program at this point before I drop 60 bux on Probe or something else.

BTW, I am very familiar with COM ports and everything is setup correctly and matching. I'm using COM1. My GPS works perfectly when connected. Perhaps I need a special serial cable maybe? This is very perplexing!

Thanks for your time and suggestions.

~Falcon

 

[jrsandy]

Probe Software

I have the exact same setup and I use Probe Software. Never had a problem with it. Just do a Google search for the "Probe Radio Software" and I'm sure that you will get a number of hits.

John

 

[62Falcon]

Thanks John.

Before I plunk down 60 bux for the Probe software, I want to be sure the OS 535 works properly and so far nothing I have tried has been able to open the serial port as described in my initial post.

~Falcon

 

[ka3jjz]

Did you look in Device Manager and see what might be hanging the serial port up? Did you try a different serial cable? What Windows version are you using?

If memory serves, there is (or was?) a Probe Yahoo mailing list that might also be of use.

Best regards..Mike

 

[theoldcop]

FWIW - If you DO get it working, it is my opinion that you won't/couldn't find a more comprehensive control and logging program than Probe. I have been using it for a long time (Optocomm/Win 95) and, despite the fact that it's "long in the tooth", it still surpasses anything available today.

John

 

[62Falcon]

My Device Manager is fine; the serial port works with other devices, just not with the scanner. I understand that Probe is the software to get. But, until I am sure the OS535 is working, I will not buy Probe because there is no refund! I cannot afford to waste 60 dollars. As I stated before, I've tried two computers and two cables. I'm starting to think the OptoScan 535 is not working.

~Falcon

 

[fineshot1]

Fyi

I think on the OS535 I/F PCB there are some dip sw's and they determine the
RS232 communications speed but I do not have any documention on that any
more.

 

[cg]

It has been a while since I used my 535 but I recall that it is not for programming the radio but only for controlling it. I use that radio for aircraft monitoring as it is a great radio for civilian and mil A/C.

chris

 

[62Falcon]

It has been a while since I used my 535 but I recall that it is not for programming the radio but only for controlling it. I use that radio for aircraft monitoring as it is a great radio for civilian and mil A/C.

chris

The previous owner was a pilot and used it to monitor airport traffic. I cannot for the life of me find any documentation for the OS535. The Pro 2042 works just fine.

Could someone be so kind as to post there COM port settings please? Baud rate? Flow control? Is the serial cable a proprietary one or a special one? Thanks again.

~Falcon

 

[62Falcon]

I have the exact same setup and I use Probe Software. Never had a problem with it. Just do a Google search for the "Probe Radio Software" and I'm sure that you will get a number of hits.

John

JOhn,

What com port settings are you using? Baud rate and flow control?

~Falcon

 

[62Falcon]

FWIW - If you DO get it working, it is my opinion that you won't/couldn't find a more comprehensive control and logging program than Probe. I have been using it for a long time (Optocomm/Win 95) and, despite the fact that it's "long in the tooth", it still surpasses anything available today.

John

That's just fine and dandy John except THEY OFFER NO TRAIL OR DEMO VERSION AND NO REFUNDS! What kind of customer service is that?

~Falcon

 

[jrsandy]

OptoScan Instructions

I have the installation/user instructions. If you would like I can scan and e-mail them to you (about 10 pages).

John

 

[jrsandy]

2042/OS535 Settings

I use the following settings with the above configuration:

Comm Port 2
Base IO 760
IRQ 3
Baud Rate 19200
Interface OS535

Your settings may be different based on what's available on the computer that you are using, however, the interface must be OS535.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[jrsandy]

2042/os535

Sorry for so many replies, need to get my eggs in a row. Here is a quote from the OptoScan Installation Instructions:

"The Optoscan 535 will not take control until it receives a command from a computer or other CI-V device. At that time the display will go blank as the scanner is in remote control."

I don't know what you are using to communicate with the scanner thru the computer but it looks like you need to be able to send a command to the radio before the OS535 board can take control.

Hope this helps.

If you feel confortable getting in direct contact, maybe I can walk you thru getting it set up.

John

 

[62Falcon]

Sorry for so many replies, need to get my eggs in a row. Here is a quote from the OptoScan Installation Instructions:

"The Optoscan 535 will not take control until it receives a command from a computer or other CI-V device. At that time the display will go blank as the scanner is in remote control."

I don't know what you are using to communicate with the scanner thru the computer but it looks like you need to be able to send a command to the radio before the OS535 board can take control.

Hope this helps.

If you feel confortable getting in direct contact, maybe I can walk you thru getting it set up.

John

I was wondering about that, whether the radio should be on or off, and if it would change modes when connect to the PC. I've been trying the slower baud rates (4800, 9600) with no luck at all. Thanks, I now know what to look for if and when the connection is made.

~Falcon

 

[62Falcon]

I have the installation/user instructions. If you would like I can scan and e-mail them to you (about 10 pages).

John

IF it would not be too much bother, I would really appreciate the instructions. I have looked high and low all over the world wide web for them. You are a godsend dear sir! Please send them to Valcornet@gmail.com.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

~Falcon

 

[62Falcon]

Thank you John for sending the instructions. Woo hoo! I also managed to find the Checkout Utility program for it. All I need to do is to pop the hood on the scanner to check the port address and baud rate settings on the dip switches. Then I'll run the utility to see what gels. I'll report back later on this week with my results.

~Falcon

 

[fineshot1]

I have the installation/user instructions. If you would like I can scan and e-mail them to you (about 10 pages).

John

John - i hope i am not going to start a flood of requests but i was hoping to also
get the scanned install/user instructions from you. TIA.....

drf3 at verizon dot net

 

[62Falcon]

John - i hope i am not going to start a flood of requests but i was hoping to also
get the scanned install/user instructions from you. TIA.....

drf3 at verizon dot net

I would be more than happy to send the file to you also. It is in .PDF format. Please send me your email address and I will send it out post haste.

Regards,

~Falcon

 

[62Falcon]

An update on my progress so far:

I got the documentation from John (Thank you sir!), and I popped the hood on my scanner and found the baud rate was set to 110. I set it to 9600 using the dip switch configuration chart. The address was set to port 80, the standard setting. I connected it to my laptop's COM1 port and booted to DOS using my Windows 98 boot disk. I ran the OS535 DOS utility program and it there is no communication to the scanner. Rats! I will get a new serial cable and will try again. The one I have has both DB9 and DB25 female connectors on it at both ends, I used a male gender bender to make the connection to the scanner. Could be a bad cable so a new one is in order. I'll try a new one and will report back. I hoping it is just a cable issue at this point because I am running out of options. Thanks once again for everyone's help.

~Falcon