Ardv1/Ardv10-pc-computer-control-new-s-w

[marlbrook]

Lack of replies

When the AR-DV1 first came out there was a lot of disappointment that it did not follow trunked systems as well as other short comings that begged the question, Why spend more than twice as much on a receiver that can't do as much as the Uniden HP536? It seems as though with the development of the E-spy software the tables may have turned. I would like to see a discussion about how this software has impacted the functionality of the AOR DV-1 and what this receiver/ software combo can do that a top of the line Uniden or Whistler digital scanner can not do. In other words, The radio enthusiast would pay a premium for this receiver and software because...

Due to the very few responses to your post I will add this.

I could mention lots of reasons perhaps, but here is just one, and in my mind, the 'clincher'

The radio enthusiast would pay a premium for this receiver and software because...

'Q-DB' - The AR-DV1 may not do everything some individual scanners can, although it does other things most cannot. It is certainly not cheap. However only eSPYonARD has ever achieved this level of frequency acquisition and control, which seems to me probably the 'bottom line' for many radio enthusiasts.

Together they have achieved something that many would have believed impossible.

As the program is only available for the AR-DV1, then that is my answer in a nutshell.

Cheers

 

[Comp-100]

When the AR-DV1 first came out there was a lot of disappointment that it did not follow trunked systems as well as other short comings that begged the question, Why spend more than twice as much on a receiver that can't do as much as the Uniden HP536? It seems as though with the development of the E-spy software the tables may have turned. I would like to see a discussion about how this software has impacted the functionality of the AOR DV-1 and what this receiver/ software combo can do that a top of the line Uniden or Whistler digital scanner can not do. In other words, The radio enthusiast would pay a premium for this receiver and software because...

Due to the very few responses to your post I will add this.

I could mention lots of reasons perhaps, but here is just one, and in my mind, the 'clincher'



'Q-DB' - The AR-DV1 may not do everything some individual scanners can, although it does other things most cannot. It is certainly not cheap. However only eSPYonARD has ever achieved this level of frequency acquisition and control, which seems to me probably the 'bottom line' for many radio enthusiasts.

Together they have achieved something that many would have believed impossible.

As the program is only available for the AR-DV1, then that is my answer in a nutshell.

Cheers

I think the answer is simply if the buyer is looking for a computer controlled receiver then the AOR DV-1 is a device that potentially fits this need. This is mostly targeted at government organizations that have banks of receivers all under computer control. The target market outside of government and professional corporations with similar needs is very small, but helps keep the volume up for an already small volume device.

Now there appears to be some computer control software to use this receiver as it was intended, and this is great news for those not rolling their own solutions,

The just announced Icom IC R-8600 receiver overlaps with the DV-1 in terms of functionality and provides some additional features in terms of both hardware and i/o capabilities. Depending on the price (and it won't be inexpensive) it should have a wider target market. If it operates fast enough for full external computer scan control then it could replace the DV1 in it's professional installations. In some ways it's more than is needed though if one just needs a bank of recievers under computer control as reach receiver does not need a rich feature set. So the IC R-8600 is likely to have more consumer and professional appeal outside of professional government usage which has other better suited solutions,

 

[marlbrook]

Rivals

[QUOTE} Now there appears to be some computer control software to use this receiver as it was intended, and this is great news for those not rolling their own solutions,[/QUOTE]

The Icom 8600 sounds very interesting. It was just a matter of time before the other big boys brought out AR-DV1 rivals, although it still look as as if the DV1 has the edge re the number of digital modes (not counting Tetra when it arrives soon). As you say the Icom is not likely to be inexpensive. The one thing I would like to have seen on the AR-DV1 is more outputs, but to be fair it is so compact that it hasn't the space that full size desktop machines enjoy, but a 10.7mHz output would have been nice.

With regard to the 'appears to be some computer control software to use this receiver as it was intended', well very little 'appears' about it, lol, it is here now for anyone with an AR-DV1 to try.

People who may doubt the outrageous claims about 'Q' and 'Q-DB' are welcome to prove me wrong.

No matter what new receivers the big boys bring out with digital modes, they will all lack one thing, the 'Q' functions, at least for now.

No that does not mean I will be writing programs for other receivers, thank goodness. The mind is willing, but the flesh is definitely too weak.

I also tend to agree that the AR-DV1 was targeted at Professional and Government use, but as you imply when combined with eSPYonARD it is no longer a complicated machine to deal with, and the simplicity of the radio's use under external control, combined with the power 'Q' gives it, makes the two unique, for possibly the foreseeable future.

Having said that, given the lack of response to my invitation to give me some encouragement regarding 'Q-DB', then it may just be the greatest development in scanner control NEVER to be recognised, SIGH

 

[Comp-100]

[QUOTE} ..............
Having said that, given the lack of response to my invitation to give me some encouragement regarding 'Q-DB', then it may just be the greatest development in scanner control NEVER to be recognised, SIGH

Greatness is rarely apparant quickly where there is true greatness. Let the work speak for itself. Few people on here have a AR-DV1 and many of those probably already have it worked into an existing role that works for them.

Eventually there will be some true independent reviews and real world usage reports, these don't happen over night. You maybe able to get instant gratification on an iPhone App, but it fades quickly. Your audience is just a little smaller so it will take a little more time.

Concentrate on the work, and the rest will follow.

 

[G7HID]

Well put..

Mike

 

[marlbrook]

No pressure - just for information

I am not pushing anyone to buy the program.

If you have an AR-DV1 you can try it and see.

Just trying to prove 'Q' AND 'Q-DB' are impossible claims should be an incentive, lol.

However, as I mentioned recently, the price will increase. It will reflect the program's true worth and the many thousands of hours it took to create.

That will happen on the 25th August.

Entirely up to you, but please, no complaints once it does increase.

Everyone has had, and for a few days still does have the chance to get it at the present price, as I promised.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

Hi

For information

The STANDARD version of eSPYonARD is no longer available.

No point, everyone understandably wants 'PRO'.

I will upload the new version, with 'Q-DB' folder selecting, and the ability to choose default modes for 'Q-DB' lists, by Friday. Free upgrade of course, if you have been wise enough to avoid tomorrow's deadline.

'Try Before You Buy' is still available.

Just in case anyone is not aware of this, the price goes up tomorrow, so today is the last chance if you are undecided.

The new price, and it is a substantial increase, just reflects the thousands of hours that it took to complete, and the program's true worth. I have made the program available, particularly for Forum viewers at a much reduced cost for a long time.

Considering the new unique 'Q' functions alone, make the AR-DV1 the most powerful frequency acquisition and manipulation device ever available, and possibly for the foreseeable future, the new price is still reasonable.

Do not forget I have given lots of notice.

Your decision,

Cheers

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

I am trying out version 6.0006-004 in trial mode with Firmware 1607B. I am using Windows 10 Pro.

The Squelch control seems stuck at 77. I tried various squelch modes and I can not change the squelch. Other controls like volume and tuning work.

The right side of the dialog moved to the left and eliminated the tuning knob while using the program. I did not know what control I pressed. I was able to get it partly back by going through the skins. The right edge of the dialog then cut through the middle of the tuning knob.

Somehow a setting dialog popped up with no obvious way to close it. The dialog did not populate with the current settings. I had to close the program and found I had to wait 15 minutes to restart the program.

After I finally started to figure out the program, it exited after only a few minutes of use and I again have to wait 15 minutes to use it again.

I can understand limiting the trial use of the program, but this seems a bit excessive that I have basically no time to figure out how to use the program unless I want to spend the money or wait fifteen minutes to get another few minutes of use, which means spending the whole day to just get an hour of testing. This seems a bit draconian.

73 Eric

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

After I waited 15 minutes and ran the program again, the squelch worked.

However, I tuned to 20 and 25 MHz AM to listen to WWV. I pressed the up and down arrows for tuning. I pressed on the x1 to increase it, the dialog jumped to another spot on the screen, and it stayed at x1. After that, the up and down arrows did not work anymore.

I can move the dialog to another position on the screen and the dialog will jump back to the same previous position when I press x1.

73 Eric

 

[marlbrook]

Morning Campers

Hello Eric,

I made it a point not to go into technical replies on here. It could just take up too much Forum space over a single query. Please email me. Easy to do, just click on one of the mail icons at the Web-Site.

I try to test as much as I can, but the program is now so comprehensive that when I add or amend something in one place, it can have totally unexpected results somewhere.

There are going to be occasions when pressing buttons in some combination that never came up when I tried to test everything can produce strange results. As you can imagine testing every combination of button in every different order imaginable would take so long no update would ever see the light of day.

Nobody else has reported the things you mention, and I am always glad if anyone finds anything 'odd', so I can get to the bottom of it.

So I really want to hear from you, but I will need a lot more information. As you realise I have to be able to find the exact set of circumstances necessary to find any hidden Gremlin.

When I am not actually adding something new, I am often just using the program, with the sole aim of finding any possible Gremlin and sending it on its way, lol. People will see from the changes log, if I do find any I put things right very quickly. Most of those Gremlins I found myself over the months. Very few were reported by anyone else, which seems to indicate they are few and far between.

Because there are occasions when the radio, P.C. and program might get 'out of sync' (the AR-DV1 has its temperamental moments from time to time) I added the below function.

For the time being, as long as nothing has totally 'crashed', which happens to P.C.'s and any program occasionally, if you right click on the 'CLOSE' button the program 'resets' itself. That is a new function, and I did find one bug in that yesterday, just under one set of circumstances, which is now fixed and will be incorporated in the next release, this week. So far the RESET seems to work correctly the rest of the time, and is worth trying.

I will be happy to go through the points you mentioned via email, but as I said, nobody else has told me about them, and I have not seen them during testing.

Under normal circumstances the 15 minute delay before being able to re-start is not a 'problem', but in this case, if you have a problem and have to re-start I can see that it is. Hopefully the reset button will help you at the moment.

However as the program is not 'time limited' overall, i.e. you can use the trial forever, including it as one of the limitations was necessary from my perspective.

Look forward to your email

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

It is an ill wind .....................

I sat down at the P.C. this morning about to change the price of the program, as mentioned several times I know.

I am about to take a day off (very unusual), and the family are up and about waiting for a promised trip to the sea-side,

However because of the last post I have run out of time.

So the price will not change for a few hours ....... you can thank Eric for that.

(FINANCIAL TIP - call your Stock Broker and buy shares in ice cream, buckets and spades, lol)

SORRY that does not mean any other technical diversions will stop the increase from happening later.

Just to repeat what I have said in other posts, if anyone ever experiences a problem, or would like me to add something new, or they have any technical query, PLEASE EMAIL ME.

ardv1

and click the appropriate email icon.

I can respond more quickly, and it is much better for the Forum to deal with things that way.

If anyone does report a problem to me, I always post briefly about it here, and tell everyone after it is fixed. Happy to say that has not happened very often, but I am never complacent about that sort of thing.

Cheers
P.S. This is a BIG day.

Not because I am taking a day off -- no doubt that will be reported in all the International News broadcasts

It is because, today it looks like this thread will pass the 'STICKY' views total at the top of the page
(I know if you count the other two threads about the program, I exceeded that by a few thousand already)

Nowhere near the original thread about the AR-DV1, which will put mine second overall, but the posts to that seemed to stop when this thread started)

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

The website said from August 25th when I visited it yesterday, which is now still over 11 hours away by UK time. I am going to pass on purchasing since I do not feel comfortable. I do not want a "surprise" email from Paypal.

73 Eric

 

[G7HID]

You will find that the price increase is not an automated PayPal process, Jeff has to go to their site at the appropriate time and edit the buying price to instigate the increase...

Mike

 

[marlbrook]

NEW PRICE

Just back from the trip.

I meant I was going to go to the Web Site this morning and prepare everything that needed altering prior to the 25th, lol.

Nobody who already has the program will pay more for it, the upgrades have always been free, and the deadline is still sometime on the 25th, not midnight probably, Cinderella was never my favourite pantomime.

Sorry if it sounded as the actual price was changing today.

Just for general information, what any of you choose to do is obviously entirely up to you, but I thought it only fair to give ample warning.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

Saying Thanks Once Again

Hooray, the views on this thread overtook the top 'STICKY' yesterday

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone again, who have made that possible, but especially my BETA testers, and the other Forum members who have taken the trouble to post messages of support. I genuinely appreciate it.

I just updated the Web-Site, with the new price.

If anyone is tempted to complain about the increase, and I know it is a big one, then please remember I have let everyone know it was coming and given people the opportunity of beating it (well done on those that did - you know who you are)

I know I have explained this before, but many people had told me the original price made some think the program might be inferior. In addition to the fact that it has taken many thousands of hours to complete, the fact I offer unlimited free updates, a level of support that could not be improved anywhere, and continuing enhancements, the program is still considerably less than any you might want to compare it with.

The increase is not based on greed. The program has been 'worth' a lot more for a long time.

The new 'Q' functions alone make the program and AR-DV1 unique as far as frequency acquisition / management is concerned. I could have taken the 'Apple' approach and made it the most expensive program for the AR-DV1 around, but I did not.

I actually consulted a lot of Forum members asking them for advice about the new cost, and the one I decided upon is still below their suggestions.

So if anyone compares prices, and still wonders if other programs may be better because they are more expensive, then all you need do is try eSPYonARD to find out. Even with the new price, I decided to keep it 'sensible' and 'affordable' just because that is the sort of person I am. (That sound as if I am 'cheap', lol)

As usual, I am not commenting adversely about any other program. The one we are no doubt all thinking of comes from a fine stable, and in its own way is praiseworthy. Indeed I have always believed there should be room for both programs.

I can say, with some confidence. eSPYonARD has functions that are uniquely amazing.

Thanks again, and enjoy

P.S. - new update due within a few days .... making 'Q-DB' even better

 

[marlbrook]

Update News

Still doing the final testing.

The latest should hopefully be uploaded by Sunday evening.

Mainly adds a few extra, but very useful touches to 'Q-DB'

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

LATEST UPDATE

v. 60006-005 got posted (briefly) today.

I have removed it as I found two types of list it did not deal with.

I am working on the fix now, and hope to re-post the program today or tomorrow.

IF anyone did download it today, then wait and use the one I post soon.

Cheers

 

[marlbrook]

v.6.0006-005

Sorry, I forgot to post that the new (amended) version is uploaded and available.

 

[mikey1799]

were did you post it cant see it

 

[G7HID]

http://pat3380.wixsite.com/ardv1

Mike