Official BC246T Programming Software Help Thread

[Voyager]

Ask (CZ) and ye shall receive.

Of course, the stickey part is up to Lindsay. :wink:

Continuing from the 246T thread, do you see the preloaded files in the system database window?

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

Voyager: Here’s what I encounter when attempting to use the Demo-ware program (and I haven’t had any luck with manual programming as of yet).

246T is not connected to Computer. Been trying to experiment with program to see if I can figure out how it works, so wouldn’t maybe mess up something in the 246T.


1 ... Click Icon, “Scanner View” window comes on.

2 ... I Click on “Database” where I am confronted by 2 windows: “Scanner Configuration” and “System Database” which shows, I think, what’s in the 246T on a list to the right which starts with Alameda Conv.

3 ... Click on “New” and a box called “New System Name” comes up with a box inside it labeled: “System Name” and another called “System Type”: Conventional

4 ... If I click on “New” in “Scanner Configuration I encounter a box called “Enter New Scanner Configuration Name”

And, that’s where my attempts to program it have ended – both with the Program, and by hand.
====
Using Windows 98SE (Ver. 4.10.2222A); 256 Mb RAM. 800x600 resolution (maximum my monitor (an olde one) will handle).

 

[Voyager]

Voyager: Here’s what I encounter when attempting to use the Demo-ware program (and I haven’t had any luck with manual programming as of yet).

246T is not connected to Computer. Been trying to experiment with program to see if I can figure out how it works, so wouldn’t maybe mess up something in the 246T.


1 ... Click Icon, “Scanner View” window comes on.

2 ... I Click on “Database” where I am confronted by 2 windows: “Scanner Configuration” and “System Database” which shows, I think, what’s in the 246T on a list to the right which starts with Alameda Conv.

3 ... Click on “New” and a box called “New System Name” comes up with a box inside it labeled: “System Name” and another called “System Type”: Conventional

4 ... If I click on “New” in “Scanner Configuration I encounter a box called “Enter New Scanner Configuration Name”

And, that’s where my attempts to program it have ended – both with the Program, and by hand.
====
Using Windows 98SE (Ver. 4.10.2222A); 256 Mb RAM. 800x600 resolution (maximum my monitor (an olde one) will handle).

OK. Everything is there as it should be. The alameda is one of the preloaded systems, I'm sure.

Let's start with the basics. The configuration is the scanner setup - the global options not unique to the systems. This includes your search limits, SAME codes, opening screen display, etc. It also includes the systems in that configuration. For example, I have one config for my local area and another for other cities I travel to.

The system is where your frequencies are stored. It's also where the unique system settings are stored - such as system hold time system type, system name, Etc.

Remember - if you are using the demo version, and you create a new system, remember to call it one of the four allowed names (Conventional, LTR, Motorola, or EDACS) when you name it. Those are the only ones the demo will DL to the scanner.

You can do anything with the UASD except UL or DL from/to the scanner if the scanner is not connected. Everything else is functional. Well, the scanner control is not available either.

Play some more based on the above and let me know where you get stuck or if you have any other questions.

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

Still stuck.

What am I supposed to call these. Conventional is already there, so guess that will be ok unless there's something hidden there I haven't stumbled on yet.

System name..... Convetional. I have NO Trunking freq's to put in

Some of the frequencies I was wanting to put in have a 2 or 3 county coverage area for CDF (California Division Of Forestry) for example, Madera/Fresno, Fresno/Kings/Tulare.

This system programming is a real headache maker in trying to figure out what the manual is talking about.
In referring to naming a new system, I have to put in a new 'System Name' then for each type of service I wish to monitor? :?
Ie: a System named for Police, a System named for Fire in my City, a System named for Fire in another City, a system named for CDF Fire, and so forth....?

 

[UPMan]

CZ:

A system is a collection of channel groups.
Channel Groups are collections of channels.
Channels are either frequencies and associated settings (for conventional) or talk group ids and associated settings (for trunked).

OK, with those definitions out of the way:

The system name will alternate with the Channel Group name on line 1 of the display when the scanner stops on an active channel within that system. If you program a channel name, it appears on line 2; otherwise, the channel (frequency/TGID) appears.

What you put in as these values is entirely up to you. The scanner does not care. Putting in nonsense for these tags will work just fine (for the scanner...you might get confused). If you find you have entered nonsense, you can always go back and edit them to be sensible.

How you organize your systems/channel groups is entirely up to you. Here is one way to organize (by city):

System: Tarrant County
    Channel Group: Azle
        Channel: PD
        Channel: FD
        Channel: EMS
    Channel Group: Bedford
        Channel: PD
        Channel: FD
        Channel: EMS

Here's another (by service):

System: Tarrant County
    Channel Group: PD
        Channel: Azle
        Channel: Bedford
        Channel: Euless
    Channel Group: FD
        Channel: Azle
        Channel: Bedford
        Channel: Euless
    Channel Group: EMS
        Channel: Azle
        Channel: Bedford
        Channel: Euless

Here's Another (single city in one system):

System: Azle
    Channel Group: PD
        Channel: PD1
        Channel: PD2
    Channel Group: FD
        Channel: Dispatch
        Channel: Fireground
    Channel Group: EMS
        Channel: Dispatch
        Channel: Hospital 1

All of these are valid ways to organize stuff in the scanner, and there are many others. None of them are the right way or the wrong way...they are just different ways. Decide how you best want to access the stuff you want to listen to, then pick a way (or even something different from the above).

 

[CZ]

UPMan .... In other words, I can't put everything into one group under the name, say, "Fresno" then put in what each frequency is then?

Group 1

Fresno

Fresno Police 1
Fresno Police 2
Fresno Police 3

& so on up to 10, then

Clovis Police 1
Clovis Police 2
Clovis Police 5
Fresno Fire 1
Fresno FireDisp
Clovis Fire
=================================
UPDATE......

Managed to get some frequencies into the program, but THEY WILL NOT LOAD.

ALL I get is a box with an X in a circle with " Communications Error! Please Check Scanner Remote Setting"

AND, a few times I've got a "Error writing to Serial Port" box.
According to the sytem settings in W98SE, COM4 is clear to use. I've tried 9600, 19200, & 57600 and STILL get same error(s)
Now what do I do :?


The settings I used were:

System Database: Fresno
Sytem Editor: Group 1 - Quick Key 1 (No Lockouts)
Enter New Scanner Configuration Name: Fresno

 

[UPMan]

Helps in understanding your question if you'll use the terminology, but I think the answer is "Yes"

You can create:

System: Fresno Area
    Channel Group: Fresno
        Channel: Fresno PD1
        Channel: Fresno PD2

    Channel Group: Clovis
        Channel: Clovis PD1
        Channel: Clovis PD2
        Channel: Clovis FD1

and so on. You are not limited to 10 channels per channel group. You could also just put them all in one channel group (putting them in separate channel groups gives you some flexibility in turning on and off the different agencies while you scan).

As to the communications problem, if you have ever used a Palm Pilot or Windows CE handheld and sync'd the unit to your PC, there will be an application running that hogs the COM port. Disable that application (usually there is an icon for the application in the lower right corner of the desktop...right click, then "Disable" "Exit" "Terminate" or whatever). Otherwise, make sure that the port you plugged the scanner into is indeed COM 4 and that you have enabled the scanner's transfer function:

MENU --> Xfer Information --> PC Control

 

[CZ]

Have never used a Palm Pilot or Windows CE.

I looked at the "System Tools" > "Sytem Information" > IRQS and it shows that COM3 & COM4 have nothing connected to them. COM3 is IRQ3, COM3 is IRQ4. No conflicts involving the IRQ's or COMPorts are shown.

I went Xfer Information PC Control > Enter > PC Control > Enter > PC Control 57600 bps > Enter

After pushing enter after 57600 bps, the screen reads Xfer Information PC Control.

Someplace in the Xfer setup, I saw a setting titled PC Control OFF
would this have anything to do with the transfer problem I'm having, and if so, how is this function turned on?

 

[UPMan]

COM ports are hardware specific. Is the physical port you are connecting to really COM 4? Most PC's have COM 1 and 2 assigned to the physical ports (the DB-9's on the back panel). While COM 4 isn't impossible, it is a surprising assignment.

I'd suggest you try the other COM assignments in UASD and see if you have any luck.

 

[CZ]

Went back to the "Sytem Information" section for another look, and here's what it says. It wouldn't let me copy it over to here so I'll just list the first few-- there's about 20, it looks like, what with shared IRQ's.


IRQ

0 .... System Timer
1 .... Standard 101 or 102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2 .... Programmable Interrupt Controller
3 .... Communications Port (COM2)
4 .... Communications Port (COM1)
5 .... InTel 56K HaM Data Fax Voice Modem
5 .... ACPI IRQ Holder For PCI IRQ Steering

IRQ 3 & 4 are only ones referring to a COM Port.

==========
Another thought: I haven't programmed any freq's in by hand, so there no Group info or Data in the 246T at this moment. Would setting up a Group in the 246T first help?

===========
I had to have W98SE completely reloaded after a Hard drive failure a few months ago. I was thinking that perhaps the COM ports were turned off somehow? I use a USB Mouse, and Keyboard.

 

[Voyager]

Helps in understanding your question if you'll use the terminology, but I think the answer is "Yes"

You can create:

System: Fresno Area
    Channel Group: Fresno
        Channel: Fresno PD1
        Channel: Fresno PD2

    Channel Group: Clovis
        Channel: Clovis PD1
        Channel: Clovis PD2
        Channel: Clovis FD1

What I think he was wanting to do is:

System: Main System
    Channel Group: Local Stuff
        Channel: Fresno PD1
        Channel: Fresno PD2
        Channel: Fresno PD3
        Channel: Fresno PD4
        Channel: Fresno PD5
        Channel: Fresno PD6
        Channel: Fresno PD7
        Channel: Fresno PD8
        Channel: Fresno PD9
        Channel: Fresno PD10
        Channel: Clovis PD1
        Channel: Clovis PD2
        Channel: Clovis FD3
        Channel: Fresno Fire 1 
        Channel: Fresno FireDisp 
        Channel: Clovis Fire

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

ARGHHHH!

Spent the last hour or so trying to set up a system, then a group and program in frequencies by hand since I still can't get the Demo-ware to work as described earlier.

Named System as Fresno and Group as Fresno but could NOT find the commands "Edit Channel" or "New Channel" as described on Page 54 of the Manual.

Had it 8 days now, and haven't been able to get it to function yet

 

[ka3jjz]

Just a quick note - I saw on the Scancat mailing list that Scancat Lite Plus will support the 246T as of Jan 24. Anyone interested should jump on the Scancat mailing list at Yahoo for more info.

73s Mike

 

[brwkem]

CZ:

Why dont you relax and be patient and wait for other software to come out?
In the meantime just have it in a custom range mode searching.


ARC246T software out soon and scancat lite too.

 

[UPMan]

According to the list, then, your computer has COM 1 and COM 2. Have you tried these settings in the software? Just try it...the worst that will happen is that you'll get another error message.

 

[CZ]

Sigh. Tried again to hand program, and 3/4's of an hour later I *think* I have a group & system in it --- but cannot find any setting that confirms they're in there.

Manual PAGE 54: @ "Edit Channel" @ E > New Channel > E > Input Frequency."

Where is this setting and how do I get to it?

 

[CZ]

First the good News: By using COM1 I got the program to connect to the computer.

Bad News: After clicking the tab to tell the program to upload, it sat there a minute or so, then beeped and said "Nothing Stored". Annnnd it also appears that I somehow deleted the preprogrammed frequencies

 

[UPMan]

Well, if you looked, the software did tell you before you initiated the send that it was storing nothing into the scanner. When you select the configuration to upload, then click "Write to Scanner" the software tells you how many systems, groups, and channels it is about to transfer. Sounds like it was 0 for all.

So, lets fix it. First, I'm assuming you are using the DEMO version (not yet registered). The only thing the demo version limits is the names of the systems being transferred to the scanner. If the systems are not named one of:

Conventional, LTR, EDACS, Motorola

then the software refuses to transfer them to the scanner (and you get another warning box if you try). So, make sure that the system you have the configuration pointing to is named "Conventional." The paid for and registered version has no such limitation...you can transfer a system of any name to the scanner (but the current version does still erase everything in the scanner, first...that will be fixed by an update later this week).

Now, when you click "Write to Scanner" it should actually indicate that some content will be transferred. If not, you're still not naming the system correctly or you have not actually included the system in your current configuration.

To include a system in a configuration, Edit the configuration, then select the "Systems" tab. Click on system(s) in the right-hand pane, then click "Add from Database" so that the system name(s) appear in the left-hand pane. Again, if you are running the DEMO, anything in the left pane not named one of the above names will be ignored when you actually try to write to the scanner.

If it still doesn't work, then post two files to this thread:

The configuration file you are trying to write to the scanner and the system file that the configuration file is trying to load.

Someone will look at those files and nudge you further in the correct direction.

 

[CZ]

Questions:

1: I have the System File named Fresno should it be Fresno Conventional (Group File is named Local)

2: How do you copy over the Configuration & Systems files so they can be posted?

 

[UPMan]

1. No. If you are running DEMO, it must be named Conventional. If you are running registered, it doesn't matter.

2. When you post a message to this forum, there is an "Add an Attachment" section. Browse to the file(s) you want to include with your post, and add them as attachments.

You didn't clarify. DEMO or registered?