Official Starrsoft WIN500 Software Thread

[W4UVV]

LCD window display/missing log directory problem

When I press "Start" in the Monitor/Control section of Win500 to activate the remote LCD virtual scanner display window a message "log directory does not exist D:\WIN500. Please create it or select another" displays. I do not know how to create a WIN500 directory and saw no other to select in the WIN500 folder. Although I guessed at creating various text files combinations that WIN500 would accept, nothing worked. "LCD Updates" and "Show LCD in separate Window" are checked as is "To both" in "Log History" referring to Object "Notes" field and the Win500ActivityLog "txt" file.

Can anyone provide me the steps for creating a log directory file that WIN500 is looking for?

 

[rdale]

Go to my computer, drive d, and select "new folder" and name it win500.

 

[W4UVV]

didn't work

Go to my computer, drive d, and select "new folder" and name it win500.

Creating a New Folder and transferring the contents to it, deleting the old WIN500 folder and renaming the New Folder to WIN500 did nothing. The problem is a WIN500 issue not a WinXP directory issue.

 

[DonS]

Creating a New Folder and transferring the contents to it, deleting the old WIN500 folder and renaming the New Folder to WIN500 did nothing. The problem is a WIN500 issue not a WinXP directory issue.

The "Log / audio file directory" in Win500's Monitor/Control tab is merely a file system directory (i.e. a directory you've created on your hard disk) where Win500 will store log files and, if enabled, recorded WAV files.

If you have a directory in the root of drive D: named "Win500", then setting the "Log / audio file directory" field in Win500 to "D:\Win500" will work - Win500 will store all log and audio files in that location.

If you've also selected the option to create separate subdirectories for each day, then Win500 will create those directories and put each day's log and audio files within them.

 

[W4UVV]

That did it

The "Log / audio file directory" in Win500's Monitor/Control tab is merely a file system directory (i.e. a directory you've created on your hard disk) where Win500 will store log files and, if enabled, recorded WAV files.

If you have a directory in the root of drive D: named "Win500", then setting the "Log / audio file directory" field in Win500 to "D:\Win500" will work - Win500 will store all log and audio files in that location.

If you've also selected the option to create separate subdirectories for each day, then Win500 will create those directories and put each day's log and audio files within them.

That worked. Tnx. much.

 

[W4UVV]

user selectable limit search steps?

Is this a user selectable feature in WIN500? If so I cannot locate it. For example, when searching 162.0000-173.9875 mhz the search stops on a 173.8100 mhz. signal when I know the correct frequency is 173.8125 mhz. Pressing temporary lockout for 173.8100 mhz. does not next select 173.8125 but continues to the next step search hit. In my opinion various user pre-defined selectable search step options including but not limited to 5.0 khz., 6.25 khz., 7.5 khz., 10khz., 12.5 khz., 25.0 khz., and 100 khz., etc., need to be available to the user when doing a limited range and possibly additionally a service search. Presently based upon the WIN500 default step for a limit range search, offset frequencies in particular may display incorrectly.

With FCC mandated bandwidth changes now implemented there is a hodgepodge mixture of 5.0khz, 6.25 khz., 7.5khz, 12.5khz, 25khz. etc., signal spacings on various frequency ranges. The results displayed in a search can be very confusing. Different step searches used in the same frequency range will display both correct and incorrect frequencies based upon the step search used. Therefore multiple step search options need to be available to the user and not be limited just the software default step.

Currently if not a user selectable option it soon can be incorporated as a priority enhancement.

 

[DonS]

The step sizes on the various search ranges (including user-entered "Limit Search") are fixed in the scanner and cannot be changed.

However, the latest version of the scanner's firmware and Win500 do allow you to set "Canadian bandplan" steps (5kHz throughout) in the ranges [138.000 .. 174.000] and [406.000 .. 470.000] MHz.

 

[DesertRatt]

I'm running WIN500 using "wine" on my Ubunutu Linux desktop. I had to copy "mfc42.dll" into the "system32" directory in the faux windows environment. Any program that meets my requirements and doesn't require Windoze wins a warm place in my heart

 

[Muzick]

Newb Help with Win 500 and PSR 500

First off, I've been trolling for far too long and want to thank each and everyone of you who have contributed. I've learned a lot as of late, and I have all of you to thank for it! Because of your inputs, I decided to purchase a PSR 500 and Win 500. I have a very rough understanding of the radio and software, but I'm stuck with a Scan List issue.

With Win 500, I'm able to see the Arkansas State Highway Police via Web Import\Trunked Systems\Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN). I download all the State Highway Police talkgroups which have 17 IDs. I import the system and upload it to the scanner.

However, after doing so, and trying to scan, I get a "Nothing Enabled" error. I get the same error when I try to download my local PD, which is on the same AWIN network. I'm able to download and hear the Arkansas State Police (again on the AWIN), so I know I have the process down correctly. I'm just not sure why I can't hear my local PD or the Ark State Hwy Police.

I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer!

Muzick

 

[DonS]

Things that can cause the "Nothing enabled" display when you're trying to scan a trunked system:
* talkgroups are not in any enabled scan list
* talkgroups are "locked out"
* trunking system is "locked out"

Have you made sure that the scan list(s) to which the talkgroups are assigned is/are enabled for scanning on the "General Settings" tab?

 

[W4UVV]

Resizing the second window LCD display

In a response to a really earlier post on this subject general comments were made as to how to do it. So far I have been unsuccessful locating any user option in WIN500 that allows me to resize the LCD second window display smaller. There are occasions when executing other application software I would like to make this second LCD window smaller.

Would you please discuss/list the specific steps required to decrease this second LCD window size? Subsequently can the second LCD window smaller size be resized to the current larger default size without having to select the start/stop button in the monitor/control section? Tnx.

 

[DonS]

The "Separate LCD Window" within Win500 cannot be resized. It's a fixed size and aspect ratio to keep certain media players happy (i.e. when captured/streamed).

The Remote Client's separate LCD window can be resized.

 

[wbloss]

Log contents

Don, et al
Love the logging contents, I may be dumping ARC500 for WIN500! Scanning whine sleeping - great!
One question - in the log, between the TGRP name and the Voice freq I have a filed that shows "AN" on both systems I Monitor. What is that?

Also - how to search a specific thread in RR? The search button near the top searches all fora, not the specific thread.

Thanks
Wally

 

[DonS]

One question - in the log, between the TGRP name and the Voice freq I have a filed that shows "AN" on both systems I Monitor. What is that?

If you're referring to something that looks like this:

... TSYS=0100, Santa Clara City, AN,  867.862500 PD Console 1    
                                 ^^

the 'AN' indicates "Analog". It would contain "DG" if it was a digital voice transmission.

 

[wbloss]

Yup, that's it. My local systems are Analog, so that's why. Thanks for the swift reply.
Wally

 

[WayneH]

Also - how to search a specific thread in RR? The search button near the top searches all fora, not the specific thread.

There's a link below it that says "Search this Thread". It's in between "Rating" and "Thread Tools".

 

[BOBRR]

"Auto" For Modes All The Time, Or Set Particular Mode ?

Hello:

What would be the advantage, if any, of setting the Mode to the particular type of mode used (e.g., FM, AM, etc.) for particular freq's. compared to just leaving it on Auto all the time for everything ?

Is it solely that the scan speed might be a bit higher, or...?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[DonS]

The only advantages would be if a) the actual usage of the frequency differed from the "normal" usage (for example, if someone was using FM in the Aircraft bands) or b) you need to "force" Narrow FM (none of the "Auto" settings will use NFM).

 

[BOBRR]

For Don, et al: NFM Vs WFM ? (Leave On Auto ?)

Hi Don, et al,

Would really appreciate your take on what's NFM vs "regular fm".

I have my 500 set to Auto for everything.

But have just noticed that for my Uniden 996, the manual for, shows NFM as being the mode used for just about everything of an fm nature. !

e.g., it shows NFM for the bands:

137-143 Mil land mobile
108-137 Air
225-380 Mil Air

it shows WFM Only for VHF TV 54-71 and 174-215 TV.

Sounds like it would be really useful for Don, or someone, to really explain the differences, and who uses what. Frankly, have never thought about this, but guess I should have. Naively have just left Auto on for everything.

I listen to the Air bands a lot, and do pick up conversations.
Should I leave on Auto ?

Am I missing "anything" by using Auto, and not catching NFM ?

e.g., are the Commercial Air and MIL Air bands O.K. if all set to Auto ?
etc. ?

Much thanks, as always.

Bob

 

[smason]

I'd be interested in the difference between NFM and FM myself.
There's no defined bandwidth in the manual that I can see.
I suspect FM isn't the same as WFM on my 2006, which I miss. There are some things in the 900mhz band I monitor occasionally that deviate right out of the passband, WFM on my 2006 works well for these signals.