Computer Aided Technologies

Since 1989, the recognized Leader in Computer Control

F A Q

Last update 10-02-2003

The below are questions that we have received (and answered) through our email tech support. These are not checked for spelling, grammer, or formatting.... so pardon errors where they occur.

This page is a ''work in progress'' so check back often. We will be updating this page constantly as new tech support questions come in.

ALSO - check out our ''Hints and Tips' page' for even more help and useful information.

Thanks!

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AFTER I IMPORT AN ASCII FILE, AND TRY TO SCAN THEM
ALL THE FREQUENCIES ARE SKIPPED

PROBLEM

Getting error message frequency is below 00.100 on list of frequencies I build in ASCII file to import, sequence is Freq, Desc, Comment when it loads under Get File and you click on a frequency it programs my AR8000 with no problem, but when I try to load them they are all skipped.

Any Ideas what I'm not doing correctly??
Can't find an error message section in the manual or on your web site or I'd try and resolve it myself.

Thanks,

Chuck


ANSWER

I presume you are referring to Scancat's Scanport features.

All frequencies should be in MHZ. I'm confused by your comments. You state you are able to program your radio, and then in the next sentence you state when you try to "load them" they are all skipped. Possibly you mean if you click on a frequency in the database it "sends" it to the radios VFO (tunes it). IF this is what you mean then Number ONE below may account for why they are skipped when loading to the radio of attempting to scan the file.

If records are being skipped, it is usually for two reasons.

1. They MAY be UnSelected (turned off). You might look at the actual file. Scroll over to the column for "SEL On/OFF" and see if they are indeed "ON". If not, change the first record to ON, then double click on the column title. This will globally change all subsequent records to the value of the one you have highlight/changed. (IE: ON)

2. The frequency has a zero value - or possibly the frequency is not contained in the number one column. If you are not using files with the extension "FRQ" or "SCN" - files like DBASE files must have the frequency in the FIRST COLUMN. You can drag a DBASE column to the left most position by grabbing the title of the column with your mouse and moving it to the first column.

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WILL SCANCAT-GOLD (or CAT-SCOPE) FOR WINDOWS WORK WITH WINDOWS 2000?

Dear Sir,

I Talked to Icom and they say their PCR1000 software will not work on Windows 2K/NT. I would like to use my PCR-1000 with Microsoft Windows 2000.
Please let my know if you have a software product that does the job !!


Waiting for your reply,

ANSWER:
Our Scancat-Gold for Windows will operate the PCR1000. But we can only guarantee it's operation in Windows 95 and Windows 98 or Windows XP. We are unable to tell you for sure it our software will work on Windows 2000. Windows 2000 is an NT upgrade. Because of the way NT assigns the comm port with their "RAS" (Remote Access Server), many times we cannot "find" the comm ports. The software will run, but can't access the radio. We can only address standard IRQ's and the way the NT "RAS" handles comm ports is with a "pool of IP's". We do not have a 100% solution for this, as each NT configuration is different and the "fix" has to be on the user's end. But if you know ''NT'' you should be able to resolve most serial port problems.

download our demo ''Scancat-Gold for Windows'' : http://www.scancat.com/download.html It's the first demo on the download page

(This ''test'' also applies to "Cat-Scope" Spectrum Analysis Software!)

If it 'finds the radio', then there is no difference between the demo and the full version other than built in "demo limitations".

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WILL CODE3/30 RUN UNDER ''WINDOWS NT''? 

> Horst,
>
>   I have a Naval customer that is interested in purchasing several
> CODE3-Gold Professional units. However they want to use Laptops that have
> Windows NT installed.  Is there any way this can be accomplished?
>


Hi Jim,

NT:    all our decoders will NOT run under NT or WIN2000 yet.   The new 32
bit version will solve this, but is not fixed.
Sorry, no solution in this case....
BTW:  should be easy to use multiboot and run under WIN98!!!

73 Horst (Hoka Electronics)
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PROBLEMS INSTALLING SCANCAT-GOLD FOR WINDOWS Ver7.0X


 I'm trying to load Scancat Gold V7.0 on my Pentium Laptop. I keep getting error
 message"a: DDEML.DL_ cannot be loaded destination file in use". I've closed
 everything running in background, but the error persists, and install 
ceases.
' 
Suggestions??
ANSWER:
Your program is about 3 years old. At that time we didn't have many problems with installing as Windows 98 was just coming out. Ironically it was/is a 'bug" in the _Microsoft Installation_ program. It just didn't like to install into a 32 bit system. We finally had to go to a third party provider to get one that will not give us problems. :)

We have an upgrade available for $29.95 (Plus normal shipping charges) that not only solves this problem, but has an entirely new 'gui' - new manual - etc. It's been some time since you've upgraded, and this would be a worth while move up.

We _are_ willing to provide you with a "disk only" upgrade for no charge (plus shipping). Then if you have good results, and want to get the manual, send us the upgrade price of $29.95 and that will take care of everything.

Thanks for your support!

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COPY PROTECTION ON HOKA CODE-3-GOLD PROFESSIONAL

Dear Jim, As you promised my Hoka code 3 arrived on Saturday. That night I loaded it on my laptop (it's a Pentium) and ran the program. Every thing went fine. I spent a couple hours messing with it and reading the manual. WOW, there is a lot to learn about this program! Already I see a lot of things I like about it. However much like you wrote in your introduction I am also blessed with the "gremlin" as you call it. My problem occurred when I decided to load the program on my desktop computer witch is also a Pentium but faster. I read in the manual about the copy protection and how to go about transferring the authorization codes back on to the floppy. Thats where something went wrong. Now, not only can I not put the program on my other computer, I can not get it to run on my laptop anymore either. It keeps giving me a message to tell it where it can find the codes. Nomatter where I tell it to look, it cant find them. I even tried to reload the program with no luck. Please let me know how to fix this. Do I need to send the disk back to you?

Please advise. IM looking forward to getting back at this to find out its real potential.

Thank you for your help on this matter.


ANSWER: I should also include in my 'letter' the fact that the program can be installed on more than ONE computer without having to return the security codes. There are 5-6 "installs" on the disk.... however it appears you have somehow zapped the disk/protection scheme. Send back the disk and I'll mail you another post haste. If you want the program on two computers, just do two installs but NO UNinstalls.

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GPF ERROR WHEN QUITING SCANCAT-GOLD FOR WINDOWS 
> 
>Ever since I installed the 7.5.6 update to Scancat Gold SE Surveillance
>Enhanced, I keep getting GPF errors when I shut down scancat and sometimes
>when I am running it.   Most of the time it will hang up my system.  The
>previous version worked fine in my Windows 98 OS.   If needed I can provide
>a snapshot of the error otherwise if you have a patch or updated version
>that I can try then please let me know how I can get it.
> 
>Thanks
>
Do you close Scancat using the top right Close button? or - the 'quit' button we provide. There HAS been a problem that we don't know how to fix, and it ususually occurs when the customer uses the 'windows close' option.

It doesn't occur all the time, depends on if the comm ports have been used. as the last thing before you close Scancat.

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PROBLEMS WITH GETTING SIGNAL STRENGTH IN SCANCAT DEMO

>>Hi,
>>
>>I am having troubles with testing the scancat demo.
>>
>>I have an ICOM IC-R10, and I cannot seem to get it to work properly. I have
>>verified that the CIV cable is function correctly by using CIV explorer &
>>the link also works with your competitor products 
>>
>>When scancat is in pause, the signal strength works correctly, but as soon
>>as I try to do anything to alter the frequency then the serial port
>receives absolutely nothing from scancat. I put a logic probe on the serial port to
>>see what was happening, and as far as I can tell scancat works correctly
>>while reading the signal strength but chokes as soon as it tries to send
>any other command to the radio, nothing is sent to the port until pause is
>>clicked and then the port starts working again, but again only reading the
>>signal strength.
>>Scancat will correctly download all the memory in CLONE mode, however.
>>
>>Any clues ?
>>
>In hindsight I don't think I've made my problem clear. The problem is not
>reading signal strength, but rather that NONE of the scanning functions work
>on my demo version. I have absolutely no control over the radio, the ONLY
>thing that works is reading the signal strength while paused. What I'm
>trying to exlain is that as soon as I try to alter (say) the frequency on
>the IC-R10, then absolutely nothing gets transmitted over the serial port to
>the radio - I can click constantly on the frequency control and the logic
>probe shows nothing going to the com port from scancat. Only by going back
>to pause will something appear on the port (signal strength)
>
>thanks Jim.
>-Trevor.
>
One of two things could be the problem...

I know it may sound 'stupid', but be sure you have actually 'selected' a radio from the setups menu. I don't know how many times the "virtual radio" ends up being chozen. It Always comes up as Virtual Radio each time you restart the demo.

Be sure the IC-R10 is in conventional mode while scanning. CLONE mode is only used to upload or download the radio's memories.

The other thing could be a comm port "problem".... If everything else seems to be set correctly, then I'd investigate if data is actually being transmitted out the serial port you have the interface/radio connected to.

Last, be sure the port you are using is not the Printer Port - they do look almost alike EXCEPT the PRINTER port ALWAYS has FEMALE sockets.... All Serial ports have MALE pinned sockets. Go back to top 


>Subject: Re: Problems with demo.

>
>At 04:29 PM 03/06/2000 +1100, you wrote:

We only show sigal strength if the radio is in pause, or if the radio has stopped on an active signal. It would consume too many resources (and slow down things a lot) to constantly poll the radio for signal strength while scanning.

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UNDERSTANDING CENTER FREQUENCY FOR HOKA DECODERS


>I am having trouble understanding the concept of receiver >center frequency, however. I have not succeeded in >decoding any rtty yet, probably because of the center >setting. Can you explain it better than the manual does? >For example, with my Racal 6790 I tune rtty in CW mode >because it allows me to choose from my five filter >bandwidths. It has a separate BFO tuning control, so I >set my BFO for +2200 kHz, then the frequency display >shows the carrier frequency of the rtty station. How do >I set the center frequency in Code3 using this system? >Thanks. > This is as good as I can do to take a technical function and put it into layman's terms.
Center frequency is a function of the "if bandwidth" of your radio, combined with the "inside" bfo's offset frequency. ALSO the 'reception gain' falls off as you deviate from the true signal's frequency.

Basically if a RTTY signal is at 12.000MHZ and it has a "Shift" of 900 HZ and uses a center frquency of 1750 - the BFO has to be offset to create a "Spread" of tonal values for mark and space. The Klingenfuss "Radio Data Code Manual" describes the center frquency of (standard) RTTY as 1750. You have three portions of the signal. A Lower and upper boundary (Mark and space) and the data in between. The mark would be 1750-"half" (1750/2=875) or 11.125 MHZ and the Space at 12.875 MHZ.

In basic terms every digital transmission including your 56k modem uses this concept, only the baud(speed of data) and the error checking is different.

Knowing this..... you can see IF the bandwidth of your radio is very narrow - then - if you do not have the center frquency correct, one of the other of the mark or space frequencies will fall outside the bandwidth area of the radio and essentially be chopped off. Bandwidth is not only the filter setting but the 'fall off' from the center of a correctly tuned signal's frequency.

You can usually see this visually by choosing the Oscilloscope (F2) key and watching as you tune your radio to a known signal. The upper and lower portions of the 'digital signal' need to be visible. If not, you are either incorrectly tuned (radio) or have too high/low a center frequency.

With out BOTH the mark and space, you cannot get a 'lock' and cannot decode.

Start on the recommended 1750 and see how that goes.

Next call Grove Electronics or Universal Radio and order the Klingenfuss book I'd detailed above - it is THE best book on decoding - period. Go back to top 


         Disabling Conflicting Comm Port devices/driver

More and more we are getting customer calls saying - " I can't get
control of my radio.  All I get is a "error 68 Device Unavailable".

Well with most computers having only 2 commports and sometimes only 
one, new stuff we buy has to learn to 'share' the same ports. Simply
UNPLUGGING the hardware will not fix the problem... the real problem 
is many devices like Palm Pilots (PDA's) or Digital Cameras use software 
that loads "resident" (running) drivers to access the external 
device once it is plugged into a cradle. Many times these are called
"SYNC" programs. The driver is loaded when you boot up, it logs onto
the comport and waits until the user places his PDA into the Cradle.
The computer automatically "syncs" his PalmPilot for him.

Problem is in order to do this your computer has to be 'on' that comm
port, and any other program trying to access the same port will not
be able to.

1.  There IS a temporary way to "kill" the driver: (ONLY Windows 95/98)

PRESS "CTRL" + "ALT" + DEL" - do this ONLY ONCE ! or Windows SHUTS DOWN.

In Windows 95 and 98 a box pops up with a list of all the tasks that 
are running on your computer. Highlight one of the 'suspected tasks', 
and then click "End Task" - DO NOT choose "shut down" as this means the
entire computer will be shut down. Now if you picked the right driver, 
the comm port will be free to use for Scancat and the like.
If you picked something that windows NEEDED, the worst that will happen
is you have to do a reset/reboot and it will all be back like it was.

2.  There is a "permanent" way to "kill" the driver so it isn't even 
loaded when you boot up windows. This is a bit 'complicated to remember' 
so save this for the future in case you want to turn something back 'on'.
Frankly, why Microsoft placed this so many layers down is beyond me. I
made a shortcut icon and use IT to get there without all the complication.

Follow these instructions:

CLICK "START"
CLICK "PROGRAMS"
CLICK "ACCESSORIES"
CLICK "SYSTEM TOOLS"
CLICK "SYSTEM INFORMATION"
   **HINT*** At THIS ''menu'' you CAN right click and 
       drag it to your desktop and make a ''Shortcut''. here is the location.
	"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSINFO\MSINFO32.EXE"

      IF you click on this option...
 	A BOX WILL POP UP WITH A MENU BAR ACROSS THE TOP
CLICK "TOOLS + System Configuration Utility"
CLICK THE FAR RIGHT TAB (STARTUP)
   HERE YOU FIND A LONG LIST OF WHAT WINDOWS BOOTS WITH ON STARTUP.
   CLICK ON A BOX TO 'CHECK OR UNCHECK' THE PROGRAMS YOU DO NOT WANT
   TO BE AUTOMATICALLY LOADED -

Remember. . . if you still want to use the program(s)
(you've disabled from startup,) you need to find where it is on your 
hard drive and make a shortcut icon so you can easily find it later. 
OR you can always do the above and check the box ON. Then reboot.

Disabling these programs will prevent stuff like your camera sync or 
PDA sync drivers from being loaded. It will sometimes significantly 
improve the boot up time of Windows, as it now loads less.

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	SOUND CARD CONFLICTS ON CODE30 INSTALLATION

>Dear sir,
>I have received product of the three HOKA CODE30-SB cards.
> but the thing is that we fail to install them successfully.
>
>Can this hoka card runs on Pentinum III intel processer??
>Is it compulsory to use the sound card in the card? if we do not install
>the sound card in the Hoka card, is it that the whole card cannot work at
>all??
> >

=========Hoka's response===================

YES, Pentium II, III, Celereon etc.   CODE30 does ONLY start and work with
our LF1-A soundcard, no other card can work!!!
Our LF1-A MUST be installed under WIN95 or 98 , 
     it does NOT run under WIN3.11!

1. Remove the existing soundcard which maybe installed in the PC   (Disable
   it in WIN9x CONFIGURATION, use the normal WIN tools).
2. Remove (rename) autoexec.bat and config.sys of this PC.
3. Install our LF1-A and start the PC. It's a Plug & Play card, the PC will 
   know it and will install it under WIN.
4. Start the PC with the supplied floppy disk SB16 CONFIG and TEST, it does
   run in a REAL DOS 6.0 now, not in WIN's DOS 7.0.
5. Use the supplied programs to check,  install and configurage  the SB16 to
   the correct values as shown in manual.
6. Now start WIN9x and check, as necessary change the WIN9x settings of the
   SB16 card to the same as the real DOS settings (the WIN setting can differ
   from the DOS settings under some conditions!!)
7. Use automatic choice for all WIN9x settings in first instance, but change
   settings manually if they differ from our requested (standard) settings!
8. Now start C30-A and it does run!

9. It is possible to enable another, build-in soundcard in case this is
wanted or needed for other purposes. This card will get different addresses 
from WIN9x and should works independent from our card.

73 Horst - Hoka Electronics

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	CODE3-30 INPUT SOUND LEVELS
>
> Hello Horst,
>
> I have purchased the C3 gold pro.  I would like to know what the input
> impedance is of the dongle.  I am using a FT1000D Transceiver line out
> output jack.  It is 200 mv into 600 ohm max output.  I cannot get to
> the specified input level of -10 to -20 mv.   I feel that there is a
> mismatch between the 'L' pad supplied, the C3, and my radio.
>
> Best regards,
> John 

Hi John,
the input impedance is very high (> 100K, <10pf) so there will never be a
mismatch with any audio source, high-impedance diode output or real
600ohm audio can be used.   I guess the 600 ohm line level from a FT1000 is
variabel (almost internally level adjust??!).

In case your audio level is too high, use a simple potmeter between line
level out and LF5 input to reduce the level, measure with AD SCOPE level!
The LF5 interface does have an integrated pre-amplifier and can work with
very low level, supplied by some (cheap) radios. It's easier in our
opinion to reduce the audio level, otherwise a customer has to build a
pre-amplifier in such cases.

73 Horst

Best regards,
Horst Diesperger
HOKA NL

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	SCANCAT CONNECTIVITY - HOOKING UP THE PRO-2052 RADIO SHACK

>I recently purchased and installed Scan Cat Gold SE to
>control my Radio Shack Pro 2052. The program does not seem
>to communicate with radio. I am using a standard 9 pin
>serial cable that allows me to connect via Hyperterminal but
>not through the Scan Cat Software.
>
>Do I need some kind of serial adapter for this to work?
>
>Any help would be appreciated.
>
>  C C
>
>

YOu do not need an adaptor. Any standard serial cable with the proper
ends on it should work.

A few suggestions.

1. Since the radio can be either used stand alone or with a computer, 
be sure you turn on the "remote" - see the PRO2052 manual on how to do
this.  Unless the radio is placed into remote it will not communicate 
with the computer.

2. Make certain you are using the correct serial port. Since you 
say you can talk to the radio using the "hyperlink", then check to 
see what serial port it is using and also be cettain the baud rate 
is set to what the radio is set to (default 9600 baud)


3. Make sure the radio is NOT in trunking mode when you first 
access through the computer. Pressing the MANUAL button on the radio 
before you go to the 'remote' will ususally place it in conventional mode.


Go to http://www.scancat.com/hints.html  - there you will find a 
couple of hits and tipe about problems associsated with connecting 
with the radio. While some are for other radio's the principle is 
the same. In particular read the one about how to use a "mini tester" 
to visually see if the data is flowing to the radio.





       HOW TO MAKE A SHORTCUT ICON


to: Jim Springer
  
Jim-
  
  Thank you for the quick turn around on upgrading my hoka code 3.
Still reading the manual. One question I have is what is the "best" 
operating system to run it on - Windows 98 se in a dos window or 
booting it up in dos alone? I have it running in a dos window in 
windows 98 se, but I want to get it to run in dos, if for no other 
reason than to get a full screen on my lap top rather than the smaller 
window in windows. The problem I have when booting in dos is that 
I have not enabled the bit-buffer to use memory above the bottom 640k, 
and it tends to run out of memory very quickly. The manual says to 
load himem.sys into the config.sys file, but what little I remember of 
my dos days tells me that there was more to it than 
device=c:\dos\himem.sys. Do you know what the rest of the lines are 
to make it work? Unfortunately all my dos manuals got tossed when I 
switched to windows!

  
 There is certainly a difference in the newer software and hardware.

  
Thank you
Fred 

ANSWER:
If you go to your windows desktop and do the following I think you'll 
find you can start it in windows, but still use "DOS"


1. Find a 'clear spot' on your Windows desktop and right click your mouse
2. When the grey box pops up choose "NEW"
3. Then choose "SHORTCUT"
4. Follow the instructions to create a shortcut "ICON" on our desktop.
5. One the ICON is there you can then RIGHT CLICK and choose Properties
6. Pick the "SCREEN" tab and then clikc on the 'button' "FULL SCREEN"
7. Pick the "MEMORY" tab and then set all the selectons 
    FROM auto to 1024.

That should take care of the 'full screen' and also the bit buffer memory.
If something doesn't work right, you can always go back to the ICON and 
fine tune things.

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ICOM R7000 Support and Squelch Detect Cable

QUESTION:
I have an Icom 7000 receiver and would like to buy software to 
automatically scan. Does your company ever attend communication 
shows, etc.?   I would like to see the software demonstrated.
  
James P. 

ANS:
We normally attend the Dayton HamVention, which will be in May
of 2001. We do not plan any other conventions at this time. 
We also have a working demo on our website at: 
       http://www.scancat.com/download.html

Your ICOM R7000 will require a Serial to Radio Interface, such
as Icom's CT-17 or our "Uni-Versatile Interface (CAT-232C)
	http://www.scancat.com/ctlg-232.html
                   Plus
Your ICOM R7000 will require our Squelch Detect Cable for Icom.
	http://www.scancat.com/ctlg-sql.html
Without this adaptor, there is no way to detect if the radio has 
a signal or not, and consequentially the software program will not 
stop when the radio picks up a signal.

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I WANT TO USE LONGER THAN 6 FOOT COMPUTER CABLES WITH MY R-7000
QUESTION:

Hello Jim
Thank you for the info regarding my Icom 7000 I will accept that your CAT232C
 will be a better replacement than the Icom CT-17 and it is about the same price.
However it appears to me that your leads that are depicted on your web page are 
on the short side for my application. As you well know radio does not like PC's so 
my Icom is on the other side of the room opposite my PC. I would require about 
21feet for both cables. I believe that I would have to have the squelch cable as well?
Is this a feasable proposition for you Jim.If so give me a price for the interface 
& leads + Scancat-Gold.
Many Thanks
R. B. C.

ANSWER:

You can approach this two ways.

1. Yes,  Our normal "leads" use a 6 foot "stereo" cable. It is 
just an audio cable, and you "may" be able to extend it - Places 
like Radio Shack sell 12ft or so Stereo headphone extension cables.  
BUT I've never tested that long a cable, and things like resistance 
and 'time delays' through copper wire could affect the overall performance.

2. I know that one can put a couple of 6 foot serial cables in 
series and it works. I have that much going to and from my switch boxes.  
But I've never tested it beyond 12 feet.  So same solution, just go to 
Radio Shack or Office Depot and purchase a 25 pin to 25 pin serial 
"M-F extension" cable and see how long it can be made and still work.

Icom's CT-17 setup would use the same length cables so it would probably 
react much the same as ours.

I might mention one downside to all this - the longer the leads coming 
from the computer, the more they start acting like an antenna... 
SO -  Unless everything is grounded to earth at the source, sooner or later, 
you'll end up with more problems with interference - than less.

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CODE3-GOLD WON'T DECODE ANYTHING

QUESTION:  
>At 05:12 AM 11/02/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi Jim
>We have tried all the things you suggested and the Code3-Gold unit doesn't work it
>will not lock on a signal .. I've done all the things the manual suggests ...
>it boils down to the box, software or operator ... I could use some suggestions.

>regards  pete
>

ANSWER:

I don't think there is anything wrong with your external demodulator. 
If i recall from phone conversations, you're seeing 'square waves' 
on transmissions such as SITOR, so it is doing it's job. 

 I'm not sure what you're trying to decode.  LOTS of RTTY reception 
at 840 shift 75 baud is encrypted, and while it looks fine on the 
scope and signal is rock solid clear - it cannot be decoded into 
anything by 'garbage'.
A lot of custoemrs zero in on this type transmission because it's 
so common and because it's so 'in the clear'. but.. It's not decodable.

I would reccomend first finding some SITOR stations. This is why I 
sent you several good frequencies. Instead of going through all the 
F1 and F3 keys progressions to analyze the signal, simply pick sitor 
from the Systems Menu and see if you can start getting print on the 
screen.

BANDWIDTH plays a very important role in reception. If the receiver 
you are using has a 500 HZ filter, then once you've tuned in and 
have the signal centered, reduce the bandwidth to the 500 hz filter, 
and this should improve the overall noise to signal significantly 
and you will probably start getting print.

Also, pressing the "S" key (Bandpass/SHIFT) while receiving a signal 
will place software filters into the "circuit". This may improve your 
overall performance.
  
If you have not built an L-Pad yet, I'd recommend doing so.  Not all 
radios produce a perfect audio output.  I know Kenwood is the worst. 
I'm not sure about your Yaesu.  But, the L=Pad seems to make iteasier 
to get a better match when all else seems to fail.

If you want, you can send me your unit, and I can put it on our computer 
and take a look. But if it IS defective, I must either return it to you, 
or I CAN ship it to Hoka to be fixed. The round trip (AirMail) freight 
will be about $50.00.   AirMail takes about 10 days each way.  Plus the 
time for them to repair the unit.

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>Hi,
>Does ScanCat allow scanning of both conventional & trunk banks at the
>same time?

Well, almost - It's about as easy to go between them as two mouse clicks,
 but we must control what the radio is capable of. The BC245 IS capable 
of scanning both trunking systems and conventional frquencies in the 
same bank, but it is sequenced, not 'simultaneous. We support this 
feature while in our trunking mode.

>
>Do you have any literature that compares/contrasts the features of
>ScanCat with the WinScan software?

We do not publish comparisons of our software versus our competitors. 
We stand on our own merits. There are too many differences from one 
company's product (and conceptual approach) to another. Just because 
one does soemthing better or worse, does not necessarily mean that 
software is not good.

Some things that we DO do are (For instance):

We have THREE individual modules for trunking radios such as the 
BC895, BC245 or PRO2006 - We can scan using diskfile without first 
having to load them into the radio's memory such as is required on 
Win____.  We have a DATABASE approach to capturing the talk group 
ID's "off the air", which to my knowledge no one has developed.

Not only do we support the three trunking radios but we support 
over 60 other radios from more than 10 manufacture's --- all SUPPLIED 
in the same program. Most software only support one vendor product.

We have very good technical support. In fact call us M-F 9am to 2PM 
and see for your self. 318-687-2555. VERY FEW companies have telephone 
support, and we do not know of any that normally pick up before 
the 3rd ring.

Beyond that, download both demos and check out the differences.  

Ours is at:  http://www.scancat.com/download.html

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QUESTION: HOW DO I OPTIMIZE MY WIN95.98 SYSTEM?
>Thanks for the sage advice Jim, 
>MS System Info is a neat application. 
> have a couple of questions (below)
  
>BTW Are you using '98'? I'm still running '95' and I don't see the 'General' or '
>Startup' tabs you refer to.
>S.S.
  
Deleting something without knowing exactly what it does is asking 
for trouble. trouble trouble.

I'm not familiar with the registry, but there is a 'simple' way 
to look at and "disable" a lot of the DLL's without "screwing up" 
your registry.

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSINFO\MSINFO32.EXE"

Got to START and then "RUN" and type this into the box
(You might also want to make a shortcut icon of it.)

THEN once it is "up", chosse "TOOLS" 
and then pick "System Configuration" 
  
> When I do this I get a 'System Configuration Editor' window and......5 sub-windows:
> Are these the "Tabs" your'e refering to?
> 'Protocol.ini'
> 'System.ini'
> Win.ini'
> 'Config.sys'
. 'Autoexec.bat'
>  
. I'm unable to locate 'General' or 'Startup'
  

TWO OF THE TABS ARE "SYSTEM INI" AND "WIN.INI"
  
Look at them and you see a way of checking (enable
of UNchecking (disable) a program/dll.
  
>By remarking them out?
  
This is a much safer way to 'get rid of something' and still 
keep the registry intact. Once you determine something you've 
disabled doesn't affect your running system, then it might be 
ok to get rid of it permanently.

BTW- UNDER 'GENERAL' CLICK ON THE 
  
. Is 'Advanced' button supposed to be in Sys Config Utility? I can't find.
  
   "ADVANCED BUTTON" - There you will see one box that lets 
you DISABLE the SCAN DISK from doing it's thing everytime you 
have to use the off button to shut down windows. I recently 
discovered this and until I did I always thought SCAN DISK was 
Microsoft's way of punishing you from just turning off your computer.

BTW -  
  
> Can't find 'Startup' either :(
  
THE LAST TAB IS VERY USEFUL - "STARTUP" - this enables you to 
disable programs from booting up when windows first starts. 
You've be amazed how much faster windows comes up when it doesn't 
have to load a half ton of programs first.

If you don't want to do it this way....
there are several REGISTRY EDIT program on the shareware/internet.... 
look into one of these.


jim springer

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QUESTION:  THE FILES FROM SCANCAT=SE WILL NOT PLAY WITH WINDOWS PLAYERS

>Jim
>I have two Radio Shack pro 2052 radios hooked up to two computers. They
>are networked into a third. The first radio/computer is a emachine
>running win/98 with a Crystal sound card. The second radio/computer is a
>new emachine running win/me and a Mach1 sound system. The third, is a
>600 mgz running win/98 with a Mach1 pci sound system. As you may or may
>not remember I'm running your  "fabulous" Scancat Platinum edition on
>all of them.  The wave files created by the second radio/computer can't

ANSWER:
I do not know why a wave file created by our program using all 
Microsoft  windows calls will not play on the windows media player.  
You would think that if it was to play on ANYthing it would play 
on something made by Microsoft :) I DO know the sampling rate we 
use is the lowest we can define, and it is supposed to be MONO. 
I have a feeling this sampling rate may be part of the problem.
 
If you have the Windows Media Player defined as your default 
'player', then I would suggest you download WINamp and assign 
wav files to ITa s the default.  Winamp plays them fine. ALSO our 
built in player in Scancat plays them.

WE have WinampVerXXX on our utility ftp site:
	http://www.scancat.com/utility.html

>be played on the third. I keep getting a error message " invalid media
>type" The radio/computer with win/me will play the files from the first
>radio, running win/98, but not from the remote one, running win 95. Do
>you know what the problem is. I've tried asking emachine and Microsoft
>but they don't have any answers. They tell me to go to the manufacturers
>of the sound cards for the answers. I also have another radio/computer

Frankly it is not the sound card. It's the 'file'.

>at a remote location that I download files from that also get the same
>message. That computer is a 300mgz running win 95 and a sound blaster
>card. Its wave files can't be read by any of the other computers.
>needless to say I'm going nuts trying to figure this out.
>If this was to hard to understand let me know and I will draw a
>schematic for you.
>The crazy guy up in Illinois
>Bill B.

The real problem could be ..... it's Bill Gates at his 'best'.

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CONVERTING SCANCAT'S FREQ FILES TO TRUNKING DATABASE

>Jim, 
>I just bought a new BC780XLT.. How do I take my local database 
>that I have loaded into Scancat, and put it into the 780 so that I can run 
>it independently of Scancat??? 
> 
>Somehow, I've always run my PCR1k using Scancat, and haven't learned how to 
>do this yet. 
> 

I presume you are using a SCancat ".frq" database?
If so, 

FIRST - if all you want to do is just load those freqencies into your BC780, 
just use the "Conventional Radio" method. The frequencies you use on the PCR1000
can be also loaded into the BC780 without doing any changes.



1. Go to main menu and select "Radio Memory Management" 
2. Choose "Trunking Scanners ---> Conventional Scanners / 
				    Load Aadio Memories
3. Pick your file and just click on the "Begin" button 
    to load the BC780 - It's that simple.

IF you want to use the new Trunking Database with the BC780 for 
Trunking AND loading/Storing TG ID's.

1. Go to main menu and select "Radio Memory Management" 
2. Choose "Trunking Scanners ---> Trunking Database 
3. At the database viewer screen Click FILES / IMPORT 
4. Choose "Import Scancat FRQ file (replaces All)

This will read the FRQ file and place the frequencies into the 10 banks of 
(for instance the BC780). 
Now all you have to do is get the ID's for that system
IF you already are using the BC780 then the "trunking (Scanning) module" 
should be building a database for you as it acquires all the active TG 
ID's. If not, then use our Trunking (scanning) Module to log onto the 
system for your area and then let it run for a few hours. After you've 
accumulated a bunch of TG ID's, sort them in DESCENDING order so that the 
TOP hit ID's are first. Then save the file.
NOW - you can import THIS file into the Trunking Database a bank at a time. 
It is the THIRD option - right below the one you use to import the 
frequencies. 
The entire process probably won't take more than 15-20 minutes.
THEN save the new TRUNKING DATABASE file usine "SAVE AS" and you're up and 
running. 

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CANNOT LOCATE ISAM FILES ERROR MESSAGE

QUESTION:

Dear Sirs, 

I'm having trouble. I have recently had to reinstall Windows 98 SE. 
Since that installation, I have reinstalled all of my software, 
including Scancat Gold (version 7.5.8). I am getting a peculiar 
error message when I attemp to load dbf file information from my 
Mr Scanner frequency CD-ROM. I'm enclosing a jpg image of this 
error message in the hope that you can tell me how to get going again. 

I like Scancat Gold and don't want to be without it. 

Cordially, 

ANSWER

I am guessing (at this point) but I think what may be happening is the 
ISAM files for reading/running DBASE and ACCESS files are not in the 
proper directory. This usually occurs if you choose to place your 
windows OS in some directory name that is not the 'default' 

IE: "C:\windows\system" 

If you HAVE the default windows directories of: 

C:\windows 
C:\windows\system 

Then reinstalling the Scancat from scratch should solve this. 
 
If your windows\system directory is located elsewhere, then you will
have to locate the Scancat.ini file in the default Windows directory
and using an editor such as notepad.exe change the path pointed to
in the ISAM files to match their true location.

Let me know if you need further help and I'll try and guide you to 
where it will work. 

Best Regards, 

jim springer     

RESOLUTION:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      RESOLUTION!                                                                                                                             . 
Hello, Jim. Thank you for responding to my call for help. 
I uninstalled Scancat Gold, then reinstalled it to the root
 of the C drive. This time it found those "ISAM" files, and 
was able to read "DBase dbf" files without problems. 
  
Again, thanks very much for your quick response to my call for help! 
  
Cordially, 
  
Charles b.

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USING SCANCAT WITH A ''MAC''

>Hi,
>
>  I recently purchased one of the new BC780 Uniden TrunckTrakers
>  radios. I also have an R8500 Icom. Both of these radios have a 
>  RS232 Connector on the back of the radio but I can't find any 
>  software for them. I only have a couple of MAC computers and do 
>  not own a "PC compatible".  Do you have any software for the 
>  MAC that will run the new BC780XLT or my R8500 Icom?
>
>Thanks!
>
> j.j.


ANSWER:

As of February 1, 2001

For use with the MAC it is best to obtain a radio that has a 
true RS 232 port on the back as opposed to proprietary cabling 
that must use an interface box.  Scancat will operate both the 
BC 780 and the R8500. At the present time we are in the early 
stages of testing various combinations that will definitely 
work with Scancat and the MAC using PC emulation. The requirements 
below are based on the need for a G3 or G4 computer to run the
PC emulation fast enough, and the need for a USB port since the 
RS422 serial connector on earlier MACs omit some very necessary 
input and output lines necessary to operate the scanner A pre-G3 
Power PC is simply too slow. ... So far our testing has only 
included the BC 780 which works great, but I see no reason that 
the same procedures will not work with any RS 232 equipped radio 
like the R8500. At this point the minimum requirements are:

- The Scancat PC software. 

- A MAC G3 running 300 Mhz or better, 
  or a G4, running OS 8.6 or later with min 50     
  MB RAM (64Mb recommend), 1GB available hard drive
  space, CD ROM for installs.

- The computer  must have a USB port. 
  Note ... if you have a beige G3 that has no     
  USB or Firewire ports, you can obtain a PCI card 
  that will give you BOTH USB and Firewire ports for about 
  $150-180. Probably a worth while investment anyway.

- Connectix Virtual PC version 3 or 4 (Version 3 is the first 
  one that supported USB connectivity)

- A Belkin serial to USB adapter 
  (IMPORTANT >>> This adapter must be the PC USB to serial 
  RS 232 adapter .... not the MAC USB to serial adapter) 
  The Belkin part number is  F5U103   (NOT F5U103MAC)


Most of the above can be obtained from PC and MAC Connection at 
900-800-2222.

All of this works beautifully together. Earlier version of the 
MACs are just not fast enough to make the PC emulation work well, 
and do not offer USB connectivity, necessary for this operation.

For more Information Write to Dick Mckay
the "MAC person":

dick_mckay@compuserve.com


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 #SCANNINGSPEED


QUESTION:

Hello!  We're mystified!  Today we received from you three cd's of the
Shadow radio program.  We have tried playing them on three different cd
players.  There is apparently no material on any of the cd's.  Can you
enlighten us on what the problem may be?    The order number was 0090024.
Thanks for any advice you can give.  I am ready to send these back and get
cd's with sound.
 

ANSWER/SOLUTION
Hi,

We do our best (on our website and advertising material) to explain the
CD's are in Computer Format (IE a DATA disk), But sometimes it is missed.
The files on our CD's are in MP3  - this is an audio format that is very
popular on the Internet, and with pocket MP3 Players. 

However the DATA CD's are not capable of being played in a normal "car
stereo" type CD player. (ISO9600 CD's).

If you have a computer, our CDs can be played by placing the CD into your
drive and browsing the directories. Click on a file and it should begin to
play. If it does not, and you do not have the Player, we also include a
Player called "Winamp". It is on one of the directories of each of the
CD's. It can be easily installed and is free.

In addition, there ARE CD/MP3 portables out now that will play both the
normal ISO9600 CD's And the Data Disks that contain MP3. One of these CD
players is Diamond's RioVolt - also known as Sonic Blue. It can be
purchased at Circuit City. Radio Shack carries an RCA model -  It also
plays MP3/ISO9600 CD's.

There are several Portable MP3 Players available in an abundance of models
from Radio Shack, Circuit City and Office Depot. Units by the names of
Nomad, Rio, and Lyra.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

RESULT:

Thanks!  We figured it out!  The cd's are great!
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QUESTION:

>Hello,
>What about the speed increasing with Scancat Gold? I have a R7000 wich has a
>speed of 7 channel per second.
>Wich speed can i expect with the scancat software?
> 
>T. D. 

ANSWER:

The speed of software control is relative to the baud rate of the data sent 
to the radio. In the case of the R7000 if the baud was set for 9600 you 
should be able to approach 30 ch/sec with our Scancat.  If you do not have 
the Icom CT-17 You will need an external Interface for the R7000.
	http//www.scancat.com/ctlg-232.html

In order to get feedback from the radio that the squelch is open, you will 
also need our Icom Squelch detect cable.
	http//www.scancat.com/ctlg-sql.html

You can dowload our demo at:
	http//www.scancat.com/download.html.html


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QUESTION:

>To Whom It May Concern
>
>I downloaded your demo version and followed the written setup 
>instructions. However, when all is said and done,and the computer 
>program begins its search, there is no sound to indicate that any 
>frequencies have actually been found. The Com. port setting is 1 and all 
>other settings appear to be correct. I set the program to search between 
>155.000 and 157.00, where I know there is a lot of scanner program 
>traffic. Although the scanner visually indicates that it is searching 
>the frequencies I inputted, there is no sound to support what the 
>graphic is telling me. I assume that I have made an error somewhere.
>Probably a simple mistake. Can you offer some support?
>
>Thanks for the help you might be able to offer.
>
>P.T.

ANSWER:

Hi,

  A few suggestions.

a. Make sure you are actually set up for the radio, not using the 
"Virtual Radio" - AND the PRO2052 must be in "remote" (Computer access). 
If the RADIO tracks along with the same frequency on the Scancat screen, 
then we are "Connected", otherwise the Computer Screen may seem to be 
controlling the radio but nothing is actually happening.

b. The sound does not "automatically" come through your computer
unless you connect the audio output from the radio to your sound 
card. It would be best to simply use the radio's supplied speaker 
until you can determine if the radio is actually being controlled.

c. If everything else seems to be working, there is a MUTE button 
that can be toggled, and possible the radio is muted. The mute 
button is on left bottom corner to the right of a timing 'slider' 
on BASIC scanning - and on the bottom right of the "Control panel" 
of the ADVANCED scanning (also on right side).

Let me know if you need any other assistance.

best regards

Jim Springer
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>I am about to purchase a new computer. I am looking at a Dell Dimension 8200 
>Desktop with 256MB SDRAM, Pentium 4 1.8ghz processor, 80gb HD and combo 
>DVD/CDRW ROM. Only thing is they ship it with Windows XP. Will your software 
>run on a Windows XP platform? I know some people who have had trouble using 
>Windows 98 based programs (mostly multi-media programs) on their Windows XP 
>computers. 
>
>Thanks,
>
>J C



Scancat and Magic and all of our other software programs we 
produce will operate just fine on Windows XP - Our customers tell 
us this, and we also have a dozen or so beta testers that have 
made sure of this as well.

It is worthy of mention - be sure the computer you purchse 
has SERIAL PORTS - USB ports require adaptors that are costly 
(70-80.00 each) and do not always work well. Lots of the newer 
computers do not have serial ports as standard equipment in 
order to cut costs.  

The HOKA products will not run on Windows XP with the exception 
of the CODE3-Gold (Standard version).

The main problem you will have (with other software) is if you 
upgrade to XP from an existing Windows 98 system. Some of it will 
have to be reinstalled, or new drivers downloaded from the 
manufacturer's website. Windows XP has a diagnostics program you can 
download from Microsoft's site that can tell you what programs will 
or will not work, need new drivers etc.

It is ALSO on our website 
	http//www.scancat.com/utility.html

Look for "WindowsXP_UpgradeAdvisor_UpgAdv.exe"

Best regards

Jim Springer

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QUESTION

>Hello

>I recently updated to 8.0 Scancat gold and an Uniden Bc780 scanner.

>I cant figure out how to load the memories with my dbase 
>(.dbf extension) files. These are not trunking freqs. I tried 
>using the convential load memories but I get "skipping freq - 
>freq below 0.100 or deselected message." I tried doing it in the 
>trunking database but cant figure out how to use the .dbf files.

>Finally I went to my old 7.58 version (setup for a BC895) and loaded 
>the dbf files to the 780 thru the convential memory load and it worked ok.

>But how do I use dbf files (to load in memory) 
>with version 8.0 and a BC780? 
>The dbf files work fine in scanning mode.

>Thanx

>STAN S

ANSWER

Hi,

  This is one of the reasons we put the "IMPORT" function into
our Trunking Database.  The easiest way to get the DBASE files 
into the Trunking database would be to use EXCEL. Boot up both 
Scancat AND EXCEL.  Go to the Trunking Database Section of Scancat.  
Then - load the dbase file into Excel. Once this is done you can 
highlight (example) the Excel columns for Frequency and description 
and use "EDIT/COPY" to place that information into the 
Windows CLIPboard.

Then toggle back to Scancat and click on the FILES Menu and 
choose /IMPORT Clipboard/Excel

Basically all you have to do is place the mouse cursor on the Scancat 
Database's record position (where you want the frequencies to "start") 
and just paste them in. You will find this can be done quite rapidly.

ONCE all the frequencies are imported for a bank, IF they are trunking, 
just go into the settings column and add a "T"... otherwise they are 
treated as conventional frequencies.

Best regards,

Jim Springer

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================================









 

   







QUESTION

>Sirs or Ma`am
I have a icom ic-756 transceiver and your scancaat gold for windows, 
V 7.58. i cannot  seem to find my radio listed in the radio setup files.
does this version of your software allow for control of the ic-756?

Thanking you in advance,
G S

ANSWER

Not directly - but - You can control and program this radio by 
using one of our "Icom Programmable Slots".  There are 3 such 
"programmable" entries on the middle column of the radio 
selection menu. Click on one that is not assigned and the 
pop up box will permit you to set up the necessary information
- this will then be saved for each time you restart your program.

Jim

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