User manual

cludes a selection that will print data from a raw radiation
data file to an ascii file. The ascii file created will consist of
a column of numbers representing the average radiation level
per data point. The ascii file will be much the same as a file
created by printing to a file with zero left printer margin and
zero print columns. The Time Base Units of data averaged
per point is determined by the value entered from the
"Strip/Bar Chart Settings" or the "Printer Settings" under Aw-
srad’s Setup menu.
Optionally each number can be followed by a comma and a
data\time code, for use by the spreadsheet or database. Also
optionally, the ascii file can begin with a data bar (a couple
of lines of summarizing data). The ascii file generated can be
loaded into a text editor program for any minor changes or
viewing.
Beautiful multi-series graphs, including log graphs, can be
produced and printed effortlessly with spreadsheet programs
such as Quattro-Pro.
SELECTING FILES:
Aw-srad will display a directory listing from which you can
select a radiation data file to load into the program for view-
ing. Alternatively, Aw-srad will load a file typed on the DOS
command line. (See Command Line Args below). Any file
loaded must of course be raw data files generated by Aw-srad
or the TSR code (Aw-mrad.com).
While selecting a file, change directory listings by placing the
cursor bar on a "DIR" listing and pressing <ENTER>. The
"DIR .." listing is Dos’s notation for the parent directory, so
to change to the parent dir from a sub dir, place the cursor bar
on the "DIR .." entry and press <ENTER>.
The "DIR ." listing is Dos’s notation for the current dir. One
use for this listing is if you are running the TSR code and you
save the memory buffer to disk by hitting the appropriate hot
key, and then you wish to update the dir listing, to reflect the
data file’s new size, do so by selecting the "DIR ." and pres-
sing <ENTER>.
By pressing the <F5> key you can change drives and display
directories and files for selection, by using a path name and
filename with wild cards as needed.
The <F7> <F8> keys toggle the sort method between name
sort and date/time sort. The selected sort method is high-
lighted.
TSR CODE:
The TSR code (Aw-mrad.com) gathers raw radiation data
from a preselected port and stores the data in a buffer. It
automatically saves the buffer to a disk file when the buffer
is full. It also maintains a running average of the radiation
level and sounds an alarm if the average exceeds a preselected
value.
The TSR code runs in the background, allowing the computer
to carry out other tasks. A pop-up command window can be
accessed by a pre-defined Hot-Key Combo.
The TSR code is loaded by the user from the main program
AW-SRAD.EXE. The TSR code can be automatically loaded
by AW-AUTO.COM or AW-AUTOT.COM every time the
computer is turned on (See AUTOEXEC.BAT below).
The TSR code activates a pre-defined Hot-Key Combo, which
creates a pop-up window from any non-graphics program.
This pop-up window allows the user to control the TSR code
while it is running in the background.
The TSR Hot-Key Combo is a two keystroke combination.
The default Hot-Key Combo combination is the left ctrl key -
F1, so to bring up the TSR code’s pop-up command window,
hold the left ctrl key down and press the F1 key. (Note: On
older, slow computers, the pop-up window might not be fully active before
you release the Hot-Key Combo, in which case, when leaving the pop-up
window, the computer bios might not know you released the command key
i.e. the CTRL, ALT or SHIFT key. If this is the case on your computer, just
tap the CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT key a second time.
The TSR code’s pop-up command window displays the
MicroR\hr. level averaged from the TBUs of data specified by
the running average length. For example if you choose 600
sec. for the running average, the pop-up window will show
the MicroR radiation level average from the data gathered
over the last 10 minutes. You can change the running aver-
age length at will from the pop-up window. As you change
the running average length, the average MicroR level dis-
played will change accordingly.
The TSR program’s pop-up command window selections in-
clude:
<W> The TSR code sets up a small capture buffer in memo-
ry in which it stores the raw data from the port. By hitting
the W key from the pop-up window, the TSR code writes
(saves) its memory buffer to disk. Otherwise the TSR code
will save its buffer to disk automatically according to your
"Save Buffer Cycle" selection in Aw-srad’s Setup.
<U> will save the buffer to disk and then un-install the TSR
code from memory.
<B> will toggle the operation of the beeper, either activating
it or deactivating it. With the beeper activated, the comput-
er’s speaker will beep or click every time the RM-60’s geiger
tube is triggered by ionizing radiation.
<A> will toggle the operation of the alarm system. As men-
tioned previously, the TSR code saves raw data to memory
and disk, and simultaneously calculates a running average of
the radiation level. If the running average exceeds the trigger
level, an alarm sound is continuously emitted from the com-
puter’s speaker. The alarm trigger level and the seconds of
data used for calculating the running average can be selected
in Aw-srad’s Setup selections or from the pop-up command
window.
<F5 - F6> increases or decreases the duration of the beep or
click emitted from the computer speaker, with each detection
of radiation.
<F7 - F8> increases or decreases the alarm set point.
<F9 - F10> increases or decreases the number of seconds of
6