ARC250 for BC2xxD/BC7xxD User Manual Version 1.10 2004 BuTel software The Netherlands – all rights reserved www.butelsoftware.com ARC250 User Manual 1.
Contents: 1 Introduction and quick start reference 1.1 Software Installation 1.2 Enter registration information 1.3 Connecting the scanner to your PC 1.4 Model and RS232 port setup 1.5 USB information 2 Using the memory channel editor 2.1 Reading data from the scanner 2.2 General hints and tips for using the editor 2.3 Programming conventional frequencies 2.4 Programming trunk frequencies 2.5 Sort data 2.6 Easy Fill 2.7 Using the clipboard 2.8 Copy/Move/Swap banks/channels 2.8.
1: INTRODUCTION: ARC250 is a windows software package for easy programming and controlling the Uniden BC250/785/296/796 digital scanners. System requirements: Windows 95/98/ME/XP/Win2000/NT minimum display resolution settings: VGA 800x600 SMALL Fonts Free serial port com1-com16 ARC250 is available in 2 versions: ARC250basic: - Enhanced editor for memory channels, trunk id’s and search range data - Virtual Control screen, control your scanner from a PC.
1.1 Software installation: The ARC250 is available as Internet download or on CD-ROM. Important: we advise our customers to uninstall previous versions before installing new versions. The uninstall process will not remove any data files created with the software. Win2000/XP users: You must be logged on as administrator to install and use ARC250. Internet download: The downloaded file contains all the necessary files for installation. Run the exe file and the installer will automatically start.
Enter registration: Start the software by selecting START _ PROGRAMS _ ARC250 _ ARC250 for Uniden BC250/785. After the start screen, select HELP _ REGISTER in the menu. Enter the name and key information: the name is case sensitive! No spaces are allowed. The key only contains numbers. The name may contain ‘0’ (=zero) or capital O. 1.3 Connect you scanner: The scanner must be connected to a free serial port. This is normally a 9-pin connector at the back of your PC.
1.4: Getting started: RS232 communication setup After installation of the software you must check and set the software settings for correct scanner model and RS232 communication. Start the software and select: BC250 _ RS232 communication setup from the menu (or BC785 _ RS232 communication setup). First select the right scanner model you are using: BC250, BC296, BC785 or BC796D. 38400 and 57600 baudrate is only available for 296/796 models.
- - - - Switch on your scanner, verify the scanner is enabled for RS232 serial communication: select MENU _ 3 _ 5 _ ENTER; this will set the scanner to 19200 baud-rate. (or 38400/57600 for 296/796 models) In the software press the auto-detect button, the software will scan all available serial ports and detect the scanner model and baud-rate. This autodetect process may take several minutes.
1.5: USB information Uniden scanners use a standard Rs232 port for computer programming and control. Uniden scanners do not have a USB port available. Therefor ARC250 is developed to support standard serial comports. For laptop PC's that do not have a serial port we advise to use a PCMCIA serial port extender card. Several manufacturers also sell serial<>USB converters. These converters create a virtual software rs232 port and can work very unreliable.
2: Using the memory channel editor: ARC250 includes the most versatile memory editor available on the market. Unlike other software packages you can use ARC250 without a scanner connected. This section describes most options available in the memory editor; in order to use the full power of the editor it is important that you read this section carefully. The editor does not require that a scanner is connected.
2.1 Reading data from the scanner: After setting up the communication you can start to use the memory editor. Because there is probably already some data in your scanner it is a good start to first read the data from your scanner. From the main menu select: BC250 _ Read Data from Scanner (or BC785 _ Read Data from Scanner). Tip: you can also use the toolbar button or press F5. A new window is shown: First select whether you want to read data from all banks or a single bank.
Search Data: the data that is stored in the 10 user programmable search ranges (also referred to as chain search). All button: the All button will automatically select all the above options. After you made your selection, press ‘Read Data’. The software will start to read data from the scanner. Once reading data is complete the window is closed and data is transferred to the memory editor grid. DELAY: This parameters defines the delay the software uses during serial communication.
2.3 Programming conventional frequencies: You can enter frequencies directly in the grid. In the grid there is no cursor shown. You can use BACKSPACE to make corrections in the grid. If you click on a cell the current data is copied to the editor bar, in the editor bar a cursor is shown (frequency and tag column only). When you enter a frequency and you press ENTER the other cells of that line are automatically programmed depending on your custom settings (default channel data).
Additional information about trunk frequencies: Trunk frequencies only use Fm or Nfm mode. For an Edacs system it is very important that frequencies are programmed in the right order. If you try to sort an Edacs system a warning is shown. To setup your scanner for receiving trunk systems: - - Use internet/frequency lists to obtain the correct information about trunk system settings, trunk frequencies and trunk id’s.
In the top frame the channel range is selected. DEFAULT will set the start and end channel of the selected bank. ALL CHANNELS will set all 1000 channels. In the ‘Fill Range With’ frame you select the data you want to program in that range. If you want to set the mode for all selected channels to WFM select the MODE check box then select WFM and select APPLY, this will program WFM in all selected channels. You can select more the one check box.
2.7 Using the clipboard In the memory editor grid you can use the standard Windows clipboard options. In the toolbar shortcuts are available for cut, copy and paste options. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts CTRL C, CTRL X and CTRL V. Use these options to paste data from other applications like Excel. An additional clipboard option is available that will automatically select entire lines (Cut line, copy line and paste line).
2.8.1 Copy/Move/Swap Memory Channels: The ‘from’ and ‘to’ list boxes will automatically display the channel number, frequency and tag. Channels that are empty (no frequency programmed) are indicated as Empty. Current Bank: copy/move/swap channels in the active bank All Banks: copy/move/swap channels in all Banks 2.8.2 Copy/Move/Swap Memory Banks: Use this window to copy/move/swap entire memory banks. You can select the data that you want to copy/move/swap (frequencies, trunk id’s and trunk settings).
2.9 Fill Down / Fill Series The Fill down and fill series options are used to copy the same data into a range of channels. Fill series will auto calculate ascending numbers in text tags (see examples below) This example will show fill down: Channel 10 contains Trunk=OFF, Delay Time = 4 seconds and Record =ON We want to copy this data to channels 11-20; first you must highlight the channel range: Now select the FILL DOWN option: ARC250 User Manual 1.
The software will automatically fill the selected range, using the data at the top of the selected range. Fill Series: Fill series only works in the tag column. It will look for number information in the tag and auto increase the number in ascending channels. Example: Channel 10 contains the tag ‘UHF Channel 431’: Highlight the channels where you want to copy the data to: Now select the FILL SERIES option and ARC250 auto calculates the new tags: ARC250 User Manual 1.
2.10 Other Options: PL/DPL Column / PL/DPL tone lockout: If you want to ignore a subtone (lockout a subtone) use the 'L' key to toggle lock out on/off. A '-' will indicate a subtone is locked out. Tips: You can scroll the list with subtones by using the - and + keys. Shift _ spacebar will scroll down. DUMMY BANK: The dummy bank is a virtual bank. You can use this bank for temporary storage of data. The data in the dummy bank is not send to your scanner nor stored in a file.
2.11 Using Webcatcher for importing frequencies from internet website: ARC250 can very easily import frequencies from any website. • • • • • • • • Start the ARC250 software Open you internet browser and open a website displaying frequencies you want to import (example: http://www.trunktracker.
• ARC automatically removes duplicate frequencies: • For import into the memory table you must transfer the frequencies to the right list. Finally you select in what bank and at what channel you like to import the data. • • Press "EXPORT TO TABLE" button and frequencies are ready for upload! ARC250 User Manual 1.
• Webcatcher works with ANY website, the website shown above is only an example. Here is the result of WebCatcher: ARC250 User Manual 1.
2.12 Priority Channels: You can set the priority channels, select Bc250 _ Priority Channels: Priority channels are stored in your mem file. You can directly read and send the priority channels, priority channels are also read/send when you use the read/send data window. 2.13 Easy Program: Easy program will directly program your scanner. Select the data you want to program and the channel range (single bank or all channels) and ARC250 will directly program your scanner. ARC250 User Manual 1.
2.14 Set Active Banks: You can set the active banks for scan and search mode. Active bank settings are stored in a mem file. The active bank settings are send to the scanner when you upload data using the 'Send Data' window. ARC250 User Manual 1.
2.15: Uploading data into the scanner: From the main menu select: BC250 _ Send Data from Scanner (or BC785 _ Send Data from Scanner). Tip: you can also use the toolbar button or press F6. A new window is shown: First select whether you want to send data to all banks or a single bank. Next select what data you want to upload. For your convenience you do not need to send all data from the scanner. Example: if you want to change frequencies in bank 5, you only need to send the frequency data from bank 5.
2.16 Import/Export data: ARC250 can import data from various sources: - import data from mem files ( select FILE _ IMPORT ) - import using the clipboard: you can easily copy/paste data from Excel or other database software that supports the clipboard - import frequencies from text/html/csv files. Use the webcatcher option to import from these files.
3 TRUNK SYSTEM SETTINGS: From the menu select TRUNK _ SYSTEM SETTINGS. A new window is shown; in this window you will find tabs where you can set the trunk bank settings. Depending on the selected trunk type the trunk settings for that system are shown. For information about these parameters please refer to the scanner Operating Manual. General: The RECORD option is only available for the BC785/796 scanner. The BC250/296 only supports a delay of 2 seconds (delay on/off).
3.2 MOTOROLA TYPE1: For a TYPE 1 system it is very important that the trunk system is setup correctly before any trunk id’s are uploaded to your scanner. Depending on the fleetmap settings the scanner may not accept some trunk id’s. BC250/296D: ARC250 will always use a custom fleetmap even if you selected a predefined fleetmap. The correct settings for the custom plan are automatically programmed.
3.3 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – 900 MHZ: ARC250 User Manual 1.
3,4 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – UHF: You must program at least one base configuration for a type 2 UHF system. See next page for more information about frequency/step/offset. 3.5 MOTOROLA TYPE 2 – VHF You must program at least one base configuration for a type 2 VHF system. See next page for more information about frequency/step/offset. ARC250 User Manual 1.
Explanation of base/step/offset parameters: For a type 2 VHF or type 2 UHF you must program base/step/offset parameters. For properly tracking a type 2 VHF/UHF system, the scanner needs channel number information. The tracking process is controlled by sending channel numbers instead of frequencies.
3.6 EDACS WIDE/NARROW: You can use either AFS or decimal trunk id format. ARC250 will accept both AFS and decimal trunk id’s in the trunk id editor. When you program EDACS frequencies, it is critical that you store each frequency in the correct location. This often is not the frequency order, so you must be sure you have the right sequence. It is normal that during Edacs trunk scanning or trunk searching the mode of the memory channels assigned to Edacs systems changes.
3.7 LT system: ARC250 User Manual 1.
4 TRUNK ID editor: Every bank can store a maximum of 100 trunk id’s (also known as talkgroups). You can also program a tag for every trunk id. The 100 trunk id’s are divided into 10 lists called scanlists. You can program a tag for these scanlists. IMPORTANT: before you program trunk id’s you must set the correct trunk system type (select TRUNK _ SYSTEM SETTINGS. The trunk id editor will show the active trunk type, the software uses this information to check and correct new id’s that are entered.
Align left / center: align the trunk tags in the grid. MOVE UP/DOWN: select a line in the grid, and then use the up/down buttons to move the data in the grid. INSERT: insert an id in the list REMOVE: remove selected ID from list REPLACE: find and replace text in tag column Sort Buttons: you can software trunk id's using either the id or the tag column. EDIT ScanList TAGS: you can program a tag for every list of 10 trunk id’s. A new window is shown. The list tag editor also shows the number of characters.
5 SEARCH RANGE EDITOR: The scanner has 10 user programmable search ranges. For your convenience the software uses a preset list. You can select from the preset list, the data is then automatically copied. The search ranges are stored in a mem file. The preset list can be modified. Preset ranges are stored in a file called search.txt, see section 7.3 (search range extender). CLEAR: clear all search ranges READ: read data from the scanner SEND: send data to the scanner ARC250 User Manual 1.
6 Software Settings 6.1 General: Reverse Channel Shift Option Buttons: In the memory editor grid two toolbar buttons are used to shift channels up/down. You can reverse the direction of these buttons. Load last used file: Automatically loads the last mem file during startup of the software. Hide leading zero’s: Hide leading zero’s in the memory editor grid. Save Window position: stores the size and position of the main editor screen.
6.2 Software settings: Bandplan Your scanner has a build in bandplan. This means that when you enter a frequency, the scanner will automatically select mode and step from a predefined list. For your convenience, ARC250 also knows this bandplan. You can also modify the bandplan that is used by the software (see section 8). IMPORTANT: you cannot modify the bandplan that is stored in your scanner.
6.3 Software settings: Tags Save memory banks tags: stores the tags of memory banks in mem files. Automatically clear bank tags: selecting FILE NEW clears the bank tags. If this option is not selected, ARC250 will show the most recent bank tags stored in your scanner. Software remembers last used bank tags: If this option is selected the software will store and remember the latest memory bank tags.
6.4 Software settings: Trunk Delete empty trunk id’s: select whether you want to clear trunk id’s. If this option is not selected the software will not delete any trunk id’s that are stored in your scanner. Read/Send Record: the 785/796 models have a record output. If you use the record output enable this option. This option will slow down overall communication. if you do not use the record output make sure this option is not selected. ARC250 User Manual 1.
6.5 Software settings: Virtual Control Always start with VC: after starting the software, virtual is automatically loaded. VC always on top: Puts the VC window on top. Store VC position: stores and remembers the virtual control window position. Do not close editor: while running VC you can still access the memory editor.
6.6 Software settings: Backup ARC250 can generate automatic backups of your work. Backups are stored in C:\PROGRAM FILES\ARC250\BACKUP or C:\PROGRAM FILES\ARC250PRO\BACKUP . The backup file contains time and date so you can easily find backup files. The backup process does not work while Virtual Control is active and during data read/send operation. You can set the interval in minutes.
6.7 SCANNER GENERAL PARAMETERS: You can setup the general parameters using ARC250. These parameters are not stored in mem files ( FIPS codes are stored in MEM files). Refer to scanner operating manual for more information about these parameters. RESET: You can fully reset the scanner. In the reset edit box type RESET then select the RESET BC250D or RESET BC785D button. WARNING: all data stored in the scanner will be lost, make sure you store backup copies before using the reset option.
7 Virtual Control Both ARC250BASIC and ARC250PRO include a virtual control option. ARC250BASIC is a basic version of Virtual Control. Enhanced options are only available in ARC250PRO. 7.1 Virtual Control: Keyboard (In ARC250BASIC the tabs are NOT shown!) The keyboard tab gives you direct control over the BC250/BC785. The display includes a status option where you can directly check the current status of you scanner. All buttons have a colored indicator providing quick status information.
PRI: right click for setting a trunk channel Lock Out: right click for clearing all lockout channels / frequencies / id's (depends on scanner status mode). MANUAL will always set you scanner back to manual mode. ARC250 User Manual 1.
7.2 Virtual Control: history (PRO VERSION ONLY) The history tab will show the last 100 frequencies/trunk id's/subtones. You can save the history to disk in CSV format. Subtone detection: if the subtone search option is enabled, the history tab will log the detected subtone. History will not log subtones that are programmed in a memory channel. ARC250 User Manual 1.
7.3 Virtual Control: search range extender (PRO VERSION ONLY) The search range extender will add 200 extra search ranges to your BC250/785. The search ranges are presented in a grid. If you double click on a search range, the 250/785 is automatically programmed with that range. Bank 10 of the 250/785 is reserved for the search range extender. The search ranges are stored in a file called search.txt. You can modify this file yourself with any text editor. We advise you to look at search.
Every line must contain a START frequency, STOP frequency, MODE, STEP and TEXT. Example: 118.00 , 136.00 , AM , 25 , AIRBAND Mode: AM / FM / WFM / NFM Step: 5 / 7.5 / 10 / 12.5 / 25 / 50 / 500 Important: You cannot use comma or dot in the TEXT part. Instead of 118.00 you can also use 118. Mode is not case sensitive. ARC250 User Manual 1.
7.4: Virtual Control: Log Setup (PRO VERSION ONLY): You can log data to disk; ARC250 saves log files in the CSV format. CSV files can be opened in Excel. To avoid long log files you can choose to log only new frequencies/id’s. For discovering new frequencies or id’s in search mode you can automatically lockout id’s that are logged. This increases the possibility of discovering new frequencies/id’s as the scanner will not hold on known frequencies/id’s.
7.5 Virtual Control: audio recording setup (PRO VERSION ONLY) In the Audio Setup TAB, the parameters for audio recording are set. Audio Quality: 2 quality settings are available; the size of the files that are created depends on the quality settings. The post busy delay time sets the time the software waits before a file is saved. Path for audio files: sets the location where audio files are stored.
7.6 Virtual Control: audio recording (PRO VERSION ONLY) ARC250PRO includes an auto recording option. The recording option creates WAV files. Every WAV file contains frequency, trunk id and start/end time/date. Audio recording is ‘busy’ triggered. If the busy indicator is ON the software starts recording. For audio recording you must have a soundcard installed. You must connect the audio output of the scanner to the line input of the sound card. The BC785 has a record output.
7.7 Virtual Control: fonts settings (PRO VERSION ONLY) Use this tab to set your personal font and color settings. The default font for virtual control is TERMINAL. ARC250 User Manual 1.
7.8 Virtual Control: Misc. options (PRO VERSION ONLY) VFO knob and VFO buttons are only available when BC796/296 model is used Active Scan/Search/Scanlist: set the active memorybank/searchbank/trunk scanlist. Use doubleclick to toggle bank on/off. VFO: tune scanner to frequency using VFO. Enter frequency and press TUNE. VFO knob: The 296/796 models can also control the scanners VFO knob. To use the 'software knob' press and hold left mouse button for tune down.
8 General information and troubleshooting 8.1 Custom Bandplan: You can customize the bandplan with a text editor. Any changes are stored automatically. The bandplan is stored in bandplan.dat. The bandplan.dat file must be stored in the same directory where ARC250/785 is installed! You can add lines in the bandplan file; use the included file as template to create your own custom bandplan. Bandplan example: FR25 MD2 ST0 FR26.
8.2 INI file settings: The setup.ini file contains some additional options you can set. You can open and edit setup.ini with notepad.
8.3 Troubleshooting communication problems In case of communication problems you can use the information in this section to troubleshoot communication problems. 8.3.1 Set/Check scanner communication settings: Switch on the scanner, select MENU _ 3 _ 5. The display shows the current communication settings. The speed must be set to 4800, 9600 or 19200. Press the enter button to store the selection. We advise 19200 baudrate for best performance (57600 for 296/796 models).
8.3.3 Other serial drivers: If you also use the serial port for programming your PDA/PAL/POCKET PC or mobile phone (GSM), there may be resident software that constantly polls the serial ports. Disable any PDA/mobile phone programming software; they may interfere with the scanner serial communication. 8.3.4 Serial/USB devices: ARC250 does not support USB/serial devices. Use a serial port connection using a PCMCI or PCI option card.
8.4 Support: The latest versions of ARC250 are available for download at www.butelsoftware.com In case of problems contact BuTel customer support at support@butel.nl , support is only available by e-mail, BuTel does not provide telephone support. ARC250 User Manual 1.
8.5 Revision history: ARC250 V1.051: - fixed problem 7.5khz steps view option for toolbar import trunk id's per bank auto backup mem files fips stored in mem file setup prio channels and store in mem file easy tag per bank direct tune insert option in trunk id editor fixed bug when edit trunk list tags Virtual control minimized now shows small status window 'on top' fixed problem lt system uploaded as edacs sct set active banks (scan/search mode) limited support for 296/796 1.
1.10 PRO: - VFO knob for bc296/796 models ARC250 User Manual 1.
