Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr39/smcon102.zip/SC.DOC

Text File | 1993-06-01 | 51KB | 1,117 lines

                                SMART R8 CONTROL
                                 version 1.02ß
                         Copyright (c) 1992,93 FineWare



     This document serves as a preliminary 'manual' to the beta release of
     Smart R8 Control v1.02.  The system requirements for operation of this
     program are the Drake R8 Communications Receiver and an MS-DOS based
     Computer running at least MS-DOS version 3.3, with a minimum of 450k
     free base RAM and one available serial port.  Operation of Smart R8
     Control v1.02ß under the OS/2 operating system (even in DOS Compati-
     bility mode) should be avoided.  This text serves as a tutorial to
     show what the software is intended to do, how to set it up, and fi-
     nally how to run it.  The distribution file SMCON102.ZIP should con-
     tain the following:

               SC.EXE         - The Smart R8 Control v1.02ß Program
               SC.DOC         - This Text
               SWBCGIDE.DAT   - Shortwave frequency database file
               STATIONS.DAT   - Shortwave stations database file
               DXSHOWS.TXT    - Selected shortwave programming
          *    SCR.EXE        - Smart R8 Control Printing Utility v1.02ß
          *    SCT.EXE        - Smart R8 Control Database Utility v1.02ß
          *    SCP.EXE        - Smart R8 Control Propagation Prediction
                                Utility v1.02ß
          *    SCUTIL.DOC     - Documentation for SCR, SCT and SCP

     Note:  The files SCR.EXE, SCT.EXE, SCP.EXE and SCUTIL.DOC are not con-
     tained in the shareware distribution file SMCON102.ZIP and are re-
     served for registered copies only.

     Although fundamental tuning techniques are covered herein, this docu-
     mentation assumes that the reader has some working knowledge of the
     Drake R8 Communications Receiver.  However, it is suggested that the
     user print out this text (SC.DOC) for future reference in the opera-
     tion of Smart R8 Control and its companion utility programs.



     WARRANTY, LICENSING AND REGISTRATION.

     This and all of the other files contained in the distribution file SM-
     CON102.ZIP are provided as shareware to be used and disseminated in an
     unmodified form.  The author requests that no fee be charged by any
     agent other than FineWare (Mark J. Fine), for the enjoyment or use of
     this software.  Neither the author nor his associates are responsible
     for any results of using this software or hardware modification recom-
     mendations included in this document on any computer system or radio
     receiver, whether used or performed either properly or improperly.




Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 1 of 17









     The user hereby agrees that he is using this software/modifying his
     hardware at his own risk.

     This and all of the other files contained in the file SMCON102.ZIP are
     provided as is, with no warranties, express or implied, including but
     not limited to the implied warranties of fitness for a particular pur-
     pose, and all such warranties are expressly and specifically dis-
     claimed.  In no event should the author or any of his associates be
     responsible for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential
     damages or lost profits to you or any other person or entity regard-
     less of the legal theory, even if the author or any of his associates
     have been advised of the possibility of such damage.

     No person or entity is authorized to expand or alter either these war-
     ranties or this agreement; any such representation will not bind the
     author or his associates.

     The user is licensed to operate the software free of charge, for the
     purposes of inspection, for a period of sixty (60) days.  After the 60
     day period expires, the user is expected to pay the nominal registra-
     tion charge of twenty-five United States dollars (US$25).  Checks or
     money orders may be made payable to MARK J. FINE and can be sent to
     the following address:

          MARK J. FINE
          c/o FineWare
          11252 Cardinal Drive
          Remington, Virginia 22734-9684

     Support of this shareware product ensures its continued development
     and dissemination.  As a bonus for registering Smart R8 Control, the
     user will receive future updates to the software, free of charge.  As
     an extra added bonus, the registering party will receive three free
     companion utilities as follows:

     SCT.EXE - Allows the user to update and compile the shortwave database
     with user data and frequency schedule changes.

     SCR.EXE - Allows the user to print the full shortwave database in a
     neatly collated two-column newspaper style format.

     SCP.EXE - Allows the user to predict HF propagation conditions to a
     particular station or area of the world.

     SCUTIL.DOC - Documentation and special instructions for operating the
     above three companion utilities.



     INTRODUCTION.

     Because most shortwave broadcast stations change frequencies during
     the day, it's often frustrating have to double check mounds of refer-



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     ence material while trying to listen at the same time.  For example,
     consider the following:

     Scenario 1:  Upon settling in for a relaxing session of twirling the
     dial, an unfamiliar station pops out of the ether.  While waiting for
     the station to ID, you fumble through pages of reference material try-
     ing to get a heads-up on what the station might be.

     Scenario 2:  You have an urge to listen to a particular station such
     as the Radio Sweden, Radio Netherlands, Radio Moscow, or Radio Aus-
     tralia (if the conditions are right).  Again, you fumble through your
     references to find out what frequency to tune to.  Not only have you
     found the station's programming schedule, but the station won't be on
     for at least another hour.

     For these and other cases, the Smart R8 Control program is designed to
     both simplify and enhance the shortwave listening hobby.  Smart R8
     Control integrates a database of frequency information with the power
     of remotely controlling the shortwave receiver.  Smart R8 Control emu-
     lates most of the R8's front panel controls, adding the capabilities
     of tuning by user selected increments (i.e., 5 kHz) and controlling an
     attached tape recorder; while adding the name of the station you're
     listening to and a dual 24-hour clock (local/UTC) to the continuous
     display.

     Aside from displaying the station you're tuned to, Smart R8 Control
     allows smart queries to the integrated frequency database.  Using an
     internally designed windowing environment, Smart R8 Control allows the
     user to choose from a list of stations broadcasting at that time.
     Once a station is selected, a separate window is created containing
     that station's list of current frequencies and target areas.  The user
     can now automatically tune the receiver by selecting a frequency from
     the list.  A marking feature is included, to allow the user to high-
     light particularly reliable frequencies in the list (i.e., the 5975,
     7325 and 9915 kHz evening frequencies for the BBC to North America).

     The frequency database can also be queried to display a station's full
     frequency schedule, when selected programs are on that particular day,
     as well as a query to find what other stations use the frequency the
     receiver is tuned to.  Other ancillary features include a logging fa-
     cility and a 'reminder' display of the shortwave frequency bands.



     INSTALLATION.

     Unarchive the entire distribution file SMCON102.ZIP into a single di-
     rectory.  This is important, because the main program, SC.EXE, expects
     to find all of the individual files and programs it creates and uses
     in a single disk directory.  If this is the initial use of Smart R8
     Control, please pay close attention to the following 'SETUP' and
     'RUNNING' sections.




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     If this version is to be used as an upgrade from a previous version,
     Smart R8 Control v1.02ß should be able to use all of the original
     setup files.  In this case, no additional installation procedures are
     required.  The program is ready to run as before.



     SETUP.

     First, it is suggested that most terminate but stay resident programs
     (TSRs) are removed from the environment and that the following com-
     mands are included in the user's CONFIG.SYS file:

               DEVICE=[drive:][path]ANSI.SYS
               FILES=25
               BUFFERS=20

     It is necessary (but not essential) that the computer's real time
     clock be accurately set.  If no battery back up clock is used in the
     computer, the DOS TIME and DATE commands should be used prior to run-
     ning Smart R8 Control.  The importance of this will be detailed later.
     It is essential, though, that the user know the UTC-to-local time off-
     set, which of the computer's serial ports the receiver is connected
     to, and which of the receiver's two antenna ports is connected to the
     shortwave antenna.  This information is only required the first time
     the program is run.



     RUNNING.

     Upon first starting Smart R8 Control, the user is prompted to input
     the number of hours required to convert to Universal Coordinated Time
     (UTC).  The main window of Smart R8 Control contains a real-time 24-
     hour UTC/local time clock both for the user's information, and for use
     in some of the program's other functions.  The user should respond
     with the number of hours required to be added to his local time to
     achieve UTC.  For example, the user should respond to this prompt with
     a '5' for winter time on the East Coast.

     The second piece of information required by Smart R8 Control is the
     COMM port number to which the receiver is connected.  The user should
     respond with a '1' for COM1:, or up to '4' for COM4:.  The program can
     only recognize ports 1 through 4.

     Lastly, the program will prompt for the preferred shortwave antenna
     port.  An entry of '1' will select the receiver's 50 Ohm (SO-259) con-
     nector, and a '2' will select the receiver's 300 Ohm (spring-clip)
     connector.  This option serves as a default for those users who have
     installed the optional VHF converter, and preempts the receiver from
     automatically switching to port 1 when returning to HF, if this is not
     desired.




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     These three pieces of information will then be stored in an initial-
     ization file, in the default directory, named 'SMARTCON.DAT'.  Upon
     future runs of the program, this file will be automatically read at
     start-up.  Since these options can change, the user can enter these
     options independently, upon further runs of the program, at the com-
     mand line:

          SC G5               (Changes the UTC offset to '5')
          SC R1               (Sets the receiver to COM1:)
          SC A2               (Sets the preferred antenna to port '2')

     Because the serial interface requires a hardware handshake, it is im-
     perative that the receiver be hooked up to the computer before the
     program is run.  If Smart R8 Control is to be run for database access
     only, or if the receiver is unavailable for any reason, the program
     can be started in 'Demo Mode'.  This will start the program without
     the hardware handshake engaged, and is invoked by using a 'D' switch
     on the command line:

          SC D

     After all initial prompts are answered, Smart R8 Control will read the
     frequency database and go to it's main screen.  The main screen's pri-
     mary component is the radio's faceplate window, located in the upper
     left hand corner.  The layout of the faceplate is similar to that of
     the R8, except that it also displays the current tuning step size, the
     local and UTC times, a carrier present indicator, and space for up to
     four co-channel station names.  A typical faceplate will look similar
     to the following:

          *D----------[ Smart R8 Control v1.02ß ]-----------|
          | ERROR     7435.00 kHz  MEM  19 STEP(kHz) LOCAL  |
          | Carrier  NB W  Notch  Scan  LC    5.00   20:33t |
          | VFO  ANT   RF   AGC   BW  MODE  SYNCHRO   UTC   |
          |  B    2   Off  Slow  6.0   AM      *     01:33w |
          | 0100-0200 smtwhfa WWCR Nashville TN          na |
          |                                                 |
          |                                                 |
          |                                                 |
          |------------------- F1 - Help -------------------|

     Upper Left Corner:
     Space is reserved for a database status indicator.  This space will
          display a '*' only if the database has changed.
     Space has been reserved for a Demo Mode indicator.  This space will
          display a 'D' only if the program is in Demo Mode.

     Line 1:
     Space is reserved for a status indicator.  The space will display
          'ERROR' for bad entries, or if a command was unsuccessfully sent
          to the receiver.  A 'WAIT' indication will display during
          database or tuning operations.  Additional keystrokes may be
          buffered while either indicator is showing.



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     The frequency is displayed in kHz for frequencies under 30 MHz, or in
          MHz for tuning with the receiver's optional VHF Converter.  If
          the receiver is off, this space will display 'O F F'.
     Space is reserved for the memory mode indicator 'MEM' if memory mode
          is active.  The number of the memory channel currently selected
          will be continuously displayed.

     Line 2:
     Space is reserved for a carrier indicator.  If a signal is present and
          is at a level above the squelch threshold, 'Carrier' will dis-
          play, as shown.
     Space is reserved for the status of the noise blanker.  If the noise
          blanker is engaged, the indicator will show 'NB N' or 'NB W' for
          the narrow or wide settings, respectively.
     Space is reserved for the status of the notch filter.  If the notch
          filter is engaged, the indicator will display 'Notch', as shown.
     Space is reserved for a scanning indicator.  If the receiver is in
          scanning mode the indicator will display 'Scan', as shown
     The scanning method is shown as letters.  The first letter refers to
          'M' for Memory, 'L' for List, or 'A' for A-B modes.  The second
          letter refers to 'S' for Seek, 'T' for Time, or 'C' for Carrier
          Detect types.  If these values are not set, this space will dis-
          play '??'.
     The tuning step size is displayed in kHz.
     The local time is displayed in 24-hour format.  Next to the time, the
          day of the week is displayed as a single letter.  'h' is used for
          Thursday, and 'a' is used for Saturday.  All other letters per-
          tain to the first letter of that day.

     Line 4:
     Line 4 contains indicators for the VFO, antenna port, RF amplifier,
          AGC, bandwidth, and choice of demodulation.
     Space is reserved for the status of the synchronous detector.  If the
          synchronous detector is engaged, the indicator will display a
          '*', as shown.
     Universal Coordinated Time is displayed in 24-hour format.  Next to
          the time, the UTC day of the week is displayed as a single let-
          ter.  The same convention is used for that of the local time
          clock.

     Lines 5-8:
     The bottom of the faceplate will display the name of the station cur-
          rently tuned to.  In the event that a few stations may be occupy-
          ing this frequency, up to four stations will be listed.  If the
          frequency has been previously marked for a particular station,
          that station's name will be highlighted.  The format of the
          shortwave database, hence the information displayed, is based on
          the Shortwave Guide section of Grove Enterprises' Monitoring
          Times magazine.  For those unfamiliar with this format, it is de-
          scribed as follows:
     The first field in each line will contain the time period this fre-
          quency will be occupied by the station.  This period will be dis-
          played to reflect a portion within the one-hour block.



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     The next field contains the days of the week for which this broadcast
          would occur.  This field uses the same convention described for
          the local and UTC clocks.  For simplicity, if the broadcast is
          made daily, this space will be empty, otherwise, the particular
          day will display in the designated space, as shown above.
     The next two fields will display the name or location of the station
          and target area, if known.  Typical target areas are 'do' for do-
          mestic service, 'om' for omnidirectional pattern, 'na' for North
          America, 'am' for the Americas, 'ca' for Central America, 'sa'
          for South America, 'eu' for Europe, 'af' for Africa, 'as' for
          Asia, 'pa' for the Pacific, 'au' for Australia, or 'va' for some
          combination of target areas.  Some feeders may display a 'uf' or
          'lf' in this area to designate that the transmission is in upper
          or lower sideband.
     If the station is a mediumwave station (AM Broadcast Band), the name
          and target area field is expanded to show the station's output
          power in kW and the approximate times of operation, if known.
          The codes used for this are 'an' for all night, 'ar' for all
          night-reduced power at night, 'nh' for normal hours, 'nr' for
          normal hours-reduced power at night, 'dr' for day time only-re-
          duced power during dusk/dawn, and 'da' for daytime operation
          only.



     RADIO CONTROLS.

     Esc - Power.
     Arrows - Stepped Tuning.
     Numbers - Direct Access Tuning.
     Alt-Z - Step Increments.

     The receiver can be turned on and off with the keyboard 'Esc' key.
     The receiver can be tuned in a stepping fashion with the left and
     right cursor keys.  If desired, the receiver can be direct-access
     tuned by typing in the frequency numerically, and hitting return.  The
     stepping increment defaults to 5 kHz upon program start-up.  This can
     be changed by pressing Alt-Z.  This will prompt for the increment to
     change.  The increment is entered in kHz and is valid for a range of
     .01 to 99999.99 kHz.

     When using the direct-access tuning, typing 15, 15.000 or 15000 will
     yield the same result: 15 MHz.  This only works between the frequency
     range of .176 through 55 MHz.  Frequencies below .176 MHz and above
     108 MHz must be entered in MHz (i.e., .153 for 153 kHz or 147 for 147
     MHz).  Since the receiver only tunes between .100 - 30,35 - 55, and
     108 - 175 MHz, any other frequency will yield an error message.  If
     the optional VHF Converter is not installed, tuning in the latter two
     bands will yield an error message.

     All of these key positions were specifically chosen because of the
     layout of the 101 style keyboard.  On the 101, the 'Esc' key is in the
     upper left hand corner of the keyboard, which keeps it nicely out of
     the way.  Also on the 101 keyboard, are separate cursor and numeric


Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 7 of 17









     keypads.  If the 'NumLock' is depressed, it is extremely easy to punch
     in a direct-access frequency or incrementally tune.

     Other R8 features can be accessed as follows:

     Alt-V - VFO.
     The VFO can be toggled from A to B and vice versa by pressing Alt-V.

     Alt-A - ANT.
     The antenna port can be changed by pressing Alt-A and entering '1' for
     port 1, '2' for port 2, or 'Conv' for the VHF Converter.

     Alt-R - RF.
     The RF Amplifier can be changed by pressing Alt-R and entering 'Att'
     for the attenuator, 'Pre' to engage the preamplifier, or 'Off' for no
     RF enhancement.

     Alt-G - AGC.
     The AGC setting can be changed by pressing Alt-G and entering
     'Off','Slow', or 'Fast'.

     Alt-B - BW.
     The IF bandwidth can be changed by pressing Alt-B and entering '0.5',
     '1.8', '2.3', '4.0' or '6.0' for the respective filter setting in kHz.

     Alt-M - MODE.
     The demodulation mode can be switched by pressing Alt-M and entering
     'AM', 'FM', 'CW', 'RTTY', 'LSB' or 'USB'.

     Alt-K - NB.
     The noise blanker can be switched by pressing Alt-K and entering
     'Narr', 'Wide' or 'Off'.

     Alt-N - NOTCH.
     The notch filter can be toggled on and off by pressing Alt-N.

     Alt-S - SYNCHRO.
     The synchronous detector can be toggled on and off by pressing Alt-S.

     Note:  For those above controls that require further user entry, the
     selection can be abbreviated by using the first character of the re-
     sponse (i.e., the user can type 'R' instead of 'RTTY' when responding
     to the Mode control, Alt-M).  Unfortunately, there are no provisions
     to remotely control receiver's tone, notch, squelch, passband offset,
     volume or RF control knobs; nor the internal clock or timer settings.
     There are provisions to remotely control the tuning knob step display,
     but because of the features provided by this program, the point is
     moot.

     Alt-E - Memory Mode Operation.
     Alt-Y - Jump To Memory Location.
     Alt-I - Insert Memory Location.
     Memory mode tuning can be toggled on and off by pressing Alt-E.  When
     in memory mode, the 'MEM' indicator will light and the receiver will


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     tune to the memory number continuously displayed on the faceplate.
     Pressing Alt-E again will download the memory settings to the current
     VFO, which is analogous to the receiver's M-V key.  In memory mode,
     using the right and left cursor keys will step up and down the memory
     slots, respectively.  An alternate method for accessing a memory num-
     ber is to press Alt-Y and enter the memory number.  The receiver may
     be tuned by direct-access without having to leave memory mode.  Smart
     R8 Control will handle this automatically.

     A memory number can be loaded (inserted) with the current settings by
     pressing Alt-I and entering the memory number.  Memory insertion can
     not be performed while operating within memory mode.  This last fea-
     ture is analogous to the V-M key on the receiver, and only locations 0
     through 99 are valid.

     Alt-C - Scanning Mode Operation.
     Alt-P - Scanning Parameters.
     Scanning mode can be accessed by pressing Alt-C.  This function does
     not work very well on the shortwave bands and is only recommended
     while using the FM demodulator.  The only exception is for scanning in
     the AM Broadcast Band while using the AM demodulator.  Using the left
     and right cursor keys during scanning mode will allow the user to
     change scanning to increment in that direction, respectively.  If the
     scanning parameters have not been set, indicated by a '??' on the
     faceplate, Smart R8 Control will prompt for them.

     The parameters may be changed later by pressing Alt-P.  Scanning modes
     are entered as 'M' for Memory (scans all memories), 'L' for List
     (scans specific memory banks), or 'A' for A-B (scans between the fre-
     quencies in the A and B VFOs).  If list scanning is selected, the pro-
     gram will prompt for the banks to be scanned (i.e., typing '123' will
     scan banks 1, 2 and 3).  The program will then prompt for the scanning
     type.  Scanning types are entered as 'S' for Seek (stop scanning on
     carrier found), 'T' for Time (stop for a while on carrier found), or
     'C' for Carrier Detect (stop on carrier found, continue when dropped).
     If memory or list scanning is used, the user must remember to enter
     memory mode and initially tune to a memory location within the speci-
     fied memory list.  Failure to do has been known to confuse the re-
     ceiver.

     Alt-T - Tape VOX Control.
     Smart R8 Control provides for a Tape VOX control.  If a tape recorder
     is connected to the line audio and timer connections in the back of
     the receiver, pressing Alt-T will activate the timer relay in the re-
     ceiver.  This is provided as a handy 'footswitch' for a controlling a
     tape recorder in order to capture radio programs or updates to the
     program schedules.  The Tape VOX control, once activated, will only
     roll the tape if a carrier is present.  This way, if the receiver is
     being used on the VHF Service frequencies (i.e., Police, Fire), 'dead
     air' will not be recorded, thus compressing tape usage.






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     DATABASE QUERIES.

     F5 - What Shortwave Stations Are On Now.
     Shift-F5 - What BCB/CB  Stations Are On.
     Alt-F5 - What Utility Stations Are On.
     This feature will query the database to provide a selectable list of
     stations that are on at that time.  This list will be shown in a
     scrollable window in the bottom half of the full screen.  The stations
     are listed from left to right by order of start time, end time, and
     country name.  Certain stations, such as the BBC, will jump around the
     window upon subsequent calls due to the fact that most of the BBC en-
     tries are indexed in 15 minute blocks.  This is despite the fact that
     the BBC broadcasts around the clock.

     If any of the frequencies that the station uses have been previously
     marked by the user, the station name will be highlighted.  This will
     alert the user that this station has been heard previously, during
     that time (see 'F6 - Find Station Frequencies', below).  The list of
     station names can be indexed with a cursor bar.  If the station list
     contains more stations than is shown in the visible window, arrows
     will be displayed inside the left edge of the window.  Navigation of
     the cursor bar can be accomplished with all of the normal cursor keys
     (arrows, page keys, home, and end).  Once a station is highlighted
     with the cursor bar, it may be selected by pressing the 'Enter' key.
     This has the same effect as pressing F6 to find the stations broadcast
     frequencies (see 'F6', below).  If a frequency list is already show-
     ing, the user can automatically go back to that window by using the
     'Tab' key.

     With version 1.02ß of Smart R8 Control, the user may now query to this
     window by three separate classes of HF (and MW) broadcasts.  Pressing
     F5, alone, will display all scheduled and 24 hour shortwave stations.
     Pressing Shift and F5 together, will provide the user a display of all
     AM Broadcast Band (BCB) and Citizen Band entries in the database.
     Pressing the Alt and F5 keys together will provide the user a display
     of all utility stations (e.g., Amateur nets, military, maritime, time,
     press, etc.) in the database.

     F6 - Find Station Frequencies.
     A shortcut to finding a particular station's frequencies is to use
     this direct query.  After pressing the F6 function key, Smart R8 Con-
     trol will prompt the user to provide the name of the station to query.
     Once the string is entered, and a matching station is on at that time,
     a window containing a frequency list will appear along the right edge
     of the full screen.  Each frequency will be associated with the time
     and days of broadcast (within the one-hour block) and the intended
     target area.  Typically, on the East Coast of North America, frequen-
     cies targeted for Asia and the Pacific can be avoided during certain
     times of the day.  If any of the frequencies in the list have been
     previously marked by the user, the frequency will be highlighted.  It
     is anticipated that this will be used to alert the user that this sta-
     tion has been previously heard on this frequency during that time pe-
     riod.



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     The list of frequencies can be indexed with a pointer.  If the fre-
     quency list contains more frequencies than is shown in the visible
     window, arrows will be displayed inside the top edge of the window.
     Navigation of the pointer can be accomplished with the up and down
     cursor, up and down page, home, and end keys.  Once a frequency is
     highlighted with the pointer, it may be selected by pressing the
     'Enter' key.  This will subsequently tune the radio to that frequency.
     If the station list window is present at the bottom of the full
     screen, the user can automatically go back to that window by using the
     'Tab' key.

     The frequency can be marked for future reference by pointing to it and
     by pressing the 'Ctrl' and 'Enter' keys, simultaneously.  This feature
     is a useful way to draw attention to frequencies audible at the lis-
     teners location.  A marked frequency will be evidenced by a high-
     lighted entry in this window, as well as the station name in the face-
     plate window if the receiver is currently tuned to it.

     With version 1.02ß of Smart R8 Control, the user can make minor
     changes to the database through this window.  A frequency entry can be
     modified by pointing to it and by pressing the 'Insert' (or 'Ins')
     key.  Similarly, the user may wish to add a new frequency to the list,
     this may be done by pointing to the approximate location the entry is
     to be inserted and pressing either the 'Ctrl' and 'Home' or 'Ctrl' and
     'End' keys.  'Ctrl-Home' will add the entry above the pointer, and
     'Ctrl-End' will add the entry below the pointer.

     Whether the user is modifying or adding a frequency to the list, the
     software will then prompt the user to enter the new frequency.  If the
     user simply presses 'Enter' in response to this prompt, the frequency
     that the Drake R8 receiver is currently tuned to will serve as the de-
     fault input frequency.  The software will then prompt the user for the
     new target area for this frequency, if known.  The user may elect to
     leave this blank.  After completing input of all the modification pa-
     rameters, the software will prompt the user if he wishes to go ahead
     with the modification, as a safety measure.

     Also, with version 1.02ß, the user may delete a frequency in the list.
     This is done by pointing to the frequency entry and pressing the
     'Delete' or ('Del') key.  As before, the software will then prompt the
     user if he wishes to go ahead with the frequency entry deletion, as a
     safety measure.

     Whether the user is marking, modifying, adding or deleting a frequency
     entry in this window, the database will be changed.  This will be evi-
     denced by '*' in the upper left hand corner of the faceplate window.
     The database change will not become permanent until it is saved (F9)
     to disk.

     F7 - Station's Full Program Schedule.
     A particular station's full 24-hour broadcast schedule may be queried
     by using the F7 function key.  As with the F6 function key, Smart R8
     Control will prompt the user to provide the name of the station to
     query.  Once the station name is entered, a scrollable window contain-


Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 11 of 17









     ing the full broadcast schedule will appear along the bottom half of
     the full screen.  The format of the information displayed will be sim-
     ilar to that found in the Shortwave Guide section of Grove Enter-
     prises' Monitoring Times magazine.  Frequencies previously marked are
     highlighted in the list to allow for planning purposes.  If the sched-
     ule contains more listings than are shown in the visible window, ar-
     rows will be displayed inside the left edge of the window.  Navigation
     of the schedule window can be accomplished with the up and down cur-
     sor, up and down page, home, and end keys.  If a file copy of the
     schedule is desired, the query can be made by pressing the 'Shift' and
     F7 function keys, simultaneously.  The schedule may be printed in the
     same manner, by either pressing 'Enter' in response to the file name
     prompt, or by using the file name 'PRN'.  Since printed and file
     copies of the schedule cannot highlight marked frequencies, per se,
     marked frequencies will be followed by a '*' instead.

     F8 - Who Else Uses This Frequency.
     The database typically contains entries for broadcasts in English.  If
     foreign language broadcasts are encountered, this will usually be made
     on a frequency used for English broadcasts as well.  A listing of all
     stations that will use the currently tuned frequency at any time of
     the day may be accessed by pressing the F8 function key.  This will
     produce a scrollable window containing a list of the these stations,
     their times of operation on that frequency (in English), and the tar-
     get area for the broadcast.  The window will appear along the bottom
     left half of the full screen.  Stations with a previously marked fre-
     quency are highlighted in the list.  If the listing contains more sta-
     tions than are shown in the visible window, arrows will be displayed
     inside the left edge of the window.  Navigation of the schedule window
     can be accomplished with the up and down cursor, up and down page,
     home, and end keys.

     F9 - Save Changed Database.
     Marking frequencies will change the database, as evidenced by a '*'
     displayed in the upper left corner of the faceplate window.  It is im-
     portant to note that the entire shortwave database is contained in
     memory (rather than direct disk access) to make operations on it more
     efficient.  During some operations, a changed database will automati-
     cally be saved to disk (e.g., a shell to DOS and exiting the program).
     This can be done manually, by pressing the F9 function key.  While the
     database is being saved, a small bar scale display will show the rela-
     tive progress of the operation.

     Alt-F9 - Dump Database To Disk (Registered Users Only).
     Major modifications to the database are performed by using a text edi-
     tor.  In order to make major modifications to the database, the
     database must be dumped in a text file format.  Pressing the Alt-F9
     dumps the database to disk in a text format.  This feature is re-
     stricted to registered users that have the Smart R8 Control Database
     Utility, which then compiles this text file back into a run-time for-
     mat.





Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 12 of 17









     F3 - List Selected DX Shows.
     The R8 Communications Receiver is especially designed for listening to
     programs.  Pressing the F3 function key displays a scrollable window
     along the bottom half of the full screen, containing a list of se-
     lected programming for that UTC day.  Each entry displays the name of
     the station and UTC time that the program is on.  If the station hap-
     pens to be on at the time displayed in the faceplate window it will be
     highlighted in the list, regardless of whether the show is actually
     on.  This was implemented in this manner, because stations often shift
     program times during the schedule season.  If the listing contains
     more programs than are shown in the visible window, arrows will be
     displayed inside the left edge of the window.  Navigation of the pro-
     gram window can be accomplished with the up and down cursor, up and
     down page, home and end keys.

     The database of programs is contained in the file 'DXSHOWS.TXT'.  As
     an example, DXSHOWS.TXT mostly contains listings for radio oriented
     programming, such as Glen Hauser's 'World of Radio'.  This file is a
     field-delimited flat file that may be edited with simple text editor.
     The user may edit this file, provided that the general format of the
     examples are adhered.  Another restriction is that the station name
     must match exactly what is in the main shortwave database.

     Note:  For queries prompting for a station name, the user may enter
     the full or partial name of the station.  The entry must consist of a
     discriminating string.  For example, the user could enter 'BBC' or
     'London' to query 'BBC, London'.  However, using terms like 'Radio' or
     'Voice' alone should be avoided, because there are hundreds of sta-
     tions that use these terms.  This would result in a listing of thou-
     sands of entries, for which the software cannot support.



     OTHER FUNCTIONS.

     F1 - Display Help Screen.
     Most of the key commands used in Smart R8 Control will be easily memo-
     rized.  In the event that some reminder is required, a help screen
     containing all of the key commands is provided.  The help screen is
     organized by keys pertaining to radio operation, database query and
     other utilities.  In the event that the F1 key cannot be associated
     with displaying the help screen, a small reminder is positioned at the
     bottom of the receiver's faceplate window.

     F2 - Display Shortwave Band Plan.
     Despite the rulings of the World Administrative Radio Conference
     (WARC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), there are
     a plethora of stations broadcasting outside of the authorized broad-
     cast bands.  By pressing the F2 function key, a fixed window of the de
     facto band plan will be displayed in the lower right corner of the
     full screen.  The frequency limits displayed are not necessarily hard
     and fast.  The VOIRI, Iran, still broadcasts on the odd ball frequency
     of 9022 kHz, which is nowhere near the limits of the 31 meter band.
     However, the limits displayed represent where the majority of short-


Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 13 of 17









     wave broadcasters may be found.  It serves as a helpful reminder of
     what frequencies to search while using the stepped method of tuning
     within Smart R8 Control.

     Alt-F - Run HF Propagation Prediction (Registered Users Only).
     HF propagation is a varying medium.  Of the frequency entries provided
     in the database, many are not to the listener's target area but may be
     audible there.  In order to better predict which frequency will be the
     best audible in a particular area, a link to the Smart R8 Control HF
     Propagation Prediction Utility is provided within the main program.
     This utility can be invoked by pressing the 'Alt-F' key combination.

     If 'Alt-F' is pressed when the user is either pointing to a particular
     station in one of the 'Available Stations' windows, the HF Propagation
     Prediction Utility will attempt to find that station, for an expedient
     calculation.  If 'Alt-F' is pressed while in the 'Frequency List' win-
     dow, the utility will point to this station, as well.

     This feature is restricted to registered users that have the Smart R8
     Control HF Propagation Prediction Utility.

     Alt-L - Enter Log Information.
     One of the mundane tasks of the listening hobby is the logging of ac-
     tivity.  Smart R8 Control automatically stamps the time, date and fre-
     quency on all entries.  Upon pressing Alt-L, Smart R8 Control prompts
     the user for a log entry.  Any additional information may be typed
     here, such as service, call, etc.  The entry is concluded with the
     'ENTER' key.  All entries are posted in the file 'SMARTCON.LOG'.

     F4 - Display Log Information.
     It may be desirable to re-display old log information for additional
     reference.  By pressing the F4 function key, a scrollable window is
     displayed, containing all information accumulated in the log file
     'SMARTCON.LOG'.

     Alt-D - Demo Mode.
     Because the serial interface requires a hardware handshake, it is im-
     perative that the receiver be hooked up to the computer during program
     run time.  If Smart R8 Control is to be run for database access only,
     the program can be put into 'Demo Mode' from within the program.  This
     will disengage the hardware handshake, and is invoked by pressing Alt-
     D.  The receiver must be off and the program must recognize that the
     receiver is off before this function can be invoked.

     Alt-Q - Clear Screen.
     Sometimes it is desirable to unclutter the screen.  Pressing Alt-Q
     will clear all windows from the screen, with the exception of the re-
     ceiver faceplate window.

     F10 - Shell to DOS.
     Pressing the F10 function key will automatically save the database (if
     it has changed) and temporarily put the user in hands of DOS.  This
     allows the user to edit the log file with a small text editor of
     his/her choosing.  Pressing F10 could also be used to free up the se-


Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 14 of 17









     rial line to use a terminal unit (TU) or terminal node controller
     (TNC) with a separate terminal program.  It is recommended that the
     user remember that this is only a child process of DOS and Smart R8
     Control is still dominating a chunk of memory.  While shelled out to
     DOS, the user must type 'EXIT' to return to Smart R8 Control.  A small
     reminder of this has been inserted into the DOS prompt while in the
     DOS shell.

     Alt-X - Exit Program.
     Pressing Alt-X will automatically save the database (if it has
     changed), save the current settings to 'SMARTCON.DAT' and return the
     user to DOS.  Since this program alters certain computer parameters,
     it is important that the user ONLY exit the program in this manner.
     If for some reason the program hangs, the best solution is to reboot
     the machine with Ctrl-Alt-Del.  Pressing Ctrl-Break to 'break' out of
     Smart R8 Control should be avoided.



     EXPECTED FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS.

     The formal release of Smart R8 Control v1.1 is expected to occur some-
     time in the April-May 1993 time frame.  Some of the features expected
     for the formal release are as follows:

     Capability to display a station's frequencies, when selected within
          the 'DX Shows' window.
     Compatibility with TRS Consultant's 'English Language SWBC Schedules,'
          as a source of SWBC frequency information.
     Compatibility with a mouse, to access Smart R8 Control functions (per
          Charles Smiley).
     Compatibility with the OS/2 operating system (per Raymond Pfaff).



     CONCLUSION.

     The author would appreciate any comments regarding the improvement of
     this software or any bug reports (nobody's perfect).  The author may
     be contacted on the following bulletin board system:

          The Cats Meow BBS, Midland, Virginia         1-703-439-3060
          (Name used on BBSs: 'MARK FINE')

     He may also be contacted via any bulletin board system currently par-
     ticipating in the following national BBS conference echo:

          RIME (RelayNet) SCANNERS echo
          (route using '->MEOW', R/O capable, public key 26936)







Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 15 of 17









     The author may also be contacted by mail at his home address (phone
     calls are discouraged):

          MARK J. FINE
          c/o FineWare
          11252 Cardinal Drive
          Remington, Virginia 22734-9684

     Comments should be constructive and should contain detailed descrip-
     tions of what the user would like to see included in this software.
     If a bug report is in order, please include information such as com-
     puter make and model, version and make of DOS used, a hard copy of the
     user's AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, as well as detailed descrip-
     tions of the nature of each problem.  All constructive comments and
     bug reports will result in a prompt, courteous response.



     VERSION HISTORY.

     v1.02ß - Released 27 March 1993 - Enhanced beta release.
     Added interface to HF Propagation Prediction program (SCP.EXE).  SCP
          is now invoked by pressing Alt-F.  If the user is in the WHAT or
          FIND windows, SCP will automatically set the Station 2 pointer to
          match that station name, if data is available.  (Registered users
          only).
     Added separate key to create a dump of the frequency database.  This
          is now invoked by pressing the Alt-F9 keys.  (Registered users
          only).
     Added capability to insert or delete individual frequencies within the
          'Find' window.  Dumping, altering and then compiling the database
          is now only required for major changes to the database.  The in-
          sert key is used to modify the frequency record in the list.  The
          delete key is used to delete the record from the list. Ctrl-Home
          and Ctrl-End are used to insert frequencies above or below the
          frequency pointed to in the list, respectively.
     Added capability to search utility stations, as well as shortwave sta-
          tions. By pressing Alt-F5, the station window switches to search
          for all of the strict utility stations (time, maritime, WEFAX,
          etc.) in the database.  Similarly, all AM Broadcast Band (BCB)
          stations in the database, as well as a table of CB channel fre-
          quencies can be searched by pressing Shift-F5.
     Redesigned and updated the input windows and help screen to be more
          functional.  The input windows now have more room for log en-
          tries.
     Fixed bug that only allowed the user to set the radio interface to ei-
          ther COM1: or COM2:.  Program now correctly allows up to and in-
          cluding COM4:.
     Fixed bug that incorrectly tried to compile an unchanged database.
          When a databse dump is created, and the user shells into DOS, the
          program recompiled the database even if it wasn't changed.  This
          has been corrected.  (Registered users only)
     Fixed bug that mishandled the size of information displayed in the
          windows.  Smart R8 Control was not correctly trapping the size of


Smart R8 Control  version 1.02ß                                   Page 16 of 17









          frequencies, stations, log entries, etc. in their respective win-
          dows.  If more than the expected amount of information was re-
          trieved, a run-time error would occur.  This has been corrected.
     Fixed documentation. Documentation erroneously stated the command line
          switch to set the serial port was "P".  This has been corrected
          to read "R".

     v1.01ß - Released 01 February 1993 - Follow up beta release.
     Extended Band Plan to better reflect the set of frequencies in the
          database.
     Added display of registration number in the faceplate of the main
          screen.
     Fixed bugs in the companion Printing and Database Utility software.
     Updated documentation.

     v1.0ß - Released 02 January 1993 - Initial beta release.



     ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

     * The Drake R8 Communications Receiver is a product of the R. L. Drake
     Company (Drake), Miamisburg, Ohio 45342.

     * The format of the shortwave database used in Smart R8 Control is
     based upon the Shortwave Guide column found in Monitoring Times maga-
     zine.  Monitoring Times is a monthly publication of Grove Enterprises,
     Inc., 140 Dog Branch Road, Brasstown, North Carolina, 28902-0098.
     Special credit is given to Bob Grove, Publisher, and Bill Grove, SYSOP
     of the Grove Systems BBS, for their permission to reproduce this for-
     mat.  The Grove Systems BBS can be accessed, Monday through Friday
     from 6:30PM to 8:00AM EST and 24 hours on weekends, on the following
     telephone numbers:

          [phone]  9600/14400 BPS
          [phone]   300/ 1200/ 2400 BPS
          [phone]   300/ 1200/ 2400 BPS

     * English Language SWBC Schedules is a product of TRS Consultants, PO
     Box 2275, Vincentown, NJ 08088-2275.
















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