Tech Arsenal 1/Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO/tek-20/nrd45.zip/NRD.DOC

Text File | 1991-09-14 | 38KB | 832 lines

                N  R  D

   A Control Program / Database for use with Japan Radio NRD525/535 Radios

               by Tom Whiteside


NRD is a control program / database for NRD525 and NRD535 receivers and
requires an IBM or compatible computer.  This program is distributed as
"Freeware" as a token repayment for the valuable assistance received over the
years from other DXers in the form of articles and log reports.  Included also
is source code (for Turbo Pascal) so you can adapt this to your own style.
(See NRDSCxxx.ZIP for the Source code where xxx is the version number.)

Note:  There are many commands and features in NRD that take some practice.
       I recommend printing this and trying the various commands in the
       documentation with the program.

PHILOSOPHY:

I got tired of using paper for logging many moons ago.    With paper logs, its
tough to go back and find where radio xyz is, etc.  Much continues to be
written on ways to organize paper records -- no thanks!!!  The first step was
logging on paper, then entering the data in a Spreadsheet.  Now, things could
be found but this is tedious!  This program eliminates the middle person!  The
next step was achieving the right balance between controlling the radio
manually and from the keyboard.  Basically, you can do either with this
program.  Sloth is the watch-word throughout and every attempt is made to
minimize effort.  For example, to log a station, hit the "L" key and the
program does all the work to automatically grab the frequency, date, time (and
the rest of the receiver state) leaving you to enter only the ID, Location and
a comment if you wish.    While you don't have to use the program to search for
stations, keys like "+" and "-" can be used to tune in 5khz increments.  The
program will automatically follow along these frequency changes and point at
records for this frequency.  If you've been tuning manually, hit the "*" key to
find the entries for this frequency.  Other keys bump the bandwidth or mode,
tuned previously logged stations, etc.

COMMAND CONVENTIONS:

In the documentation, commands are described in quotes but are initiated by
merely typing the letter without the quotes.  For example, the "T" command
is activated by hitting "T" or "t". Commands do NOT require hitting the "Enter"
key.  Generally, the "Enter" key is only needed when entering data where the
length of the data is not known (like a city).

SETUP:

The program was designed to use a color display but will work with monochrome
displays.  If you plan to use a monochrome display, delete the file entitled:
@MONITOR.DAT.  If you delete this file, you will be asked if you have a color
monitor.  Type "Y" or "y" if you desire color.

The first time this program is run, it creates a file entitled:  CONFIG.DAT
which is used to store data unique to your situation.  To run the program,
type:  NRD and hit the Enter key.


You will first be prompted to enter the COM port for use with the radio.  If
you specify "0" for the COM port, the program will run in demo mode.  You will
be able to see the database but none of the radio commands will operate.  You
will next be asked to enter the type radio you have.  Currently supported
receivers are the 525 and 535 (Enter just the radio number:  e.g.  535).  If
you selected 525, you will be asked if you have a KIWA MAP Unit.  If you don't
have one, simply type "n" for "no".  Saying "y" for "yes" will enable a "K" for
"KIWA" command described later.  (This feature is only available with the
NRD525.) You will next be prompted to enter the current time GMT.  This is
important.  When logging stations, the program will use this information to
convert from your computer's time to GMT.  Finally, you will be prompted to
enter a printer control string used to place the printer in compressed mode.
Check your printer manual for the proper value to enter.  Look up the
appropriate sequence and enter the ascii values with intervening spaces when
prompted.  For example, for my EPSON LQ-500, the required sequence is "escape"
"g".  For this, enter:  27 103 and hit the Enter key.  Many printers use 15.

If any of these values need changing later, simply delete the CONFIG.DAT file
and re-enter the appropriate data.

After the CONFIG.DAT file is completed, the program main prompt will appear.

FIRST TIME USERS:

If you are a new user to NRD, you will probably want to "import" the "sample"
database to get the feel of the program.  "Importing" is described later but to
get started, Hit "J" and you should see the "Journal" prompt.  Hit "I" for
"Import"; "A" for "ASCII".  You will then be prompted to Enter the name of the
database to import.  Type:  "SAMPLE" and hit the ENTER key.  The program will
next ask you for the name to save this under.  Type some name like:  "JUNK" and
hit ENTER.  Now type "Q" for "Quit" to leave "Journal" The program will now ask
you for a database to view - Type in the number corresponding to the database
you just imported (should be "1") and hit ENTER.


PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Now all that was a lot of work that you won't have to do the next time.  Now to
describe the main display structure.  The screen is divided into 4 sections:

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    |               Command Prompt Area                |
    |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
    |                                    |
    |          Radio Status Area (Frequency, AGC, etc)        |
    |                                    |
    |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |              Active Database Area                |
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |                                    |
    |-------------------------------------------------------------------|
    |               Program Status Area                |
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------


The Command Prompt Area has a list of active commands or other prompts used in
the program.  The commands are described in the COMMANDS section.  The Radio
Status Area contains information about the Radio such as its frequency, mode,
bandwidth setting, etc.  See the section on Controlling the Radio for more on
this.  The Database Area is a window to the list of stations logged in the
active database.  See the section on Controlling the Database for how to use
the database to tune the radio, add more entries, etc.    Finally, the Program
Status Area displays the active database name, the inactive database (if any -
when you switch to a new database, the previous one used becomes the inactive
database.  This has some advantages like single keystroke toggling back and
forth and is described later.) Other items in the Program Status Area are the
"Scan Threshold" and "Mode Status" (described later and present ONLY for 535
users) and the UTC time and date.

COMMANDS:

These will be described in three sections:  CONTROLLING THE RADIO, GRAPHICS
COMMANDS and DATABASE COMMANDS.  A prompt line at the top of the screen serves
as a reminder of commands available at a particular level in the program.  A
typical prompt line might look like:

   NRDx.y: L(og, C(onfirm, S(ort, E(dit, T(une, P(age, H(elp, Q(uit [/]

The "x.y" after the program name indicates the program version number.  The
CAPITALIZED letter to the left of the "(" indicates the letter to type to
initiate a given command.  Commands are not case sensitive.  For example, "L"
or "l" to perform a "Log" command (described later).  The "[/]" indicates that
other commands are available at this level and these can be seen by hitting the
"/" key.  All commands at a level are active even though they may not be
displayed on the prompt line.  Some commands require depressing the CTRL key
and selecting a letter.  These are indicated on the prompt line as CTL-x where
x is the letter for the command.  For example, "CTL-uN(mark line" indicates
that hitting CTRL and "N" keys together initiates the "uNmark line" command.



CONTROLLING THE RADIO:

This program allows you to control the radio either manually or with the
computer keyboard.  To do this, mostly the radio is kept "unlocked" by the
program.  When you manually change the radio, the new radio settings will be
automatically sent to the computer and displayed in the Radio Status area.
Changes in the Program Status Area are always highlighted in RED.



CONTROLLING THE RADIO COMMANDS:

  "+" : The meaning of this command is a function of the increment mode for
    535 users.  The 525 supports only the "F" mode.  Setting these modes is
    done with the "Increment mode" described later.  There are 4 basic
    modes.    If you are a first time 535 user, you may want to stick to the
    default "Frequency mode" described below until familiar with the
    program.  The modes are:

      "F":  Frequency mode:  In this mode, hitting the "+" key increments
        the frequency by 5khz. (See the "Overview" command to change
        the increment to some other value.)  This is the normal usage
        mode and the program defaults to this mode.  If the mode is USB
        or LSB and the increment is 5khz, the radio is momentarily
        detuned by a khz to aid in detecting weak stations with the
        carrier heterodyne.

      "N":  Next above threshold:  This is like the "F" command but keeps
        bumping the frequency in 5khz increments (See the "Overview
        command to change the increment amount) until an above
        threshold signal is found (set with the "CTL-T" command).
        The radio is set for Narrow bandwidth and CW mode during the
        search to minimize fooling the S-Meter with co-channel energy.
        After an above threshold signal is found, the radio's mode
        settings are restored to the values before activating the
        command and the radio is tuned to this new frequency.

      "M":  switch to next Marked entry that is above threshold:  See the
        documentation on Marking database entries ("M", "CTL-M", "U",
        and "CTL-L").  The next sequential marked entry past the
        current cursor position is tuned and checked for being above
        threshold.  If the signal is below threshold, the next marked
        frequency is selected and so forth.  When the end of the list
        is reached, the search begins again at the top.  (See CTL-T
        for adjusting the threshold; A threshold setting of 0db
        initiates a special case where the radio's squelch status is
        used rather than the s-meter for determining above threshold
        signals.)

      "S":  Scan the marked entries for an above threshold signal:  This is
        similar to the above "M" mode except that scanning will be
        automatically resumed if the signal drops below threshold.  An
        example usage for this is listening to duplex marine telephone
        signals.  Hitting "+" or "-" forces scanning to resume.  Any
        other key halts scanning.  Unlike other modes, this mode needs
        continuous access to the NRD535 and locks the receiver front
        panel as a result. (See CTL-T for adjusting the threshold; A
        threshold setting of 0db initiates a special case where the
        radio's squelch status is used rather than the s-meter for
        determining above threshold signals.)

    Note: if the database is sorted by frequency, the highlighted database
          entry will automatically follow the frequency.

  "-" : this command is the same as the "+" command but acts as a decrement
    rather than an increment.

  "<" : decrements the receiver "mode".  e.g. LSB to USB.  "," works as well so
    no shifting is needed.

  ">" : increments the receiver "mode".  e.g. USB to LSB.  "." works as well so
    no shifting is needed.


  "[" : decrements the bandwidth.

  "]" : increments the bandwidth.

  " " : (space) refresh the receiver display.  Useful if radio has been changed
    manually. (This is not generally necessary for the 535 since it reports
    radio console changes back to the program.  The exception is user
    channel changes which are not automatically echoed by the receiver.)


  "F": for Frequency set - This command is used for entering a frequency to
       tune the radio to.  The program will set the radio frequency and
       locate the nearest corresponding entry in the database (if sorted in
       frequency order).

       Note:  Hitting ENTER without typing a frequency aborts the command.

  "R": for "s-meteR" - applies only for NRD535 users.  Toggles mode of
       displaying the S-Meter reading in the receiver status.  Default is OFF.
       This mode is automatically forced during scan mode (see the "+" command)
       since the front panel must remain locked anyway.

  "I": for set Increment mode.  When this command is activated, you
       will be prompted to select "F", "N", "M", or "S" which selects the
       mode for use with the "+" and "-" commands.  The current mode is
       displayed in the Program Status Area of the display.  The program
       default is the "F" mode.  The NRD525 S-Meter cannot be read and
       therefore this command has no use.  NRD525 users will not see the
       mode displayed.

  "CTL-T": for set Threshold.  Used to set the threshold dB setting used
       with the "+" and "-" commands.  The Up and Down arrow keys are used
       to move this threshold after this command is selected.  Type any other
       key when the desired value is reached.  This value is displayed in the
       Program Status Area for NRD535 users.  A threshold setting of 0db
       initiates a special case where the radio's squelch status is used rather
       than the s-meter for determining above threshold signals.)

  "K" : for "Kiwa" - If in LSB or USB, puts the radio in AM with WIDE bandwidth
    (and detunes by 2 khz).  If in AM, puts radio on nearest 5 khz center
    and puts in LSB or USB (depending on the offset) and sets the bandwidth
    to INTER.  Used to toggle high fidelity listening for use with KIWA MAP
    unit.  Unless you answer "yes" to has KIWA MAP unit in building the
    CONFIG.DAT file, this command will not appear or work.    This feature is
    not supported for the NRD535.

  "O" : for "Overview" - for the 525 or 535, this command allows the user to
    change the frequency increment associated with the "+" and "-" commands
    to some other value.  With the 535, the following receiver settings
    may be changed with these commands:

       "T" : for "Tune rate" (select "One Hz", "Ten Hz", or "Hundred Hz"
         tuning rates)

       "F": for "Filter" (select "Bypass filter" or "Not Bypass filter")

       "B": for "BFO offset" (enter value from -5000 to +5000Hz)

       "S": for "SSB shift" (select "Display shift" or "Local shift")


 GRAPHICS COMMANDS:

 For users with NRD535s and with graphics hardware, there is a G(raphics
 option.  Most graphics hardware should work.  Testing included VGA, EGA,
 and CGA.  The following adapters should work but were NOT tested:  MCGA,
 EGA64, EGAMONO, HERCMONO, and PC3270.    This code requires reading the radio's
 S-Meter which is not possible on the NRD525 and hence does not show up on the
 menu for the 525.  From the 535 command menu, select:

  "G" : for "Graphics".  Selecting the Graphics option produces the following
    command menu:

     GRAPHICS:    C(lear, T(ime plot, S(pectral plot, Q(uit

       These commands are as follow:

     "C" for "Clear":

         Clears the graphics screen.

     "T" for "Time plot":

         Produces a time domain plot of the S-Meter output.  This is useful
         for watching signals fade in and out over time.  Units are in dB
         and calibrated to the NRD535 S-Meter.  Hitting the SPACE BAR will
         stop the plotting and return control to the Graphics menu.

     "S" for "Spectral plot":

         Produces a frequency domain plot of the S-Meter output over a user
         specified frequency range.  You will be prompted to enter the
         start and stop frequencies.  The program defaults to -/+ 5khz off
         the current frequency if you wish to hit enter without typing a
         number for the start and stop frequencies.  The sampling is done
         in CW mode using Narrow bandwidth (1000Hz).  The following command
         prompt is displayed when doing Spectral plots:

           COMMANDS: A(verage, C(lear, F(ind, Q(uit

         Hitting "A" for "Average" will plot the average value for each
         frequency.  Typically, after sampling a while, this is useful
         to see signals that might otherwise be in the mud and to filter
         out lighting and modulation effects.  A running average is
         maintained that weights each sample equally.

         "C" for "Clear"  clears the screen but does not stop the sampling
         or reset the statistics used in Averaging.

         "Q" for "Quit" returns to the Graphics menu.

         The "F" for "Find" command is a special mode that stops scanning
         and allows you to tune the radio either manually or with the
         computer.    This mode allows switching back and forth between the
         main database screen and Find mode.  After selecting "Find", the
         radio will cease scanning,  the radio state will be returned to
         its state prior to entering scan mode, the average Spectral
         response previously computed will be plotted, the radio's current
         status will be displayed at the top of the screen, a green cursor
         will mark the receiver's frequency on the Average plot, and you


         will see the following prompt: (whew!!!)

           FIND: C(ontinue, L(og, Q(uit

         "C" for "Continue" returns to the Spectral scan mode and resumes
         sweeping the receiver.

         "L" for "Log" returns to the main log screen.  Hitting "G" for
         "Graphics" from the log screen returns to "Find" mode.  This is a
         very powerful command.  You can tune the radio in "Find" mode to
         some interesting peak, toggle back to the "Log", hit the "*"
         command to find the selected log entry (if this is sorted in
         frequency order).    Further, you can tune around in "Log" mode,
         toggle back to Find mode and the cursor will now be placed on
         the new frequency (if it was in the sweep range).

         Try this command and use the radio controls to change the
         frequency.  You will see the cursor move across the screen as you
         tune and will see a frequency display change at the top of the
         screen.  The radio can also be controlled from the program in this
         mode.  The left and right arrow keys move the frequency up and
         down one sample point at a time.  The TAB keys move this by 25
         sample points.  The + and - keys move the frequency by +/- 5 khz.
         The usual mode and bandwidth control keys function normally in
         this mode as well.

         Hint: the +/- commands always tune to an exact multiple of 5 khz.
         These can make tuning in an exact frequency much easier than the
         TAB or cursor keys.

         "Q" terminates Find mode and the Spectral plot and returns to the
         main Graphics menu.

         Note:  Spectral plot performance was significantly enhanced by
         using the auto-frequency increment mode in the 535 and taking a
         large number of samples between display updates.  It is normal for
         a small time lag to occur before the program responds to user
         commands as a result of this.

     "Q" for "Quit":

         Returns control to the main menu and leaves Graphics mode.


DATABASE COMMANDS:

This program allows for a set of up to 84 separate databases.  These are
selected with the Journal command (described later).  One database is displayed
at a time.  The status line at the bottom of the display will show the "active"
log.  When you switch logs, the program remembers the previous log which is
shown as the "inactive" log.  Commands described below allow hot keying between
these logs and copying data from the inactive log.  A highlighted line shows
the position in the database.  Cursor control keys move about in the database
as do "PgUp" and "PgDn" keys.  "Ctrl-PgUp" and "Ctrl-PgDn" keys
page by 10 pages at a time.  The "HOME" key takes you to the top of the
database.  Likewise the "END" takes you to the end.  The following commands
affect the "active" log.


"L" for "Log":

     "Logs" a new entry in the "active" database.  Time stamp and radio contents
      are provided automatically.  User is placed in "Edit mode" at the call
      sign location.  Enter the call sign and hit the "tab" key to enter the
      location.  Hit the "tab" key again to enter a comment.

      Note: This comment field is contained on a different "page".  (See the
        "Page" command).


"C" for "Confirm":

     "Confirms" and existing log entry.  Date is updated to current date.  If
     time is outside "Start" and "End" time fields, these are changed.  The
     contents of the radio are polled and this data is updated.  (Particularly
     valuable for drifting stations).

     Note: The time algorithms are rather simple minded.  Mostly they do the
       right thing.


"T" for "Tune":

     "Tunes" the radio from the highlighted database entry.


"*"  This command finds the first database entry with the same (or higher)
     frequency that the radio is set to.  Sort of the opposite of the "Tune"
     command.  "8" is an alias for this command for keyboards without an
     unshifted "*".


"E" for "Edit":

     Because the program uses commands, you cannot just type over database
     entries without using this mode.  The edit field will be highlighted and
     the entry can be changed.    "Home" takes you to the beginning of the field;
     "End" takes you to the end.  The "insert" and "delete" keys work.  When
     finished, hit "enter" or use a "tab" key to bounce to the next field.



"P" for "Page":

     Each database entry is displayed horizontally over three "pages".  Hitting
     the "P" key toggles between these three.  Cursor and Tab keys can be used
     as well.


"D" for "Delete":

     This removes an entry from the database.


"N" for "uNdelete":

     Reverses accidental deletions.  Since subsequent "loggings" use up deleted
     entries, this is best used immediately after an accidental delete.


"S" for "Sort":

     The database can be sorted in ascending order with any two fields.  For
     example, by frequency and by time.  In this example, the database will
     be sorted by frequency with all stations with a common frequency listed
     in time order.

     Note:  For automatic searching on the receiver frequency (see "*", "+",
        and "-") to work properly, the database should be in frequency
        order.

     Note:  This only sorts the active log.  Different logs can be sorted in
        different ways.


"M" for "Mark range":

     Marks the current highlighted line.  Moving the cursor to another line and
     pressing "M" again marks a range of lines.  Multiple ranges may be marked.
     Marked lines are displayed in yellow.  See the Journal, "+", and "-"
     commands for usage.

"CTL-M" for "Mark line":

     Marks the current hightlighted line.  Similar function to the "Mark range"
     command but used to mark individual lines as opposed to ranges of lines.
     This function is accessed by depressing the CTRL key then pressing "M".

"U" for "Unmark":

     Unmarks all marked lines.

"CTL-L" for "unmark Line":

     Unmarks the current line only.  This is useful for excluding individual
     entries from a range of marked lines.



"CTL-S" for "Search":

     Search is used to search the database entries for a pattern.  When this
     command is selected, you will be presented with the following prompt:

     Search: select class:    N(ext, M(ark all, Q(uit

     "Q" for "Quit" cancels the command.  "N" for "Next" will find the next
     occurence of a pattern starting with the current highlighted line.  "M"
     for "Mark all" will find all occurences of a pattern and mark them for
     you (see the Mark command).  You will next be prompted to enter the
     field to search.  Finally, you will be asked to enter the pattern you
     wish to search for.  For example, suppose you wish to copy all VOA
     entries to a separate VOA database.  First unmark any already marked lines
     using the "U" command. (Unnecessary unless you've marked some lines
     already).    Next select the Search command by pressing CTRL and "S" at the
     same time.  Hit "M" for "Mark all".  Hit "I" to select the station "ID"
     field for the search field.  Next enter "voa" for the search pattern.
     (Note: the case of a search pattern is ignored.)  The program will then
     find all occurences of "VOA" in the station ID field and will highlight
     them.  To copy these to a new database, select the Journal ("J"), create
     the database if necessary, and use the "W" for write command to copy the
     marked lines.  See also the "CTL-Again" command.

"CTL-A" for "Again":

     This command re-executes the last "Search" command.  This is used to
     rapidly find the next occurence of a pattern without having to re-enter
     the the search type, field and pattern again.

"V" for "moVe":

     This command moves data from marked lines to sequential memory channels.
     After marking the desired lines and selecting this command, you will be
     prompted to enter the starting channel number to write to.  The program
     will then search for marked entries and write the contents to the radio's
     memories.    Radio channels are filled starting with the selected channel
     and moving up.  The process will continue until all marked lines have
     been written or channel 199 is reached.  Hitting the ESC key when prompted
     for the channel number cancels this command.  Hitting ENTER without
     entering a channel number defaults to the next higher channel based on the
     last moVe command.  (The program is initialized with this being outside
     the channel range to prevent accidental channel writes.)

     Note:  For the NRD535, the program uses channel 199 as a scratch pad.
        This allows faster writes to the radio than is possible with the
        525.

     Note:  For the NRD535, entering 999 as the channel number will clear all
        channels.

"H" for "Help":  Type for help on using this program.

"/":  Selects alternate command prompt.  All commands are always active.


"A" for "Alternate":

     This command allows hot keying between the active and inactive database.
     This will have no effect if there is no inactive database.  (The active
     and inactive databases are displayed in the Program Status line at the
     bottom of the screen).  This is particularly useful for switching between
     a station log and a target log.  The "A" key was selected for its
     convenient keyboard position.

"W" for "Write":

     This command will "write" the log data from the highlighted line for the
     "inactive" (not seen) log to the highlighted area for the active log.
     To illustrate how the "A" and "W" commands might be used, consider this
     example:  It is dawn and you are using your "INDO TARGET" log to search
     for new stations.    You find one!  You use the "Confirm" command to update
     the time and date in the target log and use the Journal command to bring
     up the log you use to keep confirmed catches.  To save time, you don't
     bother to find the "proper" place in this log for this station (you can
     sort it later).  You hit the "W" for "Write" key and the entry appears.
     Now hit the "A" for "Alternate" key and you are back in "INDO TARGET".
     Find another one?    Confirm it and just hit "A" for "Alternate" again to
     toggle back to the main log and use "W" again.

     Note: This creates a new entry and does not overwrite data.
     Note: The Journal "Read", "Write" and "Move" commands may also be used.

"J" for "J(ournal"

     This command will display the various log choices and its own command
     menu:

Journal: S(elect, C(reate, D(el, E(xport, I(mport, W(rite, M(ove, P(rint, Q(uit

     These commands will now be described:

     "S" for "Select":

     Select a new active database.    You will be prompted to enter the
     name OR the number of the database you which to view.    (Note: This is
     a change.  Earlier versions required entering the name).   This new
     database becomes the active database and the last one becomes the
     inactive one.

     "C" for "Create":

     Creates a new, empty database.

     "D" for "Delete":

     Deletes a database.

     "E" for "Export":

     Exports the selected database.  This command writes the currently
     selected database to a file in ASCII format.  This format was chosen
     over other data exchange formats since text editors are more common
     than databases and spreadsheets and since these allow provisions for
     importing text formats.  Since the "Import" command can also read this
     format, these commands should be useful for exchanging target files
     and logs among users.    Files can be any suffix but the default is
     ".LOG".  (I also use this command to create backup copies of my logs
     from time to time).

     "I" for "Import":

     Imports data from another database.  Currently, two formats are
     supported.  After selecting the "Import" command, the following prompt
     will appear:

          Import: A(scii, S(wsked.dbf, Q(uit

     ASCII File Import:

     Selecting the ASCII format allows importing files of the same format
     as created by the "Export" command.  This format is column sensitive
     and has the following fields (separated by a space):

          Column   Field    Comments
             1       date     Use YYMMDD format
             8       start time    Use HHMM format
            13       stop time    Use HHMM format [optional]
            18       frequency    Use xxxx.yy
            27       station id
            47       location
            75       comment    [optional]
           145       mode     [optional] use single character
                       R = RTTY
                       C = CW
                       U = USB
                       L = LSB
                       A = AM
                       F = FM
                       X = FAX
                       u = ECSS-USB (NRD535)
                       l = ECSS-LSB (NRD535)

                       blank is assumed to be USB

           147       bandwidth    [optional] use single character
                       N = NARROW
                       I = INTERMEDIATE
                       W = WIDE
                       A = AUX

                       blank is assumed to be INTERMEDIATE

           149       agc        [optional] use single character
                       F = Fast
                       S = Slow
                       O = Off

                       blank is assumed to be Fast

           151       attenuator    [optional] use single character
                       Y = Yes
                       N = No

                       blank is assumed to be No

     Columns past 75 are optional and can be truncated with less than full
     line width (assuming defaults are acceptable).  One simple way to keep
     the columns straight is to create a file with the "Export" command and
     use this file as a template.  Files can use any suffix but the default
     is ".LOG".  Use this command to share databases or to map data over
     from other databases, spreadsheets, or text editors.

     Note:    Make sure you save the file without TABS or other control
     characters.

     ASCII files available:

     Other database files are available as FREEWARE (on the Pinelands RBBS)
     under NRDDTxxx.ZIP where xxx is the version number.  These database
     files go beyond the SAMPLE included with the program.    I include in
     this package some nifty files that Thomas Mann sent me (Tom
     transcribes net logs for ANARC), my personal log files and will
     include other goodies as these become available.  A caveat about my
     personal databases:  These are meant as examples and not definitive
     Short Wave databases by any means!  See also the SWSKED section below
     to import data from Tom Sundstrom's English language database for
     subscribers and his IS a definitive database.

     SWSKED File Import:

     This option allows importing Tom Sundstrom's English language
     database.  To accomplish this, copy the file SWSKED.DBF into the NRD
     subdirectory and select "J" for "Journal" then "I" for "Import".  This
     file is NOT included and must be purchased from TRS Consultants.  To
     receive more information on Tom's program, send a #10 SASE to TRS
     Consultants PO Box 2275, Vincentown, NJ 08088-2275, USA or FAX (609)
     859-3226 or call the Pinelands RBBS on [phone]. Tom offers an
     update service.  MY PROGRAM ASSUMES THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE UPDATE
     PROCEDURE HIS DOCUMENTATION CALLS FOR PRIOR TO USE.

     "W" for "Write":

     Writes marked lines to database you select.

     "M" for "Move":

     Like "Write" but deletes the marked lines from the source log after
     copying them to the new log.

     "P" for "Print":

     Prints either all lines or the marked lines of the current database in
     compressed print to LPT1:  (See Mark, Unmark, CTL-M and CTL-L commands
     for marking lines.)  Location and Comment fields are truncated to fit
     all information on one line.  The last two characters represent the
     Mode and Bandwidth.  (See the ASCII inport format for the
     abreviations used.)

     "Q" for "Quit":

     Leave Journal and return to database.    Currently same as Select
     command.

USING DATABASES:

Starting with version 4.0, database samples are now stored in a separate file
(NRDDTxxx.ZIP where xxx is the version number) to save download time.  To load
a sample database: start NRD; select "J" for "Journal"; "I" for "Import"; "A"
for "ASCII" and enter the name of one of the .LOG files (like LOG.LOG).
I include my personal log (called, somewhat unimaginatively "LOG") as a sample.
In practice, I use this to record stations as I hear (or rehear) them and use
other logs for specific target areas.  You can very quickly tune through a list
of INDOs at dawn by creating a special target file, for example, and it's easy
to copy entries from one database to another.  You will probably want to start
over with your own log.  If you do some programming and have a computer log in
some other format, it's not hard to map over using the import ASCII function.


IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY:

Problems can be caused by using the wrong receiver baud rate.  The program uses
1200 baud for the 525 and 4800 baud for the 535 to communicate with the radio.
(NRD535 users need not worry about this - the 535 uses only 4800 baud).  (To
determine the baud setting on a 525, hold down the "MEMO" key and hit the "8"
key on the Radio keypad.  The radio should display "1200" on the frequency
readout.  If it shows "300", press "MEMO" "8" again.  The most likely source of
difficulty I've seen to date is with the cable setup.  To isolate problems, it
is sometimes useful to use a communications package, such as BITCOM, and use it
to send "H1" to the radio.  You should see the radio REMOTE light come on and
see a string of data come back from the radio.    If the REMOTE light comes on
but no string returns, the cable should be examined.  If the REMOTE light does
not come on, it could be you are selecting the wrong COM port or have some
other problem.


MICROSOFT WINDOWS:

NRD can be used with Microsoft Windows.  I use NRD in one window and the
wonderful GEOCLOCK program in another.    (See NASWA Listener's Library May 1990
for John Bryant's review on GEOCLOCK -- get this program and register it in
order to get all the extra maps!!!). The file NRD.ICO and GEOCLOCK.ICO are
icons for use with windows.


PERFORMANCE HINTS:

Using Disk Cache programs really help.    As you delete and add entries over
time, the database will become fragmented and you may notice some degradation.
To remedy, first back up the data files (using DOS), then mark all entries (put
the cursor on the top line and hit "M" for "Mark", go to the last entry and hit
"M again -- all lines should be Yellow now if you have a color monitor).  Next
hit "J" for "Journal", Create a new database ("C" for "Create), and select "W"
for "Write".  When the program asks for "Log to write to:", enter the name of
the database you just created.    Next delete the old database.  This process
copies the old log to the new one and eliminates any fragmentation.  In
practice, this process is rarely needed.  (The ASCII file Export and Import
features can also be used to defragment files.)

SAVING DISK SPACE:

Turbo Pascal Source and library files may be deleted to save space.  DEL *.TPU
and DEL *.INC and DEL *.PAS will clean these files.   Starting with Version
4.0, source is distributed on NRDSCxxx.ZIP files (where xxx is the version
number) to reduce download time and clutter.


OTHER RADIOS:

All routines for the receiver control are isolated in the NRDIO.PAS file and
the intention was to minimize receiver dependent code to simplify the task of
porting this to other receivers.  A global variable: radio_type of type word
is used to distinguish different radios and this concept should be used when
adding a new radio.  Today, supported values are 525 and 535.



FEEDBACK PLEASE:

I'm interested in feedback on the program and ideas for how to make it better.
If you make changes to the program, please comment your changes well and upload
with a name that distinguishes it from NRD so we don't get confused.  I can be
contacted at:

            Tom Whiteside [phone]
            11505 Oak View
            Austin, TX 78759-4638


I will also be on the Pinelands RBBS [phone] and GEnie (T.WHITESIDE)
from time to time.  Hope you enjoy NRD!