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1990-08-05
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S C A N N E R B U F F !
Professional
User Operation Manual
Version 3.52
Special Edition
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Scanner Buff! The Ultimate In Communications Databases
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using A Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Use On A Floppy System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Using A RAM Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Running The Propgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Adding, Editing, Deleting & Tagging Records . . . . . . . 10
Editing Data . . . 10
Deleting Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tagging Records For Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Editing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Searching For Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Searching By Agency Name / Usage . . . . . . . . . . 12
Searching By Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Searching By Callsign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Searching By Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Searching By Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Searching By Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The View All Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Building A Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Modifiers .AND. / .OR. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Adding New Records and Merging Data Files . . . . . . . . 18
Merging A Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Scanning Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Codes Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The Print Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Printing By Agency Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Printing By Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
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The Print Menu (cont)
Printing By Callsign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Printing By City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Printing By Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Printing By Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Print A Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Changing The Active Data File . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Creating A New Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Changing The Drive/ Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reindexing The Data File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Opening A Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Closing A Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Saving Your Set-Up & Undoing Your Set-Up . . . . . . 24
Quitting Scanner Buff! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Shell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Parting Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener
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Scanner Buff! The Ultimate In Communications Databases
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P R E F A C E
Scanner Buff! has really come a long way. Not only have we seen
three prior releases, each with many improvements, but now we're
off on almost a brand new start with a complete rewrite of the
entire program.
Scanner Buff! is for you if you are a person that enjoys sitting
for hours listening to police and fire calls, chasing covert low
frequency 'numbers' stations, listening in on the shortwave bands,
and even amateur radio (although there are programs written
specifically for the Hams).
Scanner Buff! Professional is an easy to learn, multi-capability
database program that allows you to catalog radio frequencies. You
may have as many records as you would like and are only limited by
your disk space. Version 3.52 also allows you up to 64k of comments
per record, something no other program we've seen has. In fact,
we have yet to see a program that even comes close to what Scanner
Buff! has to offer! (Modesty has never been a strong point of
mine).
It has been a pleasure putting this software together, in spite of
the fact that many users are using it without paying for it. As
a result any future releases will either be commercial or (maybe)
Crippleware. I dislike Crippleware, but also dislike working hard
for nothing more than personal gratification.
Regardless, it truly has been a pleasure writing Scanner Buff! .
I look forward to hearing any comments you the users may care to
offer. Unlike some programmers, I rely on your input. Thank you
one and all for your support.
I would also like to thank the following beta testers for their
devotion to Scanner Buff!, and for helping me weed out those pesky
bugs:
John Robertson Thomas Hart
Special thanks also go to my loving girlfriend for her
understanding of a 'programers dream' by sacrificing some of our
time together.
For those of you that seldom read doc files, Scanner Buff!
Professional now includes context-sensitive help that is actually
a mini-doc file... one way or another I'm going to get you folks
to read this stuff!
Robert W. Ricci
July 31, 1990
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 1
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Scanner Buff! The Ultimate In Communications Databases
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L I C E N S E
SCANNER BUFF! is distributed as SHAREWARE and isn't free. It is
copyrighted by Vista Communications. Users may freely distribute
this program, provided that it include all files, including the
docs, and that no fee be charged for it.
Registration is required if you continue to use this program. You
may use the registered copy on as many computers as you would like
to.
SCANNER BUFF! may not be used with, or in connection with, any
commercial enterprise acquiring revenue as a direct or indirect
result of the use of this program without first contacting the
authors of this program and obtaining a specific site license.
There may or may not be a fee assessed, depending upon the proposed
use of this program. Inquiries may be sent to the address given
on the last page of this manual.
Use of this program implies that the program will not be modified
or altered in any way, including de-compiling, disassembly or
reverse engineering of this program.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 2
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W A R R A N T Y
SCANNER BUFF! is provided as is without any warranty, expressed or
implied.
Although we have tried diligently to debug this program, the user
assumes all responsibility for the use of this program. No
warranty as to the fitness for any particular application by the
user is in effect.
The user assumes all responsibility for any indirect, direct, or
consequential damage that may be caused by this program including
the loss of data, lost profits, lost savings, or any other damage
not included herein, and agrees that Robert W. Ricci, Thomas D.
Hart and Vista Communications shall at all times be held harmless.
R E G I S T R A T I O N
This program is NOT FREE. For several years I used shareware
programs without even acknowledging the tedious, hard work that
went into the development and support of a product. This went
on until "I" became a programmer and discovered that I really owed
it to the programmer to repay them for the many sleepless nights
that passed by, or the toll that it placed on their loving
family... I know because now I've been there.
This is not a sob story, but one with a point... I had a very
liberal approach to registering my product. Previous versions
allowed users to send in any amount below $25.00 if they felt the
program was not worth that much. This is no longer the case.
Registration is now $25.00 without exception. This includes
unlimited support, direct input into future releases, $5.00
up-grade fee's, instead of the going rate of the new release, free
bug fixes, and more. If you do not feel that this program is worthy
of $25.00, tell me why, then stop using the program.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 3
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R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M
Detach this small form and send with your check or money order for
$25.00 to:
Robert W. Ricci
4640 Arden Way #42
El Monte, Ca. 91731
(818) 575-3316
NAME :
ADDRESS :
CITY :
STATE :
ZIPCODE :
TELEPHONE :
VERSION :
COMMENTS :
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Scanner Buff! The Ultimate In Communications Databases
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I N T R O D U C T I O N
SCANNER BUFF! is intended for use by those that actively monitor
the public safety/local government/amateur/business radio bands,
but may also be used where ever else applicable.
The program is able to use either color or monochrome, and may be
run with or without a hard drive. The total number of records
possible is a maximum of 14 million, and is really only limited by
available disk space.
Features available in version 3 are quite extensive...
1) You may search by agency, by frequency, by callsign, or
display all records to the screen.
2) You may add, edit or delete individual records.
3) You may print lists of data to any IBM graphics printer
based on agency name, frequency, or callsign. You have
a choice also of printing to an ASCII text file.
4) You may search for any radio codes you have placed into
the code database, whether they be police, fire, public
works, etc. Additionally, you may add, edit, or delete
individual codes, or display all to the screen.
5) You can clone an empty database file with a new name and
its own set of index files. This enables you to have
separate data files for different needs, such as a police
only file, fire only, etc. You may also switch data
files at any time, or pack and reindex the files.
6) You can establish drive and path information and save the
configuration for use at future boot-ups and have your most
frequently used data file opened automatically.
7) A new feature called Groups has been added. Groups set a
filter so that only records belonging to a specific type of
service are accessed. This is a powerful feature!
8) Lastly, for now at least, is the DOS shell. Depending
on the RAM available in your computer you may shell to
DOS and perform DOS level functions... also handy!
Read on now, or until you get bored and want to play! If you're
like me, you've already run the program and won't need to read
a lot of what I'm taking the time to write. In fact, as we wrote
the program, we did it in a manner that would allow the user to
trash the docs... nearly anyone can run the program.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 5
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S Y S T E M R E Q U I R E M E N T S
SCANNER BUFF! can be run on any IBM compatible, or near compatible
computer with at least 384k of available RAM, although program
execution is faster and data integrity is improved with a minimum
of 400k of RAM.
SCANNER BUFF! is both monochrome and CGA compatible. All colors,
of course, will not be visible with monochrome, although text will
always be readable. SCANNER BUFF! will automatically detect color.
Printer requirements are simple... any IBM compatible printer
emulating the generic IBM Graphics Printer commands. If your
printer has an IBM mode you'll need to switch to this. For those
that have less than standard printers, DOS text files may be
created and printed as such.
One 360k floppy is required, however, a hard drive, a 720k, a 1.2m.
or a 1.44m disk may be used. Storage space required for floppy
disk use is a minimum of 288k, so plan on storing your data on a
separate disk. A hard drive drastically speeds up data access.
I N S T A L L A T I O N
Again, real simple stuff. Extract the archive to, or place all
files beginning with SCAN35 on the same disk and in the same
directory. HELP.DAT and HELP.DBT may be removed if desired, but
on-line Help will not be available. Also, SCAN35.001 and
SCAN35.002 may be removed, but the Codes Menu will be inactive.
Files used by this program are:
SCAN35.EXE Executable file
* SCAN35.001 Codes File
* SCAN35.002 Codes File
SCAN35.003 System File
* SCAN.MDF Default data file (Created Automatically)
* SCANA.IDX Default index file
* SCANB.IDX Default index file
* SCANC.IDX Default index file
* SCAND.IDX Default index file
* SCANE.IDX Default index file
* SCANF.IDX Default index file
* SCAN35.CFG Set-Up File (User Created)
* HELP.DAT On-Line Documentation
* HELP.DBT On-Line Documentation
* Optional - See Documentation
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 6
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I N S T A L L A T I O N (cont)
USING A HARD DRIVE To create a special directory on your hard
drive, switch to your C: drive (or whichever you'd like) and type
the following:
CD\
MD\SCAN
COPY A:*.*
Data access will be reasonably fast using a hard drive, but will
still depend on two factors: the clock speed of your computer, and
the data transfer rate of your drive, NOT just its access time. See
the notation below for use of a RAM disk.
Use On A Floppy System
Install all files in the root of a 360k floppy disk, a 720k disk,
or whatever size you choose. Data files must all reside in the
root directory unless configured from within the program. See the
section on set-up and restoring for more information. Nearly all
database programs are disk intensive, meaning that they call data
from the disk on a regular basis. Because of the slower access
times of floppy drives of any size, the program may appear to read
data in a 'patch' at a time. Consider a RAM disk instead.
Using A RAM Disk
One way to increase the speed at which your computer access your
data is to create a virtual disk, which resembles an actual disk
in the sense that it bears a disk identifier, such as B: or C: (in
the absence of a hard drive). This is really nothing more than an
area of your RAM set aside for use as a disk drive. To install a
RAM disk, simply install the system driver VDISK.SYS in CONFIG.SYS
file : device=vdisk 64 512 16 . This establishes a 'fake' disk
drive with 64k storage space, a sector size of 512, and a directory
maximum of 16 files. Refer to your DOS manual for more on how a
virtual disk functions. Once you have created your RAM disk, copy
your database file and its six index (.IDX) files to your new
drive, lets say drive C:, assuming that you have no hard drive.
Enter the program as you normally would and use the commands in the
File Menu section to change your drive and path to this disk. You
will now access data at an incredibly fast rate since there is no
disk access time to speak of. Read the Utilities section for more
on changing drives and paths.
CAUTION! If you do choose to use a RAM disk it is important for
you to copy the files over to a real drive BEFORE removing the RAM
disk. Since this is just RAM memory being used, any added data
will not be saved!
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R U N N I N G T H E P R O G R A M
Well, here we go... log on to the disk with all the files and type
SCAN35 [ Enter ]. The disk will whir while the files are read,
then finally you will enter the program from the title screen.
Right from the start, the program will verify the presence of all
required data files. If the default SCAN.MDF file is not located
a window will appear with names of files you have created. If you
have not created any, SCAN.MDF will be created for you.
Two DOS command line switches are available: /C and /M . /C
forces color on a system with CGA or above; /M forces monochrome.
These should only be used when a video error occurs.
T H E H E L P S Y S T E M
Context-sensitive Help is available at nearly every point in the
system and always at places where you are asked to enter data.
Pressing F1 activates the help window. Use the cursor keys to move
through multi-page screens. ESC returns you to the program.
This Help system is actually an on-line instruction manual that can
be used instead of this document. As such, and since it takes
additional RAM and disk space, it may be deactivated by removing
HELP.DAT and HELP.DBT from your directory containing the other
program files. DO NOT DESTROY these files, but put them in a safe
place.
T H E M A I N M E N U
This menu is the parent of all other menus. Exiting any
subordinate menu will always return you here. Additionally, should
any unaccounted for error or condition occur during program
execution, you will automatically be returned to this screen.
Functions available are:
SEARCH Menu
CODES Menu
PRINT Menu
UTILITIES Menu
QUIT to Dos
The Search Menu
From the Search Menu you may search for data based on any of the
fields of information.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 8
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The Codes Menu
From the Codes Menu you may add, edit, or delete codes, as well as
search for them. All are done from one View All type screen. You
may disable Codes by removing SCAN35.001 and SCAN35.002 from your
program directory.
The Print Menu
From the Print Menu you may select the sort order of a printout.
You may also build a query condition and print it, if found, or
print only tagged records.
The Utilities Menu
From the Utilities Menu you may open a new data file, change your
DOS path or drive, open or close Groups, reindex the open data
file, or save or delete your set-up file.
The Quit Menu
From the Quit Menu you may exit to DOS, shell to DOS, depending on
the amount of RAM in your computer, or return to the program
without any action.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 9
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Scanner Buff! The Ultimate In Communications Databases
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The majority of your time will be spent in the Search Menu, so
let's discuss the many features of this section.
Adding, Editing, Deleting & Tagging Records
Scanner Buff! is basically a recursive program, meaning that there
are several ways to accomplish the same task. This was done
deliberately. This was done to make it easier for you to move
around within the program.
Although SCAN.MDF is provided for you with various data already
filled in, you undoubtedly will want to add your own. For the sake
of brevity we will use this file for instruction.
There are two ways to add data. The first method involves the View
All Records screen in the Search Menu area. Pressing the INSERT
key activates the editor and allows you to fill in data for the new
record. Pressing F10 will save the record, while ESC will abort
without saving. You may also use the editing keys described below
to move around the blank record.
The second method of adding records is actually two methods in
itself. Both are done from the Search Menu and Entering Records
menu choice. First, you may add a single record by highlighting
the menu item and pressing [Enter]. A blank record identical to
that which is called by the View All Records screen will appear.
Enter your data, then press F10 to save it, or ESC to abort.
The second method involves appending records from another data file
from any prior Scanner Buff! version, or any current version file.
You will be prompted for the full drive/path/filename of this file.
(Appended records will automatically be added in proper index
order, however, it is a reasonable practice to reindex the data
file.) The prompt will accept any drive/path/filename up to 60
characters in length. Looking at the prompt you may notice that
it isn't wide enough... it is and it will scroll as you enter the
information. Pressing [Enter] will accept the information, while
ESC will abort the process.
Editing Data
You may edit data from the View All screen by placing the
highlighter on the appropriate record and pressing [Enter]. You
may also edit data from the Scanning screen, but this will be
covered elsewhere. F10 will save the changes.
Deleting Records
You may delete a record by pressing the DELETE key. DELETED will
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 10
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Adding, Editing, Deleting & Tagging Records (cont)
appear in the upper left corner of your screen. This function is
a toggle function, meaning that as you depress the key repeatedly
the record becomes deleted, then undeleted... back and forth.
Records may also be deleted from the Scanning screen, but this will
be covered elsewhere.
Tagging Records For Print
Records may be tagged for printing (Print Menu) from the View All
screen by using the ALT-P key combination. PRINT will appear in
the upper right of your screen. This is a toggle function, meaning
that is alternates between tagged and untagged with each
depression. You may also tag records for printing from the
Scanning screen, but this will be covered elsewhere.
Editing Commands
SCANNER BUFF! v3.52 uses the popular WordStar (tm) editing commands.
Actually, they're not identical, but follow the structure. Listed
below are the commands to facilitate faster movement through the
record while editing or adding records.
Up-Arrow or ^E Move Up One Line
Dn-Arrow or ^X Move Down One Line
Left Arrow or ^S One Character Left
Right Arrow or ^D One Character Right
^Left or ^A One Word Left
^Right or ^F One Word Right
Home Left Side Of Line
End Right Side Of Line
^Home Beginning Of Record
^End End Of Record
^N Insert A Blank Line
^Y Delete Line
^T Delete Word
^U Restore Current Line
F10 Save Record/Changes
ESC Abort Editing/Restore
In addition to these commands you may move through the View All
screens, as well as the Help System using the PgUp, PgDn, Ctl-PgUp,
Ctl-PgDn key combinations.
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A Radio Frequency Database For The Demanding Listener 11
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Searching For Data
Now that we've entered data into our database we need to learn how
to search for it using simple commands. Scanner Buff! Professional
allows us several unique methods by which to accomplish this.
Searching By Agency Name / Usage
This is a multi-usage field. You may use it to store the agency
name, or you may use it to store the usage and then activate a
Group (Groups will be discussed shortly). During data entry you
have the choice of entering data in any combination of upper or
lower-case. This is important to recall at this time because in
order to locate any record THE SAME CASE MUST BE USED.
With this fact in mind we begin our search by placing the
highlighter on Agency Name and pressing [Enter], or by pressing the
first letter of the menu item. You will then be prompted to enter
a maximum of 25 characters. You may enter the search data exactly
as you would like to find it, or as a partial string. More on
partial strings in a moment.
Having done this, press [Enter]. If any number of matching records
is successfully located you will be shown them one at a time on the
Scanning screen. Because the Scanning screen performs several
tasks, sorry folks, but you'll have to wait just a bit for more on
this, also.
Searching A Partial String
This applies to all of the search types except Position. The
nature of the Search function is such that you may enter a partial
string, such as TEM and locate all records beginning with the three
left most characters of TEM. The more characters you add, the more
precise the search condition. In this example and using the
supplied L.A. County Sheriff data file, Temple City Station and
Temple City Tac will be located.
NOTE: All searches are case-sensitive. You must search in the
same case as the record was initially entered.
Searching By Frequency
There is no difference between search by agency and frequency,
except that with frequency we are using numbers. Because a great
deal of latitude has been given the user as far as how a frequency
is entered the frequency field is a character field. This allows
us the ability to search for exact matches, or also by a partial
string.
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Searching By Frequency (cont)
After selecting the Frequency menu item by placing the highlighter
on it and pressing [Enter], or by pressing the first letter of the
menu item, you are presented a prompt allowing you to enter a
maximum of 10 characters. You may enter data with as many decimals
as you have entered during data entry. After filling the prompt
and pressing [Enter] you will be shown all matching records one at
a time from the Scanning screen.
Partial Strings And Frequencies
As with an agency name, you may search by a partial string. With
a frequency this has the added benefit of establishing a small
query. For example, rather than entering the entire frequency you
simply enter 482. . Now all records beginning with the first three
numbers of 482, followed by a decimal, will be shown to you.
Frequencies less than 482 and greater than 483 will be excluded.
Searching By Callsign
Though it may seem redundant there is no difference between
searching by agency name and a callsign. You will be prompted for
a maximum of eight characters or a partial string. All matching
records will be shown to you one at a time.
Searching By Municipality
This is the City / Town field and is now different during a search
from the other fields. You will be prompted for a maximum of 20
characters or a partial string. All matching records will be shown
to you one at a time.
Searching By Group
The Group field is where you place the name of an identifying
string categorizing the particular record. This Group may be any
combination of characters or numbers, upper or lower-case. As with
other searches, you will be prompted for a maximum of 20 characters
or a partial string. All matching records will be shown to you one
at a time.
In another area of this instruction manual you will be shown how
to set up a controlling Group, or "filter". A Group search is not
affected by any Group filter set.
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Searching By Position
The Position field is where you may store your monitors memory
position number. Although this field is a character field also,
it does not conform to the previously learned methods of searching.
You are able to search for a partial string, but will find this
practice somewhat limited.
In any case, at the prompt you may enter a maximum of three digits.
All matching records will be shown to you one at a time.
For a more effective method of searching the Position field, see
the section on Building A Query.
The View All Screen
We've previously mentioned that the View All Records screen is one
method of adding, editing, print tagging, deleting, or just plain
viewing of records. A few thoughts beyond this are in order.
All records in the currently selected data file will be shown
alphabetically, even if an individual record is tagged for
deletion. (v3.52 now allows the View All screen to follow a Group.
This is selected by answering a prompt when opening a Group.
Performance does slow down, however.)
This differs from previous versions where after deleting a record it
no longer appeared and was reoved during reindexing. This is no
longer the case. To delete a record press the DELETE key. The word
DELETED will appear in the top left of your screen. Pressing the
DELETE key again will recall the record and remove the delete tag.
Placing the highlighter on any record and any field of that record
will allow you to edit the record once you press [Enter]. Pressing
F10 after the edit will save the changes, while ESC will abort and
return you to the View All screen.
Remember also that the ALT-P key combination will tag a record for
printing from the Print Menu. All print tags are removed after
printing.
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Q U E R Y B Y E X A M P L E
Building A Query
This is perhaps the most powerful feature of this program! Using
just this feature you can selectively sort through similar and
dissimilar data very quickly and view only those records that meet
your conditions. This is rather a lengthy topic, but is
necessarily so in order for you to take full advantage of its
inherent power and flexibility.
A Query is nothing more than one or more 'conditions' that, when
evaluated, must return a logical true, or, 'yes, that's what I
wanted to find'. This is done by mating various fields with
Operators. If we intend to establish more than one condition to
evaluate these conditions are then linked by way of Modifiers.
A discussion of both Operators and Modifiers is in order:
Operators
Remember when you were in school and were trying to think of a good
reason to know about such things as > Greater Than, <> Not Equal
To, and the other assorted symbols? Well, you've now found a use
for them!
Although we may be dealing with text as data, it is important to
understand that our computers are dealing only with numbers. For
example, the upper-case A has a value to our computer of 69. This
means that if we were to replace the text we are working with its
numerical value string one of ABC would look like 697071. We can
now compare string one against string two of ACB, or 697170. In
doing so, we would ask,
"Is 697071 equal to 697170?" The answer would be false.
This is a logical operation based on the numerical value of the
alphabet, but also applies to numbers. Turn to the next page and
let's take a close look at each of the Operators:
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Operators
= Equal To A Value Must Exactly Equal
<> Not Equal To A Value Must Not Equal
< Less Than A Value Must Be Less Than
> Greater Than A Value Must Be Greater Than
<= Less Than or Equal A Value Must Be Less Than or
Equal To
>= Greater Than or Equal A Value Must Be Greater Than or
Equal To
$ Contains String A Value Must Contain This String
Equal To
When comparing a value for an equal condition an exact match must
occur. If were using the agency name field and we are looking for
all records matching TEMPLE CITY STATION, only those records in all
capitals worded exactly the same would be found.
Not Equal
When comparing a value that is not equal to we are essentially
excluding a particular record, such as TEMPLE CITY TAC. All other
records would meet our condition and would be found.
Less Than
When comparing a value for a less than condition we will only
locate records of a lesser value, such as TEMPLE CITY TAC will only
show us records up to TEMPLE CITY, but nothing beyond this.
Remember that our comparisons are done from left-to-right, one
position or character at a time. As long as the condition remains
true the comparison continues.
Greater Than
Identical to the above, except we're looking for a value that is
greater than TEMPLE CITY, such as TEMPLE CITY TAC.
Less Than / Greater Than or Equal
These are the same as the last two example, but they will include
our comparison value in the search.
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Query Operators (cont)
Contains
Suppose we know that a particular record contains somewhere in its
agency name field the letters of DET. Using this operator we can
locate all DETECTIVE, DETENTION, SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DET. , etc,
because they contain the string as a whole anywhere in the agency
name field.
Modifiers .AND. / .OR.
So far we've only looked at a single condition query. Let's say
that we want to locate all records with an agency name of TEMPLE
CITY TAC and a frequency of 483.2625. This would look something
like:
Agency Name = TEMPLE CITY TAC .AND. Frequency = 483.2625
^^^^^
In order for this condition to be true, both elements must be true.
Otherwise the entire expression is false. Why? Because the .AND.
modifier was used.
The remaining modifier is .OR. . Changing the above example just
a bit we can create an either/or condition so that:
Agency Name = TEMPLE CITY TAC .OR. Frequency = 483.2625
^^^^
would reveal a true condition if either one of the values was true.
The best way to understand these is to try them for yourself. They
really aren't as cryptic as one might think. To do so, highlight
the menu item Build A Query and press [Enter]. Select the field
you would like to work with and supply an operator from those
detailed above. Once you've done this you will be prompted for a
value to compare against. The length of the prompt will vary
dependent on the field selected. Finally, select a modifier. You
will then be asked to build another condition. You may choose Done
at this point to begin a single field query if you'd like also.
Pressing ESC at any point in the query set-up will return you to
the calling menu, otherwise, the queried search will begin. All
matching records will be shown to you one at a time. This type of
search is slower than any other type of search, due to its nature.
Because of this, queries on a large data file of more than 1000
records or so will show a noticeable loss in speed.
You may build a query with up to three conditions.
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Adding New Records and Merging Data Files
Included in the Search Menu is a sub-menu Enter New Records. One
might think that this type of function really belongs elsewhere,
but consider the fact that the majority of your time will be spent
in the Search Menu. Does it sound logical now? I'm glad we agree.
Although you may add individual records from the View All screen
you may also add them from here. To do so accept the menu item and
a blank record will appear. Press F10 to save the new record, or
ESC to abort.
Merging A Data File
This feature first appeared in v1.0 with many capabilities, but
was removed in v1.1 . A conversion utility was released, but has
seen little usage. v3.52 now includes the ability to merge any
lesser version into a v3.52 data file. Not all information will
appear however, since different versions contained different
fields.
Merging a data file is as simple as accepting the menu item and
answering the prompt asking for you to enter the complete
drive/path/filename of the data file. Enter this information and
press [Enter]. The prompt accepts this information up to 60
characters, although the prompt is only 20 characters wide. It
will scroll to accommodate larger paths.
The data file being merged must be a Scanner Buff! data file. The
file header is checked, but only marginally. Attempting to merge
any file other than the accepted type will cause a fatal error and
abort you to DOS.
Provided that you've met these basic requirements your data file
will be merged into the current data file in correct index order.
You will want to manually edit each record and add additional data,
such as Group information.
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The Scanning Screen
A great deal of work is done from this screen. Each time you
search for data or build a query and successfully locate data
it will be shown to you on this screen. From this screen you
may:
Edit - Placing the highlighter on Edit and pressing
[Enter] will allow you to edit the record.
Next - Placing the highlighter on Next and pressing
[Enter] advances you to the next match.
Previous - Placing the highlighter on Previous and
pressing [Enter] advances you to the last
record.
Delete - You may delete or recall this record.
Comment - You may insert many pages of comments.
Refer to the Editing Commands for help on
moving around.
List - Tags a record for printing from the Print
Menu.
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The Codes Menu
As with the Edit/Delete functions, all features are identical here,
except that the edit function also doubles as the search routine.
This was done because generally codes are exclusive... each code
usually only has one meaning and vice versa. A great deal of
discussion really isn't necessary in this area.
Of importance to those of you that have up-graded from v1.xx, you
you must run SCANCNVT on your code files before attempting to use
them with Version 3.52. If your code files are version 2.0 files
you may simply rename them to SCAN35.001 for the Code.Dat file,
and SCAN35.002 for the Code.Ndx file and v3.52 will do the rest
for you. Additional information has been included in the file
structure and failing to convert the files properly will cause a
fatal error. v3.52 cannot convert v1.0 or v1.1 files.
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The Print Menu
Print features have been enhanced considerably and allow several
pre-defined sort orders, but also the ability to build a query and
print the results.
To print any type of list choice its type from the menu and press
[Enter]. Printing on any IBM compatible will begin. Pressing ESC
will stop printing once the current line is printed.
Printing By Agency Name
You may print an alphabetic list based on the agency name by
selecting this menu item. All records in the data file will be
printed.
Printing By Frequency
You may print a numeric list based on the frequency, but also sub-
sorted on the agency name. All records in the data file will be
printed.
Printing By Callsign
You may print an alphabetic list based on the callsign, but also
sub-sorted on the agency name. All records in the data file will
be printed.
Printing By City
You may print an alphabetic list based the city, but also sub-
sorted on the agency name. All records in the data file will be
printed.
Printing By Group
You may print an alphabetic list based on the group, but also sub-
sorted on the agency name. All records in all groups will be
printed.
Printing By Position
You may print a numerical list based on the scanner memory position.
All records in the data file will be printed.
Print A Query
You may build a query and print the results sub-sorted on the
agency name. Only those records matching the query will be
printed.
A condensed list may now be printed also.
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The File Menu
Here is where we get into the hard-core database tools. This is
also where this program out does all other scanner frequency
database programs, but also gets its hefty size from.
Changing The Active Data File
Selecting this menu item will allow you to choose from a pop-up
list another pre-existing data file. Only v3.xx are available to
select from. To select a file place the highlighter on its name
and press [Enter]. If not all of the index files are found a
complete set of new ones will be recreated. All will be recreated
to prevent against corrupt data. Comments from versions less than
3.52 can not be read. Merge lesser versions into a v3.52 file if
you desire Comments.
If no data files exist in the current drive/path in use you will
be prompted accordingly. If you haven't guessed at this point,
your path must be changed prior to attempting to select another
file if you have placed your own files in another sub-directory or
on another disk.
Creating A New Data File
If you have at least 14k of disk space available you may create an
empty data file. You will be asked to provide a seven character
file name that is acceptable to DOS. Although DOS allows eight
characters the program will be stripping off the last character
anyway, so this method was used so that you would be more familiar
with your file names. If the file does not currently exist in the
drive/path in use it will be created, along with its six associated
index files. If it does exist you will be asked to over-write it
and the program will do as you ask.
Changing The Drive/ Path
As a default Scanner Buff! will look for and store all files in the
program directory. You may change this at any time by entering a
new drive / path at the prompt. The prompt will accept a maximum
of 60 characters, although the actual prompt appears to only be 20
characters wide. The prompt will scroll to the right as you enter
the characters.
If you select either drive A: or B: you will be asked to insert a
disk in the appropriate drive and press [Enter]. A drive error may
or may not be returned, so it is your responsibility to make sure
a disk is in the drive in order to avoid a possible fatal error.
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Reindexing The Data File
There are six index files associated with each data file you
create. This is where the speed of Scanner Buff! is obtained, and
without them searches of as few 100 records would take several
seconds to several minutes. This is also where all the hard work
is done, yet it goes unseen -- their function is transparent to the
user.
Because these files are vital they must be protected and
conditioned. The process of reindexing does just this, but is
also what permanently removes individual records from the data file
that you have previously tagged for deletion.
To perform this operation select the menu item and reindexing will
begin. Extensive timing tests on a 7mhz 8088 computer indicate
that reindexing 3000 records takes approximately 7 minutes.
Results will differ for you based upon your specific hardware
configuration. Additionally, if you are using a RAM disk the
results will improve even more.
Opening A Group
Groups are a new feature to Scanner Buff! and offer a great deal
of selectivity to your operations. During the entering of data
into new records you were encouraged to assign each record to a
'Group' categorizing the record into a type. This type can be
anything that means something to you, or one that is more common,
such as POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL, TAXI, etc.
A Group acts as a filter. You may have a data file containing 3000
records, all of different types. Opening a group to that of a type
you have assigned to any number of records restricts your
operations to just those records of the same type, such as FIRE.
When performing a search only those records will appear.
What this means is that you can assign multiple records the same
agency name / usage, but to different groups, and thus restrict
which ones you work with. Let's try an example for this:
Agency Name : TAC 1 Agency Name : TAC 1
Group : L.A.S.O. Group : L.A.P.D.
Although both have identical agency names the group name is
different. By opening one group or another you can view only those
records belonging to, for example, L.A.S.O.
To open a Group select the menu item and press [Enter]. At the
prompt enter then name of a group. If it is found the filter will
be set, otherwise you will be informed and no group filter will be
set.
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Closing A Group
Closing a group releases any active Group filter you have
previously set and allows access to all records.
Saving Your Set-Up & Undoing Your Set-Up
By default Scanner Buff! makes several assumptions. It is assumed
that the inuse data file will be SCAN.MDF, the drive / path will
be the program directory, and no group is open. You, however, may
reconfigure Scanner Buff! during normal program execution and prior
to exiting save new default values. By selecting this menu item,
whatever data file is in use from any drive / path, and whatever
group is open at the time will become the defaults for the program
when initialized at any time in the future. This will occur until
you release the set-up by selecting the Undo Set-Up menu item, or
by erasing SCAN35.CFG from DOS.
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Quitting Scanner Buff!
Several options are available for exiting the program.
Exit - You may exit completely without leaving Scanner
Buff! in memory.
Shell - You may shell to DOS and load a second copy of
Command.com and perform numerous DOS level
functions, including running other programs. To do
this you must have declared in you Autoexec.bat file
that COMSPEC=[drive\path\filespec] using the DOS SET
command. Refer to your DOS manual for instructions
on doing this if you are not familiar with it.
The DOS shell also requires that you have enough
free RAM to load another copy of command.com.
Scanner Buff! requires approximately 384k of RAM to
operate, so if you are using a system with only 384k
you will not be able to perform this function. If
you do all is well. You may increase the amount of
RAM that is available for a DOS shell by including
in your Autoexec.bat file SET CLIPPER=r160. This
is a compiler command that releases certain portions
of the program during a shell. You may have to
experiment with the value used, such as r150, or
r200. Using 640k of RAM to begin with I have been
able to shell into approximately 200k of usable RAM
after loading a second copy of Command.com .
Resume - This returns you to the main menu without any
action. ESC may also be pressed.
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P A R T I N G N O T E S
This concludes your guided tour through all of the features
contained in Version 3.52 . SCANNER BUFF! has taken countless hours
of writing code, countless hours of re-writing code, and so on, but
there is no guarantee of complete error-free success. My vanity
and pride will suffer, but I must ask that those of you interested
in a professional quality program of this nature to contact me
regarding any bugs found, or suggestions for improvements. I have
no present intent to charge more than $25.00 for this program, but
do solicit this token amount from those of you that can appreciate
the sleepless nights that have gone into the making of SCANNER
BUFF! (it's now 5:30am!). Registered users that submit ideas for
additions or improvements will receive the next release free of
charge if their idea is used in any way, shape or form! Version 4
is already being dreamed up, so let's hear from you!!! Any
comments or suggestions may be addressed to the following:
Robert W. Ricci
Vista Communications
4640 Arden Way, Suite 42
El Monte, Ca. 91731
(818) 575-3316
I can be reached by E-Mail on CrimeNet (818) 405-4242, or at
The Ledge at (818) 352-3620 under the name of Bob Ricci.
Customized versions are available for a nominal fee. If you are
a licensed amateur, or a Communications Technician with a public
safety agency in any state and have a more specific need, please
contact me. Many things can be done for you for the mere price
of registration, depending on what you would like.
Thank You for taking the time to read this far! Best of luck.
Robert W. Ricci Thomas D. Hart SCANNER BUFF!'s
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