Contents
Radio Manager 1.03 Help Contents

Press F1 for help on Help.

Overview

Version History

Bank Files

Opening a File

Creating a Bank File

Menu Commands, Buttons, and Controls

Displays

Radio Setup

Delays

Lock-Outs

Priority

Searching

History Window

Configuration

Registration

Interface Information

OS/2 Notes

Trouble-Shooting

Removing


Overview

The R-7000 is a great receiver, but is not so great a scanner.  Fortunately, there is way to improve its scanning capabilities.  This is made possible by the remote port on the R-7000, an interface cable, a computer, Windows 3.0 or higher, and Radio Manager.

With Radio Manager you can use your computer to store more than the R-7000's ninety-nine (99) built-in memories.  In fact, you can store up to 998001 channels in each Bank File, which will provide ample storage for advanced radio monitors.  Along with frequencies and modes, you'll also be able to store a description of the frequencies, delays, lockouts, priority channels (up to 5), search ranges, and search steps.  You can also choose the priority interval and how long a delay should last.

Radio Manager uses Bank Files to organize frequencies.  You can have as many Bank Files as you like, so you can customize your Radio Manager environment according to what you want to listen to.  You can lump all of your frequencies into a single Bank File if you want, or you might like to have a separate Bank File for several geographical areas, or services that you listen to.

Since Radio Manager takes charge of scanning and searching, you can specify your own delay lengths and priority checking intervals, as well as disabling Delays on a channel by channel basis.  Any channel within a Bank File can be made a priority channel, and Priority checking can be turned on and off.  Any channel can be Locked-out, and like better scanner's available a lock-out Review command is available to see what you're missing.

Do you ever get tired of programming in a search range each time you want to search a different area?  Radio Manager solves that problem by letting you store as many search ranges as you like.  You can store the upper and lower frequencies, mode, direction, to search and the step size.  What's more when searching if you already have information on a frequency that is active, Radio Manager can display the information automatically.  This can save a trip to a frequency book, so you can skip the frequency and continue your scanning adventure.

If you've ever just missed hitting the manual button on a scanner after hearing the tail end of an interesting transmission you'll love the History Window.  Radio Manager's History Window displays a list of the last 25 or so (it's your choice) active frequencies.  You can then double-click on any frequency in the list to go back to it.

Car stereos have preset buttons for our favorite channels, why not scanners?  Radio Manager has five (5) buttons you can customize with your favorite channels.  When you want to hear one just press the button, and the R-7000 tunes the frequency.  These buttons also act as priority channels.

That's a summary of Radio Manager's features.  A sample Bank File is also included, called SAMPLE.DB.  It's there to help you get started.

See also

Opening Files, Creating a Bank File, Searching, and Frequency Manager


Displays

Time

Signal

Status

Bank

Channel

Class

Service

See also

Menu Commands, Buttons, and Controls and Overview


Time Display

Shows current time.  You can use the Configuration Dialog Box to adjust for UTC time.


Signal Display

Radio Manager shows a needle pointing to the right when a signal is detected from the radio;  otherwise the needle points to the left.

See also

Signal Detection


Status Display

Shows Radio Manager's status and other messages.


Bank Display

Shows a description of the current Bank.


Channel Display

Shows the channel number of the current Bank.


Class Display

Shows the class description of the current channel.


Service Display

Shows the service description of the current channel.


Bank File

If you're using an R-7000, chances are you've used or at least seen how other radios and scanners organize memory channels.  Unlike the R-7000, some scanners organize memory channels into banks of channels that can be easily enabled or locked-out.  This makes it easy to ogranize your frequencies.  For example, you may have all fire department frequencies in one bank, police frequencies in another, aviation in another, and so on.  To listen to fire frequencies, just enable the "fire" bank, or if you're not interested in listening to fire, lock-out that bank.  Of course, you can have more than one bank enabled or locked out at a time, so long as one bank is enabled.

Radio Manager Bank Files are "virtual radio memories".  They are similar to the memory in a scanner with banked memory. They can be separated into as many as 999 banks.  As many as 999 channels can be included in each bank.  Ultimately you could have 999 x 999 or 998001 channels, provided your computer has the memory to hold that many.  Don't worry.  It's easy to add new channels with Radio Manager.  Since you can have as many Bank Files as you like, it's easier to reprogram the R-7000 to the type of listening you happen to be in the mood for.  There really isn't any reprogramming of the R-7000's memory since Radio Manager takes over responsibility for scanning and searching.  You can however choose frequencies from a Bank File, to upload to the R-7000, and use the R-7000 as usual. Of course, downloading from the R-7000 is also possible.

Radio Manager stores Bank Files in the Paradox file format.  For more information please see Paradox Bank File Structure.  Each Bank File has fields for a Bank number, Channel number, Frequency, Mode, Class description, Service description, Bank Lock Out, and Channel Lock Out.  You can have as many Bank Files as your system has room for.  There can be as many as 999 banks within each Bank File, and as many as 999 channels within each of those banks.

A sample Bank File is included.  See Opening A File to open Sample.DB.

See also

Creating a Bank File


Bank

A collection of channels with the same Bank number.


Channel

A record within a Bank File.  A Bank number (a number from 1 to 999), Channel number* (a number from 1 to 999), Frequency (for the R-7000 a number from 25.00 to 999.99), Mode (FMN, FMW, AM, or SSB), Class description (example: Fire), and Service description (example: Fort Worth F1 Dispatch) within a Bank File.  A single channel or entire bank can be enabled or locked-out.  A single channel can also be made a priority channel, which can be checked on regular intervals that you can set.  A channel can also be assigned to a Top 5 Button for easy access.

* In this case "channel" refers to a channel number within a bank.  Unlike some scanners that have ten banks with 20 channels in each bank (where the second bank starts at channel 21), Radio Manager lets you have any number of channels, from 0 to 999, within a bank.  What's more, you tell Radio Manager what channel numbers to use.  You could have a channel "5" without having a channel "1", "2", "3", and "4".  Thus you can make your channel numbers correspond to the channels that the police or fire department is using.


Menu Commands, Buttons, and Controls

Menu Commands for Main Window

File

Open

Save

Save As

Exit

Edit

Bank File

Frequency List

Find

Find Next

Options

Show History Window

Search

Look Up Unknowns

Always On Top

Configuration

Radio Setup

Help

Contents

How to Use Help

About

Buttons and Controls

Frequency Box

Frequency Scrollbar

Mode Box

Enter Button

Look Up Button

Lockout Checkbox

Review Button

Delay Checkbox

Bank Delay Checkbox

Channel Scrollbar

Scan Radio Button

Search Radio Button

Manual Radio Button

Go To Button

Priority Checkbox

Bank List box

Top 5 Buttons


Open (File menu)

You can open any existing Bank File, but you can have only one Bank File open at a time.  Whenever you start Radio Manager, the last Bank File you used is opened.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type the name of the file you want to open or choose from the list of files.

List Files of Type

Choose the type of file you want to open from the list of file types.  The file types are identified by their file name extensions, for example, Bank Files (.DB), text files (.TXT), or All Files (*.*).

Directories

Displays the current directory.  You can choose a different directory.

Drives

Displays the current drive.  You can choose a different drive.

See also

Opening a File


Opening a File

When you start each session with Radio Manager or open the Bank File Dialog Box, the last Bank File you used is automatically opened.

To open a file

1 	From the File menu choose Open.

2	In the File Name box, type a name, or choose one from the list of files.

If the file is not listed in the current directory or drive, either type the directory name in	front of the filename, or choose the correct directory or drive in the Directories box or the	Drives box.

3	Choose the OK button.

See also

Open (File menu-main window) and Open Bank File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)


Save (File menu - main window)
Save (File menu of Radio Manager main window)

Saves the priority channel, Top 5 channels, channel and bank Lock-outs, and channel delays in the current Bank File.


Save As (File menu - main window)
Save As (File menu)

Saves the priority, Top 5 channels, channel and bank Lock-outs, and channel delays in the current Bank File into a new Bank File.  You'll be prompted to erase the old Bank File.  If wish to keep a copy, choose No.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type a new filename to save a Bank File with a different name.  Note: A filename can contain up to eight characters.  Radio Manager automatically adds the Paradox .DB extension to Bank Files.

Save File As Type

Currently only the Paradox file format is supported in Radio Manager, so you do not need to change this setting.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the Bank File.

Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the Bank File.

See also

Opening a File


Radio Setup (Options menu)

Opens the Radio Setup Dialog Box for the radio you are using.  You'll be able to customize the connection between the radio and your computer, as well as other characteristics of the radio you are using.  For information on the physical connection between your computer and radio please see the documentation that came with the interface you are using.


Icom Radio Setup Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to change the characteristics of the radio and the connection of the radio to the computer.  Some characteristics are only relevant when using a radio other than the Icom

R-7000.  Radio Manager stores your radio's configuration in a file called Icom.INI in your Windows directory.  Using this dialog box will insure the correct format is written to the Icom.INI file.  For information on the physical connection between your computer and radio please see the documentation that came with the interface you are using.  The Comm. Port, Rate, and Address MUST be set correctly for Radio Manager to control your radio.

Dialog Box Options

Comm. Port list box

Choose an available Communications Port.  Note:  You must choose a port that Windows recognizes.  Radio Manager uses Windows communications functions to control the radio.  If you're having trouble getting Radio Manager to commuicate with your radio, make sure that the same communications port is working by using the Windows Terminal program to dial a number with your modem.

Rate (default=1200 for the Icom R-7000)

Choose the data transmission speed (9600 BPS suggested) for the connection between your computer and radio.  Note: The radio MUST be set to the matching rate for the connection to work.  For more information consult your radio's manual.  Use the highest rate you can.  Radio Manager works best at 9600 BPS, although some really high rates may not work.

Address (default=8 for the Icom R-7000)

Choose the radio's address.  Here are the addresses of some other Icom radios.

Radio	Address	Radio	Address	Radio	Address

IC-761	30	IC-735	4	IC-1271A/E	36

IC-275A/E/H	16	IC-751A	28	IC-R71A/E/D	26

IC-475A/E/H	20	IC-751	28	IC-R7100	34

IC-375A	18	IC-271A/E/H	32

IC-575A/E/H	22	IC-471A/E/H	34

For more information please consult your radio's manual.

Sample Factor (default=1000)

This number is used for signal detection.  The higher the number the more likely a detection will occur.  A lower number will speed up scanning, but you might find that scanning does not stop on active channels.

Lowest Channel (default=1 for the Icom R-7000)

You can reserve your radio's memory by choosing a number greater than 1.  Then when you write memory channels from a Bank File Radio Manager will prompt you to start at that number.

Highest Channel (default=99 for the Icom R-7000)

Radio Manager uses this number to make sure you don't try to write more channels to the radio than it has.  If you've modified your radio to have more than 99 channels or you're using a radio other than the R-7000, enter the new number of channels.  Since my radio stops at channel 99 I have no way of testing this.  If you find it does or does not work please let me know.

Lowest Frequency (default=25.0 for the Icom R-7000)

Radio Manager uses this number to verify wether a frequency will work on the radio.

Highest Frequency (default=999.9999 for the Icom R-7000)

Radio Manager uses this number to verify wether a frequency will work on the radio.

Adjust 800MHz

For some reason my R-7000's tuning is off (about 0.0880 MHz low) for frequencies above 800Mhz, so I built in this adjustment rather than sending the radio off to Icom.  If you have the same problem, check this box and enter a value in the adjustment box.

Adjustment

Enter a value to add or subtract to frequencies over 800Mhz so the R-7000 will tune in the frequency correctly.  Enter a negative value if the radio tunes too high.  This value is only used if you've checked the Adjust 800Mhz box.

Mode Delay (default=1)

If Radio Manager sets the frequency on the radio OK, but not the mode, then try increasing this number.

When you've entered the characteristics you want the radio and connection to have choose OK or Cancel if you do not want to accept the changes.  You'll be prompted to restart Radio Manager so that the new connection and radio characteristics can be used.

See also

Radio Setup (Options menu)


Signal Detection

Radio Manager uses R-7000's Recorder Remote Control output and the Ring Indicator (pin 22 on the RS-232 connector) to determine if a signal is present on a frequency.  Instead of telling a recorder to start or stop recording, the R-7000 tells Radio Manager if there is or is not a signal.  When the SIG LED on your R-7000 comes on, Radio Manager should also show the signal in the Signal Display.

NOTE: The R-7000's Voice Scan Control (VSC) button MUST be off for Radio Manager to detect signals.

See also

Interface Information


Exit (File menu)

Closes Radio Manager and all open Radio Manager files.  You will be prompted to save channel lock-outs, bank status, Delays, Priority channel, and Top 5 Buttons.  If you don't like being reminded to save the these, you can turn off the reminder in the Configuration Dialog Box.


Bank File (Edit menu)

Opens the Bank File Dialog Box for creating and changing Bank Files.


Bank File Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create and change Bank Files.

Dialog Box Menu Commands

File

New Bank File

Open Bank File

Save Bank File

Save Bank File As

Open Frequency Manager File

Import

Close

Edit

New Bank

Add Trunked System

Find

Find Next

Frequency Manager

Run

Sort by Frequency

Sort by Service

Auto Load File

Hide

Radio

Read from Radio

Write to Radio

Read & Write Delays

Help

Dialog Box Options

Bank List box

Auto Fill Checkbox

New Button

Borrow Button

Delete Button

Bank File Spreadsheet

Frequency Manager Spreadsheet


Add Trunked System
Add Trunked System (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to quickly add a group of frequencies that are evenly separated.  For example, if the City of Arlington has a 5 channel trunked system with frequencies starting at 855.4875 and ending at 860.4875 with 1Mhz separating each channel you can quickly add all five channels by enter information for the first one and the number of channels in the system along with the amount separating each channel.  Just follow the prompts or choose Cancel to quit without adding any of the frequencies.


Creating a Bank File

Radio Manager stores its information in Bank Files.

To create a Bank File

1	Choose Bank File from the Edit menu.

2	Choose New Bank File from the File menu of the Bank File Dialog Box.

Radio Manager clears the Bank File Spreadsheet and creates an empty Bank File.

3	Choose New Bank from the Edit menu of the Bank File Dialog Box.

Radio Manager prompts you for a Bank number and a Bank description.

4	Enter a unique Bank number from 1 to 999. For example, "1".

5	Enter a description for the Bank.  For example, "Fire".

Radio Manager inserts a new channel in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

6	Choose the New Button in the Bank File Dialog Box.

Radio Manager inserts a blank channel in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

If the Auto Fill Checkbox is checked, Radio Manager

automatically fills in the Bank and Channel number for you.

7.	Click on the blank channel in the Bank File Spreadsheet and complete the information.

Enter a frequency. (From 25.00 to 999.9999Mhz for the Icom R-7000).

Choose a Mode from the Mode List box.

Enter a Class description for the Frequency. For example ("Fire").

Enter a Service description for the Frequency.  For example ('Fort Worth F1 Dispatch").

Repeat steps 6 and 7 for each channel within a Bank.  When your ready for a new Bank

repeat steps 3, 4, and 5. For each channel within the new Bank complete steps 6 and 7.

8.	Save the file by choosing Save Bank File from the File menu of

the Bank File Dialog Box.

Tip:	Use Frequency Manager and the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet to speed up creating Bank Files.

When you close the Bank File Dialog Box Radio Manager automatically loads the last file you worked on.  You're now ready for scanning!

See also

Naming Banks


Naming Banks

Radio Manager's Bank Files are designed to be more descriptive than a conventional scanner.  Not only can you describe a channel, you can also describe a bank.  Rather than remembering that you have Police frequencies stored in bank number 9, you can label bank number 9, "Police".  If you've imported a file to Radio Manager, and need to describe or name the banks, or just want to rename some of your existing bank names, keep this in mind.

Use the Bank File Dialog Box to name banks.

Bank descriptions or names are similar to Channels.

Bank descriptions should have the same bank number as the bank you want to describe.

If you're naming bank number 9 then the bank number should be number 9 in the Bank column of the Bank File Spreadsheet.

Bank description channel numbers should be "0".

Enter "0" in the Channel number column of the Bank File Spreadsheet.  Bank Files are sorted by Bank number, Channel number, and then Frequency, so by making the channel number lower than any other channel number in a bank description, it will be listed before normal channels with frequencies.  The new order will not show up until you've saved the Bank File.

Bank description frequencies should be "0".

Enter "0" in the Frequency column of the Bank File Spreadsheet.

Bank description modes should be "BNK".

Choose "BNK" from the list box in the Mode column of the Bank File Spreadsheet.

Bank description classes should be filled in with the name of the bank.

Type in the description in the Class column of the Bank File Spreadsheet.

Bank description services can be left blank.

See also

Creating a Bank File and New Button


New Bank File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to create a new Bank File.

See also

Creating a Bank File


Open Bank File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

You can open any existing Bank File, but you can have only one Bank File open at a time.  Whenever you open the Bank File Dialog Box, the last Bank File you used in Radio Manager is opened.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type the name of the file you want to open or choose from the list of files.

List Files of Type

Choose the type of file you want to open from the list of file types.  The file types are identified by their file name extensions, for example, Radio Manager files (.DB), text files (.TXT), or All Files (*.*).

Directories

Displays the current directory.  You can choose a different directory.

Drives

Displays the current drive.  You can choose a different drive.

See also

Creating A Bank File and Opening a Bank File


Save Bank File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to save the current Bank File.  Radio Manager saves the information that you've entered in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

See also

Save Bank File As (File menu - Bank Dialog Box)


Save Bank File As (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to save the current Bank File.  Radio Manager saves the information that you've entered in the Bank File Spreadsheet.  You'll be prompted to erase the old Bank File.  If you wish to keep a copy, chose No.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type a new filename to save a Bank File with a different name.  Note: A filename can contain up to eight characters.  Radio Manager automatically ads the Paradox .DB extension to Bank Files.

Save File As Type

Currently only the Paradox file format is supported in Radio Manager, so you do not need to change this setting.

Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the Bank File.

Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the Bank File.

See also

Save Bank File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)


Open Frequency Manager File (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to load a Frequency Manager file into the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type the name of the file you want to open or choose from the list of files.

List Files of Type

Choose the type of file you want to open from the list of file types.  The file types are identified by their file name extensions, for example, Radio Manager and Frequency Manager files (.DB), text files (.TXT), or All Files (*.*).

Directories

Displays the current directory.  You can choose a different directory.

Drives

Displays the current drive.  You can choose a different drive.


Close (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box)
Close (File menu - Bank File Dialog Box

Use this command to quit editing Bank Files and return to the Radio Manager main window.  You will be prompted to save changes to the current Bank File.


New Bank (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to create a new Bank in the Bank File Spreadsheet

Radio Manager prompts you for a Bank number and a description of the Bank.

Enter a number from 1 to 999 and a description.  For example, "Fire" or "Police".

Radio Manager inserts a new Bank in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

See also

Creating a Bank File and New Button


Find (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to open the Find Dialog Box.


Find Dialog Box
Find Dialog Box (Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this dialog box to search for text in either the Bank File Spreadsheet or the Frequency Manager.  Radio Manager then shows the text if found.

Dialog Box Options

Text to Look for box

Type the text you want to find, or paste it from the Clipboard (CTRL+INSERT).

Where?

Choose the field you want to search, Class, Service, or Frequency.

Which Spreadsheet?

Choose the spreadsheet you want to search, Bank File or Frequency Manager.

See also

Find (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box) and Find Next (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)


Find Next (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Finds and shows the next occurrence of the specified text in the Find Dialog Box.

See also

Find (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box)


Run (Frequency Manager menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Starts Frequency Manager.


Sort by Frequency (Frequency Manager menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Check this option to sort the information in the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet by frequency.

Uncheck to sort by Class, Service, and then Frequency.

See also

Sort by Service


Sort by Service (Frequency Manager menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Check this option to sort the information in the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet by service.

Uncheck to sort by Class, Service, and then Frequency.

See also

Sort by Frequency


Auto Load File (Frequency Manager menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

If you want Radio Manager to automatically load the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet with the last Frequency Manager file that you worked with, check this option.  Uncheck it to disable automatically loading the file.


Hide (Frequency Manager menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to Hide the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet.  This will let the Bank File Spreadsheet expand, so you can view and edit more channels in the Bank File.

To show the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet just choose Hide again.


Read from Radio (Radio menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use command to read your radio's built memories into the Bank File Spreadsheet, where they can be made part of a Bank File.

The Icom R-7000 has at least 99 built in memories, you may have added more.  Programming these by hand takes quite some time.  It would be nice not to have to enter those again.  Radio Manager can save those memories into a Bank File, so you can easily switch the radio's memories without worrying about having to reprogram the radio by hand.

To Read your radio's memories into a Bank File do this

1	Click the mouse cursor on a bank in the Bank File Spreadsheet where you want Radio 	Manager to put the radio memories.  You can use the Bank List Box, to choose a bank 	from available banks, or choose New Bank to create a bank especially for the radio 	memories.

2	Choose Read from Radio in the Radio menu of the Bank File Dialog Box.

You will be prompted for the first and last radio memory channels to read from.

3	Enter the first memory channel in the radio you want to read from.

4	Enter the last memory channel in the radio you want to read from.

Radio Manager reads memories from the radio into the Bank File where you specified.

Note:  If you find that the memories have not been read correctly or completely, you'll need to increase the Read Delay.

See also

Read & Write Delays


Write to Radio (Radio menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to write Bank File channels to the radio's built in memories.

The Icom R-7000 has at least 99 built in memories, you may have added more.  Programming these by hand takes quite some time.  Radio Manager can speed things up for you.

To Write Bank File channels to your radio's memories do this

1	Select a block of channels in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

2	Choose Write to Radio from the Radio menu in the Bank File Dialog Box.

You will be prompted for the first radio memory channel to write to.

3	Enter the first memory channel in the radio you want to write to.

Radio Manager writes the selected channels to the radio.

Note:  If you find that the memories have not been written correctly you'll need to increase the Write Delay.

See also

Read & Write Delays


Read & Write Delays (Radio menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Use this command to open the Read & Write Delays Dialog Box.


Read & Write Delays Dialog Box

Due to the higher speed of your computer and the lower speed of the connection between your computer and radio, a delay may be necessary to Read and Write your radio's built in memories.  For an 80386 computer running at 25MHz and a 9600 BPS connection to the radio, I've found a Read delay of 1 and a Write delay of 7 to work best for me.

Smaller numbers decrease the amount of time it takes to read or write memories, but if too small, not all channels will be read or written.  If Radio Manager doesn't read or write all of the channels you specified, try increasing the appropriate delay.  If may be quicker to try a smaller range of channels (may be 15 channels instead of all 99 the R-7000 supports) until you've found the delay that works best for your system.

Dialog Box Options

Read Delay and Write Delay Spin Controls

Enter a number from 1 to 99, or use the spin control to increase or decrease the displayed amount by one (1).

See also

Read from Radio and Write to Radio


Help (Help menu - Bank File Dialog Box)

Opens Help with information relevant to the Bank File Dialog Box.


Bank List box (Bank File Dialog Box)

Lists the Banks in the current Bank File.

Choose a Bank from the list and Radio Manager will display that bank in the Bank File Spreadsheet. This is especially handy when you have several banks in a Bank File and you want to move to another Bank.


Auto Fill Checkbox (Bank File Dialog Box)

When checked, Radio Manager automatically fills in the Bank and Channel numbers for Banks and channels created with New Bank (Edit menu - Bank File Dialog Box) and the New Button.  Radio Manager takes the Bank number from the currently selected bank in the Bank File Spreadsheet and calculates the next available channel number.

When unchecked, you'll need to manually enter the bank and channel number.

See also

Creating a Bank File


New Button (Bank File Dialog Box)

Inserts a blank channel in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

See also

Auto Fill Checkbox and Creating a Bank File


Borrow Button (Bank File Dialog Box)

Inserts information from the rows selected in the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet into the Bank File Spreadsheet.

When a single Frequency Manager Spreadsheet row is selected the information is placed into the current row of the Bank File Spreadsheet.

When more than one Frequency Manager Spreadsheet row is selected the information is inserted into new rows in the Bank File Spreadsheet.

Tip: Double-click on a Frequency Manager row and Radio Manager automatically inserts a new channel into the Bank File Spreadsheet with information from the row you clicked on.

See also

Auto Fill Checkbox


Select

To mark a row or a group of rows in a spreadsheet for further action.  Selected rows appear highlighted.  To select a row, click on the row number with the left mouse button.  To select several rows click on the first row you want selected (continue to hold the left button down) and drag the mouse to the last row you want selected, then release the mouse.


Delete Button (Bank File Dialog Box)

Deletes the selected rows in the Bank File Spreadsheet.  Depending on your setup you may or may not be prompted to confirm the deletion.  Deleted rows cannot be recovered.

See also

Configuration Dialog Box


Bank File Spreadsheet (Bank File Dialog Box)

This control displays the current Bank File.  Use it to create and change Bank Files.  Each channel in the Bank File is a row in the spreadsheet.

Columns

Bank

A number from 1 to 999.

For Top 5 Buttons the Bank number that you want associated with the button.

Channel

A number from 1 to 999.

For channels that describe a Bank use "0".  Radio Manager uses the first channel in a Bank to describe the Bank.

For Top 5 Buttons the channel number that you want associated with the button.

Frequency

A frequency (from 25.00 to 999.9999 MHz for the Icom R-7000)

For channels that describe a Bank enter "0.0".

For channels that describe a Top 5 Button, enter the number of the button times -1.  For example, the third Top 5 Button would have a frequency of -3 and the fifth's would be -5.

Mode

Radio Manager Mode	Icom Mode

FMN	FMN

FMW	FM

AM	AM

SSB	SSB

LSB	LSB

USB	USB

CW	CW

FSK	RTTY

FM1	FM Passband Width 1

FM3	FM Passband Width 3

FM9	FMW on R-9000

BNK for channels that describe a bank.

PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4, or PR5 for channels describing Top 5 Buttons.

Class

A description of the frequency's class.

For channels describing banks, a description of the entire bank.

For channels describing Top 5 Buttons, a label for the button. Only 12 characters will be displayed.

Service

A description of the organization using the frequency.

See also

Opening a Bank File, Frequency Manager Spreadsheet and Creating a Bank File.


Frequency Manager Spreadsheet (Bank File Dialog Box)

This control displays the current Frequency Manager file if any.  You can easily copy information from the Frequency Manager Spreadsheet into the Bank File Spreadsheet to quickly create Bank Files.  Each row in the spreadsheet is a record in a Frequency Manager file.

Columns

Class

A grouping of frequencies.  For example, Fire, Police, EMS, Aviation.

Service

A description of who is using the frequency.  For example, "Fort Worth F1 - Dispatch".

Frequency

A frequency.

Mode

A mode, usually FMN, FMW, AM, or SSB.

You cannot create or change Frequency Manager files in Radio Manager, but you can use the data to simplify creating Bank Files.

See also

Borrow Button


Frequency Manager (Edit menu)

Starts Frequency Manager.


Frequency Manager

Frequency Manager is a separate database program from Radio Manager designed to help organize and manage radio frequencies that amateur radio operators and scanner enthusiast use.  With Frequency Manager you can store, sort, print, and search for frequencies.

You can use information from the Frequency Manager files to create Bank Files within the Bank File Dialog Box.  You can also use the Look Up Button to get information from Frequency Manager files to display within Radio Manager.

Frequency Manager has its own independent help system.  To use it start Frequency Manager and choose Help.  You can also open the Frequency Manager help file by choosing the FM.HLP from the File Open Dialog Box of Help.


Find (Edit menu)
Find (Edit menu - main window)

Use this command to search for text within a Bank File.  Enter the text to look for, and Radio Manager will look in the Class and Service fields of the current Bank File's channels.

See also

Find Next


Find Next (Edit menu)
Find Next (Edit menu - main window)

Use this command to search for the next occurrence of text within a Bank File.

See also

Find


Show History Window (Options menu)

Displays the History Window when checked.  Hides the History Window when unchecked.


History Window

This window shows the last X active frequencies where X is a number  from 1 to 999.  You can specify X in the Configuration Dialog Box.  The window shows the frequency, the time the frequency became active, and the class and service if known.  You can double-click on any frequency in the History Window and the radio will switch to that frequency.  This can be handy for returning to a transmission that you may have skipped over inadvertently.  You can clear the History Window to get a fresh start by choosing CLEAR from its control menu located at the top left corner of the History Window.  You can hide the window by choosing HIDE from the same control menu, or from the Options menu on Radio Manager's main window.  The History Window still tracks frequencies even when hidden.  Choose SAVE from the control menu, and Radio Manager will save the frequencies and some of the other information in the History Window into a file called LOGFILE.TXT in your Windows directory.  You can then manipulate the file for further analysis with another program or to add it to frequency lists.  Radio Manager remembers the postion and size of the History Window from the last time that you ran Radio Manager, and displays it in the same position and size.  Just resize or move the History Window to your preferred place and size, and Radio Manager will do the rest.

See also

Show History Window


Search (Options menu)

Opens the Search Dialog Box.


Search Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create, change, and choose search ranges.  You can also choose one by double-clicking on the description to start searching.  Radio Manager will display which range you chose in the status line as the search begins.

Dialog Box Options

Description

Lists descriptions of the search ranges that already exist.

New

Choose to create a new search range.

Rename

Choose to change the description of an existing search range.

Delete

Choose to remove a search range.

Upper

Enter the upper frequency limit for the selected range.

Lower

Enter the lower frequency limit for the selected range.

Mode

Enter the mode for the selected range.

Step

Enter, or choose from the list, the step size for the selected range.

Delay

Check to enable delay for the selected range, or uncheck to disable delay.

Up

Choose to search by increasing frequency from lower limit to upper limit.

Down

Choose to search by decreasing frequency from upper limit to lower limit.

See also

Searching and Frequency Scrollbar


Search Range

In Radio Manager, an upper and lower frequency limit, a mode, a step size, a delay, and a description of the range.  Use the Search Dialog Box to create, change, and choose search ranges.  You can have as many as you like.  Several are already entered for you.  Radio Manager remembers the search range from the previous time that you ran Radio Manager.

Example

Description:	Aviation

Upper Limit	136.0000

Lower Limit	108.0000

Mode	AM

Step Size	0.0125

Delay	Yes


Step Size

The amount that a frequency increases or decreases within a search or when using the Frequency Scrollbar.


Look Up Unknowns (Options menu)

When checked and in search mode, automatically looks up active frequencies in the last Frequency Manager file used.


Always On Top (Options menu)

When Radio Manager is iconized causes the Radio Manager icon to appear on top of other windows. This makes it easy to get back to Radio Manager while you're in another program.  Also when you minimize Radio Manager, the frequency that is being scanned is shown in the window title, so if you've checked this option you'll be able to see what frequency the radio is tuned to.  Radio Manager remembers whether or not you want it to be Always On Top, so you don't have to choose it every time you start Radio Manager.

Note: If there are other windows, like Help, that are also Always On Top, this option may not be as useful.

See also

Control Menu Commands


Configuration (Options menu)

Opens the Configuration Dialog Box.


Configuration Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to customize Radio Manager for you.  Change items as needed and choose OK to save changes or Cancel to discard changes.  When you choose OK, Radio Manager saves the changes so that future sessions will use the new settings.  Radio Manager stores these settings in a file called RM.INI in your Windows Directory.  Use this dialog box to insure the RM.INI file is formatted correctly.

Dialog Box Options

Delay Amount

Choose a delay amount from the list or type in your own.

Priority Interval

Choose a priority interval from the list or type in your own.

Small Step

Choose a small step size from the list or type in your own.

This number is used by the Frequency Scrollbar.

Large Step

Choose a large step size from the list or type in your own.

This number is used by the Frequency Scrollbar

History Limit

Enter the number that you want the History Window to limit its detail records to.  When the History Window reaches that limit, the oldest history record will be deleted to make room for the most recent event.

UTC Adjustment

If you want Radio Manager to display Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) instead of local time, enter a number other than 0.

Create Paradox 4.0 files

Check to create Paradox 4.0 version files. Uncheck for version 3.5 files.

Speed Factor

Enter a number larger than 20.  Radio Manager uses this number to determine how often to change channels when scanning or how often to increase or decrease the frequency when searching.  A smaller number will speed up scanning, however if you're running several other applications it may slow their response down.  A higher number will slow scanning, but give more time to other applications to complete their tasks.  I find that 20 works well for my 80386 25MHz machine.  Please let me know number what works best for you.

Prompt for Saves

Check if you want Radio Manager to remind you to save files before certain actions.

Confirm Deletes

Check if you want Radio Manager to confirm deletion of rows in the Bank File Dialog Box.

Priority On after Loading

Check if you want Radio Manager to turn on priority checking after loading a Bank File.

RM.INI File

In addition to the settings above you can use a text editor, like Window's NotePad.EXE, to change these settings in the RM.INI file located in your Windows directory.

Setting	Example

Search Path=D:\RM\

where Radio Manager should look for the search range file SEARCH.DB.

Frequency Manager Path=D:\BP\FM\

The path where Radio Manager can find Frequency Manager.

DelayAmounts=1, 2, 3, 5, 10

These will be listed in the Delay Amount Dialog Box and Configuration Dialog Box.

Priority Intervals=1, 2, 3, 5, 10

These will be listed in the Priority Interval Dialog Box and Configuration Dialog Box.

Step Sizes=0.0250, 0.0500, 0.0125, 1.00

These will be listed in the Step Sizes Dialog Box and Configuration Dialog Box.

Beep on Priority Channel=1 ( 0 = Do not Beep, 1 or more = Beep)

When the priority channel becomes active Radio Manager will beep alert you.

If you have Windows 3.1 and can play wave files you can have Radio Manager play the system sounds you've defined in the Windows Control Panel Sound applet.  See Control Panel Help for more information on Windows sounds.

Delay On=1

When set to 1 Radio Manager will automatically turn Delay on for new channels that you create. When set to 0 Radio Manager will automatically turn off Delays for new channels that you create.

To play the wave file associated with	Enter

Default Beep	1

Critical Stop	16

Question	32

Exclamation	48

Asterisk	64

See also

Configuration (Options menu)


Contents (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help.  From the opening screen, you can jump to Overview and other information.

Once you open Help, you can click the first button on the left in the Help window whenever you want to return to the opening screen.


How to use (Help Help menu)
How to Use Help (Help menu)

Use this command to learn how to use help.


About (Help menu)

Use this command to display the version number of your copy of Radio Manager, the copyright notice, Windows operating mode, free memory, and free system resources.


Enter Button

Use this command to change the radio to the frequency and mode displayed in the Frequency and Mode boxes.  If the frequency is stored in a channel in the current Bank File, then Radio Manager will display the information from the channel.

Note:  This button does NOT store the frequency in memory like a scanner.  To store frequencies in memory you must create a Bank File.

See also

Creating a Bank File


Frequency Scrollbar

In Manual Mode

Increases or Decreases the displayed frequency by a small or large step.

Doing This	Does this

Up Arrow (click with mouse or press UP ARROW)	Increases by small step

Down Arrow (click with mouse or press DOWN ARROW)	Decreases by small step

Page Up (press PAGE UP on keyboard)	Increases by large step

Page Down (press PAGE DOWN on keyboard)	Decreases by large step

If the new frequency is stored in a channel in the current Bank File, then Radio Manager will display the information from the channel.

To change the small and large step sizes for the current session only

Click on the Frequency Scrollbar with the Right mouse button to adjust the small and large step sizes.

To change the small and large step sizes for the current and future sessions

Use the Configuration Dialog Box.

In Search Mode

Changes the search direction or starts search from Upper or Lower Limit.

Doing This	Does this

Up Arrow (click with mouse or press UP ARROW)	Changes search direction to Up

Down Arrow (click with mouse or press DOWN ARROW)	Changes search direction to Down

Page Up (press PAGE UP on keyboard)	Starts search over from Lower Limit

Page Down (press PAGE DOWN on keyboard)	Starts search over from Upper Limit

In Scan Mode

Changes the scan direction.  Click on the up arrow to scan normally, channel 1, 2, 3, etc. or click on the down arrow to scan backwards, channel 3, 2, 1, etc.  Radio Manager remembers which direction you were scanning from the last time that you ran Radio Manager, and starts scanning in that direction.

Doing This

Up Arrow (click with mouse or press UP ARROW)	Changes scan direction to Up

Down Arrow (click with mouse or press DOWN ARROW)	Changes scan direction to Down


Step Size Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to change the small and large step sizes that the Frequency Scrollbar uses when increasing and decreasing frequencies.

Dialog Box Options

Small Step

Choose a small step from the list or type in your own.

Large Step

Choose a large step from the list or type in your own.

Both small and large step sizes can be any number from 0.0001 to 999.9999.  Setting these sizes with this dialog box will only affect the current session of Radio Manager.  To make the changes permanent, set the sizes in the Configuration Dialog Box.


Look Up Button

Use this command to display information on the frequency displayed in the Frequency Box.  Radio Manager looks for the frequency's Class and Service in the last Frequency Manager file used.  You can press the Look Up Button again to see if there is more than one record for the frequency.  For example, if 453.275 is used by more than one city, you can press the Look Up Button as many times as you need to show the information on each city.


Lock Out Checkbox

Check this box when you want to skip over the displayed channel.  Uncheck the box to scan the channel.  To save lock-outs choose Save from the File menu.  You must be in manual mode to unlock channels.

See also

Review Button  and Save


Review Button

Use the this button to display channels that are currently locked out.  You can press it repeatedly to cycle through locked out channels.  Note: Only channels that are locked out in enabled banks will be displayed.  If you have a bank called "Fire" and it is not enabled, then channels that are locked out within "Fire" will not be displayed.

See also

Lock Out Button and Bank List box


Delay Checkbox

Check this box to enable delays for the current channel.  Uncheck it to disable delays for the current channel. Note: Radio Manager must be in manual mode to change the delay status for a channel.  You can use the Channel Scrollbar to move to different channels.

Click on the Delay Checkbox with the Right mouse button to adjust the delay length, or use the Configuration Dialog Box.

To save which banks have delays choose Save from the File menu.

See also

Save and Bank Delay Checkbox


Delay

An amount of time that Radio Manager waits before proceeding to the next channel or frequency after there is no signal detected on the current channel or frequency.  This should be a number from 0 to 999.  This may not necessarily be the number of seconds, but will be fairly close.  Several delay amounts are listed for you to choose, or you can type in your own.

Tip:  Click on the Delay Checkbox with the Right mouse button to quickly change the delay amount.  This method does not save the number each time, so it's quicker.  When you've found a number that works for you use the Configuration Dialog Box to make the change permanent.

See also

Delay Checkbox and Bank Delay Checkbox


Channel Scrollbar

Use this to move to different channels and banks within the current Bank File.  As you move the scroller Radio Manager displays the corresponding channel.

 Mouse

To move	Do this _____________________________________________________________

To next channel	Click on Right Scroll Arrow

To previous channel	Click on Left Scroll Arrow

To last channel	Click and Drag Scroll Box to the far right

To first channel 	Click and Drag Scroll Box to the far left

Ten channels forward	Click between Scroll Box and Right Scroll Arrow

Ten channels back	Click between Scroll Box and Left Scroll Arrow

Keyboard

Begin by pressing ALT + P.

To move	 	Press

_____________________________________________________________

To next channel	RIGHT ARROW or DOWN ARROW

To previous channel	LEFT ARROW or UP ARROW

To last channel	END

To first channel	HOME

Ten channels forward	PAGE DOWN

Ten channels back	 	PAGE UP


Scroll Bars
Scroll Bar

A bar that appears in the lower center of the main window or on a list box.  Each scroll bar contains two scroll arrows and a scroll box, which you click to scroll within the window or list box.


Scroll Arrows

An arrow at either end of a scroll bar that is used to move the contents of the window or list box.


Scroll Box

A box in a scroll bar -- The scroll box shows the position of what's currently in the window or list box relative to the contents of the entire window or list box.


Bank List box

This list box shows the individual banks within the current Bank File.  Highlighted banks will be scanned.  The others will not.  To enable a bank simply click on it with the mouse or use the arrow keys to move to the bank you want to enable or disable, and then press SPACE BAR to change the status.

You can click on the Bank List box with the Right mouse button to select or deselect All banks.

To save which banks are enabled and locked-out choose Save from the File menu.

See also

Save


Scan Radio Button

Use this button to change to scan mode or to continue scanning past the current channel.  You can also click on the Radio Manager main window title bar with the Right mouse button to instead of the Scan Radio Button.

See also

Search Radio Button and Manual Radio Button


Search Radio Button

Use this button to change to search mode or to continue searching past the current frequency.  You can also click on the Radio Manager main window title bar with the Right mouse button to continue searching.

You can also click on the Search button with the Right mouse button to open the Search Dialog Box or start a direct search.

See also

Scan Radio Button and Manual Radio Button


Direct Search

A search that begins at the current frequency and has an upper limit equal to the highest frequency that the radio can tune, and a lower limit equal to the lowest frequency the radio can tune.  Radio Manager determines changes the best step size depending on the frequency range being searched.

See also

Searching


Manual Radio Button

Use this button to change to manual mode and stop scanning or searching.  You can then enter frequencies by hand into the Frequency Box or with the Frequency Scrollbar.  You can also double-click on the Radio Manager main window title bar with the Right mouse button to switch to manual mode.

See also

Scan Radio Button and Search Radio Button


Go To Button

Opens the Channel Finder Dialog Box for finding channels.  If you know the frequency you want to go to simply enter it in the Frequency Box and choose the Enter Button.  Otherwise, you can use the Channel Finder Dialog Box to find the frequency, and the Go To Button will set the frequency for you.


Channel Finder Dialog Box

Use this dialog box for finding channels within a Bank File.  You can then go to that channel( if you chose the Go To Button), or associate the channel with a Top 5 Button (if you chose CHANGE CHANNEL from a Top 5 Button menu).

Dialog Box Options

Bank Combobox

Choose a bank to for which to list channels.

Channel Combobox

Choose a channel to go to or associate.  Hint: Click on the down arrow to hide or drop the listbox portion of the combobox.  When hidden the UP and DOWN ARROW keys can be used to move through the list without blocking the view of channel information displayed below.

Button Label (for Top 5 Buttons only)

Choose to change the Top 5 Button Label.


Priority Checkbox

Check this button if you want Radio Manager to check your priority channels regularly.  Uncheck it to disable priority checking.  Priority channels are those channels associated with the Top 5 Buttons.  Note: You can also enable priority checking on all, some, or none of the Top 5 Buttons.

To change the priority interval click on the this button with the Right mouse button, or change the priority interval in the Configuration Dialog Box.

Note: Priorities that are enabled are displayed below the Priority Checkbox.  For example if priorities 1,3, and 5 are enabled the numbers "1", "3", and "5" will appear below the checkbox.


Priority Interval

How often Radio Manager checks your priority channels.  This should be a number from 1 to 999.  This may not necessarily be the number of seconds, but will be fairly close.

Tip:  Click on the Priority Checkbox with the Right mouse button to quickly change the priority interval.  This method does not save the number each time, so it's quicker.  When you've found a number that works for you, use the Configuration Dialog Box to make the change permanent.  Several Priority Intervals are listed for you to choose, or you can type in your own.


Top 5 Buttons

The Top 5 Buttons are like presets on stereos.  You can use them to store you favorite channels.  You can even change the label on the button so you can easily recognize which buttons are which.  When you want to hear a Top 5 channel simply press the Top 5 Button of your choice, and Radio Manager quickly switches to manual mode and changes your radio to the associated frequency.

To change the associated channel click on the button you want to change with the Right mouse button.  A pop-up menu appears with options for changing the channel or just the button label.  Pick one to customize the button to your needs.  Top 5 Button labels are limited to 12 characters.

Tip: You can use the "&" to specify a hot key for the button.  Place the "&" before the letter you want to use for the hot key. You should only use letters that are not already assigned to other buttons and controls in the Radio Manager main window.  The letter then appears underlined on the button, and you can then press ALT + the underlined letter to choosee the button.  See the Sample.DB Bank File for an example.

Note:  Now all Top 5 Buttons can be used to store the 5 priority channels that Radio Manager checks when you have checked the Priority Checkbox.  If you don't want Radio Manager to check a particular Top 5 Button then click on that button with the right mouse button and choose Priority from the pop-up menu.  Repeat to enable priority checking for that channel.  When the priority is enabled a check mark appears beside the priority menu item, and when the priority is disabled the check mark does not appear.

To save the Top 5 Buttons choose Save from the File menu.

See also

Save and Channel Finder Dialog Box


Removing

In the very unlikely event that you don't like Radio Manager and want to remove it from your computer, or just don't have room for it, you'll need to remove the following files from your disk.  To remove the Frequency Manager portion of Radio Manager please see "Removing" in Frequency Manager's own Help.

RM.EXE	Radio Manager Program

RM.TXT	Radio Manager Description

RM.HLP	Radio Manager Help (You're looking at it.)

RM.INI	Radio Manager Settings(in your Windows directory)

ICOM.DLL	Radio Driver

ICOM.INI	Radio Characteristics (in your Windows directory)

PXEngWin.DLL	Paradox Engine

BWCC.DLL	Additional Program File

CommDlg.DLL	Additional Program File

TBPRO1.DLL	Additional Program File

TBPRO2.DLL	Additional Program File

TBPRO3.DLL	Additional Program File

Sample.DB	Sample Bank File

Sample.PX	Sample Bank File Index

Search.DB	Search Ranges File

Search.PX	Search Range File Index

Any other files with the extension '.DB', '.PX', 'X02', 'Y03', '.X03', or '.Y03' are data files.  You may want to keep them if you have entered much data.


Paradox Bank File Structure

Field #	Field Name	Field Type

1	Bank	N*

2	Channel	N*

3	Frequency	N*

4	Mode	A3

5	Class	A20

6	Service	A44

7	BankLockOut	A1

8	ChannelLockOut	A1

9	Delay	A1

Field Types

A#: Alphanumeric, Any combination of characters and spaces up to specified width.

N: Numbers with or without decimal digits.

* Indicates the field is part of the primary key.  Please see your Paradox manual for more information.

See also

Paradox


Paradox

Paradox is a database management system by Borland International, Inc.  Radio Manager uses the Paradox Engine 3.0 (a subset of Paradox) which handles the basic file operations of the database.  If you own Paradox you can use it to edit and create Bank Files.

Paradox is a registered trademark of Borland International, Inc.

See also

Paradox Bank File Structure


Registration
Registration -- Disclaimer and Agreement

Users of Radio Manager must accept this disclaimer of warranty:

Radio Manager and Frequency Manager are supplied as is.  The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Radio Manager or Frequency Manager.

Radio Manager and Frequency Manager are  "shareware programs" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find this program useful and find that you are using Radio Manager and Frequency Manager and continue to use Radio Manager and Frequency Manager after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $30.00 (plus shipping, handling, and tax in some situations) to Ben Saladino.  The $30.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.

Anyone distributing Radio Manager or Frequency Manager for any kind of payment must first contact Ben Saladino at the address below for authorization.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Radio Manager and Frequency Manager along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the latest versions of Radio Manager and Frequency Manager programs.  The current version as of July 1993 is 1.03.

See also

Order Form

Please, send questions, comments, and suggestions to...

Ben Saladino

660 W. Oak St.

Hurst, TX  76053-5526

817-282-0331

CompuServe address 71052,2416

America Online address BSaladino


Ben Saladino

I'm the guy who programmed Radio Manager.  The program is written in Borland Pascal for Windows, and uses the Paradox Engine.  I wrote this help system using Microsoft Word for Windows 2.0 and the Microsoft Help Compiler.

I like scanning fire, police, EMS, and military air.  I use an ICOM R-7000, a few Realistic PRO-2004s, a PRO-30, a PRO-34, PRO-43, and a Bearcat 950.

Paradox and Borland Pascal are registered trademarks of Borland International, Inc.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.


Shareware

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a  Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy, and because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

See also

Registration


Order Form

Radio Manager 1.03 Copyright © 1993 Ben Saladino

Registration Form (10/18//93-6103)

Radio Manager includes Frequency Manager.  You'll get the latest version Radio Manager and Frequency Manager without the registration reminder screens.

Registering by Check or Money Order: To register send a check or money order with this form to Ben Saladino, 660 W. Oak St. Hurst, TX  76053-5526.  To print this order form, click on Print Topic in the File pull-down menu.    Payments must be in US dollars.

Registering with Credit Cards including Master Card, Visa, American Express, and

Discover.  You can order directly from me as described above, or from Public (Software) Library

(PsL) with your MC, Visa, AmEx, or Discover card by calling 800-242-4PsL (outside the United

States: 713-524-6394), or by FAX to 713-524-6398, or by CompuServe to 71355,470.  These

numbers are for ordering only.  Ben Saladino cannot be reached at those numbers.  To contact

Ben Saladino for information about dealer pricing, volume discounts, site licensing, the status of

shipment of the product, the latest version number, or for technical information, call Ben

Saladino at 817-282-0331 or write to me at 660 W. Oak St. Hurst, TX  76053-5526.

Radio Manager's registration number at PsL is 10989.  Please specify your preferred disk size.

Credit Card Pricing

Registration fee $30.00, Handling Charge in the US $5.00, Handling Charge outside of the US

$7.00.  Texas residents will be charged tax.

Registration Form for mailing registrations to Ben Saladino

Please check one:       5.25" Disk ____  3.5" Disk ____ Either size ____

Radio Manager single copy: quantity ____ @ $30.00 ea.   =	 ____________

Texas residents add 7.75% sales tax	        +	 ____________

Shipping is included in the $30.00 for the US and Canada.

(Others add $3.00)	 ____________

  Total Payment      	 ____________

Name:             	_______________________________________________ Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss Dr.

Company:	_______________________________________________

Address:	_______________________________________________

City, State, Zip:	_______________________________________________

Home Phone #:	_______________________________________________

Work Phone #:	_______________________________________________

E-Mail address:	_______________________________________________

How did you hear about Radio Manager?

_____________________________________________________________

Computer (circle one):	80286	80386	80486 80586 (lucky!)	Speed:_______ MHz

Windows Version:	3.0	3.1

Do you use Paradox?	No	Yes	Version: ________

What radio(s) are you controlling with Radio Manager?

Which other packages have you used to control your radios?

Comments, Questions, and Suggestions...


Choose

To select an option or item.

Mouse

With the mouse, point and click.

Keyboards

With the keyboard, press ALT and the underlined letter, or use the ARROW keys until the item is highlighted and then press ENTER.  Within a dialog box, press TAB to move to or select an option.


Scan Mode

Radio Manager switches through the current Bank File's enabled channels until it finds one with a signal.  When the signal stops and the delay time has run out or you press the Scan Radio Button, Radio Manager continues scanning until it finds another channel with a signal.  Eventually Radio Manager reaches the end of the Bank File and starts over.  To quit scan mode press the Search Radio Button or Manual Radio Button, or simply quit Radio Manager.  If the Priority Checkbox is checked, Radio Manager interrupts the scanning regularly to check the priority channels.


Search Mode

Radio Manager starts searching at lower or upper search range limit and increases or decrease the frequency until a signal is detected. When the signal stops and the delay time has run out or you press the Search Radio Button, Radio Manager continues searching until it finds another frequency with a signal.  Eventually Radio Manager reaches the upper or lower search range limit and starts over.  To quit search mode press the Scan Radio Button or Manual Radio Button, or simply quit Radio Manager.


Manual Mode

Radio Manager patiently waits while you listen to a transmission.  If the Priority Checkbox is checked, Radio Manager periodically checks the priority channels for a transmission.  In this mode you can "hand" enter frequencies and modes into the radio by using the Frequency Box,  Frequency Scrollbar, and Mode Box.  You can also turn delays on and off for channels (Delay CheckBox), and manually step through channels in the current Bank File (Channel Scrollbar).


Frequency Box

When Radio Manager is in Manual Mode you can "hand enter a frequency to your radio.  Simply type the frequency in the Frequency Box and choose the Enter Button.  If the frequency you entered is associated with a channel in the current Bank File, Radio Manager displays the channel information for the frequency.  If Radio Manager doesn't find any information you may be able to use Frequency Manager to find information on the frequency.  Simply choose the Look Up Button, and Radio Manager searches the last Frequency Manager file that you used for the frequency.  If it finds any information it is displayed where channel information is normally displayed.  Otherwise, Radio Manager displays a message to let you know it could not find the frequency.


Mode Box

When Radio Manager is in Manual Mode(mode of operation, not transmission), you can change the mode (AM, FMN, FMW, SSB, etc.) that the radio is tuned to. simply choose a mode from the list and then choose the Enter Button.  The frequency in the Frequency Box and the new mode is sent to the radio.

AM, FMN, and SSB correspond to the AM, FMN, and SSB modes on the Icom R-7000.

FMW in Radio Manager corresponds to the R-7000's FM mode.

The following modes are variations on the above or modes that are not supported by the R-7000, but are included for those using Radio Manager to control other Icom radios.

Radio Manager Mode	Icom Mode

LSB	LSB

USB	USB

CW	CW

FSK	RTTY

FM1	FM Passband Width 1

FM3	FM Passband Width 3

FM9	FMW on R-9000


Import (File Menu - Bank Editor)
Import (File Menu - Bank Edit Dialog Box)

Opens the Import Dialog Box.


Version History

Radio Manager 1.01 fixes several bugs reported by users, and adds or improves the following.

Mode Delay

If Radio Manager sets the frequency on your radio OK, but not the mode, you can increase this setting to make Radio Manager work with your system.  See Configuration Dialog Box

History Window Hits

Radio Manager now includes the number of times that active frequencies are listed in the History Window.

History Window Save

Radio Manager can now save most of the information from the HistoryWindow to a text file.  This information can then be manipulated using other programs for analysis.

History Window Limit

The upper limit has been increased to 999.See Configuration Dialog Box

Import

You can now import Frequency Manager files directly to Radio Manager Bank Files. You can now import 801-Scan text files directly to Radio Manager Bank Files.

Radio Manager 1.02 (also known as version Bob <G>) another bug or two reported by users, and adds or improves the following.

Multiple Priorities

Now all Top 5 Buttons can be priority channels, and none, some, or all can be checked regularly.

Scan in both directions

You can now scan backwards through channels.  See Frequency Scrollbar for details.

Channel Delays

Radio Manager now uses Channel Delays instead of Bank Delays.  This change requires that previous version Bank Files be updated, but don't worry Radio Manager will detect the older files and automatically convert them for you.

Control Menu commands

Now when you run Radio Manager as an icon and work in other programs you can have quick access to Radio Manager's primary commands.  See Control Menu Commands.

Search Ranges Saved on Exit

Radio Manager now remembers the search range that you used the last time you ran Radio Manager.

Always On Top - Options Menu

Now when the Always On Top menu item is checked Radio Manager will remain on top of other windows only when it is minimized.

Radio Manager 1.03 (7/25/93) fixes a few bugs reported by users, and adds or improves the following.

Scan Direction Bug Fixed (Thanks Bob)

Radio Manager now remembers which direction to scan from last session.

History Window Bug Fixed (Thanks Bob)

Partially input frequencies no longer show up in the History Window (i.e. 1, 12, 123, 123.1) until you've hit ENTER, and there is activity on the frequency.

History Window Position Saved (Thanks Bob)

Radio Manager now remembers where you positioned the History Window from the last session.

Add Trunked Systems Quickly

Radio Manager now lets you quickly enter a trunked radio system that has several frequecies that are evenly separated. See Add Trunked System.

Priority Bug in Manual mode Fixed (Thanks Bob)

Radio Manager now returns to the previously active frequency (even if it's not included in the current bank file) in manual mode after checking the priority channel(s).

Active Priority Channels Displayed under the Priority Check Box

This makes it quick and easy to see which priorities are enabled.

For SWL folks and those not using  the R-7000 (Thanks Jim and Dan)

Support for passband widths and additional modes has been added (I think), let me know how this works for you Jim.  See Mode Box.

Radio Manager now supports more precise tuning to 1Hz.

Have any suggestions or bugs?  You're questions, comments, and suggestions will help me make the next version even better.

Ben Saladino

660 West Oak Street

Hurst, TX  76053-5526

817-282-0331

CIS #71052,2416


Import Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to import Frequency Manager frequency lists and 801-Scan files to a Radio Manager Bank File.

Frequency Manager files

Radio Manager will create a bank for each Class in the Frequency Manager file.  Thus if you have separate classes in a Frequency Manager file for Fire, Police, and EMS, then Radio Manager will create three banks named, Fire, Police, and EMS in the new Bank File.

801-Scan files

To import an 801-Scan file you must have already exported the 801-Scan file to a text file.  Please see your 801-Scan help for details.  It is not necessary to change anything in the exported file.  Radio Manager creates banks for each 801-Scan bank, provided that you have not removed the lines that start with "*" in the 801-Scan text file.

File

Shows the file that you've selected to import.

Increments

Bank

Use the spin buttons to increase or decrease the amount to increment bank numbers.

Channel

Use the spin buttons to increase or decrease the amount to increment channel numbers.

Format Radio Buttons

Frequency Manager

Check to import a Frequency Manager file.

801-Scan

Check to import an 801-Scan text file.

File Button

Opens a dialog box to pick a file to import.

OK Button (Disabled until you've selected a file to import)

Choose to import the selected file.

Cancel Button

Choose to close the dialog box without importing any file.

Help Button

You found it.


Import File Open Dialog Box

Use this command to pick a Frequency Manager or 801-Scan file to import to a Radio Manager Bank File.

Dialog Box Options

File Name

Type the name of the file you want to open or choose from the list of files.

List Files of Type

Choose the type of file you want to open from the list of file types.  The file types are identified by their file name extensions, for example, Radio Manager and Frequency Manager files (.DB), text files (.TXT), or All Files (*.*).

Directories

Displays the current directory.  You can choose a different directory.

Drives

Displays the current drive.  You can choose a different drive.


Interface Information

If you're using some of the latest software available  or want to control your Icom radio with your computer, you might find this information helpful.  Here's how to modify your Icom CT-17, or similar computer interface to make it support signal detection.

Signal Detection works by attaching a cable to the Recorder Remote jack on the radio and to the RS-232 (Com. Port). This additional cable makes it possible for the software to detect when there is a signal present on the radio, so that the software can stop scanning, searching, or log a hit.

The cable needs a 1/8" mini plug for the radio side.  The other end needs to be connected to the RS-232.  One wire needs to be connected to pin 20 (Data Terminal Ready), and the second wire needs to be connected to pin 22 (Ring).  That's all!

I haven't seen a CT-17, but I know others have performed this enhancement.  I have added it to a homemade interface, see below, and an interface that I ordered from J-COM Enterprises.  Both modifications were pretty easy to perform, especially considering I had not used a soldering iron before building the homemade interface.

If you don't have an interface yet here's information on an inexpensive homemade alternative to the Icom CT-17.  I spent about $25 on parts and a few hours building it.  Nigel Thompson KG7SG wrote the article, "A Low-cost PC Interface for Icom Radios" in QST July 1992 Page 37 describing the parts and how they go together.  I've added the signal detection enhancement above to this one and it works great.  The interface draws its power from the

RS-232, so no external power supply is needed.

DISCLAIMER:

I AM NOT AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS MODIFICATION

SHOULD CAUSE NO HARM.  MODIFY AT YOUR OWN RISK.


Control Menu Commands

Most windows whether applications, dialog boxes, or documents, have a control menu.  The control menu is always placed at the left end of a window's title bar.  Normally the control menu is used only for these commands: Move, Close, Restore, Size, Minimize, Maximize, and Switch To.  Radio Manager addes the following menus items to its control menu.  You can use these menu items to control Radio Manager while it is minimized, and you are working in another application.

Who is it?

Displays the Class, and Service information for the current channel.

Scan

Works just like the Scan Radio Button.

Search

Works just like the Search Radio Button.

Manual

Works just like the Manual Radio Button.

Lock Out

Works just like the Lock Out Checkbox.

See also

Always On Top


Bank Delay Checkbox

Turns the delay on or off for all channels in the current bank.  This can be helpful when most or all of the channels in a bank need to have delays enabled or disabled.  You can then select the few channels that need the opposite treatment individually.

See also

Delay Checkbox and File Save


OS/2 Notes

I don't have OS/2, but another Radio Manager user has used Radio Manager with OS/2.  He did report a problem that you might encounter regarding OS/2 handling of Windows Com Ports.  It appears that OS/2 defaults to a virtual setting which will not work for Radio Manager.  When switched to the Direct setting Radio Manager worked.  Sorry, I forgot to ask him where the setting is located in OS/2.

Thanks again Bob!


Trouble-Shooting

Radio Manager and Frequency Manager will not start.  "Is SHARE.EXE loaded?"

If you get a message asking "Is SHARE.EXE loaded?" when you try to run Radio Manager or Frequency Manager, you'll need to add a line similar to the one below to your CONFIG.SYS file with a text editor. You  might need to specify a different directory than the one below depending on the location of SHARE.EXE on your system.  SHARE.EXE is included with DOS.

Install=C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /L:500