AOR Searchlight User’s Guide

AOR Searchlight

User’s Manual

© Simon Collings, G4SGI 1994~1999

Software and Manual Distributed by:

AOR (UK) Ltd.,
4E East Mill,
Bridgefoot,
Belper,
Derbys DE56 2UA
England
Tel: [phone] Int’l: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Int’l: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
www.demon.co.uk/aor

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................... 3

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................... 4

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM ................................................................................... 5

GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................... 9

RS-232 connection ................................................................................. ............ 9

Starting the Program ............................................................................................ 10

Configuring the program ..................................................................................... 11

The Front Panel Window .................................................................................... 12

Front Panel functions .......................................................................................... 13

Step Tuning .................................................................................................. 1 3

Tuning Step Size ........................................................................................... 13

User Step Size ............................................................................................... 13

VFO Offset ................................................................................................... 1 3

VFO Tracking ............................................................................................... 14

Attenuator ..................................................................................................... 14

Obtaining Help .................................................................................................... 14

MEMORY MENU FUNCTIONS ................................................................................... 17

New Bank ............................................................................................................ 18

Load Bank ........................................................................................................... 18

Memory Window functions ................................................................................. 19

Storing a memory channel ............................................................................ 1 9

Recalling a memory channel ........................................................................ 2 0

Editing a channel .......................................................................................... 20

Marking a channel ........................................................................................ 20

Sorting the memory bank ............................................................................. 21

Clearing a memory channel .......................................................................... 2 1

Save Bank ............................................................................................................ 21

Save Bank As ...................................................................................................... 21

Close Bank .......................................................................................................... 2 2

Delete Bank File .................................................................................................. 2 2

Print Bank ............................................................................................................ 22

Upload Bank from RX ......................................................................................... 23

Download Bank to RX ........................................................................................ 2 4

Copy Bank to Clipboard ...................................................................................... 24

Copy Bank from Clipboard ................................................................................. 25

Exit ....................................................................................................................... 25

SETUP MENU OPTIONS .............................................................................................. 26

Communications .................................................................................................. 26

Delays .................................................................................................................. 26

S-meter readings ........................................................................................... 27

Downloading ................................................................................................ 27

Uploading ..................................................................................................... 27

Tuning .......................................................................................................... 2 7

Sound Recording ................................................................................................. 28

Sample Rate Select .............................................................................................. 28

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide i

CONTENTS

SCANNING MENU OPTIONS .......................................................................................... 30

Programmable Band Scan ...................................................................................... 30

New PBS ................................................................................................................ 30

x10 Magnify .................................................................................................... 31

Setting the dwell time ...................................................................................... 32

Saving PBS parameters ................................................................................... 32

Creating a report .............................................................................................. 32

Open PBS ............................................................................................................... 33

Memory Scan ......................................................................................................... 33

Use VFO A ...................................................................................................... 34

Spectrum Analysis ................................................................................................. 35

TOOLS MENU OPTIONS ................................................................................................ 37

Offset Simplex Reconstruction .............................................................................. 37

Setting the dwell time ..................................................................................... 38

Single Frequency Watch ........................................................................................ 38

Report synchronisation .................................................................................... 39

Graphical Analysis ................................................................................................. 40

Types of graph ................................................................................................. 41

Delete Sound Log ................................................................................................... 41

Print Sound Log ..................................................................................................... 41

PASS LIST MENU OPTIONS ........................................................................................... 42

Save ........................................................................................................................ 4 2

Upload .................................................................................................................... 4 2

Adding a frequency ......................................................................................... 43

Deleting a frequency ....................................................................................... 43

Sorting the pass list ......................................................................................... 43

WINDOWS MENU OPTIONS .......................................................................................... 45

SOUND RECORDING ....................................................................................................... 46

MEMORY DATA IN WINDOWSTM CLIPBOARD ........................................................ 49

Editing an entry .............................................................................................. 43

Arrange Icons ......................................................................................................... 45

Sound Log Window ............................................................................................... 47

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide ii

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to AOR Searchlight, the control program for Microsoft® WindowsTM and AOR

communications receivers.

This program uses an RS-232 serial port to tune an AOR AR-3000A or AR-3000

communications receiver and has these (and many more) exciting features:

F Microsoft® WindowsTM program. AOR Searchlight is a genuine

WindowsTM program (not a DOS program running in a window) and uses

Microsoft’s Multiple Document Interface (MDI) and Common User Access
(CUA) specifications for ease of use and a standard “look and feel”.

F Full support for WindowsTM Sound Recording. This program (option-

ally) uses the sound recording facilities of WindowsTM Multimedia
extensions. You can record audio from your radio using your Windows
compatible sound card while scanning or analysing frequencies. A log
contains all the recordings you have made so you can replay them later.

F On-line context sensitive help. The full WindowsTM hypertext help system

is used to provide you with the information you need wherever you are in
AOR Searchlight. In addition to the help menu, all dialogs have a “help”
push button which calls up information for that dialog. You can also
highlight individual menu options using the arrow keys and obtain help on
them by pressing <F1>.

F Unlimited number of disk based memory banks. Each memory bank

contains 400 memory channels and can be uploaded from the radio or
downloaded to the radio. Up to 10 can be viewed on-screen at once, an
unlimited number can be stored on disk.

INTRODUCTION

TM

F Upgrade your DOS based AORSC memory files. You can import your

existing AOR Spectrum Coordinator (AORSC) memory files into the AOR
Searchlight using a simple utility provided as standard.

F Copy data to/from clipboard. You can exchange memory data with

WindowsTM Clipboard for bulk editing and export to a data base (not
supplied) or other WindowsTM applications.

F Memory scan and Programmable Band Scan. Each scan provides a

histogram display showing the activity on each channel. Full control is
provided including a cursor indicator and sound recording (optional).

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 1

INTRODUCTION

F Single Frequency Watch. This includes graphical analysis showing full

statistics compiled as the SFW is in progress and includes text based reports
and a log file.

F Spectrum analysis. A fully featured spectrum analyser display is provided

which allows you to review signals using cursor operated tuning. You can
have the results of several spectrum analyses available on-screen at once.

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

AOR Searchlight has been developed over a year using the Borland Turbo Pascal for

WindowsTM development system. The result is a genuine WindowsTM program, not a DOS

program running inside a window. AOR Searchlight is a substantial program offering a compre­hensive range of facilities that may take a while to fully explore (there are nearly 17000 lines of
source code in the main program). This package takes radio control software forward to new
standards of performance and adds features never offered before.

It would not have been possible to complete this undertaking without the considerable help
and support from AOR (UK) Ltd. I would like to thank AOR (UK) Ltd, and in particular Richard
Hillier, for the support and feedback provided during the development of AOR Searchlight and
for the generous loan of radio equipment.

Simon Collings, G4SGI

December 1993

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 3

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

F 25 MHz 80386 IBM PC compatible or above

F 4 Mbytes of memory or more

F Microsoft® mouse

F at least two RS-232 serial ports (one for mouse)

F 2 Mbytes of free disk space

F Microsoft® WindowsTM 3.1 (or higher) or Microsoft® Windows for Workgroups 3.1

(or higher) running in enhanced mode

F Printer (optional)

F Optional WindowsTM multimedia compatible sound card (eg Creative Labs Sound

BlasterTM 2.0 or compatible). This is highly recommended.

F An AOR AR-3000A or AR-3000 communications receiver

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 4

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

works, so there are few details included about using WindowsTM itself. If you need more
information, you should consult your WindowsTM User’s Guide or run the Windows

TM

tutorial that

is available from program manager (under the Help|Windows Tutorial menu option).

You should install and use AOR Searchlight using Microsoft® WindowsTM in enhanced
mode. If you already have WindowsTM in enhanced mode (this is the default), you can proceed.
If not, consult your WindowsTM User’s Guide to find out how to configure WindowsTM for
enhanced mode.

You must have Microsoft® WindowsTM running in enhanced mode for AOR

Searchlight to run.

In these instructions, it is assumed that you are familiar with the way Windows

To install AOR Searchlight, start Windows

TM

(usually by typing “WIN <ENTER> at the

DOS prompt) and bring the program manager window to the top so that you can see it clearly.

There are two simple ways to install AOR Searchlight. First insert the distribution disk
into drive A then...

Either...

Click on the File menu of program manger and select the Run... option.
Type “A:\INSTALL.EXE<ENTER>” into the dialog.

TM

Or...

Use file manager to list the files on drive A and double-click on the line with
“INSTALL.EXE” on it.

Either method can be used, but you should obtain the window shown below on your
screen:

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 5

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

Two push buttons are provided inside the window. You can abort the installation by
clicking on the “Quit” push button (or by pressing <Q>). Alternatively, to decompress and copy
the program files onto your hard disk, click on the “Install...” push button (or press <I>).
If you want to obtain help on the installation program, you can click on the Help menu option in
the top right hand corner of the window.

If you are proceeding with the installation, you will now be asked to type in the name of
a directory on your hard disk for the program files (you will need approximately 2 MByte of
space). The default directory name is “C:\SEARCH”, but you can change it by typing in an
alternative into the dialog that is displayed.

The dialog looks like that shown above. If you want to keep the default directory for the
AOR Searchlight files, just click on the OK push button. If you want to change it, you can type in
an alternative name and then click on OK (if the directory does not already exist, it will be
created).

Once you have selected a directory for the AOR Searchlight files, they are decompressed
and copied onto your system in a few moments.

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 6

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

NOTE: The installation program does not alter your WindowsTM “.INI” initial

settings files; it uses its own. The file is called “SEARCH.INI” and is located in the AOR
Searchlight directory.

AOR Searchlight icons to it. The program group contains all the items you need to use the
package and looks like:

Where each icon is as follows:

The installation program creates a new group in program manager and adds the

The main AOR Searchlight program

An invitation to send us your comments

Some useful guidance on RS-232 interfacing

The AOR Spectrum Coordinator (AORSC) memory upgrade utility

The “READ.ME” file

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 7

INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

program manager. You can re-size the AOR Searchlight group window or minimise it if you
wish.

and start using the software.

At the end of the installation process the new program group will be displayed in

When the installation procedure is finished you are ready to connect your radio

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 8

GETTING STARTED

GETTING STARTED

RS-232 connection

You must connect your radio to an RS-232 port of your computer before you can
operate the software. A screened cable with 5 conductors is required for connecting the PC to the
receiver. If you have previously been using the DOS program AOR Spectrum Coordinator
(AORSC), you can use the same cable.

If screened cable is not used then digital noise may radiate from the conductors of

the cable and cause interference to reception. All cable connections should be high quality
for durability.

Configure the serial cable according to the diagram given below:

PC 25w Female Radio 25w Male

SHIELD 1 ————————————— 1
TXD 2 ————————————— 2
RXD 3 ————————————— 3
RTS 4 ————————————— 4
CTS 5 ————————————— 5
GND 7 ————————————— 7

6, 8-25 Not Connected 6, 8-25 Not Connected

If you are using an AR-3000, pin 1 and pin 7 must be shorted together at the radio’s

end of the cable. The cable should be one-to-one (as shown) for the AR-3000A.

If you are using a 9-way connector, please refer to your computer manual for details of
the pin connections (this may vary between manufacturers). One possible pinout is listed below
(this is for the PTI-209 I/O card, which is quite common):

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 9

GETTING STARTED

PC 9w Female Radio 25w Male

3 ————————————— 2
2 ————————————— 3
7 ————————————— 4
8 ————————————— 5
5 ————————————— 7 GND / SHIELD

You should match the pin numbers for the PC 25w D-Type (female) in the table to those

for your 9-way connector and make the cable accordingly.

To check operation of the RS-232 connection between the radio and your PC, you can
use WindowsTM Terminal to type in commands manually (AR-3000A owners only). Please read
section 6.6 of your AR-3000A Instruction Manual for suitable commands. A configuration file
for Terminal, called “RADIO.TRM”, is located in your AOR Searchlight directory (it sets up
Terminal for 4800 baud on COM1). You can pick up this configuration file by selecting it from
the File|Open... menu option of WindowsTM Terminal then use this standard Windows

TM

utility to test the cable connection. You may need to alter the configuration if you are using
slightly different RS-232 settings. If so, select the Settings|Communications... menu
option of WindowsTM Terminal to alter the serial port parameters.

Starting the program

Before starting the program, please read the “READ.ME” file for last minute information
or changes not covered by this manual. This is accessible from the AOR Searchlight program
group; you just need to double-click on the “READ ME FIRST!” icon.

To start AOR Searchlight, first run WindowsTM (if it is not already running), switch on
your radio then check your RS-232 cable is connected properly and switch “ON” the remote
RS-232 switch on the rear panel of the radio (AR-3000A owners only).

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 10

Remote switch

GETTING STARTED

Now open the AOR Searchlight group using program manager and double-click on the

main program icon (which looks like an AOR radio).

The program will then launch and display a copyright notice before opening it’s main

window if all is well. The software should tune the radio to 145.5 MHz FMN as default.

If your radio does not tune to 145.5 MHz, it may be because you have not configured

AOR Searchlight for the right serial port or baud rate.

Configuring the program

To check the configuration of the program, select the Setup|Communications

menu option and choose the options you require from the dialog that is displayed (see below):

You can choose: the type of radio you are using (either AR-3000 or AR-3000A); the
speed of RS-232 communications; the serial port. Make sure all these settings match your
hardware. In the dialog above, AOR Searchlight has been setup for 4800 baud to an AR-3000A
connected via serial port COM2.

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 11

GETTING STARTED

AOR Searchlight will store these settings, for use next time the program is run, in the

“SEARCH.INI” initial setting file which is maintained automatically by the program.

Correct operation of the software is only guaranteed at 4800 baud

The Front Panel Window

Once you have the program running and properly configured, you can check that your
radio and computer are working correctly using the front panel window. This contains a dual
VFO display and an array of manually controls for tuning the radio. The front panel window
looks like:

You can select VFO A or VFO B using the A and B push buttons.

To tune the radio to a specific frequency, click the numeric push buttons in the bottom
right corner of the window (C clears and ENT is enter). The mode can be selected using the group
of six radio buttons located in the box below the frequency display (just click on the mode you
want so that there is a dot inside the circle).

Example: To tune to 93 MHz FMW

Click on 9, 3, ENT and select the correct mode by clicking on the FMW radio button with your
mouse

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 12

GETTING STARTED

If the front panel window is focused (highlighted) it will also respond to keyboard

commands.

Example: To tune to 90.8 MHz

Press <9>, <0>, <.>, <8>, <ENTER>. You must select the mode using your mouse.

Front Panel functions

Step Tuning

You can tune up or down in steps using the UP and DN push buttons. The
current step size is shown in the box in the bottom left hand corner of the
window.

Tuning Step Size

To alter the tuning step size, click on the + and - push buttons.

User Step Size

If none of the step sizes already provided are suitable, you can enter your
own using the U-Step push button.

Type in the step size you want (in kHz).

Example: To enter a user step size of 6.25 kHz

Type “6.25 <ENTER>” and click on OK.

VFO Offset

You can offset VFO A and B by a fixed amount. After clicking on the
Offset push button, the following dialog is opened:

AOR Searchlight User’s Guide 13