OPTOELECTRONICS, INC. M1.EXE FREQUENCY DATA DOWNLOAD & LOGGING SOFTWARE VERSION 2.1 INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS INTRODUCTION ============ M1.EXE Version 2.1 runs on IBM PC compatible personal computers under MS-DOS. M1.EXE allows frequencies captured by the M1(tm) to be downloaded to a PC. The resulting ASCII text output file is compatible with the SPECTRUM for the SCOUT FCC Master Frequency Database by PerCon Corporation. It allows frequencies captured by the M1(tm) to be compared against FCC licensed commercial users in the United States by city and state. Results can then be exported to PROBE for computer-aided scanning. M1.EXE can also log detected frequencies to an ASCII text file, along with the date and time that the frequency was detected. This capability is very effective in determining the operating frequency and operating habits of nearby radio transmitters, such as two-way radio, repeaters, paging transmitters, beacons, bugs, etc. In order to ensure that only valid frequencies are logged, FILTER mode should be enabled on the M1(tm). Consult the M1(tm) Operator's Manual for more information. INSTALLING M1.EXE ================= Installation is simple, and the program can be run from either a floppy or hard disk drive. To install M1.EXE, follow these steps: 1. Make a backup copy of M1.EXE, and store the original disk in a safe place. 2. Copy the file "M1.EXE" to the disk drive and directory of your choice. The disk drive can be either a floppy disk drive or a hard disk drive. RUNNING M1.EXE ============== To run M1.EXE, follow these steps: 1. Change the current disk drive and directory to the one in which the file "M1.EXE" is located. 2. At the DOS command prompt, type "M1", and press the return key. If you wish to run M1.EXE from a disk drive or directory which does not contain the file "M1.EXE", you must specify the full path. For example, to run M1.EXE from a floppy disk located in drive A, you would type "A:M1", and press the return key. 3. The Title screen should now appear on your monitor. Press any key to continue. 4. The Main Menu screen should now be visible. The default serial COM port and output filename are shown along the bottom of the screen, along with the appropriate communications parameters necessary to communicate with the M1(tm). 5. If you wish to use a different serial COM port than the default setting, use menu choice <1> to select a new port. This should be the port which is connected to the M1(tm). 6. If you wish to change the filename of the output file, use menu choice <2>. The output file is the ASCII text file in which M1.EXE will store downloaded frequency memories or log detected frequencies. If you do not specify a path, M1.EXE will place the output file in the current directory and drive. If you want the file to be located elsewhere, specify the full path. NOTE: When logging frequency data, depending upon the rate at which frequencies are detected, and the amount of time that logging is in progress, the output file may become very large. The user should ensure that there is plenty of disk space before starting a logging session, taking into account the above two factors. It is therefore suggested that the output file be located on a hard disk drive rather than a floppy disk, although a floppy disk will work. 7. If M1.EXE is unable to communicate with the M1(tm), the COMMUNICATION ERROR dialog box will appear on the screen, and the download or logging session will be aborted. If M1.EXE is unable to communicate with the M1(tm), try the following: a. Make sure that an RS-232C Interface Converter, such as the Optoelectronics CX12 or OptoLinx, is used to connect the M1(tm) to your computer. b. Make sure that the RS-232C Interface Converter is connected properly, and is turned on. c. Make sure that the M1(tm) is turned on, and is in the correct mode. d. Make sure that the correct RS-232C port on your computer is selected, and that the RS-232C port is functional. 8. When a frequency memory download is complete, the DOWNLOAD COMPLETE dialog box will appear. Press any key to return to the Main Menu. To end a logging session, press the key on your computer keyboard. 9. To exit M1.EXE from the Main Menu, use menu choice <5>. 10. Since the output file is an ASCII text file, it can be read with any word processor or text editor, or sent to a printer. NOTES ===== DOS USERS On slower computers, data loss during the download may occur. If this occurs, try running the program on a faster PC. WINDOWS 3.X USERS In general, M1.EXE should run in a DOS window, as long as the selected serial port is not already allocated by another program. If so, unpredictable results may occur. It is possible that data loss during a download or logging session may occur on slower computers. If this occurs, exit Windows, and run M1.EXE from the DOS prompt. Or, if that doesn't work, try running the program on a faster PC. WINDOWS 95/98 USERS In general, M1.EXE should run in a DOS window, as long as the selected serial port is not already allocated by another program. If so, unpredictable results may occur. It is possible that data loss during a download or logging session may occur on slower computers. If this occurs, select "Shut Down" from the "Start" menu; then select "Restart computer in MS-DOS mode", and run M1.EXE from the DOS prompt. Or, if that doesn't work, try running the program on a faster PC.