WACARS Version 0.3

WACARS - ACARS Reception and Decoding Software For Windows

WACARS Version 0.3 is the latest version of the highly popular
ACARS decoder for Windows PCs.

New In This Version

	User Selectable Error Checking,  Far Fewer Miss Decodes.

		Select error checking in the full message,
		only the header, of not at all.

	Aircraft Registration to Aircraft Type Lookup

		You can have aircraft registrations expand to show
		the aircraft type by adding enteries in the [Aircraft] section of
		the wacars.ini file.
		This file is provided with only one entry as an example.
		There are just far too many aircraft for me to make a file that 
		would cover all the world, so you'll have to fill it out for your
		area.
		
	Option For Airmaster Style Output
		
		For those who asked for it.  Lets you process your results with
		all the available software.


Changes In Previous Version , WACARS 0.2

Just About Everything!!
 	Better Fully Synchronous Decoder.
 	Built in Signal Strength and CPU Load Meter.
 	Multi-Document Interface.
	Automatic Logging to Disk.
	Automatic Sorted Lists of Flights and Aircraft Contacted.
	Custom Logs for Specific Aircraft.
	And Much More........

System Requirements

1. A PC with Windows 3.1 or later,

	The program needs quite a bit CPU of horsepower.  It has only
	run on my P150 so far, so I don't know the minimum CPU spec. 
	I have had a reports of it working on a DX2-66 though.
 
2. Soundcard capable of recording at 19.2 KB/sec.  

	This is a non-standard rate. It might not be possible on some 
	older soundcards.  Nobody reported any trouble with the 
	previous version though.

3. Radio receiver capable of receiving ACARS data and an audio cable
for connection to soundcard.

LICENSE

WACARS v0.2 is FREEWARE. This software may be freely copied and
distributed providing that the program and accompanying files
are not modified in any way without prior written permission of the author.  
Any charges made for distributing this software may not exceed that
of the cost of the distribution media. You are granted a license to use 
this software providing you accept the disclaimer below.

DISCLAIMER

Although this product has been tested by the author, he accepts
no responsibility for any damages caused by the use or misuse of
this software. This software is distributed 'as is' with no warranty
expressed or implied. The author will not be responsible for any
losses incurred, either directly or indirectly, by the use of this software.
Use this software entirely at your own risk. If you do not agree
to these terms then you must not use this software.

INSTRUCTIONS

Unzip package into a new directory.

WACARS.INI needs to be then copied into your Windows directory.

Connect the output of your radio to the line-in/aux-in of your
sound card.

Adjust the recording level using your mixer utility to achieve
a signal level of about 50%-70% when an ACARS signal is present.
You also need to make sure that there is no 'pick-up' in the
background.  I find that I get loads pick-up from my monitor.
I managed to get rid of it by adding some induction to the audio
lead and moving the radio to the other side of the house.

All the last 10KB of decoded data is displayed in the raw data
log.  Any packets which are of the correct format  are then displayed
in the message log.  The aircraft registration and flight number
are also logged in the appropriate lists.  The message log shows
the last 10KB of message data but automatically logs all the data
to a date stamped file.  The flight and aircraft logs can be saved
too.

A log for a specific aircraft can also be created.  This log will
filter off all the messages for a specified aircraft.

WACARS FAQ
Q.1. My Sound Card Setup only mentions 11Khz 22Khz and 44Khz..
   WINDOWS 95 only mentions CD quality, radio quality....

A. Don't worry, the software attempts to setup the non-standard rate
   when the program starts.  If your soundcard can't do 19K2 it'll
   tell you.

Q.2. What frequency should I use?

A. 	Europe  131.725
	US.     131.550,130.025,129.125
	Asia    131.450
	Air Canada 131.475 

Q.3. Where can I find more information about ACARS?

A. http://www.grove.net/~acarslink/index.htm is a good start

Q.4. How do I add "Unknown Airlines" who's callsign is "UN" to the
system?

A. Add the line "UN=Unknown Airlines" to the [Airline] section of the 
wacars.ini file.  Only the first two characters are used though.  ABC=ABC
Airlines will have to be shortened to AB=ABC Airlines.

Q.5. I want to make mode label "AC" expand to "My new message".  How do I do
that?

A. Add the line "AC=My new message" to the [Modes] section of the wacars.ini
file.

Q.6. What about making "G-CIVD" expand to "Boeing 747-436 G-CIVD" ?

A.  Add the line "G-CIVD=Boeing 747-436" to the [Aircraft] section of the wacars.ini
file.

Q.7.  How do I find out what sort of aircraft G-CIVD is?

A.  I use http://www.intercpt.demon.co.uk/fleets.html and  http://www.landings.com 
searchable database to fill out my files. 

More FAQ's as they come in........
