Version 3.161 By Mike Cobuccio, WA1EYP

ScopeStation User’s Guide for the Rx320 & Rx350 – Version 3.161 –

RADIO CONTROL SOFTWARE For Transceivers and Receivers ScopeStation User Guide For the TenTec Rx320© and Rx350© receivers Copyright© CallSign Software Version 3.161 By Mike Cobuccio, WA1EYP Please address any comments about this user guide to: [email protected]

ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 1 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


Table of Contents

1 ScopeStation ___________________________________________________________ 6

2 Introduction ____________________________________________________________ 8

3 What does ScopeStation Software have to offer you? ________________________ 11

3.1 Receiver __________________________________________________________ 13 3.1.1 General: _______________________________________________________ 13 3.1.2 Memory System:_________________________________________________ 14 3.1.3 SWL (Short Wave Listener) Database: _______________________________ 14 3.1.4 External Peripherals: _____________________________________________ 15 3.1.5 Scope Interface: _________________________________________________ 15 3.1.6 Integrated Station Log: ____________________________________________ 15 3.1.7 TenTec Remote POD: ____________________________________________ 15 3.1.8 PC Performance Tuning and Monitoring: ______________________________ 16 3.1.9 Rx350 Expanded Support: _________________________________________ 16

4 System requirements ___________________________________________________ 17

5 So let's get started _____________________________________________________ 18

6 The first setup _________________________________________________________ 19

7 Do not touch the INI file _________________________________________________ 20

7.1 Software Startup Option, Alternate Configurations _______________________ 20

7.2 Software Startup Option, Alternate COMM Port Configuration______________ 21

8 Radio Main Panel ______________________________________________________ 21

9 Using ScopeStation ____________________________________________________ 22

9.1 Starting up ________________________________________________________ 22

9.2 What about the radio controls and displays?____________________________ 22

9.3 Basic Controls and Concepts; what the software is hiding ________________ 23

9.4 The Band Register __________________________________________________ 23

9.5 Memory Architecture________________________________________________ 24

9.6 Tuning and Band Tracking ___________________________________________ 24

9.7 The Tuning System _________________________________________________ 25

9.8 Database Architecture_______________________________________________ 25

9.9 Built in BITE _______________________________________________________ 25

9.10 Microsoft Windows© Integration ______________________________________ 25

10 Basic Control Functions_______________________________________________ 26

10.1 Tuning VFO ________________________________________________________ 26 ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 2 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


10.2 Mouse Wheel Controls ______________________________________________ 27

10.3 Timer _____________________________________________________________ 28

10.4 Band Changing ____________________________________________________ 28

10.5 Memory ___________________________________________________________ 28 10.5.1 SWL Database Memory ___________________________________________ 28 10.5.2 Auto Schedule __________________________________________________ 32 10.5.3 Quick Memory___________________________________________________ 34

10.6 Mode Selection_____________________________________________________ 35

10.7 Edge-Wise S-Meter _________________________________________________ 35 10.7.1 RX____________________________________________________________ 35 10.7.2 Scale__________________________________________________________ 35 10.7.3 Scope _________________________________________________________ 36

10.8 D’Arsonal S-Meter __________________________________________________ 36

10.9 Beacon Log _______________________________________________________ 36

10.10 Time____________________________________________________________ 36

10.11 Bandwidth Filters _________________________________________________ 36

10.12 Noise and Signals ________________________________________________ 37

10.13 Spectrum Scanning (Pan Display) ___________________________________ 37 10.13.1 How to Sweep a Band Segment ___________________________________ 37

10.14 General Timer ____________________________________________________ 38

10.15 Mousewheel Function Control ______________________________________ 38

10.16 Griffin Knob Function Control ______________________________________ 38

10.17 Indicators _______________________________________________________ 38

10.18 Sound Recorder __________________________________________________ 38

10.19 GCR Mode_______________________________________________________ 40 10.19.1 Introducing the “GCR” band ______________________________________ 40 10.19.2 GCR Usage___________________________________________________ 41 10.19.3 Saving and Restoring Scope Data _________________________________ 42

11 Top Line Program Menus ______________________________________________ 42

11.1 File_______________________________________________________________ 42

11.2 View______________________________________________________________ 43

11.3 Scan _____________________________________________________________ 43

11.4 Lock Radio Panel___________________________________________________ 43

11.5 Lookup CallSign____________________________________________________ 43

11.6 AUX Scopes _______________________________________________________ 43



11.6.1 Sound Scope ___________________________________________________ 43 11.6.2 Signal Strength Averaging Scope____________________________________ 45

11.7 Time & Beacons____________________________________________________ 46

11.8 Help ______________________________________________________________ 46

11.9 About_____________________________________________________________ 46

12 Front Panel Top Row Buttons __________________________________________ 46

12.1 Radio_____________________________________________________________ 47

12.2 SWL______________________________________________________________ 47 12.2.1 Searching SWL Memory___________________________________________ 48

12.2.1.1 Searching SWL Memory With Search Sets_________________________ 48 12.2.2 Importing Databases______________________________________________ 48 12.2.3 Creating Record Field Maps________________________________________ 49 12.2.4 Managing Field Maps _____________________________________________ 49 12.2.5 Using Field Maps ________________________________________________ 49 12.2.6 Importing Field Maps _____________________________________________ 50 12.2.7 Performing Database Updates ______________________________________ 50

12.3 CONFIG___________________________________________________________ 51 12.3.1 File Update Preferences___________________________________________ 51 12.3.2 General Operating Preferences _____________________________________ 52 12.3.3 SWL Preferences ________________________________________________ 53 12.3.4 HamCall Database Preferences _____________________________________ 54 12.3.5 CallBook Database Preferences_____________________________________ 54 12.3.6 Meter Calibration Setup Meter Calibration _____________________________ 54 12.3.7 Meter Format and Style Preferences Avg. S-Meter Bar Graph _____________ 55 12.3.8 Program Maintenance Functions ____________________________________ 56 12.3.9 Quick Memory Settings ___________________________________________ 56 12.3.10 QuickLog Setup and Operating Preferences _________________________ 57 12.3.11 Radio Main Dial Colors and Fonts _________________________________ 57 12.3.12 Radio Main Dial Format and Type _________________________________ 58 12.3.13 Receive General Default Operating Preferences ______________________ 58 12.3.14 Receive Mode Defaults Receive___________________________________ 59 12.3.15 Scope Display General Setup_____________________________________ 59 12.3.16 Scope Display Spectral Scan Operating Preferences __________________ 60 12.3.17 Serial Interface Operating Parameters ______________________________ 60 12.3.18 Tuning Knob Operating Preferences _______________________________ 63 12.3.19 Tuning Knob Styles_____________________________________________ 63 12.3.20 User Licensing Information & Program Updates_______________________ 64 12.3.21 Wheel Mouse Preferences _______________________________________ 64 12.3.22 Griffin PowerMate© Preferences __________________________________ 65 12.3.23 Program Launch Preferences _____________________________________ 65 12.3.24 Radio Dial Calibration Procedure __________________________________ 65 12.3.25 Rx350 Memory-Tag Support______________________________________ 65 12.3.26 Display Priorities Setup__________________________________________ 67



12.4 Time______________________________________________________________ 67

12.5 TNT ______________________________________________________________ 68

12.6 QMEM ____________________________________________________________ 68

12.7 Log ______________________________________________________________ 68 12.7.1 Adding/Editing Entries ____________________________________________ 69 12.7.2 Printing Log Sheets ______________________________________________ 70 12.7.3 Importing ADIF files ______________________________________________ 70 12.7.4 Exporting ADIF records ___________________________________________ 70

12.8 Beacon Log _______________________________________________________ 71

12.9 Exit ______________________________________________________________ 71

13 Keyboard Shortcuts __________________________________________________ 72

14 Thanks!_____________________________________________________________ 72

Figures SCOPESTATION SHOWN WITH SPECTRUM SCOPE_____________________________________________ 8 SCOPESTATION SHOWN WITH IF FILTER DISPLAY _____________________________________________ 9 SCOPESTATION SHOWN WITH TRACK AND TUNE WINDOW (TNT) ________________________________ 9 SCOPESTATION SHOWN WITH SAMPLING SCOPE ____________________________________________ 10 SCOPESTATION RX350 SHOWN WITH SPECTRUM SCOPE AND MEMORY ACCESS _________________ 10 SCOPESTATION DETAIL FOR RX320 ________________________________________________________ 12 COMSETUP DISPLAY _____________________________________________________________________ 19 SWL SCOPESTATION MEMORY DISPLAY ____________________________________________________ 29 SWL MEMORY DISPLAY ___________________________________________________________________ 31 STATION INFORMATION SHEET ____________________________________________________________ 33 SWL MEMORY SEARCHING ________________________________________________________________ 48 RECORD WIZARD ________________________________________________________________________ 49 MANAGING DATABASE FIELD MAPS ________________________________________________________ 50 SWL MEMORY DATABASE UPDATE OPERATIONS _____________________________________________ 51 FILE BACKUP PREFERENCES ______________________________________________________________ 52 SWL PREFERENCES______________________________________________________________________ 53 BUCKMASTER HAMCALL CD INTERFACE ____________________________________________________ 54 PROGRAM MAINTENANCE_________________________________________________________________ 56 COLORS AND FONTS _____________________________________________________________________ 57 SERIAL INTERFACE CONFIG PANEL_________________________________________________________ 61 RX350 MEMORY SUPPORT ________________________________________________________________ 65 DISPLAY PRIORITIES _____________________________________________________________________ 67 QUICKMEMORY PAD______________________________________________________________________ 68 MAIN STATION LOG ______________________________________________________________________ 69 STATION LOG EDIT BOX___________________________________________________________________ 69 STATION LOG HEADER/FOOTER PRINT BOX _________________________________________________ 70 BEACON LOG VIEW SCREEN_______________________________________________________________ 71 BEACON LOG EDIT SCREEN _______________________________________________________________ 71



1 ScopeStation Welcome to CallSign Software's ScopeStation, version 3.16. This is a new manual that goes with the software. We try to keep it up to date, but since software by its nature is under constant development, there may be discrepancies as new features are added and organized. However as an adjunct to this manual, on our website on the download page we have a large number of “Application Notes” that explain the details of specialized sections of the software. Therefore this is only a basic manual touching upon the general location and extent of functionality. As such this manual is logically divided up into areas; one section is devoted to telling you what controls can be used to operate your radio and how these controls generally work. Another section will tell you how to store information about the frequencies you have visited and information related. Finally a section will identify the areas that you can use to configure this program’s operation, and the default operating parameters to used with your radio. This is an integrated station package and as such some parameters set in one area may affect how another area works. For instance the operation of the CW keyboard can affect what entries are placed into the station log.

Please read the release notes and any other supplemental documents in the software package you have from us. If you have any questions, please e-mail at the address below. I shall be glad to answer any questions and incorporate explanations into this manual.

Please read the release notes and any other supplemental documents in the software package you have from us. If you have any questions, please e-mail at the address below. Software License ====================================================================== AN INDEPENDENT DEVELOPER HAS DEVELOPED THIS SOFTWARE AND AS SUCH HAS NO TIES TO TEN-TEC INC OR ELECRAFT INC. FOR ITS PRODUCTION. THE LICENSED PROGRAM IS DISTRIBUTED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE PROGRAM THAT MAY RESULT INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS. THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO COPYRIGHT AND PROTECTED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT MAY NOT BE SOLD AS THIS VERSION IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE LICENSING PROGRAM OF CALLSIGN SOFTWARE, A DIVISION OF M.K.E.J. ASSOCIATES INC.. THIS SOFTWARE MAY NOT BE REPACKAGED FOR DISTRIBUTION WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ITS DEVELOPER. THIS SOFTWARE IS NOT LICENSED FOR COMMERCIAL OR MILITARY USE WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ITS DEVELOPER. DO NOT CONTACT TEN-TEC INC. OR ELECRAFT FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SOFTWARE! FUNCTIONALITY IS LIMITED TO RUNNING A SINGLE COPY OF EACH SUPPORTED RADIO TYPE AT ANY ONE TIME ON ANY ONE COMPUTER (I.E. YOU CANNOT RUN TWO(2) COPIES OF THE PROGRAM INTERFACING (2) RX320S SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT THE SUPPORTING OPTIONS.) THIS PROGRAM MAY NOT BE REPLICATED EXCEPT BY THE DULY LICENSED USER FOR THE PURPOSES OF RUNNING MULTIPLE STATIONS AS WE ALL DO! THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND THE SUPPORT PROVIDED CAN BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER TO A NEW OWNER BY CONTACTING CALLSIGN SOFTWARE AND PAYING A NOMINAL TRANSFER FEE BASED UPON THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT. ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 6 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


THIS MANUAL IS ALSO UNDER COPYRIGHT PROTECTION AND MAY ONLY BE REPRODUCED BY DULY LICENSED USERS OF THE SOFTWARE. For any further information send inquiries to: Mike Cobuccio WA1EYP CallSign Software, Division of M.K.E.J. Associates, Inc. 16 Westminster Lane Merrimack, N.H. 03054 email: [email protected] All product names and organizations are registered trademarks and trademarks of their respective owners.



2 Introduction ScopeStation is a software program to operate a Ten-Tec Rx320 or Rx350 receivers. You run it instead of the user interface program supplied by the manufacturer and it will be more responsive, have more features, and provide far more convenience options. This document explains what the program offers, how to install it, how to configure it, and how to run it. We shall assume you've used a radio before, it's not a tutorial for how to use your first radio, what a volume or tuning control is, radio procedures, antenna design, etc. We shall also assume you are familiar with Microsoft Windows operations, such as opening a file, clicking and dragging, save and save as operations, and so on. We shall generally assume you are going to use ScopeStation to control a Rx320 or Rx350. If there's no radio connected, ScopeStation will install and run with a few features, like the S-meter and scan, disabled. It's perfectly acceptable to set up ScopeStation on a computer without a radio to see what it looks like, or to demo it to friends. Shown below are the front panels of the ScopeStation for the Rx320 and Rx350. Note the differences based upon the individual radio’s capabilities.

ScopeStation Shown with Spectrum Scope



ScopeStation Shown with IF Filter Display

ScopeStation Shown with Track And Tune Window (TNT)



ScopeStation Shown with Sampling Scope

The ScopeStation software for each of these radios is fundamentally the same. However where they differ is in the functions unique to each radio. For instance the Noise Reduction is not adjustable on the Rx320.

ScopeStation Rx350 Shown with Spectrum Scope and Memory Access



Both panels are based upon a memory system for band stacking registers, scope data and general memories such as the QuickMemory System. Both panels have an integrated Station Log facility along with a choice of meter styles, dial styles, and front panel styles. Both panels have enjoy the ability of customizing colors, and fonts of various parts of the front panel. Here is an area that you can assert your own personal taste and style.

3 What does ScopeStation Software have to offer you? The ScopeStation software is an integrated radio station package for receiver operation of the TenTec Rx320 and Rx350 receivers. Please note that we do not create features of the basic radio that are not there. However we try in the software to optimize the positive features of each radio and present them in a way that is convenient to use in an integrated station package. Where possible we augment the functionality by effective use of the radio’s features. Let’s have a quick look at the front panel and some of the readily accessible functions.

1. Metering and meter format switches – p.34 2. Activate SWL “spreadsheet” style memory panel. P.30 3. Activates the configuration panels – p.47 4. Activates Call Lookup (HamCall, CallBook, or Web) p.41 5. Activates Quick Memory detail browser – p.67 6. Activates the station log – p.68 7. Current frequency – p.61 8. Analog Meter switch-able in and out from the CONFIG panels – p.35 9. SWL Memory frequency search – p.30, p.46 10. Quick Memory controls – p. 30, p.33 11. SWL Memory quick frequency store & recall – p.30, p.46 12. Quick Memory store and recall with comment window – p.38, p.56 13. Main tuning Knob and edge-wise tuning controls - p.57, p.58 14. Scan stop on signal control 15. Scan stop on signal level control 16. Quick web call lookup (URL can be configured through CONFIG panels) – p.41, p.48 17. Frequency entry pad – p.37 18. Dial and Bandspread format selector – p.35 19. Step up and down selector – p.27



20. Band up and down selector –p.27 21. Receiver state indicator – p.61 22. Time and DX beacon (WWV, CHU, etc.) receiver selector – p.45 23. Activates Beacon Log 24. Country prefix lookup entry window 25. IF Filter button selector or IF filter passband scope display selector – p.36

ScopeStation Detail for Rx320

26. Track and Tune Window display – p.63 ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 12 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


27. Mouse wheel and Griffin PowerMate© knob selection – p.40, p.59 28. Reset-able alarm timer – p.40 29. IF Filter, AF Filter and DSP filter selector buttons - 30. Scan dwell control 31. Activate Track and Tune television display (lower left) against database 32. Memory frequency scanning controls 33. Receive scope controls and on CONFIG panels – p.53 34. Current Time and activation/go state of SWL memory program sound recorder 35. Activated General Coverage Receive Mode – p.37-39

Now here are the details. The TenTec Rx320 and Rx350 are general coverage receivers. Both feature an RS-232 interface for rig control.

3.1 Receiver Features include the following functions standard on the Rx…

3.1.1 General: Optional "Fly-by" button labels for the sight impaired. Choice of Rx Signal Meter Types. Choice of Main Dial Formats. Choice of Tuning Knob Formats. Configuration of Tuning Knob Acceleration Parameters Choice of coloring for button text, dial data colors and dial labels Choice of Main Dial VFO-A and VFO-B Font faces. Choice of Filter button bandwidth selection for filter selection of 20 Adaptive Filter control for Noise Reduction, Automatic Notch, and Noise blanker levels MixW File Interface Support. 42 Pre-Programmed Shortwave and Ham Band Color Coded Segments, including NASA,

MARS, USAF, Aeronautical, Airlines, CB, Broadcast Relay plus Shortwave Broadcast bands.

Ability to add “Custom” bands of your choice including setting band edges, band label (i.e. 49 meters) and slide rule dial band color.

Built in Software Self-Check diagnostics and calibration functions. Rx350 Extended Command Mode Support. Rx Extended Modes of SAM+(Synchronous AM Upper Sideband) and SAM-

(Synchronous AM Lower Sideband) FM Simplex and Repeater Shifts including VFO A/B Locking and Tracking in either FM+

or FM- Shift Modes on the Rx350. Selectable Default Mode settings for tune step, filter, and AGC



Meter Calibration Controls for Rx Signal Meter including Zero, Max, Jitter and Sample Rates.

Digital Frequency based Pass-band Tuning with either fixed or auto ranging step based upon receiver frequency step.

Receiver Incremental Tuning with either fixed or auto ranging step based upon receiver frequency step.

Smart S-Meter based Squelch. · All Mode Squelch. Auto Mute on Zero AF Gain. Three (3) stage signal attenuation on the Rx350. BFO Tuning in CW mode with either fixed or auto ranging step based upon receiver

frequency step. Separate Line and AF Gain Adjustments front panel. WWV/CHU international time interface.

3.1.2 Memory System: Dual VFOs that hold transceiver settings for frequency, band, mode, filter, AGC,

attenuation, tune step, FM Repeat Mode, Split Mode Status, Data Mode Status, and label.

Automatic Band Memory Registers that save/restore radio context when switching from band to band.

VFO/Memory Exchange System that allows transceiver parameters to be swapped between VFOs and VFOs and memory.

Quick Memory System with memory labeling, STO and RCL. Storage of scope operating parameters in each memory Quick Memory browser for examining memory save parameters and recall Storage of scope sweep database for each band

3.1.3 SWL (Short Wave Listener) Database: SWL Station Memory System with WEB Browser Interface, WEB Call Lookup Interface

and Field Reversible Sorting. SWL memory includes a switch able main windows and sort/search results window with

user defined record color-coding. SWL Memory features multi column display with multi-Field Search Record Functions

which include qualifiers that include "must" have data or "any" that have data based upon a user selection of search fields.

SWL Station Memory System features an Auto Scheduling function that permits scheduled listening daily, weekly, or on a single occasion. The user can specify the start time and duration.

Database Wizard for importing external databases either in text format or CDF format. Graphical Record mapping Wizard and Record Map Database Manager to manage and

store/recall record maps for future database imports.



3.1.4 External Peripherals: Mouse control of a set of 17 Functions; Step, VFOA, VFOB, PBT, RIT, PWR, AF, SQL,

AGC, Filter BW, BAND, GEN, Mode, Scan BW, etc. Griffin PowerMate© USB interface control of 17 Functions; Step, VFOA, VFOB, PBT,

RIT, PWR, AF, SQL, AGC, Filter BW, BAND, GEN, Mode, Scan BW, etc. Accelerator Keys for direct control a subset of 34 Functions; Step, VFOA, VFOB, PBT,

RIT, PWR, AF, SQL, AGC, Filter BW, BAND, GEN, Mode, Scan BW. etc.

3.1.5 Scope Interface: I.F. Display Scope that plots and tracks a swept signal through the selected filter

passband with frequency edge readouts. I.F. Display Scope with Graphical PBT, Filter Selection, and Center zero. PBT User defined selection of colors for scope background, grid, text, and signal trace Standard 4.5" Spectral Scope Display on a 1024x768 display format with a Digital Noise

Filter and Digital Signal Amplifier. Multiple sweep data resolution, low, medium, and high. Sweep data memory for each band that is automatically switched in and out as you

change bands. Spectrum Scope Display includes sweep controls for Scan BW and Filter Spectrum Scope Controls Include Scope Type, Auto Zero, Signal Jitter, Scale Resolution,

Signal Gain, vertical AGC and an Automatic Vertical Gain control or VAGC. Sampling Scope that samples signal amplitude over time RF Monitor Scope that samples Transmitter RF output over time Spectral scope tracking of both VFO A and VFO B with respect to center swept

frequency. Spectral scope targeting frequency cursor with "Point and Click" QSY or automatic

loading of either VFO or Quick Memory System

3.1.6 Integrated Station Log: Basic station Log with ADIF File Export Capabilities Automatic field fill in of transceiver/receiver parameters Windows Clipboard Interface Logger reversible column sort functions. Station log print facilities with custom headers, footer, and page numbering. Station Log Search capabilities. CallBook CD Lookup integration functions. HamCall CD lookup data function lookup provided in entry edit panel. Support of automatic fill in of log entries with station data from the HamCall CD database.

Additional information supplied by the HamCall CD is placed into the "Comments" area of the log where it can be copied/pasted.

3.1.7 TenTec Remote POD: Remote POD tuning interface and function key operation on the Rx350.



3.1.8 PC Performance Tuning and Monitoring: Program performances tuning to better match the PC capabilities with the program load

and desired responsiveness. Database IO performance tuning to better match disk access and loading/saving of

configuration data Automatic generation of backup data for critical data files User selectable log file generation Automatic logging functions that can track program performance, errors and invalid

configuration information Automatic monitoring of serial communication with error detection and error recovery

functions going on behind the scenes not requiring user intervention

3.1.9 Rx350 Expanded Support: Support for the Rx350 digital mode

Support for Synchronous AM modes

Support for Rx350 memory (All banks)

Support for Rx350 remote POD tuning



4 System requirements You'll need to have a computer with adequate power – the design goal was to have ScopeStation run on a 300MHz Pentium 1 with 64 megabytes of memory – considered a very low-end machine today. We accomplished that with our early versions of this software. However as we venture into improved and expanded functionality we must “Raise the bar” on the required low-end system. You should have at least a 650Mhz machine with at lease 128 Megs of memory to be able to fully utilize some of our database capability. We use about 40 megs of disk space at a minimum for the software and manuals. More will be required as you add bands, memory data, and other dynamic information. An internet connection is required to make use of our database lookup capabilities. Every computer is different, so if you are using a low-end system, with a particularly slow video card, or a slow disk drive you may encounter some glitches or lack of responsiveness. Many times people run systems that are not properly configured and work much slower than they're supposed to. We can't do anything about that other than to say you should make sure your computer is working the way it should. There's plenty of information around in books and on the net to help you with that. ScopeStation is a full 32-bit program. It uses hi-resolution graphics to produce the scope and front panel displays. You'll need a computer running a Window’s 32 bit operating system such as Windows 98 or later – that includes ME, XP, 2000, 2003 in capability mode, and so on. While the older existing programs work with Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, those operating systems aren't fast or flexible enough for a state-of-the-art program such as this. Make sure the operating system is up to date. Microsoft frequently issues free updates and they are important for system stability and security. Also make sure the drivers for your video cards, sound cards, pointing devices and other peripherals are up to date, to reduce stability and compatibility issues. Seemingly unrelated devices like video cards can cause communications problems that have been corrected with current drivers. Manufacturers of all these items make their drivers available for free as well. Because of our hi-resolution graphics, your minimum display resolution should be at least 800 by 600, or you won't see the main radio panel correctly. As of this version our sound scope features require the use of the Microsoft DirectX8.0 or better. If you have an older system such as Windows 98 you will need to update Windows. Microsoft offers free updates of DirectX at their support/download center. Future versions of this software will continue using DirectX as we move into digital sound decoding features. We recommend 1024x768 using the standard resolution of 96dpi. This entry is set on the Windows Control Panel, under Display and then the Settings tab. Usually you get to this by going to Start→Control Panel and then pick Display. Also check to make sure you don't have "large fonts" selected with your video adapter. Currently our software does not work well with large fonts. They tend to skew the hi-res pixel mapping that we use in our scope displays and custom front panel controls. So for optimum display, you will need to run normal fonts (96 dpi). ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 17 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


You access this through the Control Panel of Windows, for example in Windows XP the menu sequence is Start→Control Panel→Display→Settings→Advanced→Display/DPI. Control panel has to be enabled on the Start Menu for this sequence to work. Otherwise, your software, your computer, might be setup incorrectly. Among other things, that means you have to have a working serial port on the computer and it should be plugged into the radio.

5 So let's get started First make sure you have an available serial port either directly or indirectly through a USB to serial port adapter. If you are running versions of Window’s 98 check the Microsoft web site for USB driver updates. They have issued fixes for issues they have had with USB drivers. If you are using a USB adapter interface make sure it is rated for modem use. That is its duty cycle is 100% of continuous loading, as you would see doing Internet downloads. We've found some USB adapters simply aren't really compatible with the serial port standards so make sure yours works before involving another software program in the project. You'll be able to use another program anytime you want whether or not the software is installed. However you must make sure other programs are not trying to use the same port as the software. The Next step is to take the CallSign software distribution file, virus scan it, and put it in the folder of your choice. Depending on how you got this program, it will probably just need to be unzipped and the extracted files placed in the folder. Use WinZip or any of the many others around that will take zip files and extract them. There is no "install" program or "Setup" program used – we wanted to make this really simple and not make you go through a whole bunch of questions and screens. See the release notes for the list of files included in the package. Plus various text and support files, read them for more info on the program Now before starting the software. It's a good idea to make a shortcut or two so you can start it easily. Just right click the icon that's in the folder you've picked and drag it to the desktop or Start menu, then release the right button and select the shortcut option. Each time the program starts it examines your installation files for errors. It tries to recover any data in order to get you going. It supplies default parameters when they are missing. You may change them later after you get going. Once the software has started, each time you close the program it automatically updates the installation files unless you explicitly override this action. So we cannot run from a CD. However if you have some missing Window’s files that affect the start of the program then Window’s will tell you which one is missing.



6 The first setup First, make sure you don't have any programs on your computer accessing the port the radio is connected to. Programs such as hot-sync applications for hand-held computers or modem dialers are common. All kinds of programs that talk to devices through the com ports may have reserved your com port for their own use. So you must exit from them before starting the software. Do not worry about configuring the serial port. Just make sure it is not in use and you have the proper cable connected from the PC to the radio. The first time the software starts it is pre-configured from the factory to a special port called “COMSETUP”. This port allows the software to start without generating serial ports errors because. You will be advised that you are connected to this port and asked if you wish to set a real COM port. You may do this anytime after the radio software has started by accessing a special CONFIG panel for setting up the serial port. If you chose to select the COM port now then you will be displayed the serial port configuration panel. Just select the COM port you have made available and the software will do the rest. COMSETUP Display

Each time the software starts it will examine the serial port selection and either present this setup dialog or actually configure the entire port. So it does not matter if another program changed the port settings, the software will try to reserve the selected port and completely reconfigure it each time. If the port cannot be accessed then you

will get an error message and the reported Window’s error when trying to access the port you selected. See the "Menus/Dialog Boxed - CONFIG" section of this document for more settings information. If you see a window saying "Windows has refused access to port COM1" it means the software was configured for COM1 (or whatever port it names) and another program has it reserved. You have the option of trying the next higher numbered port on the computer by pressing the "Yes" button. Or you can have the computer try the same port over again by pressing "No" - you might use this if you haven't turned the radio and now want to do so. Or press "Cancel" and the software will come up without talking to the radio, and you can then set things up later. If you do press "Cancel" you'll likely get another message that asks "Failed to Initialize port COM1! Retry (Yes) or continue (No)?" So again, if your radio is connected to COM1, some other program may be interfering with the com port. Some poorly designed programs often exit leaving the port you have selected still



allocated. On some versions of Windows even after that program terminates the port is not released. This condition will require a system reboot to release the desired port. If the software cannot access the port it will make three tries (by default - you can change that) and then operate without talking to the radio - the S-Meter will be an empty box to let you know. Note that the default parameters for the serial port, particularly the Receive Timeout may not work for some computers, particularly slower or older ones, such as under 200 MHz machines. Please see the description of the issue in the help under the CONFIG, Serial Interface Operating Preferences. If the port you've picked is busy, The software won't try to force it. You'll have to stop the program that's using that port, and in some cases a reboot is needed. There are many functions and appearance elements you can change, and most of these are in the panel that comes up after you press the "CONFIG" button. All those are documented separately below. That's likely going to be the part of the document you'll spend the most time with. A lot of the fun of this is going to be learning how all these things work and what they are, so get ready to do that. In short the ScopeStation tries to give you the features of more expensive radios using the basic capabilities of your radio in unique ways. So do experiment with all of the features. That is half the fun. So have fun experimenting!

7 Do not touch the INI file Unlike the other programs, you should not edit the INI file, unless and until you hear differently from us. Everything you need to customize is set through the front panel and the various dialog boxes. If the INI file gets corrupted or disappears, do not worry. This new version of the software will examine each setting in the configuration installation file(s) you have, correct it, and/or replace missing settings with a new default parameter each time the software starts. IN fact as we add new features this is the same mechanism we use to automatically update these files when you apply an update with new features. This is part of our error detection and recovery mechanism built into the software. Then in the usual way, set up your preferences. Then close the software and updated INI file(s) will be written. This of course can be avoided if you elect to have automatic backups made then you will only loose the last set of changes.

7.1 Software Startup Option, Alternate Configurations The radio’s configuration files define the configuration database that saves all your preferences and format selections of the radio’s front panel. These configuration files are assumed to be in the directory that the radio software is launched from. However the software contains one very powerful startup option, the –f parameter. The –f parameter allows yo to specify a different working directory for you configuration files, or an alternate set to be used. You must still maintain you main set of configuration files for initial ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 20 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


launch of the software and the license check in the original INI file. However this command line parameter allows you to setup an alternate configuration set of files. To use this parameter you must setup your main folders radio configuration. Once setup then copy all of the INI files to a second folder. This will be your alternate configuration. You can then setup multiple shortcuts pointing to the different folders for the different configurations you may want to setup. Say one folder for Digital settings, another for Contest settings, etc. The format of the Alternate configurations option is as follows. ScopeStationXXX.exe -f “Alternate-Drive-Folder-Path” For instance: ScopeStation.exe -f “D:\RadioFolder\Contest” ScopeStation.exe -f “D:\RadioFolder\EasternEuropeSWL”

7.2 Software Startup Option, Alternate COMM Port Configuration A new command line option permits the specification of the COMM port to be used. This overrides the setting in the INI file. The -c command line option overrides the comport value set in the configuration file. Format: -c "COMX" where X is a valid com port number as COM1.

8 Radio Main Panel It's supposed to look like a radio and you've got all the controls you normally get plus much more that where doing things in software makes sense. Just about every element of this display has elements you can change, but let's start with a quick introduction, and then we'll get to how to use them. This user guide will try to describe the supplemental functions provided that make this a package an integrated station rather the functionality of a typical radio control such as the AM button or CW button. It will try to cover the operation of major sections of functionality such as;

Software Installation Station Log Functions SWL memory database Data Import and Export Database search functions Configuration Panels Real-time Scope Displays Software Performance Tuning

All of which are part of this integrated station package.



9 Using ScopeStation Here are the main points of using the program. Experiment to see what works for you and your preferences. We'll talk about where using ScopeStation is different from traditional radios.

9.1 Starting up As described previously you start ScopeStation by double-clicking its icon. The distribution copy of ScopeStation is arranged to check the serial port when first started and alert you when it needs to be set - it's up to you to set the serial port at startup or go into the CONFIG panel and set the serial interface port correctly for your installation so it can talk to your radio. Once the port is set the software will remember the port. So do not move the radio without changing its serial port. The CONFIG panel appears in this manual under "Radio Buttons". When ScopeStation first starts, if it has been configured to access a serial port it will try to connect to the radio; if it can't the S-Meter and scan functions will be disabled. If there's some other program that has grabbed the serial port you'll have to exit that program and possibly reboot so the port is free. ScopeStation rechecks the port every few seconds through the Watchdog error detection mechanism and if it can find the radio it will try to establish communication with it. If you turn off the radio, you will get a warning message and the S-Meter will disappear soon after until communications can be re-established. We suggest you try to follow the following sequence for starting up your station. While not mandatory it will minimize the chance of stray commands causing undefined operations. On: Computer→ radio power supply→ radio → ScopeStation Off: ScopeStation→ radio→ radio power supply→ Computer Of course ScopeStation will complain that it can't find the radio if it is turned off, but it will find it within a few seconds of the radio coming on.

9.2 What about the radio controls and displays? Most of these controls should be familiar to you, even if you haven't yet found out everything ScopeStation does with them. The controls should be familiar to you, as we have tried to model the panel after “real” radios. Remember to check the "CONFIG" button to find out what all the options are for the panel controls; their use is documented in later sections. As you use the program, note that most of the windows that pop up can be minimized to get them out of your way using the normal Windows minimize function. This means you can access the main radio panel without having to dismiss the pop up window. Some windows, such as the window used for the time function, have too critical an impact on the radio to allow minimizing, so those are designed to not allow the minimize function. If you prefer to use keyboard shortcuts to control the more important functions of the radio, there's a list of them at the end of this document.



9.3 Basic Controls and Concepts; what the software is hiding Here's a look at the significant parts of the radio software control surface. The controls are divided up as follows;

Standard radio controls such as mode buttons Controls that operate our additional functions such as the scope controls Controls that access information such as logs, call lookup, and databases. Controls that present information on setting up the user’s operating preferences

Now here are some basic concepts. The software has been designed against commercial standards even though it is sold in a hobbyist market. Hobbyists are just as demanding if not more so than the commercial sector. The software is composed of multiple threads of execution. A thread is like a program but it is part of the main program even though it is run as a separate task in the main program. It is designed to assist the main program in performing functions concurrent with the main program. We use multiple threads (about 16) along with the main program to run the various parts of the software. For instance the metering is a thread that constantly pulls data from the radio to update its display. While you are tuning separate threads operate the frequency display, frequency scale(s), scope display(s), aux scope(s), and frequency/band tracking. They are all co-coordinated by the main program and respond as necessary depending upon what you are doing. You can see how many threads we use with the Window’s Task Manager. The software itself is 32-bit based for simple computations and graphical display resolution. All of our displays are drawn to scale based upon a 32-bit display resolution. We use a technique called scaling for conversion of floating point values to/from frequency and DB values. For frequency and filter computation we use 12 digit floating-point numbers to get as accurate numbers as possible. We do not compromise in any way the accuracy of the displays or frequency computations. That is why we are at least 32 bit. The 16 bit implementations of radio software just do not hold the accuracy we can. Even better we can scale up to 64-bit systems when they become more common and affordable.

9.4 The Band Register The most fundamental premise of ScopeStation is the band register. The band register holds not only band information but it also holds scope operating data that was in effect on that band. All of these settings are switch in and out as the user transfers from band to band. So a band register holds the following information where applicable for each radio model.

Frequency Mode Filter Select AGC setting Scan Status Split Status



Data Status PBT State PBT Offset ATTN Setting Preamp Setting Antenna Select Tune Step FM Mode Band Label Scope Sweep Mode Scope Delay Scope Gain Scope Resolution Scope Zero Scope Jitter Scope Auto-Zero Scope VAGC Scope Band Sweep Data

Some of these terms are unfamiliar at this point but will be explained in later sections.

9.5 Memory Architecture In order to further enhance the operator’s ability to decide how he/she wants to operate there are a bank of so-called Quick Memories that the user can use on any band. They are essentially assignable band registers that can be recalled at any time. They hold all of the information that any band register does but may be used as supplemental registers on any band. In fact they may be used all on one band if the user so desires.

9.6 Tuning and Band Tracking The basic tuning system internally is very sophisticated. It is based upon a band tracking system that looks at every frequency that you tune to determine a number of parameters;

Band labeling and color on the Bandspread scale Automatic band register switching as bands are crossed Sweep scope VFO indicator frequency tracking I.F. Scope passband tracking Updating the Track and Tune (TNT) window if a database is loaded Tuning acceleration factor tracking

So a simple turn of the knob does not just send a frequency command to the radio it must track a number of station functions all of which could be in operation.



9.7 The Tuning System The tuning system is split between varieties of sources for changing frequency. They are as follows;

Main tuning dial Mouse wheel Griffin PowerMate© external control Direct keypad entry Direct Dial entry Bandspread drag Sweep Scope Point and Click Accelerator keys for frequency up/down Remote POD wheel (Rx350)

The tuning system so-called back end consists of a synchronizer, accumulator, and shift register created by the software to track tuning speed and duration. The results of this tracking are the auto speed step up or down in tuning rate as you are changing frequency. This is the so-called accelerated tuning system.

9.8 Database Architecture ScopeStation also comes with a very robust database and spreadsheet style user interface called the SWL memory system. For the database enthusiasts, the database is a sequential record database with a key index of frequencies created on the fly sorted based upon frequency in ascending order. The user interface holds a view of key indices into the back-end database, which gives us the ability to sort based upon any of the 27 pre-defined fields. The user may assign field names and/or omit fields all together. Default values for each field may also be assigned. The database user interface actually consists of 2 datasets of indices; the entire database and the current search set results. Functions are available to manipulate either of the two (2) sets of database views.

9.9 Built in BITE Built In Test Execution, Monitoring and Recovery are part of the basic foundation of the software. The software was designed from a point of view that the system it is running in, is part of a system that can have flaws in the real world. This system needs to be constantly monitored. The software is targeted for 24x7 operation, which is the case in many contest conditions.

9.10 Microsoft Windows© Integration Wherever possible we permit the user to define the style and colors of the user interface. We also adopt the basic Window’s Desktop style as defined by the user. However because our scope displays are high-resolution graphics we do not scale or stretch the displays, which would



skew the accuracy of our displays. We support interoperability with the Window’s Clipboard whenever possible and to a lesser degree printing logs through Windows.

10 Basic Control Functions

10.1 Tuning VFO There are two VFOs, just as in most radios. A reminder of which VFO is in use is on the right side of the main frequency display ("VFO-A"). The buttons that control the VFO switching and VFO to memory transfers are in the Quick Memory area of the bottom left of the main panel. Main Tuning This is set through the "Tuning Knob Styles" and "Tuning Knob Operating Preferences" selection of the CONFIG panel. Alternatively, you can cycle through the selections by using the "Knob" button just under the tuning knob area on the main radio panel. There's a virtual knob, rocker switch, thumbwheel switch and mouse tuning options, the latter for tuning up and down with the left and right mouse buttons. Use the "Tuning Knob Styles" to set the tuning knob type. By un-checking all the selections, you have a knob, which works like the classic knob, and a duplicate, except it's accelerated, meaning that if you hold the mouse button down, after a settable interval, the tuning will speed up. There's a box to check if you want the same knob with no acceleration. There's a reminder that any of the accelerated knob styles are in use - it's the virtual LED that lights up, marked "KNB", on the right side of the radio panel will show green. Use the "Tuning Knob Operating Preferences" to control the acceleration and you can read more about it in the "CONFIG" section of this document. This is also where the Remote Pod Tuning Wizard can be found, to give you a starting point for setting the optional Ten-Tec Pod tuning. Depending on where you set the mouse cursor you can either tune up or down with the left click function, or use the left and right clicks to switch tuning direction. The mouse button tuning uses both buttons and is auto-reversing depending upon which tune direction you use for the left button. For instance if the mouse cursor is on a knob and the direction pointed to is left (tune down) then the right mouse button will automatically tune up. The reverse is also true and can be dynamically changed. For instance if you then move the mouse to the right half of the knob, the left button direction will be to tune up and the right button will automatically tune down. This permits either left handed or right handed mouse tuning automatically. Play with it and you'll see. The selection for "Accelerated Mouse Button Tuning" lets you tune the radio by putting the cursor somewhere around the image of the mouse with the tuning fork – one mouse button will tune up and the other down, and holding them will speed up as you do that. This doesn't require constant mouse movement in finding and tuning in stations. The "Rocker Style" shows two arrows, left click on one of them and you'll go up or down, again speeding up if you keep holding the button down. Thumbwheel tuning simulates a type of tuning that some commercial radios had a few years ago. It's a row of up/down controls, one for each digit on the display, so you can set the frequency up exactly if you want or scan – if you use the



10 KHz arrows you can tune up and down the standard U.S. broadcast band and stop at every possible station position. With the tuning pod available, you may find the thumbwheel tuning is useful to move in predictable steps. The Step up/down buttons on the main panel controls the tuning rate. You can tune in steps from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. You can also set the frequency by moving the mouse cursor to the numerical main tuning display, or the smaller numerical display of the other VFO above it. Note that the mouse cursor displays a horizontal rectangle, which is a representation of a keyboard. If you left click at this point you can type in the numbers from the PC keyboard. You can also tune using a slide rule type dial. This is accessed from the CONFIG panel under "Radio Main Dial Format and Type". It provides a representation of a slide rule dial where the numbers on the strip move as the radio changes frequency. Use the mouse cursor and left click and you can drag the frequency up or down. You can tune regardless of knob styles using the "analog" dial strip that's below the main tuning area and S-Meter. Just move the cursor to any point, and left click and drag the frequency up or down. When you have picked any of the accelerated knob styles, the green "Knob" LED comes on as a reminder. If you have a fast computer you might elect to use the Overdrive function by switching out the simulated drag when using a real tuning know as explained and selected in the CONFIG Panel's Tuning Knob Styles category. When you do the Knob LED will be red if you start to overdrive your PC. That is the CPU utilization approaches 100% and the tuning starts to block normal functions. You can also use the mouse wheel, if you have one, for tuning. See the next section. You can use the drag display if you want. Note that a right click centers them. The tuning styles that don't use the knob have the additional "offset" spinner (right/left arrows), which can cycle from OFF→RIT→PBT→OFF. In addition you can reset the Rx VFO with the difference loaded in the RIT. PBT can be centered. Note the PBT offset frequency display is in blue, and the RIT in yellow.

10.2 Mouse Wheel Controls You can also use the mouse wheel, if you have one, for tuning. Turning the wheel away from you tunes up while wheel movement toward you tunes down. The tune step is the currently set step. The keyboard keys "Ctrl" and "Shift" are checked on a wheel mouse operation. These keys temporarily modify the tuning step during the WHEEL operation. If "Ctrl" is depressed, multiply the current tuning step by 10. If "Shift" is depressed, multiply the current tuning step by 100. Finally if both "Ctrl" and "Shift" are depressed the tuning step is multiplied by 1000. The original tuning step is restored once the wheel mouse operation has completed, or you stop pressing the "Ctrl" and "Shift" keys. Now, if you want to use the mouse wheel for more than just tuning, you can use it to set bands, bandwidth, step rates, and more. Just move the mouse cursor to the box that says "CallSign Mouse Control" - on the lower right side of the radio panel - and hold the right mouse button



down and turn the mouse wheel. As you turn the mouse wheel you'll see a selection of what the mouse wheel can do...just release the right mouse button when you've picked the wheel operation you want. So you can use this function as long as you wish. You can pick another by repeating the process with the right mouse button. There is also a default assignment that you make through the CONFIG panel's Wheel Mouse Preferences category. In operation, you change the mouse wheel function from the assignment you have given it by moving the cursor back to the CallSign Mouse Control box and double-clicking the left mouse button.

10.3 Timer This control located in the bottom left of the front panel next to the mouse control lets setup a timer that will notify you that a time interval has passed with annoying beep designed to get your attention. When activated the time remaining is displayed on the button. Hitting the button when the alarm is active cancels the alarm. You can use the CONFIG general preferences to set the timer value.

10.4 Band Changing You can put the radio in the General Coverage mode by pressing the GEN button to the right of the bandwidth grid display. If the GEN button is off, the radio is in the ham band mode. The key difference this makes is that when cycling through the bands using the Band up or down buttons, if it's the ham mode, you'll go only through the ham bands; otherwise you'll go through the entire covered spectrum. There are band registers for each and every band and the Band up/down buttons will go through them, and they will be set to wherever they were the last time, along with the other settable elements, the mode, bandwidth, etc. Of course, you can change bands in other ways, by using the memories as listed in the section below, by entering the frequency explicitly in the tuning window with the keyboard, by entering the frequency with the number pad on the remote pod(Rx350 only), by setting the tuning to a high step rate, or by using thumbwheel tuning and using the MHz buttons.

10.5 Memory Here's how you can save information on particular stations, frequencies, etc., and have ScopeStation tune to stations automatically.

10.5.1 SWL Database Memory The SWL memory system is a memory resident database. The database is indexed by frequency for fast searches and is displayed using two(2) windows containing spreadsheet based controls. The main window displays the entire database. The secondary window displays the current results of the previous search or selection operations. The SWL memory database uses an external file format (*.cdb) for storage. The database also features a Wizard that allows you to import a file from an external database, map record fields to



our field records, and convert it to our own format for future use. Along with the Database Wizard is our record

SWL ScopeStation Memory Display

translation Wizard. This wizard helps you select database fields and their corresponding field in the record to be translated using a graphical format by actually loading a record in the database to be translated and highlighting the data to be translated to our internal format. The database mapping operating creates essentially database maps that can then be saved for future use by our database map management software again part of the SWL memory system. We also provide the ability to set column headings, elimination of columns and column display order. This is done through the “MANAGE COLUMNS” button. We feature spreadsheet row scanning operations that can scan every row in the spreadsheet or from a begin point to an endpoint. The time the radio hovers over a row is set by the DWELL time. You can quickly store settings and recall them via the STO and RCL buttons at the bottom left of the front panel. The spreadsheet record (row) management buttons are in the upper right of the



main SWL memory panel. This includes the switching back and forth to/from the main panel to the search results panel. All column headers are both sorting and sizing headers for the convenience of sizing the embedded spreadsheet window within the SWL memory window. You also have access to the sound recorder and some limited radio controls such as mute, AF gain, VFOs, etc as shown in the upper left hand portion of the SWL main memory window. We have a separate document for the file format specification, so you can find or write a conversion from a database you may have. When you store the information, the screen will be filled in with what the radio is currently set to, and you may change that if you wish. You can also add the name and whatever notes you like. When you recall the information, you can sort the database with the buttons at the top of the recall panel. There's an Auto Tune function that tunes the radio when the database entry is highlighted, or, if unchecked, pressing the Tune button will tune when you want it to. To add a database entry, press "Add" at the bottom of this panel and you'll see a Station Information screen where you can add information about the station. You can do an exhaustive modification to a record by using the “Edit” function on a specific row. Alternately to change a single field just right click the filed and a small edit box pops up with the field data. Change the data and hit OK or CANCEL the operation.



SWL Memory Display

To use the SWL Memories function, bring up the SWL Memories panel from the SWL button near the top of the radio panel. That will display the database that may have already been loaded. if not, you can open an existing file, such as WORLD.cdb by pressing the "Open File" button. There's the normal dialog for finding and getting to a file, similar to most other Window’s based software. Similarly, you can append one file to the other, close a file, save a file or do a "save as" function using the same sort of dialog box you see in just about any Windows based program. You can also schedule times that the radio will tune to those station by using the Auto Schedule Times function. By selecting a row in the database and then pressing the "Edit" button at the bottom of the panel you can bring up the Station Information Screen for that station, and proceed to make whatever changes you want. Press OK when you're done and want the changes recorded. Similarly if you have a row highlighted and press "Delete" that entire station and its information will be removed. You can manipulate the database by saving several versions of it under different names using the “save as” button at the top of the panel. From the database display a row of buttons along the bottom is available for more functions. “View All Columns” expands all fields in the whole database. ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 31 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


“Search” brings up a panel where you designate the word or words you're looking for and which field or fields in the database are to be searched. In other words, the database contents you see are in columns labeled "Country", "Frequency", "Language", etc. Those columns are known as "fields". So if you do a search for a word, such as "German" you could look for that word only in the "Language" field. This would bring up a list of all the stations in the database, which broadcast in German. Or you could look for the word in the Country field, which would bring up a list of all stations located in Germany - the search panel will do a "hit" on a partial word, so "German" will match "Germany" in the database. Or you could look for "German" in both the Country and Language fields, which would of course bring up stations that are both in Germany and broadcast in the German language. You can also do searches based on several words at once. You can have the search look for an entry where all the words must be in each field selected - this is called the AND function and is on the left side of the search panel. The search where you can look for any of several words is called the OR function - that's on the right side of the search panel. You simply type the word you're looking for into either of the two top entry boxes and press the "Add" button to move it into the box below. If you press, "Remove" or "Clear" one or all words will be gone from the box, which box depends on which box the cursor is in. Then from the check box area pick what you want to search for. You also have the option to ignore upper/lower case of words ("Disable case sensitivity") and to do a repeat search ("Use Previous Search Results"). Remember the data in the database never changes when you do a Search; just the data that's displayed in the search results window. All of your search results may then be saved as search sets for use later against subsequent database loads and searches. Tune Any time you have a row highlighted on the database and press the "Tune" button the program will attempt to tune the radio to that frequency and mode. Note that you can check the "Auto Tune" check box in the upper right hand corner and the radio will be tuned instantly to whatever frequency you have highlighted. This can be either very convenient or very annoying depending on what you're doing. Memory Tuning with “Auto” causes the radio to automatically tune the SWL memory entry when selected. This combined with the scanning can result in an automatic tuning of the memories where the dwell time over the station is set by the “Dwell” control. :”Manual” tuning when hit causes the selected entry in the SWL memory window to be tuned in. For scheduling a period of time that you wanted the radio to tune in a specific station you can use the “Auto Schedule” function, which is accessible from the Station Information Property Sheet. This sheet is displayed when you create or edit a SWL memory entry.

10.5.2 Auto Schedule This is a set of entries in the Station Information Sheet that will tune the radio to a specified frequency, mode, and bandwidth at a specific time. You have the option to set whether you want this to happen once, daily, or weekly.



You set the day and the time and the length the radio should be tuned to this spot. Note that for consistency, all scheduling must be in UTC time. If you want to do some non-standard schedule, such as have ScopeStation tune to the same spot three times a week, merely make three station memory entries, program one for the first day and have it repeat weekly, make the second memory entry for the second day and have it repeat, and so on. Note that ScopeStation must be running for the automatic scheduling to work.

Station Information Sheet

The Auto Schedule function permits you to setup a daily or weekly, or single time where the indicated station will be automatically tuned in for a specified duration. Referring to the Auto Schedule function of repeatability set this drop down box to the frequency that you want the radio to automatically tune the current station. You can set the day of the



week and start time. You must set the duration time in order for the scheduler to terminate the scheduled program and return back to the previous frequency. Once you have set the schedule parameters hit OK and the scheduler will be active. If you have activated the scheduler with an auto schedule entry the clock on the mail panel will turn red to indicate a station schedule is pending. Once it is scheduled the clock turns green until it terminates, then back to white. In Summary here are the important steps to perform. To use the recorder you MUST connect a patch cord from audio out to your computer's

MIC or line input. To check the connection in #1 run the window's sound recorder and set it up to

successfully record sounds with what ever mixer setting you want. We shall use those settings when we activate the sound recorder. This step IS required and is a function of what your PC offers in its hardware.

Open up a short ware database or create an entry in the SWL memory. While you are in the station information sheet you can setup the "Auto Schedule" and

recording to record a program IN THE FUTURE. It will not record a program whose start time has passed. The clock that is used is the local time on the front panel of the radio.

Once you have setup a schedule time/minutes make sure you schedule a duration. This is REQUIRED.

Now check off "Record Program" at the bottom of the sheet and browse for a file you wish to use as the file we shall stream the wave file to.

Now hit OK! If the scheduler is armed then local time will be in red and the "Auto Schedule" column in the memory display will indicate yes. When the clock hits your scheduled time the recorder will come up and start recording for the DURATION specified and then disappear. While it is recording it will switch to the frequency to be recorded and then switch back. DO NOT CHANGE radio frequency while recording or you may lose the program. I suggest you try "once" first just to get the hang of it as the recorded schedule is saved and always active until you set "Auto Schedule" back to none for the entry you do not want to activate.

10.5.3 Quick Memory There are 64 quick memories that store frequency, mode, AGC, attenuation, and step rate and don't require you to fill out or read any additional screens. These memories are controlled through the "Quick Mem" section at the bottom left of the main radio panel. The frequency and the optional text identifier is displayed above it. The quick memory system may be used to simply store or recall a memory into the main VFO by selecting the memory number to be used and pressing RCL. The quick memory system may also be used to place the radio in "memory mode", preserving the contents of the VFO, using the "V/M" button. It replaces the contents of the VFO with the contents of the Quick Memory location selected. The button lights up when in memory mode. The next time you press it, the



original VFO frequency is displayed. In Memory mode the main VFO is saved and loaded with the current quick memory value. As you cycle through the quick memories the main VFO is automatically reloaded from the quick memory location. You return back to VFO mode by pressing the v/m button. Memory mode works great for testing things out. You might put the high, center, and low frequencies into memory for a certain antenna – then you can quickly step through those frequencies to see if the antenna is correctly tuned. If you want to enter an identifier, such as call letters, or net name, for the Quick Memory, just highlight the text area to the right of the Quick Memory frequency display, and type it in. Quick Memories can be simply overwritten by hitting STO. However we have provided a “Lock” checkbox to lock out the STO function to prevent accidental writing over a memory. This checkbox is located on the Quick Memory panel at its rightmost border.

10.6 Mode Selection These work the same way all mode buttons do. What's programmable is that by using the "Receive Mode Defaults" selection from the CONFIG panel, when you switch modes you can have the radio automatically switch bandwidth filter, tuning step rate, and AGC speed. In some cases, especially for SWL type operations, you might want to switch modes without changing the other things, so check the box for "Do Not Use Defaults When Switching Modes". On the Rx320 it features LSB, USB, CW, AM, FM, SAM+, and SAM- which is a simulation of synchronous detection. It isn't really synchronous but in operation can be used for the same purpose – better reception of AM signals. With this mode the PBT center band is shifted along with the center of the passband to match the sideband frequency. You can set this to listen to the upper or lower sideband audio of the AM station you're listening to. The FM mode button cycles through FM, FM+, and FM- to provide for simplex, high offset, and low offset respectively. The Rx350 includes support of SAM, RTTY and Digital modes.

10.7 Edge-Wise S-Meter You can use an emulation of either a digital or analog S-Meter – the analog one looks like a needle on an edgewise meter, the digital a horizontal bar graph. There's also a bar chart on top of the meter area that shows peak level. There's a bottom bar that shows average signal strength. These bars are both optional, and are set through the "Meter Format and Style Preferences" of the CONFIG panel. Remember that if there's no S-Meter displayed at all, it means the program is not able to communicate with the radio.

10.7.1 RX Switches edge-wise meter styles.

10.7.2 Scale Switches dial styles to/from slide rule dial and digital display. ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 35 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


10.7.3 Scope This button switches between the Spectrum Display Scope and Sampling Scope.

10.8 D’Arsonal S-Meter This is the traditional style needle based S-Meter. It features both signal strength readings, transmit power readings, and a digital numeric display of the signal value in S-units and DB over S9. This meter may be turned on or off through a separate configuration panel.

10.9 Beacon Log Activates the Beacon Log display. The Beacon Log gives you the ability to make brief log entries the correspond to beacon transponder locations. It is a very brief log and does not contain all of the cumbersome data that the station or SWL memory logs do.

10.10 Time This brings up a dialog box, which is preset for the common North American time stations, which you can pick from and to which the radio will instantly tune. You can set your computer's clock to the time on the signal. The "Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)" dialog is preset to the next minute coming up. Thus, all you have to do is wait for the station to announce the time, then press "Zero Set Time" at the start of the tone following the announcement, and your computer clock is set. If you want to change the time – which you will have to do if the computer clock was markedly off – use the arrow keys. The two exit buttons give you the option of continuing to listen to the time station or going back to the frequency to which the radio was tuned before you hit the "Time" button.

10.11 Bandwidth Filters You have choices of how you pick the available bandwidths provided by the Rx320 or Rx350. In the CONFIG category for "Receive General Operating Preferences" you can switch the display of a graphical filter interface which also permits changing filter widths, or a set of filter buttons with preset bandwidths. You can also use the "GFilt" button from the radio main panel - it's just to the right of the bandwidth display/button area to activate and deactivate the display of the IF bandwidth and center frequency. If you'd like to use its set of buttons, If you right click on a button, you can pick from a dialog box which bandwidth that button should be assigned to. The graphical interface has a graph and picture of the current bandwidth. There's a numerical list of bandwidth and high, low and center frequency. You can right click on the left or right of the graph to make the bandwidth wider or narrower. If you left click anywhere near the bandwidth outline you will activating and adjusting the passband tuning. A double left mouse click centers the passband tuning. Below the graphical interface display there are



buttons to increase or decrease the bandwidth and zero the display. This mouse action essentially manipulates the PBT.

10.12 Noise and Signals On the Rx350 there is a three step ATT control button just to the left of the AF slider that might be more convenient than using the RF gain slider. It provides three levels of signal attenuation. Noise reduction is invoked with a button under the RIT display. The Rx350 has a seven level noise blanker which pressing the “NB” button below the Automatic Notch button causes it to operate. You pick the level by pressing the left or right arrow keys to the right of it.

10.13 Spectrum Scanning (Pan Display) The grid that's displayed on the left side of the main radio panel is a spectrum analyzer that's implemented in software. When you start a scan, the radio receiver tunes from a frequency you select through 100, 200 or 300 points of the spectrum, stopping at a higher frequency that you also select. The relative signal strength is plotted on the graph, with frequency on the x axis and signal strength on the y axis. The frequency ranges and the bandwidth of the radio receiver as it scans are set in the CONFIG panel under "Scope Display General Setup" and "Scope Display Spectral Scan Operating Preferences", plus you can use the buttons under the spectrum display. The left and right arrow keys under the scan display move the window right and left so the entire scanned part of the spectrum is displayed. The "Zero" button returns the display to the center frequency position. The scope display itself shows the upper and lower bounds of the scan, the bandwidth and what each division on the scale represents. When the mouse cursor is on the scope, you have a continuous readout of the frequency it's positioned at and the relative signal strength in microvolts. This is not a calibrated accurate number, but an approximation given the limitations of the radio design. However, relative to each other, the readings are reasonably reliable.

10.13.1 How to Sweep a Band Segment You start the scan by pressing the "Scan" button under the scan display. The radio will then go through and tune itself across the spectrum you've selected. When it finishes, the spectrum it tuned across will be displayed on the graph. If you move the mouse cursor to the spectrum graph area you see a "targeting cursor". You can go to any point on the graph and left click, and the radio will tune to that spot and you'll hear what on that frequency. Or you can right click at any point. When you right click the point on the scope a menu of storage selections will be displayed. You can load the frequency into one of the VFOs or into the current Quick Memory that is selected, or cancel the operation. If you have the graphical bandwidth display selected, you will see the spectrum pass under the response curve of the radio on that display as you drag the mouse with the left mouse button ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 37 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


pressed across the scan display graph. Because the screen is too small to display the entire scan, you can shift the center of the display right or left using the arrows and the zero button to get back to the original center. You can see most of the sample points at any one time. You can scroll the display the difference between the sample resolution and the actual display points. The scan function should be fun to experiment with. One easy way to get started is to have the radio connected to an antenna capable of picking up known stations. Then scan across the band observing the spectral display.

10.14 General Timer A general timer is made accessible from the front panel to allow the user to time conversations. Hitting the control activates the timer. Hitting the control at any time during the count down de-activates the time. Once the time has reached an annoying beep is sounded periodically. The timer time may be set from the CONFIG panel general preferences.

10.15 Mousewheel Function Control A front panel control is provided to change the mouse wheel selection. This is done by holding down the right button and cycling the mouse wheel. The currently selected selection for the mouse wheel will be shown in a momentary window a top of the edge-wise meter. Releasing the right mouse button selects the indicated function.

10.16 Griffin Knob Function Control The user may switch the function assigned to the Griffin knob as follows. Push click the knob. It is now in selector mode. Rotate the knob to select the function you wish to assign to the knob. As in the case of the mouse wheel the current assignment will be shown in a window over the edge-wise meter. Push click the knob once more to make the assignment permanent.

10.17 Indicators A number of indicators are provided to convey the state of the radio. These indicators are located at the top right of the front panel and convey MUTE state, FREQUENCY, and receive state.

10.18 Sound Recorder All radio panels as of v3.00.09 support integration of the Microsoft Windows Sound Recorder. You may now record the radio’s audio output directly through the radio panel provided you have made the appropriate audio patch connections between the radio’s AF output and the computer’s input port that you plan to use in conjunction with sound recording. The radio’s sound recorder makes no special provisions on your system. It uses whatever defaults you have setup for recording sound through wave files. You recording is only limited by the version of windows that you are running. Recorder functionality addresses the following functions. ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 38 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


You must setup the sound recorder parameters on your version of windows. Use your window’s sound panel to adjust the recording levels. To Record Sounds… 1. Patch in the Radio’s AF out or line out to your computer’s line in or microphone in depending upon your computer’s devices available for recording. 2. Adjust your software volume/mixer control for proper levels using the windows media player to set the proper levels of your sound card’s interface. 3. You are now ready to use the sound recorder. I suggest that you first experiment with the sound card’s mixer levels before you try the Sound Recorder. All sound cards are different and associated windows support software. We shall record off of what ever default device you setup for recording using usually the microphone or line in jack if you have one.

You may record any AF output sounds including line output or speaker output, whatever you have decided to patch into the computer’s input. if you are using this in conjunction with a microphone connected to the computer’s

microphone then you can record your voice for later playback for an automated CQ. You must patch in the computer’s sound output to either the microphone input on the radio or the aux input and again adjust the sound levels. You may rewind the recording and replay the sound wave



You may save the sound to a wave file of your choosing. You may reload a recorder sound wave file and play it. You may specify an Auto-Replay count on play.

It is recommended that you first determine what sound input you are going to use with the recorder. Not all sound cards are the same. You may have to adjust the mixer levels on your sound card type to get an acceptable sound level. Do not forget to enable the input that you are using on both the computer’s sound control panel and the radio. The radio’s AF output can either be taken off through a patch cable from the speaker output jack or the line output. Use these signals to feed your audio input on the computer.

10.19 GCR Mode Prior to version 3.00.08, all of the CallSign Software radio panels supported a Spectrum Scope that would display a segment of the spectrum using a specific filter and sweep bandwidth. The Spectrum Scope would collect a set of sample data based upon the sample base size of 100, 200, or 300 points. Spectrum Scope sample data is saved based upon a band basis so that if the band is visited later, the data is reloaded and displayed on the Scope. The band scope memory is based upon the Rx Band mode which is either “Ham” or “GEN”, general coverage. As of version 3.00.08 all radio panels have split the “GEN” Rx band mode into two (2) distinct sets of bands, a Short Wave Frequency band, “SWF”, and a General Coverage Receive band, “GCR”. The SWF band operates as did the former “GEN” coverage band prior to version 3.00.08. The “GEN” button now cycles between HAM, SWF, and GCR placing the receiver in the appropriate band receive mode affecting Spectrum Scope modes of operation. The limits on the former band were such that Spectrum “Point and Click” operations could only be done within the band limits even though the actual spectrum display could span the band edges. This was in fact the only limit. The Spectrum Scope bandwidth was actually limited to 1.5 MHz total span. The would cover the largest of bands including the broadcast band.

10.19.1 Introducing the “GCR” band The GCR band is the GEN band that would catch any entered frequency that was not either in a “Ham” band or “GEN” coverage band. However when the radio is placed in “GCR” mode by hitting the “GCR” button, several advantages are realized within the context of Spectrum Scope operation and overall receiver operating functions. They are as follows. • The radio is broken up into 30 band segments or sub-bands from a tuning point of view. • A band is defined by the MHz segment that the frequency resides in. That is the frequency

7255.00 sits in the 7MHz band. • The band up and band down switches the current band/frequency by 1 MHz values.



• There is a single band from the spectrum scope’s point of view. There is a single band scope memory for the entire range of the receiver (i.e. 30 MHz).

• Additional Sweep Widths in the MHz range have been added to facilitate Spectrum Sweeping of entire portions of the Spectrum (i.e. 2-20 MHz) to determine general propagation status. They have been added at the end of the list out of sequence to distinguish them from the in-band bandwidths. Automatic adjustment is made for sweep width that overlap the edges of the band by adjusting the sweep center frequency.

• Point and Click mouse operations operate over the ENTIRE range of the GCR band. This facilitates fast Spectrum searches for short-wave activity over a wide range of frequencies.

• Point and Click operations work exactly as they had done previously when in a Ham or Short-wave bands.

• Ham/SWL band labeling is retained even in general coverage receive mode. Version 3.00.11 and later gives you a “full band sweep” capability in the ScopeStation. This gives you the ability to see the entire HF band from a general signal level point of view.

10.19.2 GCR Usage GCR gives you a 30,000-foot view of the spectrum with the accuracy of a 100-300 point signal sample database plotted in a hi-resolution scope display over a wide range of frequencies. The GCR mode is useful for finding where propagation activity is located. Interested frequencies may be memorized in the Quick Memory and later recalled while in the appropriate band mode as a closer focus on the band in question is desired. The following are typical steps of usage… For example lets say we are in GCR mode and the frequency is 14.000 MHz. The center of the spectrum sweep is the radio frequency. The Sweep Width is set to 15MHz so band activity in the 7MHz band is swept as well as activity in the 18MHz band (14.00MHz-15MHz/2 and 14.00MHz+15MHz/2). Stations are found at 7.255 and 18.130. Using point and click operations you memorize each of these frequencies in different Quick Memories. Now you want to focus on the 18MHz band for a closer look. You now switch the receiver band mode to “Ham” and recall the quick memory containing the reference to 18.130 MHz. The memorized frequency is loaded into the receiver in the 18 MHz Ham band for closer analysis. In the mean time your spectrum sweep information is still retained in the GCR band for later reference or entire Spectrum point and click operations. We do not have a panorama of colors but real useful spectrum information. Note: When doing Megahertz Sweep operations it is recommended that wide filters are used such as 6KHz or 8KHz as the sweep steps increase in size as the Sweep Width increases. The larger bandwidth filters offer wide enough skirts at their base to capture useful signal information.



This is our initial set of features associate with this function. There are a plethora of features we could add to this function but initially we shall keep this function simple and collect feedback on a set of simple but useful tools we can add in conjunction with this feature. However remember since the GCR mode is also a dedicated band that happens to span the entire receiving range it also enjoys all the Spectrum Sweep features of any other band.

10.19.3 Saving and Restoring Scope Data Scope data may now be saved and reloaded for later analysis with this new version. When the scope data is saved a number of other parameters are saved with the scope data. They are the actual band that the sweep was performed on, the scope center frequency, the point resolution, the scope mode, the sweep bandwidth, the sweep filter, and of course the scope data by frequency sample point. These items are restored along with the reload of the scope data. The reloaded scope data actually replaces any scope data you may have already collected for the band you are loading. The scope data reload software prevents you from loading scope data into the wrong band. Basically you have one file per scope band sweep data. You can save as many sweeps as you wish for the same band just with different file names.

11 Top Line Program Menus These are the controls referenced along the top two lines of the ScopeStation main radio panel.

11.1 File The File drop down lets you open, close, append to, or save a disk file of station frequencies and other information which you have created. These are .CDB files. Normal operation is to use this "File" drop down to open a station memory disk file. Then you can use the information in that file to control the radio with the "RCL" button in the bottom left of the main radio panel. You can bring up an edit window with the "STO" button next to the "RCL" button, and add entries to the disk file database. From the File drop down, you also have an option to update the configuration settings. This saves the current state of the radio just like when you exit the program, except in this case you don't exit the program. It's a very useful function because once you've got the radio set up, you can save things, keep the radio panel displayed, and you won't lose the settings should the computer have a routine crash, or if the power to it is shut off accidentally. There's another option for exiting without saving, to be used if you don't want the current radio setting stored. Save Scope Settings lets you save the Pan Display scope data for analysis later. Load Scope Settings lets you load the saved Pan Display scope data. Finally this menu also has the "Exit" option, which exits the ScopeStation program.



11.2 View This provides a choice of what's displayed on ScopeStation, CONFIG Serial Communications Settings, and the Control Bar.

11.3 Scan This presents a drop down selection that will let you abort a scan in progress.

11.4 Lock Radio Panel Locks the controls on the main radio panel so the radio adjustments can't be inadvertently changed. Note that the pod operation will not be affected by this setting. Using the "TFLCK" button on the front panel will keep the pod from changing the frequency.

11.5 Lookup CallSign Provides access to the Buckmaster CallSign Lookup function. It also provides access to our country prefix database lookup functions and Web lookup functions. Also provides lookup using the CallBook CD. Finally a country code prefix database is provided to lookup DX locations.

11.6 AUX Scopes This entry provides access to two auxiliary scopes, a sound scope and a signal strength averaging scope displays activated as floating windows.

11.6.1 Sound Scope The Sound Scope for the ScopeStation is being introduced with version 3.16. The Sound Scope is essentially an audio scope that works off or you existing sound card through the standard windows interface for sound. Like the sound recorder it uses you standard settings for setting up the windows sound recorder. The only difference is the play out of sound on a scope interface. The basic sound scope window is shown below. It is a floating window that like the other floating windows can be shown or hidden. The sound scope decodes in Mono format displaying the sound waved on a scope window. It also features an audio output control that can be useful to rigs like the K2 that do not have digital control of the audio. The sound scope is broken up between 2 processes. One process handles the streaming audio and copies each audio frames into a sample buffer for display and a second buffer for output directly to the speaker or cans in case you want to listen. This process is very fast and goes for a very short time. This is the audio streaming process. The audio streaming process then triggers a slower process that just converts and filters the audio data for display. It performs a sort of difference calculation between audio bytes of data ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 43 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


and creates a scope horizontal synch buffer. The scope process is then signaled and it may or may not refresh the display data depending upon its horizontal sweep timing. We do have a new control called the "audio synch". This control tells the sound card how far in the sample buffer it needs to notify the first process that a sample buffer is being prepared. Depending upon CPU speed, memory, and audio sample rate this can be adjusted to prevent the notification from arriving too late which can cause gaps in the audio. NOTE: The sound scope streams sound in real-time to the scope display and optionally to your preferred audio output device. Depending upon the speed of your system and other programs that are running the audio output can be affected. If your audio is choppy or garbled check the CPU being used by your Window’s Performance Monitor. When the audio scope is active, CPU usage can go up to 80% on a 2.4GHz machine on an average depending upon the speed of your CPU and available memory. The Sound Scope is a CPU intensive function. The sound scope depends upon the multimedia software called DirectX that is part of your Windows operating system and should be up to date. In some cases an audio driver update for your sound card is necessary clear up any streaming audio issues.



Referring to the above picture you must do the following to activate the sound scope. First setup a patch chord from your Radio’s audio output to your PC. You can use either

the line input or Microphone input. What ever is your preferred device we will use the Window’s setting for sound recording. If you can record sound with the Window’s sound recorder you cables are setup properly. Now on to the scope control itself.

Select the desired Output format. When selected the input formats associated with your

selected output format on you system will be displayed in the Input Format list box. Once the output and input formats are selected in the list boxes then you are ready to

activate the scope. It is suggested that you start with the default settings before you activate the scope.

Once activated you may vary the scope gain and AF attenuation control to make changes to the vertical scope display size which is sensitive to the AF gain level fed into your audio input channel, line or microphone input.

You may change the HorizSynch to speed up or slow down the horizontal trace across

the screen. The slower the HorizSynch the lower the load on your system. You may select the screen resolution from Low, Medium, and high. Note how the display

changes when you vary this setting and the HorizSynch. If the audio is choppy first check your CPU loading as mentioned above. If you are less than 90% try increasing the audio synch. In some cases an audio driver update is necessary.

11.6.2 Signal Strength Averaging Scope The Signal Averaging scope is essentially a signal over time scope that plots and average signal value over time factoring the previous “N” samples. The number of samples in the rolling average are specified by the user. The basic signal averaging scope window is shown below. It is a floating window that like the other floating windows can be shown or hidden. When you activate the scope a single sweep is performed acquiring current signal strength data. Once the acquisition state has completed it starts its plot computing a rolling signal average as it plots. If you elect it can also display the signal peak value. This scope is useful for making propagation observations of signals that are rapidly fading or fluctuating due to atmospheric conditions. The vertical scale is a relative scale based against the max signal value of 60db over S9. The scale base is shifted as you vary the vertical gain and position.



Performing signal averaging over time is not a newly discovered technology. It is used by propagation enthusiasts to determine average signal strengths of short wave stations in various parts of the world. This gives you a feel for the relative strength of signals from various parts of the globe at various times of the day.

11.7 Time & Beacons Provides access to time and beacon frequencies for determining signal propagation characteristics and internal time.

11.8 Help As most Windows programs, selects the Help file and also provides links to important Website data. It also presents information on the “About” screen listing the maker of the program, the version number, the software option modules included, and the licensed owner of the software.

11.9 About Displays program information and contains links to website pages of CallSign Software.

12 Front Panel Top Row Buttons



12.1 Radio When pressed, causes the front panel to collapse to a simple status bar.

12.2 SWL This gives you access to a sophisticated database of short wave radio stations that you can view and search through. You can import a short wave database with the database wizard or create your own. Do this by hitting the Database wizard button or by pressing the "Add" button. When using add you will be presented a dialogue box where you can store information about a station to be recalled later. Information will be stored into the database when you press "OK". An "Edit" button is available to bring up the station information so you can change it.



12.2.1 Searching SWL Memory SWL memory search facility provides a feature rich set of ways to search the database. You may select any combination of fields with both AND qualifiers and OR qualifiers at the same time. SWL Memory Searching

Searches can be qualified by case sensitivity and can be directed at the previous set of search results as the search database rather then the entire database.

12.2.1.1 Searching SWL Memory With Search Sets

Once you have created a set of search parameters you may save them using a name with an accompanying comment about the search parameters. This is called a search set and is automatically save by the into the configuration database for use later. When you bring up the search display you have the option of either creating a new set of search parameters or loading a previously used set of parameters. There are no explicit save operations required. Once you have added a search set it is automatically saved into the configuration data for your station.

12.2.2 Importing Databases External databases can be imported into our database format using the database wizard. To import a database you must first create a field map. A field map tells the database what field in the imported database is to be mapped into a corresponding field in our database. To perform this operation you must know the layout of the fields in the database to be imported. It can be either a fixed length records when fields are positioned at very specific offsets within the record or a record that contains varying length fields each separated by a specific character that you ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 48 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


can select. Our database wizard gives you the tools to create a field map, save it, and use it later to import the database of your choice.

12.2.3 Creating Record Field Maps First select the database wizard and follow the screen displays. When you reach a screen that presents a button called the “Record Wizard” select that button. We have a graphical interface that you can use to characterize the record layout of the database that is to be imported. Record Wizard

First you must specify the location of the database to be imported and load a sample record. The record data of the first record is shown in a buffer display. You should then select what field in our database is to be the first field. Once you have done this you can highlight the record data that is to be mapped into the selected field. Alternately you can input a terminator character that will be used as the end of field separator. Repeat this operation for each field and its corresponding field in our database. You can only select one terminator type in a database that uses field delimiters. Once you have created a set of field mappings you will be presented a

summary sheet that shows each field and its layout. The result is a field map that is currently loaded into the SWL memory system.

12.2.4 Managing Field Maps Once you exit the Record Wizard you will return to the Database Wizard where you can manage your field maps. Here you can save the currently loaded field map with a specific name and comment about the field map. As in the Search Sets once you add the field map it automatically gets saved with you configuration information. You can later use the field map by loading it through this function for use with subsequent database imports.

12.2.5 Using Field Maps You may use the saved field maps to load databases through the Database Wizard as follows. You must start the SWL Memory window then activate the DBWizard. In the DBWizard you



must load the Database Map for the new format you desire by going to Manage Database Maps. Select the map on the list box on the right and then hit load. Managing Database Field Maps

This will bring you out of the Manage DB Maps back into the DBWizard. You do not have to go to the Record Wizard. You have the correct database field map loaded. Then proceed through the DBWizard selecting the text file for import and finally start Import. Then of course finish. You must of course get the text version of the database file you are trying to load. Once loaded you may save the file in .cdb format. You will then not have to repeat the conversion until you get an updated database listing.

12.2.6 Importing Field Maps You can also use the Manage Field Map function to import a Field Map from a friend who may have worked out a suitable conversion map for a database whose field map you do not have. This is done simply through the Import function. The import function will permit you to browse for database field map configuration file. You will then be prompted for the field map to be imported.

12.2.7 Performing Database Updates One of the most important operations when using a database is the maintenance of the database with updates of both new data and updated data. The ScopeStation database provides this capability for you to use. This is accessed through the Append/Update function.



SWL Memory Database Update Operations

The Append/Update function essentially permits you to fold another database file into the current database that is loaded. The fold operation can either tack records onto the database ignoring that they may be duplicates now in the database or it can search the database using a set of fields that you specify to determine when the new entry is a duplicate or an update to the already present record in the database. Once you have selected the comparison fields you can either replace the duplicate records with the new entries or the duplicate records will be discarded automatically. Of course new entries will automatically added to you database. NOTE: All database operations are memory intensive operations. A database with about 12,000 records can take up to about 85

Megabytes of physical memory. So do not try to manipulate a large database with limited memory. We hold the entire database in memory to facilitate the maximum speed on search, sort, and update operations. Even with the entire database loaded onto memory you will find that some operations are CPU intensive and do take time.

12.3 CONFIG This button displays a series of dialog boxes, which set most of your operating preferences. When you make a selection, those selections are saved in the ScopeStation INI file, so most of the time there will be no need to edit the actual INI files itself. The INI file is located in the same directory as the ScopeStation program. The various menus under the Settings box here appear in alphabetical order in the program and in the help. A few of the important or complex ones will be covered in this section.

12.3.1 File Update Preferences This identifies the three files that ScopeStation stores information in, and provides three check boxes that allow you to have ScopeStation create a backup when it updates the files, either when you do a save function from the File Menu or close ScopeStation. You may make a backup manually at any time the same way you'd copy or backup any file in Windows. Radio Settings Save File Gives you the ability to automatically perform a backup of station installation (*.ini) files each time the program exits or you request a save settings.



File Backup Preferences

Extended SWL Memory File Creates a backup, if the box is checked, to the file used for the detailed station information. This file is unique to ScopeStation and is not shared with the Ten-Tec or other control programs. QuickLog Save File Creates a backup, if this box is checked for the "Quick Mem" information.

12.3.2 General Operating Preferences Mute Radio On Exit Gives you a choice of what happens to the radio receive audio after you exit ScopeStation. You can choose to mute the audio (choose Always), keep the audio on (choose Never) or show a dialog box so you can pick which it will be (choose Ask). Show "Flyby" button labels on Radio Panel If you like little popup identifiers of what the buttons the ScopeStation front panel do, check this box. Enable Audio Auto Mute If you're bugged by a little bit of audio sneaking through even when the AF slider is at minimum - if this box is checked the audio will be completely muted when the audio slider is moved to its most downward position. We do this by shutting off the secondary codec if you want the techie explanation. The word "Auto" appears over the AF slider when this feature is on. Enable Smart Squelch on S-Meter Operation This automatically tracks the S-Meter as squelch cutoff is applied. You can see what the signal strength must be to trigger the squelch. The word "Smart" appears over the SQL slider when this feature is on.



Enable Radio Data File Interchange Interface When checked, these boxes let ScopeStation work with other programs that use the Ten-Tec file interface, such as MixW. To operate properly with this program both boxes must be checked but you have an option of just one if you need it for diagnostics or a different program. Since using this interface slows things down, we suggest you leave it unchecked unless you need it.

12.3.3 SWL Preferences SWL Preferences

SWL preferences govern how in general the panel will be tailored to the use of the SWLer. Track N Tune is window into the loaded database that provides summary information about the currently station tuned HOT ZONE is the frequency bandwidth that is used to detect a radio station in the database. For instance is a station is at 610KHz and the Hot Zone is 10 KHz then the radio station will actually show up in the TNT window when you hit 605KHz. Tuning Below 100KHz If you have an extended receive modification for the Rx320 this setting will permit tuning in the VLF frequency range. On air broadcasting qualifiers pertain to the SWL memory window’s ability to search out only the currently active stations.

ON AIR Qualifiers These setting are used when you make use of the “Stations Broadcasting” button on the SWL main window. They determine how the qualifiers are applied. The qualifiers in effect are shown as a set of letters near the s-meter on the SWL memory main window. Auto Schedule is a feature that is associated with the SWL memory database. It allows you to control the operation of the radio based upon a scheduled day and time. The radio will then be tuned to that specific frequency in the SWL memory entry. Mute Line This causes the radio to be muted until the time has been reached for a scheduled radio program. This is useful for unattended recording that is done through a voice-activated recorder. Lock Locks the radio tuning while it receives a scheduled program to prevent accidental tuning.



12.3.4 HamCall Database Preferences Here's where you tell ScopeStation where the HamCall database is located on your computer. HamCall is a database of amateur radio stations, their licensees, their addresses, and so on. It can be purchased from Buckmaster Publishing 6196 Jefferson Highway Mineral, Virginia 23117 USA 540:894-5777, 800:282-5628(orders) 540:894-9141(fax) e-mail: [email protected] Buckmaster HamCall CD Interface

Enable HamCall Database Lookups This box, when checked, causes ScopeStation to go to the HamCall database when you select the HamCall drop down menu at the top of the radio panel. HamCall Database Drive-Path Enter the location of the HamCall database on your computer. It commonly would be your CD drive or a hard disk. Add to Entry Comments Field Additional HamCall Info Checking this box means that when you use the SWL memory database additional information (beyond the basic call, name, location) from the HamCall database is part of your SWL memory database.

12.3.5 CallBook Database Preferences The CallBook Database preferences only support lookup of the CallSign data. A details display on the lookup window is provided. You may copy the data in this window into notepad or any other comment window.

12.3.6 Meter Calibration Setup Meter Calibration The settings in this category are used to customize the S-Meter behavior to your preference, another benefit of doing these things in software. Jitter Threshold Determines how sensitive the meter is to signal fluctuations. As this setting is increased the meter will respond only to larger signal fluctuations, thus reducing the amount the ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 54 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


meter is jumping around. This is useful if you have a slow computer as it reduces the amount of work the computer and the serial port have to do. Zero Scale Adjust Sets the level of the S-Meter zero. This is normally set with a dummy load plugged into the rig and this setting adjusted so the S-Meter reads zero. Use the AGC "Fast" setting to make the system respond faster. Max Scale Adjust Sets the relative level of the where the signal strength must be to move the S-Meter to its rightmost position. Useful if you want to calibrate it to a known accurate source. Sample Period (ms) In order to display the meter ScopeStation must make a request for a reading to the radio and wait for a response. On a slow computer you can increase this value and reduce the amount of work the computer has to do. The tradeoff is a meter that's less smooth in operation. This control is adjustable in milliseconds. Peak Hold Periods This adjusts the amount of time the meter and its corresponding display bar are "held up" at the peak value.

12.3.7 Meter Format and Style Preferences Avg. S-Meter Bar Graph If you want the red bar graph below the S-Meter to be there, check this box. The information is exactly the same as the meter needle but may be easier to read. Peak S-Meter Bar Graph Check this box for a blue bar graph display of the peak readings of the S-Meter displayed above the meter needle. Use Digital S-Meter If this box is checked, the display simulates bar-type readout instead of a swinging analog meter pointer. The information displayed is exactly the same; pick whichever one you like looking at.



12.3.8 Program Maintenance Functions By pressing the buttons for all of these you will clear the stored information in them. This is essentially temporary data anyway – for instance, it remember the last frequency, mode and bandwidth when you had the radio on 40 meters. Useful to reset these if you find the radio is doing unpredictable things, or if you don't want to selective clear sections of memory. Program Memory/Maintenance Program Maintenance

The memories/registers you can reset in this window are: Scratch Pad Memories, HAM Band memory Registers, SWL Band memory Registers, and Mode memory Registers . When you reset these memories all memory resident data is lost. If you close the software the memories will automatically be lost. Currently is not possible to clear a single memory. However all memories can be overwritten.

12.3.9 Quick Memory Settings This box lets you look at the contents of the Quick Memory information, stored and modified from the Quick Mem buttons on the front panel of ScopeStation. Under Memory Number you can go up and down through the file entries and view the stored information. The only thing you can change here is the label. If you want to change the other stored information, just use the recall function on the front panel for that memory number and change the radio setting, then do a store in the desired Quick Memory location.



Increment Memory Number on Store Check this box to make the Quick Memory display the next higher memory number every time you press the "Store" button. Useful for making multiple entries.

12.3.10 QuickLog Setup and Operating Preferences Log Default Parameters Operator Set this to your own call letters for logging purposes. HAM Call Lookup URL Used to get information on ham calls over the Internet. Just enter the desired URL here and if you are on the Internet with your computer you can use the lookup function to display the information through your Internet browser. Use GMT format (Required by ADIF) This check box sets the HamCall lookup to UTC as the ADIF standard log format exchange specification requires. Include the Following Fields in Log Display Pick the optional fields that you want in the display when you press the "Log" button. The other fields can still be entered when you make a new entry, these check boxes just affect the screen display.

12.3.11 Radio Main Dial Colors and Fonts Main Dial Fonts You can change the font of the two VFOs here. If you press either VFO-A or VFO-B you get a standard Windows-style font box so you can choose from whatever fonts are installed in your computer. Note that if you choose a font that's too large it won't display properly as there won't be enough space for it. Colors and Fonts

Main Panel Colors You can change the colors of various parts of the background and lettering. Each of these boxes will bring up the standard Windows-style color selection box for you to create whatever colors are available on your system. You have many settings to choose from! You can create custom colors with the Windows-style color selection dialog or choose standard colors for your display. It is similar to the paint program in windows. The Windows documentation describes exactly how the Windows-style color selection box works if you haven't used it before. Experiment to see what works best for you.



12.3.12 Radio Main Dial Format and Type VFO A Dial Display Format Use Slide Rule Type Main Tuning Dial If you check this box the main radio dial switches from a numerical display to an emulation of a slide rule dial, where the dial moves under a fixed hairline marker. No effect on the radio's performance but you may like looking at it, and you may find it convenient to change frequencies by left clicking and dragging along the dial. The frequency is still displayed digitally in the menu bar above. You can cycle through various display combination of the "analogue" type dial and the digital one by using the Dial button under the S-Meter on the main panel. You can drag the frequencies and in some modes the hairline - try and you'll see. Bandspread Displays Band Segment If checked the Bandspread area between the knob and the main frequency display will display the whole band and you can drag the hairline if you want. Unchecked the Bandspread area shows the frequencies around the frequency to which the radio is tuned. You can drag any part of this Bandspread area with the mouse. Display '1' Hz Digit Display '10' Hz Digit If checked these boxes change whether the least significant digits of the VFO A and B display are shown. It doesn't affect the digital display along the top line of the radio panel. Accuracy doesn't change, it just simplifies the display a mite. VFO B Display Format Drop '1' Hz Digit Only you cannot see the last digit of the VFO B display if you want to. Accuracy doesn't change, it just simplifies the display a mite.

12.3.13 Receive General Default Operating Preferences Use Graphical Filter Interface Check this option to display a representation of the receive filter bandwidth on the radio panel, under the Spectrum Scan display. If this option is not checked, the radio panel will show a series of buttons from which you can pick the desired the bandwidth. Frequency "Displayed" Digits Follow sets the number of digits displayed in the VFO A and VFO B area of the radio panel will, if this is checked, change so you have more digits displayed when you have a smaller step rate. Fixed Step for RIT, and PBT check box, when checked, lets you specify the exact step rate of the RIT, and PBT. Otherwise their step rate increases as you increase the step rate of the Main Tuning. If this box is Unchecked the RIT, and PBT step rate is about 1% of the main tuning's step rate. It will not be greater than 1000Hz for a 1MHz step rate. If this box is checked the step rate for RIT, and PBT tuning is fixed at whatever you put in the box, regardless of the main tuning step rate. Disable AF Output, AF Gain Sets Line Output If you only use the Line Output jack so the AF Gain on the front panel will work for you. Rx320 only. AF LINE OUT Level Sets the audio level on receive for the Line output jack on the Rx320, as well as the audio input to the speaker amplifier. Rx350 has a fixed line output level.



12.3.14 Receive Mode Defaults Receive Mode Defaults These four-drop down boxes establish what settings the radio will have whenever you switch modes. So that whenever you are using ScopeStation and pick USB, for example, the filter width, frequency step rate, and AGC speed will start at whatever you've set in this dialog box. You can, of course, use the front panel buttons to change the settings while you are operating …but when you switch modes whatever you've chosen in this Default screen will be what the radio is set up for. The defaults are selected when you change modes and not when you change bands or memories. Mode this starts out displaying AM in the dialog box. Enter the default settings you'd like to use for the AM mode in the three-drop down boxes below it. Then select another mode you use in the Mode drop down box, and select the defaults for it. I.F. Filter You can select any filter the radio is capable of supporting for any mode. Tuning Step Most of the time you'd pick a slow step rate, like 1 or 5 Hz for CW, and a faster one, like 100Hz for AM, but it's up to you. Automatic Gain Control There are three settings and which one you use is strictly a matter of preference. The operation of the AGC and why you'd use different speeds are covered in the radio manual. Do Not Use Defaults When Switching Modes If checked, ScopeStation won't change filter, step, or AGC when you switch modes from the front panel. We put this in for people like short-wave listeners who want to try different modes on the same station without changing the other things.

12.3.15 Scope Display General Setup Scope Display Control Scale Resolution (Vertical) The resolution is actually the value of the current signal strength divided by the scale resolution. It allow the user to set the vertical scale granularity. Scale Gain (Amplification Factor) Once the scale resolution is computed, this value will allow you to vertically expand the scope display by a specific amount of additional gain. This gain factor is also adjusted by whether or not the "Automatically Zero to Baseline Band Noise" check box is checked as described below. Sample Sweep Delay This controls the amount of time the sweep will wait between scans if you are doing a continuous scan. Sample Data Jitter Threshold The jitter threshold pertains to graph resolution along the horizontal axis (i.e. frequency). It determines how big a difference from signal strength reading to signal strength reading a difference will be drawn. That is, the user may elect that signal



strength differences less than 10 units will be essentially shown as the same value. This is a form of data compression. Automatically Zero to Baseline Band Noise This setting allows the used to have the scope set the weakest signal to the zero baseline of the display. This also compressing out of the display data a base level of noise across the entire band. Say on 160 you may have a baseline of 10db of noise then signals. The noise is not useful data, just the signals. This setting essentially filters out the noise from the display. Update Filter Display with Spectrum Data This is a neat way to see your spectrum plot displayed on the filter bandwidth display. You'll see the frequency you're tuned to and the filter response in the same place, so you can see where the signal is in relationship to the filter. This is a good way to set the filter bandwidth. This display operation is available by checking the box. You'll need to run the "Scan" function, of course, to get the spectrum plot. Use Histogram Draw Style on Spectrum Scope Changes the display appearance from drawing a scope-type line to drawing a filled-in pattern.

12.3.16 Scope Display Spectral Scan Operating Preferences Spectrum Scan Control Sets the filter and amount of the spectrum scanned when you use the spectrum scan feature. Default Scan Filter Set the bandwidth of the receiver as it's scanning. If you pick a narrow filter you'll see a finer resolution but get misleading scans on wideband signals. If your filter is wider than the signals you're looking for you'll get a poorer signal to noise ratio and may not see the desired signals clearly. Note that this setting applies only to the scan operation, not when you're listening to the radio. Default Scan Width Pick how much of the band you want to scan. For instance, by selecting 150 KHz the scan will start 75 KHz lower than the radio is currently tuned to and 75 KHz above the spot to which the radio is currently tuned. Display Scope Signal while Sampling Data You can get a scope display in near real-time with this box checked - as the radio sweeps across the spectrum it draws the line on the scope display. If unchecked, the scope display does not get redrawn until the scan is completed. Mute audio during Frequency Sweep If this is checked there will be no receive audio during the time the frequency sweep is sweeping. For most purposes leave this box checked as the staccato noises from the radio during a sweep are not usually of much value.

12.3.17 Serial Interface Operating Parameters Serial Link Control Port: Set this to the serial port that your radio is connected to. You may pick from ports 1 through 8. Most PC's are originally shipped with one or two serial ports but more may be added by installing an adapter card or a USB to serial port adapter. If you are using one of these, please consult it's manual for which ports are available on your computer. It will of course be necessary that any configuration or setup of the add-on be correctly completed. ScopeStation by CallSign Software - 9/5/2005 9:21 PM 60 of 72 Copyright© 2002- 2005 CallSign Software


We've also noticed that some serial to USB converters do not fully support the serial protocol and won't work with some products. Make sure you can return an adapter if it doesn't work for you. Several manufacturers make serial port add-on cards, which fit, into the PCI slot of a computer, and these are inexpensive and tend to be more reliable - just make sure you have the latest software drivers for them. Also note that if you are running other software that uses a particular serial port it will probably NOT be available to ScopeStation and your system won't work. Typically this would be a hot-sync type program for a PDA - you'll have to disable the program or make sure it doesn't start so you can use ScopeStation on that port. You also can choose the "Setup" selection for the port - that means that ScopeStation will not try to access a port at all. That means it won't talk to your radio, but you may be setting things up or demonstrating the software to friends and want to see how the program works without encountering a series of error messages.

Serial Interface CONFIG Panel

Keeps Track of communications

Between the radio and the

software when enabled.

Determines how much of the main tunning

buffer is filled before tuning processing

slows down.

Amount of time that can elapse without getting status from the radio before we

initiate a restart.

Number of times we try to reconnect to the radio when we have lost communication

Set to COMSETUP so that you can set

the real port without causing errors.

Disable CTS Check CTS (Clear To Send) is the name of one of the signals on the serial port. It's used to control the communications between the radio and the computer as a way to make sure that one is ready to listen when the other is ready to send. Some computers don't implement it properly. If you check this box this it won't cause problems with ScopeStation. We suggest you turn port logging on as described in the next paragraph to catch any further problems.



Enable Serial Interface Error Logging If this is checked, a log will be created to assist in debugging serial port issues. Use the default log file name or pick a new one and establish where it will be stored by using the entry box and the Browse button in the usual manner. You may then hit the "Reconnect & Restart radio" button to try again and create log entries. The log entries will continue to be created whenever the program is started or run until the box is unchecked. You can read the file with Notepad or most any other text editor. Radio Manual Restart If you've made a change to one of the settings and want ScopeStation to try connecting now that you believe the system should work, hit this button and ScopeStation will try again to talk to the radio. If things get somehow hung up with your ScopeStation otherwise, you may find that using this function saves restarting the program or the computer. For instance, if the Pod stops working - which is possible in some cases - by pressing the "Reconnect and Restart radio" button it will usually start working again. Port Parameters Here's where you can deal with issues involving the serial port's ability to handle the data at the speed ScopeStation requires. Most folks will probably never have to touch these three settings. Receive Timeout This represents the amount of time ScopeStation waits before deciding that the radio isn't communicating. On some slower or busy systems the "5" seconds receive timeout parameter may be too tight on startup - try increasing it to "10" and see if that helps. Receive Buffer Size The receiver buffer is a special area of memory ScopeStation uses to store data received from the radio. The amount of information transmitted from the radio to the computer is very high by PC standards, and consequently this memory area is used to hold the data until the computer can process it. If you have a slow computer, or one busy with other tasks, this buffer may fill up before its data can be processed, so data from the radio will be lost. Thus you can try increasing the size of the buffer by experiment to a larger one. The downside of this will be that if the buffer is large there will be far more system hysteresis; that is, you may spin the tuning knob and the rig continues to tune for some seconds after you stop turning the knob. That is not a problem as far as ScopeStation is concerned but you may find it annoying. Connect Retries This sets the number of times ScopeStation tries to talk to the radio before giving up and deciding there is no radio present. You can increase it if you have a slow or busy computer that doesn't respond to the radio data. Duty Cycle This is another element to change if you have a computer that's having trouble keeping up. The default, 99%, means that's the amount of time (approximately!) that ScopeStation will be dealing with the serial port connection to the radio. Depending upon the speed of your computer and the effect of any other programs you have running you might want to try to reduce this value. Again, there's no way to tell the correct number without experimentation. Buffer Level This settings determines how much the receive buffer can be filled before the software stops processing commands from the radio. This is typically set to prevent the software from taking over the entire PC as it tries to keep up with the status information from the radio.



12.3.18 Tuning Knob Operating Preferences Tuning Rate You can pick the acceleration and delay for the Tuning Knob operation so that the knob tunes with a slow step rate when rotated slowly but much faster when spun quickly. The same acceleration takes place if you're tuning with the mouse (but not the mouse wheel) – the tuning speeds up if the mouse is held down for the "Delay" period. These settings work for all the tuning knob styles Tuning always starts out at the step rate the radio is set to – either from the Receive Mode Defaults dialog box above or from the Step adjust buttons on the front panel. Note that for various hardware-related constraints, you can't keep spinning the knob faster and faster and expect the radio to tune faster. Once you get to a certain speed, no matter how fast you spin it, it won't speed up. The function of the parameters you can set here - Acceleration Factor, Acceleration Threshold, Deceleration Rate, and Sample Period, are all explained on the CONFIG Panel for this category. You may find, for instance, that the remote knob is jerky when you try to tune. Because there are many interacting hardware constraints in sending signals through the serial port, we have provided the Remote POD Tuning Wizard to give you a starting point in setting up these parameters. The wizard, when selected, will test the system and then set the values in this panel. Just follow the directions. You may change them if you want to experiment, and you can rerun the wizard any time you like. These settings are stored in the INI file the program uses.

12.3.19 Tuning Knob Styles Tuning Knob Type There are four different ways to tune the radio using the control in the center of the front panel - round (analog) knob, mouse buttons, rocker switches, and thumbwheel. Select the check boxes for the method you like. Except for one selection listed below, all methods use accelerated tuning, meaning that if you hold the mouse button down the tuning will speed up. Note that you can cycle among the styles with the "Knob" button on the radio panel, which is below the main tuning knob. The “Rocker” Style knob provides a right and left arrow button – put the cursor on the button and click the left mouse button to make the radio change frequency. In addition there's another set of buttons to control the RIT/PBT and you can select one of these and then use the right/left buttons below to increment or decrement it. Mouse Button Tuning works the same way as the "Analog" knob (mouse left/mouse right button) except there's no knob to spin, leaving room for the other controls as in the Digital Style above. The "Thumbwheel" tuning knob is a representation of another style of tuning control has separate up/down controls for each digit, independently. You may find this useful for stepping up or down by 10Khz for each channel on the standard US broadcast band, for example. Or, if you do most of your tuning with the pod, the thumbwheel might be useful for quick larger frequency



excursions. When you have selected accelerated modes, the "Knob" signal on the front panel will change from the base panel to green. The Enable knob "Backlash" tuning delay will let you bypass the program's internal knob simulated drag. The tuning response will be far quicker. Use this only for a high speed computer as it places a far greater load on the system. By high speed, we mean as an indicator a greater than 800 MHz processor, although this is just average. There are many factors, such as serial port design and operating system configuration, which will affect the speed and this should be disabled. Try it and see - if the system can't keep up you'll know it. If your system is having trouble keeping up the "Knob" LED near the MOUSE Control button will be flashing red.

12.3.20 User Licensing Information & Program Updates This category is used to display the license information provided by CallSign software so that you can use the program. When you bought the program you should have received the information you need to fill out a registration form. Remember that the license key we have provided you is keyed to all of your registration information. This information is displayed not only in this box but the splash screen, about box, and main panel. When you first received your license key the license information was loaded by the program the first time it started. The program also checks this information each time it runs. It makes sure that the user is licensed to use the program. Or expressed in another way it checks see that the user license is for that version of the program, not the PC that it is running. If you loose your license key you can contact use at CallSign for a replacement. We maintain a database of all the keys we have issued. The license key is NOT keyed to the PC that it is running. However for technical reasons only a single copy of the program may be run on the PC at a time. We issue program updates anywhere from 2-4 a year depending upon the feature requested and its complexity. In the past you needed your license key to get the update loaded and run in the software. This is no longer necessary. The program now examines your installation file(s) (I.E. INI files) for your license key data first. If it fails to find this file then it will look for the License Key file. In any event please to not lose your License Key file.

12.3.21 Wheel Mouse Preferences Wheel Mouse Assignment You can use the mouse wheel for more than just tuning, you can use it to set bands, bandwidth, step rates, and more. Just move the mouse cursor to the box that says "CallSign Mouse Control" - on the lower right side of the radio panel - and hold the right mouse button down and turn the mouse wheel. As you turn the mouse wheel you'll see a selection of what the mouse wheel can do...just release the right mouse button when you've picked the wheel operation you want. This category shows two things: the function the mouse wheel currently has, and the default mouse wheel function. The first you can't change here, but you change it as described in the previous paragraph by holding the right button down. The default mouse wheel assignment you can change by making the selection in the dropdown box on this CONFIG panel. In operation, you change the mouse wheel function from the assignment you have given it by moving the cursor back to the CallSign Mouse Control box and double-clicking the left mouse button.



12.3.22 Griffin PowerMate© Preferences PowerMate Assignment You can use the PowerMate for more than just tuning, you can use it to set bands, bandwidth, step rates, and more. Just push the knob down. You are now in set mode. Turn the knob. As you turn the knob you'll see a selection of what the knob can do...push the knob again when you've picked the knob operation you want. This category shows two things: the function the knob currently has, and the default mouse wheel function. The first you can't change here, but you change it as described in the previous paragraph by holding the right button down..

12.3.23 Program Launch Preferences Cmd Line Assignment You can use this setting to specify the program and its command line parameters to be launch at the start of the ScopeStation. When ScopeStation terminates it will try to terminate the launched programs. Make sure all data is saved in these programs before you shutdown ScopeStation. Working Directory Use this to specify the directory to be used when launch this program. Launch Status This is the start status of the launched program. Enable Launch of this Program Use this to enable the start and stop of the program.

12.3.24 Radio Dial Calibration Procedure Use this to set the radio calibration to a known frequency source, such as an on the air signal or a calibrated signal generator. Step by step Instruction is provided in the dialog box. If the check box for Use Single Correction is checked, a single calibration point will be used for the entire range of the radio. We suggest you either pick something around the center of the spectrum, say 15MHz, or something near the band you are most interested in. Otherwise, you can select a calibration point at every megahertz, 30 in all. ScopeStation will use the nearest calibration point that has been set as its reference. You don't have to set them all, but we wanted to make it possible for those who want to have a more accurate radio. This calibration data is stored in the ScopeStation ini file.

12.3.25 Rx350 Memory-Tag Support The Rx350 memories when accessed from the serial interface are treated slightly differently versus access from the front panel. To be accessed from the serial port the memories must be initialized in. Once initialized then you can use the front panel memory access controls to save and restore frequency, mode, and filter settings in the native Rx350 memory. Access to all seven banks of memory is supported. Rx350 Memory Support



Once you have initialized all of memory you can also use this panel to save to a configuration file all of you memory settings and then later restore them. This can be done on a selective bank basis with or without memory tags. Memory tags are limited to 15 characters. TenTec defines all of the memory properties in its manual for the Rx350.



12.3.26 Display Priorities Setup Display Priorities

Display priorities give you the ability to “tune” the various processes that control parts of the Radio Panel display for optimal operation on your PC. The use of this control is quite dependent upon your PC’s configuration such as processor, memory, and video display card speed and on board memory. If you are satisfied with the responsiveness of the program then we suggest that you leave them alone. However if you have an extremely fast graphics card and are getting a “winking” effect on some parts of the panel you may want to lower the priority of their update. If you run other programs and they are getting starved for time then again you might want to experiment. When all else fails then just set them to defaults and

drop us a line about your performance issue.

12.4 Time This tunes the radio to the one of the popular North American time stations at your choice of frequency, and optionally lets you set your computer's clock. Pressing one of the buttons tunes the radio and if it's connected and the propagation is favorable you will hear the selected station. The "Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)" entry will, when the box first comes up, be set to the start of the next minute, as determined by the computer clock. If your clock wasn't too far off, you will be able to set the clock to the displayed time by merely pressing the "Zero Set Time" button when the top-of-minute tone comes on. You can set the time manually to whatever you wish by adjusting the time through the arrows for hour and minute. You exit this dialog box by choosing "Exit and Keep Frequency Value" to keep the radio tuned to the time station, or "Exit and Restore Previous Frequency Value" to go back to the frequency you were listening to before you pressed the "Time" button. On the Rx350 you can set the current date in addition to the time set.



12.5 TNT Activates the Track and Tune Window. The TNT window is a brief summary of the SWL memory database entry that corresponds to the current tuned frequency. There may be multiple entries that can be flipped through by hitting the “TNT-V” button when on a specific frequency.

12.6 QMEM When pressed, brings up the Quick Memory browser so that you may more easily review your Quick Memory settings.

QuickMemory Pad

12.7 Log Brings up the QuickLog for entry or editing of log information. When you make a new entry with the "Add" button, the log will have the current settings of the radio, such as frequency and mode, already inserted in the data entry panel. You can then fill in the name of the operator, the call, and so forth. The "Edit" button lets you change an existing entry, and you can use "Print" to print the log. You can also use the QuickLog for ADIF log file export to programs, which accept this format. Use the ADIF button on the QuickLog to bring up a dialog box display that establishes the file name and into which folder the file should be written.



Main Station Log

12.7.1 Adding/Editing Entries This is the station log add/edit display. From here you can also lookup call signs from various places.

Station Log Edit Box



12.7.2 Printing Log Sheets

Station Log Header/Footer Print Box

12.7.3 Importing ADIF files You may import log files from other programs through an ADIF file importer. You will be prompted with a file browse dialog for the location of the ADIF file to be imported.

12.7.4 Exporting ADIF records You may export log records through a record ADIF exporter.



12.8 Beacon Log

Beacon Log View Screen

The beacon log is a very simple and quick logging facility for capturing beacon or transponder location information. You can quickly capture a frequency and signal strength and then fill in the details. Later if you wish you can then have the entry copied into the station log. Beacon Log Edit Screen

12.9 Exit Closes the ScopeStation program. If you have selected "Ask" to the "Mute radio on Exit?" item in the "CONFIG" dialog, the program will ask if you want the radio muted so the audio is turned off when ScopeStation closes.



13 Keyboard Shortcuts Here is a list of the keyboard commands that you might find more convenient than using the mouse for everything. All shortcut functions can be affected by the mouse if you wish – there is nothing you can do with the keyboard shortcuts that can't be done through the graphical user interface. ALT CTRL Key Function ------ --- ---- ------ ------------- - - Left-arrow Frequency tune down - - Right-arrow Frequency tune up - - Up-arrow Frequency step tune down - - Down-arrow Frequency step tune up x x Up-arrow Frequency tune up x x Down-arrow Frequency tune down x – Up-arrow Band tune up x – Down-arrow Band tune down x - A Swap VFO A and VFO B contents x - M Toggle mute x - S Start band sweep x - A Set AM mode x - C Set CW mode x - L Set LSB mode x - U Set USB mode x - S Set SAM mode x - F Set FM mode x - Up-arrow AGC up - x Down-arrow AGC down x x Right-arrow Step up x x Left-arrow Step down - x Right-arrow AF Gain up - x Left-arrow AF Gain down x - Right-arrow RF power up x x F Filter Up x x G Filter Down x - X Exit

14 Thanks! This is the end of the manual. Enjoy. Check us out at http://www.callsignsoftware.com


http://www.callsignsoftware.com/

Documents

Version 3.161 By Mike Cobuccio, WA1EYP