±±±±±± ±± ±± ±±±±±± ±±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±±±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±±±± ±±±±±± ±± ±±±± ±±±± ±±±±±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±± ±±±±±± ±±±±±± ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ( For Your Inquiry )ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ- Bill Cheek Hertzian Intercept BBS FidoNet 1:202/731 RadioNet 500:10/12 Communication Systems Engineer, Publisher & Writer Author of: The SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKS, Vols 1 & 2 Editor & Publisher of: The "WORLD SCANNER REPORT" Columnist: The Experimenter's Work Shop; MONITORING TIMES MAGAZINE Purveyors of the Renowned HB-232 Scanner/Computer Interface President/CEO: COMMtronics Engineering PO Box 262478 San Diego, California 92196 (619) 578-9247 BBS/FAX 6pm - 1pm; Voice 1:30pm - 5:30pm ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º HISTORY AND CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT º º THE HB-232 SCANNER/COMPUTER INTERFACE º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ When I wrote Vol-1 of the Scanner Modification Handbook in early 1989, I dreamed of things to come, even as I set to print some 23 scanner modifications. At the end of the book, I tacked on a Wish List. Oh, did that ever set the ball to rolling! Frankly, I thought there wasn't much else to develop for scanners, but my inner drive and the curiosity of others quickly proved me dead wrong. Some of the items on that Wish List came true in time to go into Vol-2 of the Scanner Modification Handbook by mid-1990, and some seemed no closer than ever. One of the latter was the idea of a Scanner/Computer Interface to minimize the sheer torture of programming up to 400-channels at a whack by finger on the PRO-2004/5/6. My Wish List in Vol-1 inspired Mr. Lin Burk of Washington to contrive an interface for his Tandy Color Computer II in late '89. Indeed, it worked like a champ, but left me with a hollow, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. For one, it worked only with the CoCo II and, two, it had to be driven by a BASIC program that was tailored for one's specific computer. I flirted around with my Apple IIe computer and a modified verison of Burk's program, but never really had much success with it. Timing was a problem and operation was anything but a snap. Burk had the right idea and it worked perfectly for his needs, but how many scannists have a CoCo II and a PRO-2005? Gloom! Then about a year ago, Miles Abernathy of Texas popped in to say that he could whip up an interface for scanners, but couldn't see any great reasons for doing it. Well, now! I fired him a reply that stated the 496 major reasons why scanners should be interfaced to computers and a week later, Miles reported success with his version on a PRO-2005. Hot dawg! Abernathy's interface also used a BASIC program which was written for a Macintosh computer. Programmers, most of us are not. I paid a professional programmer $50 to convert the Mac prpgram to AppleSoft BASIC for my Apple IIe and when it showed no promise of the performance that I was wanting, I went right back to the drawing boards. Bright ray of hope! Tony Newman of Oregon rose to the challenge with a simple interface that didn't require much of a program, but needed a lot of keyboard dexterity and user-manipulation of the codes. Not bad, but something was missing. I'm still looking into this interface as a possible do-it-yourself'er, but other interfaces surfaced to put Newman's on the back burner for a while. Ahhhh, comes RW Systems about a year ago with a kit and some proprietary chips that did a heck of a lot with what we want in a Scanner/Computer Interface. This puppy requires only a terminal program and not only will it drop a file of 400 frequencies into the scanner, but it will also read and log the scanner's memory configuration and do a limited level of logging active frequencies to the computer's capture buffer. This interface will not create or use files except to download into the scanner, and such a file has to be manipulated and structured to do that. No problem, compared to finger-punching the scanner, but you get my meaning here? The RWS Interface comes in kit form only and is priced at $99.00. Yes, indeed, a magnificent interface which remains very useful even now. The RWS Interface can be operated from most ANY computer that has a serial port. Then entered Datametrics with their Computer-Aided-Scanning System; a simple interface and an extensive program to run it. Much easier to install and set up than the RWS Interface, the Datametrics unit more or less just plugs in and is ready to go. Learning the software is a different matter and the interface does little of nothing without the software to run it and the whole package costs $350.00. Operation of the scanner via the interface is exceptionally slow at about 1-channel per second, though it does some wonderful manipulation and presentation of the data that can be logged from a scanning session. If cost is not an object, this interface might be ideal for the non-technical scannist who wants to extract a much greater level of use from his PRO-2004/5/6. The Datametrics Interface can be operated only by a PC/clone computer. Finally to fill the gaps and voids left by all interfaces mentioned so far, "Professor Peabody", a technical contributor to the monthly WORLD SCANNER REPORT, came up with the do-it-yourelf FATMAN COMPUTER INTERFACE which would not only program the scanner but also allow plenty of control from the keyboard. Special software not required, only a basic terminal program is required to communicate with the scanner via the FATMAN. Not for the faint of heart, the FATMAN does require some planning and skill to fabricate, test and install.....but it remains the first and the only truly utilitarian do-it-yourself Interface which can be operated from most any computer with a serial port. This has been a brief overview of the Scanner/Computer Interfaces to have appeared for my evaluation to date. Now comes the latest which will set a new standard for cost, performance, and applications; the new HB-232 Scanner/Computer Interface and WOW! Well, I want to tell you about it now! ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º The HB-232 SCANNER/COMPUTER INTERFACE º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ Extends virtually EVERY aspect of the scanner to the computer's monitor and keyboard. For example, a replica of the scanner's front panel is displayed on the monitor along with a keypad emulator to show the keys to be pressed as if you were operating the scanner in a normal manner. As the scanner operates, the computer monitor shows EVERYTHING that the scanner shows in its display! Not only can you operate the scanner from the computer's keyboard, you can also operate from the scanner as well. The HB-232 does not slow down the scanner nor alter its peformance in any manner! > You can see & operate every function of the scanner from the Keyboard! < The HB-232 can download anywhere from one to 400 channels in one session, either from you punching the keyboard, OR automatically from a previously prepared list of frequencies. Manual or Auto-Programming can include channel number, frequency, DELAY, MODE and LOCKOUT functions as desired. > The scanner is fully programmable by the HB-232 in all modes, etc! < The HB-232 will auto-log for an unlimited period of time, any and all activity that the scanner encounters, whether in SCAN or SEARCH modes. Each "event" (squelch break) is logged to a file as a line item similar to: CHANNEL-FREQ-MODE-DELAY-LOCKOUT-FUNCTION-STEP-DATE-START TIMES & DURATION Autologging can be turned on or off at will. Autolog files are automatically opened and named with a date/time logo, similar to: 92052016.LOG, which simply means 1992, May 20, 16th hour (4:00pm).LOG. Each hour, a new log file is opened and the old one closed & stored. Autolog files can be programmed back into the scanner's channel memory at will with no manipulation or changes; just the press of a couple of keys! This means that you can do a SEARCH function all night or day while you're away and then come home and program in each new found frequency quite simply, hands-off, in a matter of minutes! > An easy-to-use autologging feature is available for many purposes! < You can do like I did.....disconnect the antenna; set the ATT switch to the -10 dB position and do a SEARCH from 25 MHz - 1300 MHz with the autolog feature ON. About an hour or two later, you'll have a file that contains just the BIRDIES in your scanner! Now you rename this file to something like BIRDIE.LOG, and the next time you do a frequency search, you can specify another HB-232 function called "BIRDCHECK", which will prevent the scanner from ever locking up on a birdie (or any other frequency that you insert into the BIRDIE.LOG). So, not only can you EASILY make the scanner forever reject birdies, but also pagers, data channels and other obnoxious signals that you don't want to monitor!!! > The HB-232 discriminates against birdies and other undesired signals! < The HB-232 sports a LOOKUP function which shows a line of data every time the scanner STOPS on a busy frequency! Your previously prepared AutoProgrammer File will do nicely for this function, and therefore will display whatever is in your database for that frequency! Great for quick identifications of the signals received by your scanner! > The HB-232 offers a LOOKUP feature for I.D. of active channels! < The HB-232 offers four user-definable switches which can be used to control add-ons or other modifications that you may have added to your scanner! Uses for these User Switches are virtually unlimited, but might include turning on/off things like Automatic Tape Recorder Switches; extra memory banks; Data/Tone Squelch and any other of my mods or add-ons that you've developed or acquired. These User Switches are controlled by the computer! > The HB-232 has four User Switches for control of mods & extra functions < The HB-232 comes with a built-in, easy-to-use text editor for editing and reviewing your log and configuration files without ever leaving the program! Also available are two user-definable "tool" menu selections. This means that you can specify up to two utilities of your own to be used with the HB-232 program! > The HB-232 offers "user tools" to enhance the flaxibilty of the system! < And, now comes perhaps the most important feature of all: a very powerful "script language" which lets you automate a series of functions to make the scanner do various things while you're away or not interested in being right there for the operation! In simplest form, you can make a Search & Store function to log everything it hits the first time, but to reject duplicates if hit again! I *THINK* you can make things happen at certain times and stop at other times; and otherwise the Script Language allows you to write your own convoluted functions and procedures! Essentially, this scripting feature is much like a macro function; you write your own ticket! > The HB-232 offers a Scripting Language to automate your scanning! < OTHER INFORMATION ================= The heart of the HB-232 is a non-proprietary computer on a chip made by Motorola (68HC family). But the neat thing is that this microcomputer does not contain any firmware or hard programming like others do! Instead, the proprietary software is on the disk and is loaded into the microcomputer chip each time you boot the HB-232 program! This means that inexpensive updates on disk can be made available at regular intervals. Other suppliers would have to provide a whole new chip to make upgrades; more expensive to them and to you!! The HB-232 is provided as a Kit of essential parts, including a professional printed circuit board; five DIP integrated ciruits; one non-proprietary microprocessor chip & chip carrier socket; and a small handful of parts (resistors, capacitors, crystal, etc.) Included is a proprietary program disk, you specify size. Not supplied are standard DIP IC sockets (highly recommended); 8-switching diodes; solder; wiring; serial cable; input & output connectors and a project box in which to install the HB-232. The board can be installed in the scanner, if desired, though an external box is much better for reasons I can get into later. The HB-232 will work ONLY with a PC/clone computer and a minimum of 512-k memory is required. The HB-232 connects to the computer's serial port (COM1 or COM2) by means of a standard serial cable of any reasonable length, say 125-ft or less. The computer's COM port must be capable of 9600 baud, 8-data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit: (9600,8N1). I have tested the HB-232 thus far on an XT/clone and a Dell i386DX/33 with equal success and good results. The HB-232 is available ONLY for the PRO-2004/5/6 series of scanners, but it is possible that the hardware and program can be readily evolved to include the Uniden BC-760XLT, BC-960XLT, BC-590XLT, BC-600XLT and the Regency R-1600 in time. Stay tuned for more on this after regular production has begun. Assembly of the printed circuit board is straightforward and not at all complicated. It took me about an hour and a half to complete the board with no instructions to go by! I could do another one in an hour or less now! My 15-yr old daughter, Ali, assembled a board in under 2-hours using ONLY the written instructions I had provided her. The Board worked the first time out under test! Three wires are required between the computer and the HB-232, and a minimum of 20-wires from the HB-232 to the scanner are required. Fifteen of these connections to the scanner are very easy to make in all PRO-2004/5/6 and for the PRO-2005/6, removal of the Logic/CPU Board from the front panel is required for five of the connections; no big deal, but maybe intimidating to the uninitiated, but I will show you how later. The most difficult part of the assembly & installation process is fitting the HB-232 board into a project box; mostly mechanical matters which are not my strongest capability. Most of YOU will be more inclined in this area than I am. If the HB-232 is installed in a project box, then a method must be devised to connect the HB-232 to the scanner. I used a 20-pin DIP IC socket mounted on the face of the scanner and then wired underneath to the required points in the scanner. A short unbilical cable comes out of my HB-232 and terminates in a mating 20-pin DIP Header that plugs into and out of the socket quite easily. Note that a DB-25 or other multi-pin connector could be used to even better advantage. Operation of the HB-232 is a snap! The program is easy to use with pull-down menus and a written set of documentation. I am not at all good with MSDOS programs, but I was very fluent in the operation of this one within 24 hours of firing it up. You will do better, no doubt. Much in the way of convenience is built into the HB-232 software and all I can say more at this point is WOW! I am impressed. The retail price of the HB-232 Kit and Software is $169.95 and there is a shipping & handling charge of $5, USA , $10 Canada and $15 to other foreign destinations. ALL PAYMENTS TO BE IN US FUNDS ONLY, and we accept MasterCard and Visa as well as money orders, checks and cash. Cash is risky and checks will hold up shipment until bank clearance. Barter possible. Whatcha got? MASTERCARD - VISA - MONEY ORDER - CHECK - CASH - TRADE? ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º PRICE LIST - subject to change without notice. º ÌÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͹ º > HB-232 Kit of Essential Parts, Disk & Instructions: $169.95 º º > HB-232 Kit, Assembled/Tested Board, no cables: $219.95 º º > Assembled HB-232 Installed/tested INSIDE scanner: $319.95 º º > Assembled/tested HB-232 Installed in EXTERNAL box: $319.95 º º with cable to scanner, ready to plug in. See next line. º º + 1st Scanner wired/tested to accept the External Box: $ 79.95 º º + 2nd & addt'l scanners wired/tested for Ext. Box: ea $ 54.95 º º + Instruction Manual Only; discountable against order: $ 15.00ppd º º + Calif addressees add 7.75% Sales Tax: $ º º + Shipping & Handling: Kits, boards, boxes, ea: $ 5.00 º º + Shipping & Handling: Scanners, ea: $ 15.00 º º * 3rd Party Software Developer's Information Inquire º ÇÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄĶ º NOTE: Specify floppy disk type when ordering. º ÇÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄĺ º Computer, scanner & standard serial cable NOT included. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ I am open to your questions of what the unit will and will not do as well as anything else that might be related to your uncertainty as to whether or not the HB-232 is right for you. You can communicate with me via the FidoNet SHORTWAVE or SCANRADIO echoes; by Fido NetMail to my node, 1:202/731, or by log-on to my BBS at (619) 578-9247 after 5:30pm and before 1:30pm, PDT, or you can write to me via Snail Mail. Now here is a reasonable facsimile of one of the operating screens of the HB-232 Scanner/Computer Interface. Things have changed for the better since this screen cut was taken, but it will give you an idea of what it looks like. Hot stuff, the HB-232! ============================================================================= MAIN OPERATING SCREEN OF THE HB-232 CONTROL PROGRAM ============================================================================ F1-Help ±±±±±±±±±±±±±± HB232 SCANNER INTERFACE PROGRAM ±±±±±±±±±±±±±± F10-Menu ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± Version Beta 1C (C) 1992 COMMtronics Eng ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Manual = M ³ Pri = ! ³ Limit = L ³ 1 ³ 2 ³ 3 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Scan = S ³ Speed = space ³ Srch Up = - ³ 4 ³ 5 ³ 6 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Delay = D ³ Mode = ] ³ Srch Dn = + ³ 7 ³ 8 ³ 9 ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Lock-out = X ³ Step = [ ³ Direct = * ³ 0 ³ . ³Clr = bksp ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ L/O Review = V ³ Reset = R ³ Monitor = tab ³ Prog = P ³ Enter ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Prev Pg±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±Logger On±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±Next Pg ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±± Manual 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±± Bank ß ±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±± 82 ch 158.9700 Mhz ±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±± nfm ±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ±±±±±ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ Last Log Entry ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿±±±±± ±±±±±,CH , FREQ ,MODE,DELAY,LK-OUT,OP MODE,STEP, DATE , TIME ,DURATION±±±±± ±±±±±À 82± 158.9700±±nfm±±± ±±±±± ±±±±±±Man ±± ±920703±211104±±000055Ù±±±±± ±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±± ============================================================================== ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» ºBill Cheek; PO Box 262478; San Diego, CA 92196-2478 The Hertzian Interceptº º FidoNet 1:202/731 (619) 578-9247 @ after 5:30pm & before 1:30pm, PDT º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ