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rig control part of the program controls
basic functions of the radios and
provides additional operating
"toys." It has an internal
logging program, access to online
DXClusters (DXWeb), Audio
Keyer/Recorder, internal frequency memory
controls, auto-logfill from an Internet U. S. callsign database etc. More "toys" are
in development.
ARCS III works
in manual mode without automatic
frequency control. It runs on Windows XP
and higher on both 32 and 64-bit
operating systems including Win 7/ Win 8. It
uses the OmniRig rig server
software (free) developed by Alex, VE3NEA
to communicate with your radio.
Version 1.08 was
released 10 September 2013. The
software contains a new toy. MS Translate helps translate Amateur
Radio technical talk and converstation. The tool is experimental
and requires an Internet connection for some functions. Look in
the Toolbar MENU Tools. The program doesn't perform
miracles though it understands quite a few radio "technical" terms in
several languages.
The
software includes a Repeater Panel. The Simplex Panel is used primarily for storing simplex
frequency information. The Repeater Panel imports and accepts TravelPlus
*.tpe files and other CSV files containing repeater location/frequency
information. Double-clicking on a record line in the spreadsheet
should take your radio to the repeater frequency. There are
limitations to this feature. Only standard repeater splits are
permitted. Tone info is only used with Kenwood radios.
Access tones must be set manually with other radios.
The
ADIF import and export were improved; new features and some bug fixes.
ARCS logbook files (*.cds) are now located in a special folder
(/logbooks). Users of previous versions of ARCS III should
manually move both any adif and cds files that may exist in the main
ARCS folder to the /logbooks for best results.
A cw keyer for Kenwood transceivers is part of the software. A keyer for radios other than Kenwood is available (The CW
keyer is a separate download; the keyer is controllable from the main
software screens). The 'Sliderule' CAT dial is still experimental. Various other small bug fixes and
tweaks. Added separate links to the MENU to import/export ADIF.
Improvements made in the Help file.
.
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| ARCS
III Main Screen |
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| Users:
If you encounter difficulties, I would
appreciate some input, favorable or
unfavorable. I do entertain suggestions
for software improvement. See ISSUES
below. I do the programming for
recreation, this is not my job.
Software License: Please read the license
before you start playing: from the ARCS
main toolbar, About>License
. Thank you.
You may wish
to visit the ARCS III blog: arcsii.wordpress.com
to
find out more.
USABLE RADIOS
ARCS III was tested with a
Kenwood TS-2000x, an ICOM IC-706MKIIG and
a Yaesu FT-817. Basic CAT functions work
with those specific radios in my shack.
The basics should work with any
Kenwood, ICOM or Yaesu CAT controllable
radio. Additional CAT functions are
provided that might work on some other
radios of those manufacturers. Other
brands..i.e. Elecraft etc. may work...I have none of these
other radios to test with, however, the
basic functions might work with them now.
I do not know.
MANUAL MODE
ARCS works in manual mode
without any specific radio requirements.
"Go to this frequency" type
features of the software do not work in
manual mode. Most other features will
perform with almost full functionality.
Manual mode allows using/testing ARCS
features without a CAT radio connected or
for use by stations that do not have a
CAT controllable transceiver.
WHAT YOU NEED
You may need an interface to connect to
your radio unless the radio has the
interface already built-in (like a
TS-2000). You must set the baud on your
radio and on the software to identical
values. You need a RS-232 cable (serial
cable) to connect from your PC to your
rig or rig interface. The Help
files explain how to configure OmniRig
for your particular transceiver but only in a general way. Refer to
your radio's manual for some specific CAT settings and how to configure
the baud rate etc. There are several tools that make use of the
Internet. Your PC needs to be connected to the Internet to use
the online U.S.Callbook, DXWeb and some mapping features of the software.
INSTALLATION
Run the arcs3setup.exe
to install. The arcsiii
folder cannot be placed in the Program
Folder on Vista, Win7 and Win8 due to
the enhanced file security features of
these operating systems. If you do not
have OmniRig already installed, the
ARCS installer will prompt you to
install it; if you already have OmniRig
on your PC, ARCS will recognize
it. After installing, run the ARCSIII.exe
file. In this version of ARCS,
the Help files are
incomplete and may be inaccurate in
places. Most of the keyboard shortcuts
refered to do not exist in the software
yet.
If
using Vista/Win7/Win8, you must run the
software as "Administrator,"
described somewhere for your version of
Windows in your Windows documentation. Running as "Administrator" allows the software to save settings
and the log books on your PC.
CONFIGURATION
Users need to 1)
configure OmniRig..the software
that allows the PC serial ports to
communicate with ARCS (read the Help
accessed from the main ARCS Toolbar, that is About>Help) and 2)
Configure ARCS III..Settings>Configure,
then press the Reconfigure
button and change: YOURCALL to your
callsign, the latitude and longitude to
your information, your UTC offset (may
not work yet...and u may have to set ur
PC clock to UTC time???), your tenten #
if you have one (not needed, just leave
this as it is), MyState...change to where
u are if in US... used for contests.
Using this tool, you can also change the
default logbook, currently set to
six.cds. The six.cds logbook is provided
to test the capabilities of the software
with out populating a test logbook or a
dummy logbook. A new log book is created
from File>NEW General Purpose
Log. The Configure
screen is also where you register the
software. Users need to
"Register" to
"unlock" some of the
application's features.
THE LOGGING SOFTWARE PART
There are two logging programs in ARCS;
the General Activities Logbook
(that is the standard, default) and a CONTEST
logger. The Contest logger is simple, not
intended for hard-core contesters and, for
some contests, is buggy.
To say it a different way, depending on
the contest selected, this part of the
software may work properly or it may not,
depending on the contest. Test the module
you might need before attempting to use
it in a contest please. If something is
broke, send me an email or visit arcsii.wordpress.com
(ARCS II and ARCS III share the same blog
info site). ARCS III does NOT
compile contest scores or statistics. Do
not expect a lot of the contest tool but
be aware some of the contest tools work
nicely too, depending on the contest. The
general logger works well.
ISSUES
Please report issues to WB5KIA.
[email protected] (without space bars
(_) between the letters and numbers).
Please include the words "ARCS
III Testing"
in the message topic and mention the radio you are using. It is helpful
for me to know the radio you are using, your Windows operating system
etc. in an initial evaluation report. Captured screen images are
extremely useful if the issue is related to displays.
I am aware of
issues in the styles which are not present if the Classic Windows Style
is used... Version 1.07 still has a few minor graphics issues.
Some issues
you will discover regarding graphics are compiler problems. I am sure
there are bugs that I introduce. If something is not working
right or could work better, please drop me an email. TNX
REGISTRATION
You need to register to get access to all
software features. To register, follow
the instructions Help>Registration.
Registration is free. Registered users
have a free license to use the software
Why registration?..I want to know how
many individuals feel the software is
worthwhile. I do not share information
with anyone.
DOWNLOAD ARCS III
You download the ARCS III
software using the Download link at the
top of this page or here .. Download
ARCS III version 1.08.
DOWNLOAD the Keyer module for non-Kenwood radios (Not needed if you have a Kenwood).
The cw Keyer for non-Kenwood radios requires a separate COM port other than the one you use to control your transceiver. Download kiaKeyer
version 1.00. The keyer comes in a zip file named cw.zip.
Replace the folder in your ARCS III folder with the folder in the zip
file to install. The keyer is experimental at the moment.
It works with my PC, if it does not work correctly, please let me know.
73,
Steve, WB5KIA
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