[PCR-1000] RDS with PCR1000?

[ed]

this should interest many on the list.  it's especially interesting that so 
much increased PCR-1000 capability can be achieved on an old DOS computer 
that many people would consider useless junk.

i personally use PROBE7 from this author with my Optocom, and it's an 
exceptionally well thought-out and powerful piece of software.

-ed

http://www.probe1k.com/

PROBE1K - Software developed exclusively for scanning 25 to 1300 MHz with
the Icom IC-PCR1000 Computer Controlled Receiver / Scanner.

Faster scanning speed and CTCSS tone squelch.

Loaded with unique scanning features like SmartScan, TacScan and
Hyperbanks.

Hear more of what you want to hear as it happens with your Icom PCR1000.

Utilizes a true database engine for fast, easy and efficient data
management.

Large data capacity - 4000 groups, each with 99 banks, 1000 frequencies
per bank.

PROBE1K runs well on low cost computer hardware.

Dependable and stable long term non-stop operations with the PCR1000.

PROBE1K leads the way in "virtual computer controlled scanning" by
providing new, innovative and versatile features. Compare PROBE1K's
features with any other software and you'll see why PROBE1K is the best
scanning software for the Icom IC-PCR1000.


Overview

FASTEST Scanning Software Available for Icom IC-PCR1000 - PROBE1K is
specifically coded for "scanning" 25 - 1300 MHz in order to achieve high
speed frequency acquisition and CTCSS tone detection with the Icom
PCR1000. Unlike other PCR1000 compatible programs, PROBE1K can detect tone
squelch without seriously impacting scanning speed - even when multiple
CTCSS tones need to be checked for the same frequency! The frequency is
tuned just once when multiple tones need to be checked for the same
frequency. Scanning speeds in excess of 40 frequencies per second have
been achieved with PROBE1K. Scanning speed results are displayed directly
on the scanning screen. "Filter" and "ATT" settings are provided for each
frequency record for better reception and control.

Powerful, Intuitive and Easy to Use - Mnemonics are used throughout the
program making functions easier to remember while providing immediate
control over the PCR1000. Single specific keystrokes provide a true
"control panel" feel. No need to look at a monitor screen to control the
receiver.

Versatile - Works on virtually all IBM compatible computers, both DOS and
most Windows based operating systems. You can use older and inexpensive
PCs for dedicated "terminal based" computer controlled scanning. No need
for extra memory, special graphics, annoying device drivers, or
complicated operating system setups. PROBE1K provides a very stable
operating environment for long term non-stop operations. Check out some of
the laptops and monitors we enjoy using with PROBE1K.

Data Driven - PROBE1K uses a high speed database engine (dBASE format) for
"virtual computer controlled scanning". Provides large capacity data
management (4000 groups, each with 99 banks, 1000 frequencies per bank)
while attaining maximum scanning performance without demands for extra
memory or processing power.

Specifically Designed for Scanning - Features like TacScantm, SmartScantm,
Hyperbanks and Hypersettings provide functionality beyond the common scope
of "manual tuning" programs primarily designed for Shortwave and HF
reception. These, and other functions, provide more continuity and control
of what you hear. Hear more of what you want to hear as it happens!

Summary - Look closely at the features and benefits of PROBE1K. Compare
them carefully with other PCR1000 compatible programs. Then consider
PROBE1K runs extremely well on low cost computers. If having fast and easy
control of the PCR1000 is important, you won't find anything more capable
than PROBE1K. When you're controlling your PCR1000 with PROBE1K, you'll
feel like you're getting instant results - the same as if you were
pressing the buttons directly on a scanner - no "delays" or feeling
"disconnected" from the radio. Best of all, you will get maximum possible
scanning speed and performance - something the others just can't promise.


Features

Exceptional Bank and Frequency Management - Select up to 99 banks to scan
at one time, containing up to 1000 frequencies each, quickly, easily, and
without having to leave scanning screen. Banks include descriptive fields
up to 25 characters for each bank, incremental search and tagging of banks
for easy identification, lookup and selection.

Group File Management - Provides up to 4000 groups of 99 banks, each group
with separate and customizable configurations including frequency, bank,
logs, radio service codes, VFO keys, Hyperbanks, Hypersettings and alarm
files.

SmartScantm - Allows you to instantly and automatically focus on changing
events! Key frequencies are assigned as triggers. When activity is
detected on one of these key frequencies, PROBE1K activates an assigned
bank of frequencies, called a "SmartBank", for a specified amount of dwell
time. A SmartBank can be any bank of a few frequencies or as many as 1000.
For each key frequency, you can choose whether the SmartBank is the only
bank scanned (exclusive mode), or is added to current banks scanned
(non-exclusive mode). The length of dwell time spent in either mode can be
tailored to your own situation. If activity is detected within the
SmartBank of frequencies during the dwell time, the dwell timer is reset
so you can continue to monitor the action.

For example, you can designate the air emergency frequency 121.5000 as a
key frequency. When it becomes active, you can have your scanner
exclusively scan just those frequencies related to the air emergency
frequency, like the local tower, ground control, rescue squad and air port
security, or you can include them with the other frequencies being scanned
in the non-exclusive mode. Once the actions settles down, normal scanning
resumes. This is just one of many uses for SmartScan.

TacScantm - The benefit of TacScan is quite noticeable, particularly when
you are scanning a large number of frequencies. While you can use the
standard "delay" features on a normal scanner, they are usually too short
to be effective. You could use PROBE1K's extended delay features, but
applying a lengthy delay can result in hearing less traffic. With TacScan,
your odds of hearing a "response" to a dispatch are greatly improved. When
you are searching a large number of frequencies, you will hear more
activity, less dead air and enjoy better continuity. Find, identify and
log those "new" frequencies quickly!

TacScan assigns an active frequency to a priority position in the scanning
list for a specified period of time. When and how the frequency is
assigned as a TacScan frequency is based on the settings for TacScan. You
can set TacScan on "auto", or use PROBE1K's logging features, as a trigger
so a frequency found active is assigned to the TacScan scanning list. You
can also manually assign an active, or last active frequency to the
TacScan list right from the scanning screen. You will definately "hear the
difference" with TacScan.

Hyperbankstm - "Imagine having ten scanners sitting on your desk." reports
John McColman from AOSC Journal. With just one simple keystroke, this new
feature immediately activates any combination of 99 scanning banks. Each
of the ten available Hyperbanks can be customized with a description so
you can easily remember what each Hyperbank is designed to monitor.
Hyperbanks allows the PCR1000 to become a tactical system, where it is
quickly and easily reconfigured to the needs of the moment. Rather than
switching through various screens, or deactivating and activating banks,
you only have to press one function key and go. Thus, with the ten
function keys having separate bank selections, it is like having ten
scanners available, all at the touch of one key.

Let's say you have any number of banks setup to suit your interests.
There's a bank for fire, another for media and another for local
government. You can configure the "F1" key to activate these three banks
and describe it as "Fire" . Other banks could include your favorite
frequency banks such as federal law enforcement, local and state law
enforcement. Configure the "F10" key with these banks and describe it as
"Favorite Frequencies". When a major event occurs, press "F1" and the
fire, media and local government banks are immediately activated. When
everything is finished, press "F10" and you are back to your normal
configuration.

Hypersettingstm - In addition to PROBE1K's ability to "memorize" (save)
various bank selections to one "Hyperbank key", PROBE1K provides the
option of memorizing PROBE1K's "Settings" into the same key. A Hyperbank
key not only controls bank selections, but controls most of the scanning
operations, features and functions instantly.

Hypergroupstm - Switch between any 10 "Groups" on the fly directly from
the scanning screen! Assign any of the "F1" through "F10" keys to your 10
favorite groups. Once scanning, pressing "Alt-H" provides a pick list of
groups. Or you can use the key combination of <Alt> and any of the
preassigned "F" keys to go directly to a group.

VFO Keys - This feature provides immediate access for those most important
frequencies from the scanning screen or the manual tuner. Up to 10
individual frequencies can be assigned to the "F1" through "F10" keys -
called "VFO Keys". In addition to a frequency, each VFO key can store the
mode, tone, step rate and a description for each frequency. There's also a
handy VFO key pick list. Once a VFO key is pressed, the associated
frequency is immediately tuned in the "Manual Tuner" where it can be
changed, or stepped up or down based on the step rate you programmed into
the VFO key. Tone squelch control is also provided.

Automark and Autolock - These features provide a method for easily
identifying which frequencies are in use in your area. An excellent tool
for professional users responsible for frequency coordination and spectrum
analysis. "Automark" automatically highlights (marks) frequency records on
file based on the number of "hits" recorded in the log file. Coupled with
enhanced functions in the frequency viewer, you can copy or move either
the marked or unmarked frequency records from a specific bank, or from the
entire frequency file, to a different bank or group. Like "Automark",
"Autolock" locks out active frequencies based on the number of "hits"
allowing the program to concentrate more time checking on the remaining
frequencies for activity.

Extensive Frequency Management Tools Built In - Frequency file viewer and
editor provides expanding, contracting and locking columns for easy
viewing. Column order of frequency data can be customized to suit your
needs. Provides multiple sorting options for different ordering of data.
Incremental searching for fast lookups. Create subsets and print frequency
data. Speed entry and instant duplication check for new frequency data.
Direct access to frequency file and full screen frequency data editor
accessible right from the scanning screen!

One of the many unique frequency management tools is the "Compare / Copy"
function. This feature allows you to copy selected frequency data from one
group into another. After the selected records are copied, they are
compared to the other records in the current group. Those which are
duplicated elsewhere in the group are "marked" (highlighted) and those
which are new are unmarked. You can easily delete the marked records if
you only want to view the new records, or delete the unmarked records to
see the duplicates. For those new records you wish to keep, you can
reassign them to their appropriate banks. This make sharing frequency
files with others a snap. You can "Copy / Compare" their frequency files
with yours making it easier to update and synchronize frequency files.
Another benefit is being able to combine one group with another while
eliminating unnecessary duplication.

Imports PCR1000 "MCH" Files - PROBE1K allows you to import existing
frequency data from Icom's software as well as the free data available for
the Icom PCR1000 from Icom's free online "Frequency Finder" website.
Import routine allows you to assign incoming data to specific banks within
PROBE1K. Bank assignments can be left intact or frequency data can be
consolidated into one bank.

Imports FCC Data - PROBE1K utilizes FCC data better than any other
software by importing more of it. Works with FCC Data from National
Communications' "Mr. Scanner" CD ROM or any other FCC data that conforms
to "UFDBF" standards. Built-in FCC radio service descriptions and codes
provided. Breaks down FCC data by putting each service type into an
individual bank. Automatically fills in bank descriptions with FCC radio
service descriptions (when available) for easy selection of which radio
services to scan. Uses latitude and longitude data (when available) for
calculating distance from monitoring location to transmitter. Built-in
radius search function allows you to import just those frequencies in your
area. Frequencies which can't be tuned or are out of the tuning range of
the scanner are automatically eliminated. Duplicate frequencies are only
tuned once when scanning. Duplicate licensee records can be deleted by
using a special "Dupecheck" function while scanning.

Imports CSV Data - CSV data, a common data format, can be imported
directly into PROBE1K. You control what data goes where. Also allows
importing frequencies from a regular text file where frequencies are
delimited by carriage returns and line feeds.

Log all or specific frequencies / tones / DTMF data - Log is readily
viewed and printed during scan session. Logging includes time and date
stamp and options for logging individual or cumulative transmissions of
DTMF data. Accumulated air time and average signal strength included.
Immediate access tot he log directly from the scanning screen and
instantly tune a logged frequency. A "Minimum Airtime" setting eliminates
logging frequencies due to short squelch openings and repeater delays that
may otherwise hold the frequency open.

More on-line data for active frequencies - Scanning screen includes
licensee name, address, city, state, county, radio service type and
description, callsign, transmitter latitude, longitude, group name, log
file name, bank number and bank description.

More on-line status indicators - Status indicators and data include
scanning speed, current active frequency, CTCSS / DTMF codes, signal
strength, log, alarms, priority, delays, current time, SmartScan,
SmartBank, and an active log of the most recent frequency activity.

Unique "Lite Bar" and "Manual" tuning Functions - "Direct access on-line
tuning" from both the frequency and log file viewers provide immediate
tuning of highlighted frequency or log record. Manual mode provides
variable tuning directly from scan screen; acts like a "tuning knob". Tone
control, signal strength, and DTMF readout included. You can even toggle
the PCR1000's "ATT" switch for deattenuating the signal.

These are just a few of the many features PROBE1K has to offer. Other
features include:

Individual "Filter" and "ATT" settings can selected for each frequency
record


"Templock" for nuisance transmissions with variable time control selected
on the fly while scanning


"Templock Monitor" temporarily locks out a frequency that may be the
result of "stuck key" or otherwise is interfering with the regular
scanning process


Variable monitoring time limit


Selectable priority bank including a variable sample rate for focusing on
the most important frequencies


Dual delay "global" timers as well as a "Custom Delay" for an individual
frequency


Export frequency or log data to ASCII text file, CSV file, mapping file
(frequency data only) and "UFDBF" file


Visual Alarmstm allows you to assign a frequency with any one of nine
customized visual and audio alarms. When an "alarmed" frequency goes
active, the name appears in the activity window in its specially assigned
color?


Delete duplicates function allows you to automatically create search files
for a specified range of frequencies while leaving out any frequencies
which are already in a selected group's frequency file


Enhanced "Frequency Dupe Check" allows you to view a duplicate frequency
record when adding new ones


"Total Frequency Count" provides a total count of all frequencies being
scanned and frequencies per bank


Display colors can be changed and monochrome is also supported


Display up to 50 lines of data on screen at once for larger frequency, log
and history lists


Four different types of scan indicators including a "scan speed" indicator


Signal strength display provides actual readings from receiver giving you
a wider range of numbers


Compare all these features with any other software and you'll see why
PROBE1K is the best scanning software for the Icom PCR1000.