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Difference between revisions of "Freescan FAQ"

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* '''Why create FreeSCAN?'''
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* '''How can I capture data from a site other than RadioRef, which uses the web service?'''
**At the time I bought my 246, there was no free software available that supported both trunked and conventional systems. I decided there was a need for some free software for these scanners that would provide both trunked and conventional system support. I also have a good platform for constant development into what I eventually hope to become The Ultimate Scanner Program®.
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** See the [[Freescan EZGrab]] article. As long as the data is in a tabular or column format, you can use this to import the data
 
 
 
 
* '''Why  is FreeSCAN free (as in free beer)?'''
 
** I like free software. I like software I can just download and go and use. I don't like nag screens, demos, time limitations, functionality limitations, spyware, annoying toolbars, registration codes, "call home" software, activating software, and all the other stuff that seems to be the rage these days with programmers.
 
 
   
 
   
  
 
* '''What should I do if I encounter a bug?'''
 
* '''What should I do if I encounter a bug?'''
 
** If you encounter a bug, then please go to the [http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-programming-software/ Scanner Programming Software] forum at Radio Reference and report it. Please include what kind of a scanner you have and the program version.
 
** If you encounter a bug, then please go to the [http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-programming-software/ Scanner Programming Software] forum at Radio Reference and report it. Please include what kind of a scanner you have and the program version.
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==Error Messages==
 
==Error Messages==

Revision as of 09:14, 1 September 2016

Common / Operational Questions

  • How do I download FreeSCAN?
    • Go to this page for the most recent version, which includes support for the P2 series scanners.


  • What operating systems is FreeSCAN compatible with?


  • Is it Mac compatible?
    • No. However if you are running LINUX, please see the link above under the operating systems question.


  • What scanners are supported?
    • SC230, BC246T, UBC3500XLT, BC15T, BCD396T, BR330T, BCD996T, BC346XT, BCD396XT, BCT15X, BCD996XT, BCD325P2, BCD996P2.


  • Is my (model number) scanner that isn't listed above supported?
    • No, only Uniden's DMA based scanners are supported. Note that the HP series of scanners (HP-1, HP-2, BCD436HP, and BCD536HP) are NOT supported, and will not be.




  • How can I move data from my DMA scanner to a non-DMA scanner?


  • How can I capture data from a site other than RadioRef, which uses the web service?
    • See the Freescan EZGrab article. As long as the data is in a tabular or column format, you can use this to import the data


  • What should I do if I encounter a bug?
    • If you encounter a bug, then please go to the Scanner Programming Software forum at Radio Reference and report it. Please include what kind of a scanner you have and the program version.


Error Messages

  • When uploading, I get a "Critical Error, Possibly Caused by Insufficient Scanner Resources. Aborting" message. How do I resolve this?
    • There are a couple of ways this can happen;
      • You have exceeded the memory limits for a system, site or group. See the Moving DMA Data to Other Radios in Freescan article for a summary of statistics.
      • You have done numerous ADDs without ever wiping the scanner first. This can cause multiple copies of the same system(s) which take up memory space. When making changes, you should use REPLACE instead.
      • Each of the DMA scanners has test data loaded into some quick keys as a demo. This data is often old and outdated, and should be dropped. Combine this with having done numerous ADDs and memory space gets eaten up quickly
      • You should first back up your current configuration, then examine the data to be uploaded to insure it doesn't exceed the memory limit for your model. Wipe the scanner completely (there's a red option for this at the top of the upload form) and reload


  • I get a "Critical Comms Error -2147024882" when downloading
    • You are using an obsolete operating system such as Windows 98 or WinME . FreeSCAN requires Windows 2000 or higher.


  • When trying to communicate with the scanner, I get "Exit Menu Mode before download". What does this mean?
    • Your scanner is in menu mode. Push scan to go back to normal scanning and try it again -or-
    • You are having a problem with the serial port not being setup properly.


  • I get a "Critical Comms Error" when downloading, or channels or groups are missing
    • Slow down the baud rate you are using. You may also have to turn off turbo mode. Also make sure that no other process has control of the serial port that FreeScan is trying to use. Serial port errors can be caused by many different things. Most communications problems are caused by old or poor drivers for USB-Serial adapter converters. The most reliable way to link to your scanner is to use a hardware serial port.


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