AN OVERVIEW OF THE CE-232 SCANNER/COMPUTER INTERFACE
====================================================

This article is copyrighted (c) 1998 by Bill Cheek.  Permission to
reprint for FREE access and FREE use by others is automatically
granted so long as this entire article, including signature box at the
end are retained intact and unaltered.


WHAT IS THE CE-232?
===================

The CE-232 Scanner/Computer Interface is a 2.5" x 3" electronic board
with a socketed 68HC11 microprocessor and seven IC's that goes between
a COMport of an IBM-PC/XT/AT/386/486/Pentium-compatible computer and 
a supported scanner.

The CE-232 is  a -smart- RS-232 Interface controller AND powerful data
acquisition system for the PRO-2004, PRO-2005, and PRO-2006 scanners 
and at least a drudgery-free automatic programmer and remote controller 
for all supported scanners.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS for all supported scanners
================================================

The CE-232 offers some very powerful capabilities described below:

AUTOPROGRAMMER (all supported scanners)
_______________________________________

    The CE-232 eliminates the drudgery and hard labor of scanning by
    its ability to "AutoProgram" up to 999 memory channels from a
    plain ASCII text file in a short time, error-free and exactly the
    way you want it.

    For more information on the AutoProgrammer, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 AUTOPROGRAMMER            1_autpgm.txt


REMOTE KEYBOARD CONTROL  (all supported scanners)
_________________________________________________

    The CE-232 also allows control of the scanner from the computer's
    keyboard; a strong plus for handheld scanners and those with
    hard-to-operate keyboards, like the PRO-43, PRO-2035 and PRO-2042.

    The CE-232 is a one-way controller and AutoProgrammer like
    described above for MANY scanners, including the PRO-2042,
    PRO-2035, PRO-2022, PRO-43, PRO-39, PRO-37, PRO-34, PRO-26, etc.

    For more information on the Remote Control feature see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 REMOTE CONTROL            2_rmctrl.txt


  FEATURES AND BENEFITS just for the PRO-2004/5/6 Scanners
  ========================================================

  The CE-232 is a TWO-WAY controller and data acquisition system for the
  time-honored PRO-2004, PRO-2005, and PRO-2006 scanners which have unique
  circuitry that allows the CE-232 to do a LOT more than just AutoProgram and
  Remote Control, including log data on "hits", reject undesirable signals,
  look up data about a certain frequency, and much more described below.


AUTOLOGGER (PRO-2004, PRO-2005, PRO-2006 only)
______________________________________________

    The CE-232 acquires and logs data to a file with the AutoLogger
    feature.  The AutoLogger creates plain ASCII text files that are
    easy to export to a database or just to use in original form.
    Most every aspect of the scanner's operation can be AutoLogged,
    notably including channel, frequency, date, time, and duration of
    the transmission; but much more, too.

    For more information on the AutoLogger, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 AUTOLOGGER                3_autlog.txt


AUTOREJECT (PRO-2004, PRO-2005, PRO-2006 only)
______________________________________________

    The CE-232 can AutoReject "birdies" and any other undesired signal
    so that the Search and Scan functions won't be disrupted by the
    scanner locking onto signals that don't interest you.

    For more information on the AutoReject feature, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 AUTOREJECT                5_reject.txt


AUTOLOOKUP (PRO-2004, PRO-2005, PRO-2006 only)
______________________________________________

    The CE-232 can LookUp and display information about the
    frequencies that are programmed into the memory channels. If you
    have all 400-channels programmed, or even a hundred, there's no
    way to remember right off what each frequency is assigned to.  The
    AutoLookUp feature can lookup the information and show it to you
    on screen, within an instant of the scanner stopping on that
    signal.

    For more information on the AutoLookUp, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 AUTOLOOKUP                4_ lookup.txt


SCRIPT AUTOMATION (primarily for the PRO-2004/5/6, but can work to a
                   limited extent with other supported scanners)
____________________________________________________________________

    The CE-232 comes with a Script language of about 40 commands, six
    operators and a handful of parameters that let you automate the
    entire process of scanning and searching!

    A Script resembles a DOS batch file or a simple BASIC program, but
    it's easier than either. Automation of scanning and searching
    doesn't take the fun out of it; to the contrary, it opens up a
    world of radio that you may never have had the time for in the
    past.

    Scripts can make logical decisions based on IF - THEN - ELSE - AND
    - OR logic, so "IF this happens, THEN do that; ELSE do something
    different".  There is no real limit as to what you can accomplish
    by scanning with a Script.

    For more information on Script Automation, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    =====================            =============
    CE-232 SCRIPTS                   7_script.txt



ENHANCED USER FACILITIES (primarily for the PRO-2004/5/6, but can work
                          to a limited extent with supported scanners)
______________________________________________________________________

    The CE-232 offers several special features that can't be described
    very well because they are reserved for the User to decide how and
    for what they are used.  Here is a brief explanation, though:

    USER SWITCHES:  Four solid state switches are on the CE-232 board
                    for the User's pleasure.  These are SPST switches
                    that can be controlled from the PC keyboard, or by
                    automation from a Script. In other words, the User
                    Switches can control a host of other mods and
                    unique circuits. If you want something to be
                    turned on at 3:00AM on September 30, 1999, so be
                    it - a script can do it for you! The status of
                    each User Switch is AutoLoggable for a permanent
                    record.


    INPUT STATUS:   Six input binary registers or ports are available
                    on the CE-232 for the User's purposes. The Status
                    Input bits accept 0v and +5v, and thus, serve a
                    lot like "idiot lights" in a car. These six bits
                    are displayed in the main screen of the CE-232
                    control program. If you need an indicator that can
                    also be recorded and AutoLogged (like for an
                    S-meter!), then the Input Status bits will do
                    nicely!

    INBYTE BITS:    Eight more input binary bits or ports, exactly
                    like the STATUS INPUT bits described above, are
                    available for the User's purposes.  The only
                    difference is that the INBYTES are not displayed
                    on the main operating screen, though there is
                    another screen on which their status can be
                    viewed.  Like the Status Input bits, the INBYTES
                    can be AutoLogged, tested and read by a Script;
                    and decisions made in an automated manner.

    OUTBYTE BITS:   Eight output binary bits or ports on the CE-232
                    board are available for the User's purposes. Just
                    the opposite of (B) and (C) above, the OUTBYTES
                    are user-controllable logic-level outputs of 0v
                    and +5v. If you need a logic bit to turn something
                    on or off, the OUTBYTES just might be the ticket!

  ANALOG/DIGITAL    Eight channels of 8-bit A/D converters are on-
      CONVERTERS:   board the CE-232. The standard MS-DOS program
                    that's supplied with each CE-232 does not support
                    these A/D converters, and so we've never mentioned
                    them in the past.  

                    But now, a new Windows program called Pro-Turbo 
                    does support and take advantage of these eight A/D 
                    converters.  You can use one A/D as an S-Meter and 
                    another as a Center Tune Meter, and what's more, 
                    all A/D data is AutoLoggable!  For more information
                    on the optional and 3rd party Pro-Turbo, see a file
                    called:  PROTURBO.TXT

NOTE: each bit of the Status Inputs, InBytes, and Outbytes and each of
the 8 A/D channels is independent of the rest.  No one bit or channel
affects the status of any other. Therefore, there are 14 Input bits and 
eight output bits that are completely available to the User for his own
purposes.  The four User Switches can be used independently as four 
separate switches, or together to create a 4-bit binary "byte" for 
sixteen combinations of external switches or whatever. The A/D converters
can be used for anything you want, just like a PC-interfaced digital
voltmeter.

For more information on the User Facilities, see:

    Article Title                    Text filename
    ======================           =============
    CE-232 USER FACILITIES           6_tools.txt


WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS?
___________________________________________

The CE-232 is supported only for the IBM-PC/compatible, however we
know a gentleman who supports it for the Macintosh platform, and now
Pro-Turbo (optional 3rd party program) supports Windows.

The PC platform requires MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, with 512-k RAM (min), a
free COM1/IRQ4 or COM2/IRQ3 port, and a hard disk drive with about
3-Mb of free space.  The CE-232 also runs fine in a DOS box under
Windows 3.1, 3.11, and Windows 95. The CE-232 can be configured to run
from a floppy disk for old XT/AT's and old laptops that don't have a
hard drive or not enough free space. Floppy disk operation isn't
especially recommended, but there are situations where nothing else
will work.  NOTE: Pro-Turbo (optional 3rd party program) supports 
four COMports, COM1-4.

The scanner must not have been speeded up by any crystal replacement
means. However, diode speedups are okay, as are all other mods that
come to mind right off. We do not support "other mods" to work with
the CE-232, but only because we have no control over what the User
does and doesn't do. But frankly, the only mod we've found over the
years that's incompatible with the CE-232 is the crystal-swap speedup.


WHO CAN BUILD AND INSTALL THE CE-232?
_____________________________________

Virtually anyone not unduly physically handicapped. Soldering skills
are certainly helpful as is a basic savvy of electronics. I have,
however, guided many a non-technical hobbyist to success at assembling
and installing the CE-232 Interface.  The main thing here is PATIENCE
and the ability to read and follow instructions in English. Depending
on your skill level, free time, and patience, the CE-232 is available
in several different ways, one of which will suit most people.


AVAILABILITY
____________

The CE-232 is available in four different ways:

1.  Roll your own, by yourself, totally from scratch.  The complete
    plans, schematic diagrams, and PCB layout, including parts list,
    are presented in my third book, THE ULTIMATE SCANNER (Cheek3) by
    Bill Cheek, ISBN: 1-56866-058-8. This book is sold by mail order
    radio dealers around the world, and I carry it, too. (autographed)

2.  Roll your own from a professional Kit of all essential parts,
    including PCB, detailed instruction manual, and program disk.
    I can supply this Kit.

3.  Roll your own from an Assembled and Tested Board, with detailed
    manual, and program disk.  I can supply this Kit, as well.

4.  I can do everything, from build the CE-232 to install it in your
    scanner and test it for proper operation.

For more information on availability and prices, see:

    Article Title                   Text filename
    =====================           =============
    CE-232 PRICES/OPTIONS/AVAIL     9_prices.txt (Standard pricing)
                                    9_sale$$.txt (Special sale price)


OTHER INFORMATION
_________________

Inquire by e-mail, postal mail, web, or FTP as shown below for more
detailed information about the CE-232 Scanner/Computer Interface,
including prices and specs.

A series of tutorials and detailed explanations of all the features
and aspects of the CE-232 is available under the following article
titles and/or text files that can be downloaded from our FTP sites in
the  \ce-232  directory, or as periodically posted Usenet
newsgroup articles from rec.radio.scanner, alt.radio.scanner,
rec.radio.cb, or rec.radio.amateur:

ARTICLE TITLE                    FTP FILENAME    COMMENTS
-----------------------------    ------------    ---------------
CE-232 INTRO & OVERVIEW          0_oview.txt     This file
CE-232 AUTOPROGRAMMER            1_autpgm.txt    AutoProgrammer Tutorial
CE-232 REMOTE CONTROL            2_rmctrl.txt    Rem Control Discussion
CE-232 AUTOLOGGER                3_autlog.txt    AutoLogger Tutorial
CE-232 AUTOLOOKUP                4_lookup.txt    AutoLookUp Tutorial
CE-232 AUTOREJECT                5_reject.txt    AutoReject Tutorial
CE-232 USER FACILITIES           6_tools.txt     User Features Intro
CE-232 SCRIPTS                   7_script.txt    Script Tutorial
CE-232 TECHNICAL SUPPORT         8_suppt.txt     Tech Support Info
CE-232 PRICES/OPTIONS/AVAIL      9_prices.txt    Prices & Availability
CE-232 SPECIAL SALE PRICE        9_sale$$.txt    Special Sale w/terms
CE-232 DEVELOPER'S INFORMATION   devdoc.txt      Programmer's Information
PRO_TURBO for HB/CE-232          proturbo.txt    3rd party Windows program
TRUNKTRACK W/O A TRUNKTRACKER    trnkscan.txt    No TrunkTracker needed!
CE-232 WARRANTY & FINE PRINT     warranty.txt    Warranties & disclaimers
------------------------------   ------------    ------------------------
CE-232 PRODUCT BROCHURE             ce232.zip    All the above, Zipped

-------------------------------------------------      ---
Bill Cheek - President/CEO/Publisher             \    /
COMMtronics Engineering/World Scanner Report      \  /
Box 262478 ~ San Diego ~ CA ~ 92196-2478           \/ 
E-mail:  bcheek@cts.com                            /\
ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/bcheek                      /  \
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek  /    \
-------------------------------------------------      ---


Copyright (c) 1998 by Bill Cheek, November 14, 1998
=====================[End of Article]===============================

