QuickStart Instructions  (tested on BC245XLT)

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How to setup your scanner for Computer Control
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1. Attach the RS232C cable to the computer and scanner.

   You should have received this cable with your scanner.

   The DB-9 serial connector plugs into your computer's serial port.  Some
computers (especially older ones) may need a "DB-9 to DB-25 null modem adapter"
if the serial connector does not fit the computer's serial port.

   Plug the small flat plug into the side of your scanner (on mine there is a
rubber cover you have to pop open before you can insert the plug).  The Up
sticker should be facing the front of the scanner.

2. Turn the scanner on.

3. Hold down the "E" key on the 245 until the scanner beeps twice.  On
the 895, press and hold the "ALRT/RMT" key until the scanner beeps
twice.

   A small blinking key icon should appear on the scanner's display, on
the 245.  "RMT" should appear in the display of the 895.  Note that if
you don't see the appropriate icon, sctl *will not* work.

4. Compile and install the software (there is only one file -- sctl).

   Type "make"

5. Verify that your ~/.sctl has the correct settings.

   See the README for further instructions on this.

5. Test the connection.

   Trying typing "./sctl status" -- you should get some information back.  If
the command hangs then it is unable to communicate with the scanner -- go back
to step 1.

   Try typing "./sctl scan A" -- If you have frequencies programmed into the
first bank of your scanner, the scanner should begin scanning them.

   Type "./sctl" to see the other commands the program supports.  Try them out,
have fun, send in bug reports/patches, etc.


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How to turn off Computer Control
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1. On the 245, hold down the "E" key until the scanner beeps twice.  On
the 895, press "ALRT/RMT" briefly, the scanner should beep once.

2. Now you are out of computer control mode.  Use your scanner as you normally
would.

   If you want to remove the RS232C cable on the 245, there are two tabs 
on the side of the flat plug you press to release it.  On the 895 (with
the cable I have at least), the plug is removed just by pulling on it.


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Common Problems
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Q: I receive an error like "write_serial returned error code: Input/output
error"

A: You probably specified the wrong serial port in the sctl configuration.
    /dev/ttyS0 (on linux)  is equal to  COM1 (on DOS/Windows)
    /dev/ttyS1 (on linux)  is equal to  COM2 (on DOS/Windows)
    /dev/cuaa0 (on BSD)    is equal to  COM1 (on DOS/Windows)
    /dev/cuaa1 (on BSD)    is equal to  COM2 (on DOS/Windows)
   The program's default is /dev/ttyS0 (unless your sysadmin changed that).  You
can change it by editing the ~/.sctl or via the command line option -p.


Q: I get an error about "unknown scanner model" when I run the program.

A1: Did you specify the scanner model via the command line?  If so, then the
scanner model name you specified wasn't recognized by the program.  The correct
syntax is like "./sctl -m bc245xlt scan A" <-- (substitute the "bc245xlt" with
the model number of your scanner)

A2: Open the file ~/.sctl with your favorite text editor.  Go down to the line
that says "model unknown" and change it to the model name of your scanner.  For
my BC245XLT scanner, I would change it to "model bc245xlt"  Once you have the
scanner model in the .sctl you won't have to bother with command line options
anymore.

A3: Your scanner is not currently supported.


Q: I get an error "Ignoring unknown configuration command" when I run the
program.

A: Something in your ~/.sctl is not right.  Be sure you have entered everything
in lower case, and that comments have a # in front of them.  If you are really
confused, just delete the file and run sctl -- a fresh copy of ~/.sctl will be
created for you.  You can then edit this new copy.


Q: I've followed the instructions but it still doesn't work.

A1: Be sure your scanner is set to 9600 bps.  The instructions are in the back
of the scanner's manual.  I think only the BC245XLT has different bps rates, so
this answer may not apply to other models.

A2: Maybe your scanner isn't compatible with the program.


Q: (some other problem)

A1: Type "./sctl help <command>" with <command> being the command you are having
trouble with.

A2: Read the scanner's manual and/or the program source code.

A3: Go to "Support Requests" on our Sourceforge home page --
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/bc-sctl/
We may be able to help you.  Please submit the output of "sctl version" and a
copy of your ~/.sctl with your support request (if you can).
