AORCE

AORCE
Some utilities to control AOR 8200-8600 radios using Windows CE HPC devices

Ingredients:

AR8200 or AR8600 receiver
Windows CE device (from now on referred to as HPC, for hand-held PC)
cabling
AORCE
Orbworks' PocketC runtime module ("download for PocketC software users" section, choose the right version for your device)

Please NOTE: switching from the Sharp Mobilon/HC4100 (MIPS processor, Windows CE 2.1) to a HP Jornada 720 (ARM processor, Windows CE 2000) I realized the applets are no longer working. This is apparently due to incompatibility issue in PocketC. So far I've been unable to update the applets.

Cabling
Cabling consists in two parts:

the serial cable normally used to sync your HPC with a desktop computer
depending on the radio:

AR8600: a null modem adapter or cable.

The HPC->desktop cable is a null modem
PC->AR8600 connection is expected to be "straight"
Therefore another null modem (or "crossed") cable/adapter is needed to straighten up things

AR 8200: as above plus a level converter interface

AOR sells the complete interface (complete with plug and bundled with a software CD) or the plug alone, as a spare part. Cheaper non AOR alternatives can be found on the market (here for example), but you'll still need the connector.
Projects are available on the Net to home-build the interface and a search for "level converter interface" will bring up several links.
The connector has a cheaper equivalent in a HP Jornada spare part (here for a nice and complete project).

AORCE

Download from here und unzip on your HPC.

Orbworks runtime module for PocketC is needed for execution.
If you want to modify and recompile the source code, please purchase the full version of PocketC.
AORCE has been written on a SHARP HC (Mobilon) 4100, a handheld running Windows CE 2.0.
I understand that the same applet should work also on newer versions (PocketPC).
Please let me know if you get it running on other devices.

Executable in the .ZIP file assumes that communications go through COM:1 serial port (this should be standard) at 19200 bps (please set up the receiver accordingly). You can change both parameters and recompile in a matter of seconds.

Functions implemented so far:

Spectrum Explorer to explore a frequency range in unattended operation.
Memory Backup & Restore ...guess
Memory Bank Label Editor tired of fiddling with the radio keypad?

The computer control command set can be found into the users' manual or on AOR's website.

MISC & LEGAL STUFF

I place the AORCE utilities in the public domain under the so called "Artistic License" (click for full text).

Bottom line:

It can be used, re-distributed and modified if you follow some minimal rules.
It cannot be sold.
I cannot guarantee any support for the software.
I am not responsible for whatever you do with AORCE and your radio.
Some operations might damage your radio or involve losing data. I cannot take responsability for it.

I'm no programmer so don't expect the thing to be particularly efficient or complete.
More or less it works and provides me with the features I need, so I don't plan to expand/refine it much.
However I'll be happy to hear that somebody else is using my work.

Feel free to contact me at the following address: sinager [at] o2.co.uk (change the [at] into @)

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