9500i Commander 0.0.3 Beta Released GPS SOFTWARE
9500i Commander 0.0.3 Beta Released!
New Features for 0.0.3:
- New code for reading from the 9500i *should* eliminate buffer overflow errors
- Selectable LAT/LON Display between decimal and DMS formats, option to round to nearest second for DMS
- Fixed a bug where decimal values for LAT/LON were rounded off at 5 places past the decimal (they are stored in memory out to 7 places)
Screenshots:
------------------------------
*** LICENSE & DISCLAIMER ***
------------------------------
The user must assume the ENTIRE RISK of using this software. In other words:
I am NOT RESPONSIBLE if it fries your 9500i or screws up your PC!!!
Before using this software, thoroughly read the file LICENSE.txt in the installation folder for official disclaimers and license information.
Please be aware that this software is in beta. I do not have any official communication specs or memory data specs on the 9500i. My software has only been made possible only through my own investigation, so I can't guarantee accuracy of the data displayed.
------------------------------
Features
------------------------------
-Read the data from the 9500i
-Display locked out location data & marked location data
-View Locked Out Areas & Marked Locations in Google Earth
-Display device info: Product, Manufacturer, Serial Number
-Save or print your data
-Export to a CSV file
-Export to Google Earth .kml files
------------------------------
Getting Started
------------------------------
In order to use the software, you will need:
- A way to power your 9500i
- A mini-USB cable to connect between the 9500i and your PC's USB port.
You can use a DC power supply to power the 9500i in your house, or take a laptop out to your vehicle.
1. Connect your USB cable to your PC and your 9500i.
2. ***IMPORTANT***: Hold down the MRK and BRT buttons while plugging in the power to your 9500i, and continue to hold them down until the unit shows USB on the display. The 9500i MUST be in "USB mode" to read valid data!
NOTE: The first time the 9500i is connected to the PC and powered on, the PC should detect it and automatically install it as a HID (Human Interface Device) using Windows drivers. If you can not get past this point for some reason, then the software won't work. If for some reason you have an error here, search Microsoft support & the internet for a solution to your problem installing a HID device.
3. Once the PC is finished installing the 9500i, launch the software.
Be sure that it says "Connected to 9500i" on the left hand side of the statusbar at the bottom of the window. The software can detect when the 9500i is connected and disconnected.
4. Read from the 9500i by clicking Transfer > Read From 9500i, or by clicking on the blue down arrow button on the toolbar. A progress bar will be displayed, and (hopefully) the process will complete (if not, see the Troubleshooting section below). When reading is complete, your 9500i data will be displayed in the grid.
5. You can save your data to a file by clicking File > Save.
6. To view your locations in Google Earth, click Memories > View in Google Earth or click the earth icon on thwe toolbar.
------------------------------
Troubleshooting
------------------------------
"Buffer Overflow" errors when trying to read from the 9500i
Here are a few suggestions:
1. BE SURE YOUR 9500i IS IN "USB MODE" AND SHOWS "USB" ON THE DISPLAY WHEN READING FROM IT! Even if you can read successfully without the unit in USB mode, the data will be invalid and will not contain readable data.
2. While the software is reading from the 9500i, do not use any other applications on your PC.
3. Try reading from the 9500i several times.
4. Close the software, then re-launch it and try again.
5. If you have other applications running at the same time as Commander, close the other applications and try again.
6. Do a fresh re-boot of your PC, and try again.
7. Get a faster PC :-)
I am new to writing applications for USB, so the above suggestions are the best I can offer at this time. However there might be some other steps I can take in the future to further mitigate this problem in software. I have tried it on several PC's, and although I get the error on occasion I am always able to successfully read the data by following the above steps.
------------------------------
Questions
------------------------------
Q - Why is the software called "9500i Commander"?
A - I write a line of programming software for ham radios that carries the same "Commander" names. This is also where the GUI style and some of the features comes from.
Q - Why are certain features "greyed out" in the GUI?
A - Most of these "greyed out" options are for features which may be added in the future. A few features are not enabled until you open a saved file or read from the 9500i. Features involving communication with the 9500i will not be enabled unless a 9500i is connected.
Q - I live in the Eastern or Southern hemisphere, and the Latitude/Longitude values are not correct?
A - I have a good idea of how these are stored, but in order to confirm and add this capability to the software I'll need to see data files. If you live in the Eastern/Southern hemispheres and want this to be supported, send me a 9500i data file.
Q - How are the K-Band segments displayed?
A - A dash denotes an unlocked segment, while an X denoted a locked-out segment. The left hand side is the low part of the band (24.0XX), while the right side is the upper part (24.2xx).
Q - What's the deal with the X-Band Segments?
A - I am still analyzing how X-Band segments are stored in memory. Based on how the data appears so far, here is how X-Band segments are indicated in the software:
??????--
One or more of the lower six segments is locked out.
------??
One or more of the upper two segments is locked out.
????????
One or more of the lower six segments is locked out, and one or more of the upper two segments is locked out.
Q - What do the circles around the locations represent when viewing in Google Earth?
A - The red circle around the Locked Out Areas is 1/10 mile radius, which is officially what Escort says is the size of the lockout area. The Green Circle around marked locations is 1/2 mile radius, the approximate alert distance for a marked location if travelling under 50 MPH. The Blue circle around marked locations is 1 mile radius, the approximate alert distance for a marked location if travelling 50 MPH and above.
Q - I have a locked out location that doesn't show any X or K-Band segments as being locked out?
A - I am a ways off on the X-Band segments. For the K-Band segments, I'm very "close" but perhaps not 100%. Because of the way the data for the segments is stored, there seems to be more going on than is readily apparent. Send me your file, along with the memory number in question, I would be interested in taking a look.
Q - Why does the software allow for only 1024 memory slots, while the 9500i can supposably store 5000?
A - The Commander software only allows for 1024 memory slots because I only know how 1024 locations are stored. There's plenty of memory open for other data, but I won't know how slots 1025+ are stored until I see a memory file with 1025+ locations in it. If someone has more 1025+ lockout areas/marked locations, please read from your 9500i with 9500i Commander, and send me the file so that I can add capabilities for the additional memory slots.
Q - Will you provide the source code?
A - I put a lot of work into my projects, and I do not want to give away the source code. However, if I ever lose interest in this project, then I might decide to make the source public.
More Questions?
PM me.
Downloads:
------------------------------------------------------------
9500i Commander 0.0.1 Beta.
Initial Release
------------------------------------------------------------
9500i Commander 0.0.2 Beta.
New Features for 0.0.2:
-Displays Latitude & Longitude data in human-readable decimal format (North America)
-View Locked Out Areas and Marked Locations in Google Earth with the click of a button
-Export Google Earth .kml files
------------------------------------------------------------
9500i Commander 0.0.3 Beta.
New Features for 0.0.3:
- New code for reading from the 9500i *should* eliminate buffer overflow errors
- Selectable LAT/LON Display between decimal and DMS formats, option to round to nearest second for DMS
- Fixed a bug where decimal values for LAT/LON were rounded off at 5 places past the decimal (they are stored in memory out to 7 places)
- jimbonzzz
|
|
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by MEM-TEK
Bookmarks