Q.
What is the speed and memory specification for the MS8108?
A.
The unit is supplied with a 1GHz CPU and 256MB memory which is more than enough
to run the receiver applications comfortably with plenty to spare. But if you
need more power to run other software and may need more power - I will return to
this issue further down.
Q.
Can the front CD drive be replaced by a Kingston Frame and Removable Carrier?
A.
If the Kingston Frame supports Windows DLA (Drive Letter Access), it’s a
simple fit; if not, some software work will be required.
A.
IDE.
A.
No.
Q.
How do you typically "archive" recorded data? Is the CD shown in the picture actually a CD-R or CD-RW?
A.
On a CD-RW, under DLA, using "DirectCD" - third party software. A DVD
writer can be substituted for the CD-RW drive.
Q.
What other connections are available on the back panel? and how many of each
(i.e. Video, PS/2, Parallel, USB, etc.).
A. 1. Combined mouse/keyboard PS/2 socket
2. Serial (RS-232)
3. VGA out
4. LAN
5. Parallel (option; no extra charge)
6. Second serial (option; no extra charge)
7. USB (2) (option; no extra charge)
If you choose replace the CD-RW
drive with the Kingston Frame, you can also request that we fit the 2 optional
USB ports for external CD-R or CD-RW.
Q.
What are the keyboard/trackball connects?
A.
PS/2
Q.
What is the software platform?
A.
Currently Windows 2000; the user can add other Windows programs such as MS
Office.
Q.
What expansion slots are provided?
A.
Standard is 8 ISA slots for the 8 WR3xxx series receivers, however another
backplane can be provided which allows the 8 ISA slots plus 4 PCI slots; this
requires a small mechanical change at the time of order. This modified
configuration allows the use of other types of SBCs for faster CPUs and more
memory.
Q.
I need to remote-control a bank of scanners 90 miles from here, and know which
scanner, agency, and channel is being heard even if they are receiving
simultaneously. Can the WR do this?
A.
Yes, several ways:
(1) If you can interconnect the sites with a LAN, you could hear
real-time, streaming audio with the eight-receiver MS8108 Client/Server Option (CSO)
at the remote site (“server”). A
single PC at the control point would provide the management (“client”).
(2) A series of single WR receivers, each connected to its own PC
(server) to connect to the T1 network, and each with its own IP address, could
also be remote-controlled by a management PC (client) at the central point using
the CSO.
If, instead, the remote receivers are commonly connected to one T1, a
standard ethernet hub will be required.
NOTE: Custom rack-mounted servers with integrated receivers are available
from WiNRADiO.
NOTE: RS232 protocol is too slow for real-time audio and control of the
remote servers.
(3) A dial-up system can access a single WR receiver equipped with its
custom modem, remote-controlled by a Touch-Tone phone. Password protection
enables private use of the receivers anywhere in the world, with no host PC
required at the remote locations, just at the control point.
Q.
Is the audio derived from received signals stored on the server end or the
client end of the CSO loop?
A.
All recording is done on the server in order to minimize the throughput
bandwidth requirement for multi-channel systems. It also protects the
continuation of the task even if the client is disconnected. To retrieve audio
files, standard FTP file transfer applications can be used. Since there is no
limit on how many servers or clients are interconnected on the network, the
entire system is highly scalable.
Q.
What protocol is used for the CSO?
A.
Standard TCP/IP. The server address can be entered as IP address, URL, or the
computer name as shown in Network Neighborhood. But remember, the server can’t
be accessed from the Internet if it is running behind a firewall; in that case,
only those clients who are on the same local network can connect.
A.
If you use a hub, straight-through cabling is all that you need, but if you do a
direct-connect, crossed cabling is required. And if you put an extension on a
crossed cable, be sure it’s a straight cable—two crossed cables in series
become one straight cable!
A.
Very efficient, and can be further improved by increasing the interval between
signal strength readings, and by choosing a more efficient voice compression
codec.
Q.
What is the data rate range necessary for the CSO?
A.
Using MP3 (8 kbps) codec, and doubling that to include network loads during
scanning where signal strengths need to be frequently sampled, data throughput
as low as 16 kbps should be adequate.
Q.
How much bandwidth is necessary to send an audio stream back to the client from
a server?
A.
As above, using high-compression MP3, about 8 kbps if you don’t need
the 16 kbps audio quality. Theoretically, then, you could send 7 data streams
simultaneously through a 56 kbps connection. If, instead, you choose
uncompressed 16-bit PCM, you’d need 128 kbps per stream.
Q. Can I have more than
one channel of streaming audio?
A. Yes, dual-channel,
streaming audio may be added. With the present CSO, the operator can select any
number of individual receivers form his and other servers (if permitted) to
access the audio.
Q.
How can I be sure my Client Server Option (CSO) is properly installed?
A.
The single CD-ROM contains all the files needed for both the host server and the
remote PC; it will ask you which one you are installing. In your files, find
“C:\program\files\winradio\directory” for your machine, then locate the file
“server.exe;” this is your verification that the software is installed.
If you would like to create a shortcut to
execute this file, use the standard procedure of pressing and holding the
right-hand mouse button while dragging the icon onto your desktop screen.
Q.
Will the CSO work on a low-bandwidth dialup or dedicated leased line?
A.
Yes.
Q. Does the server
retain instructions like scanning plans, timing information for recording, etc.
or does this information reside on the client computer?
A. The server contains a
“task list” which is initiated by the client, and it remains active even if
the client disconnects.
Q. Can a single-line
file be created to upload later which contains technical information on an
intercepted signal like frequency, mode, bandwidth, etc.?
A. Yes, best done with a
CSV file created using “Save As” in Excel. It will be plain-text-readable,
and editable.
Q. Can several operators
mutually access each other’s receivers?
A. Yes, a client PC can
access any receiver on any number of remote or local servers, but a PC can only
be a client or a server, not both. And once an operator accesses any receiver,
it is unavailable to another client.
You may have both a server and a client
in the same location by providing one PC as the server (connected to the
receivers) and another stand-alone PC as a client at the operating position. A
virtually-unlimited number of such listening posts may be established, with each
operator having command of any local or remote receiver in the network, but only
one receiver at a time.
Q.
Can the MS8108 be accessed by both the remote CSO and local server operator?
A.
Not at the same time. If the local server operator has command, the CSO is
locked out. However, it is possible to assign more than one PC at the control
point by normal networking.
Q.
Is it possible to use the hard drive in an MS8108 to record audio simultaneously
from all eight receivers, or perhaps 16 independent remote servers, and play
back at the same time?
A.
Yes, and the internal hard drive uses an 8 kHz sampling rate with compression
algorithms including MPEG3 to provide at least a month’s uninterrupted
recording time.
The .wav files are all time- and
date-stamped, so any audio channel can be retrieved immediately via the PC’s
sound card with only a 250 ms delay. The download is digital using TCP/IP, and
retrievable from the remote servers with existing file transfer applications
(ftp tools).
NOTE: If the audio from the remote
server is to be recorded at the control point (client PC), only one channel of
audio can be recorded through a single sound card at a time. For eight channels
of audio being down-loaded to the control point, eight sound-card-equipped PCs
would be necessary. Obviously, it’s an advantage to have the receiver/PC
servers at the remote sites, requiring only one control PC as the client.
WiNRADiO software supports any of these
alternative methods of audio management.
Q. Can the 3000 series
Client Server Option (CSO) run the MS8108?
A. No, the 3000 will
only run with a single remote receiver. You
need the 8000 series CSO for the MS8108.
Q. How does the audio
mixer board in the MS8108 facilitate monitoring separate receivers?
A. While it is possible
to connect 8 individual speakers to the 8 receivers and manually switch among
them to select monitoring combinations, the audio mixer board does the switching
and muting automatically as you click on the receiver panel, allowing you to
listen to the particular receiver(s) whose panel you click.
Q. How is the MS8108
computer different from a conventional computer?
A. The 8108 box is a
rack-mounted computer with additional features like extra ISA slots for the
receivers, a tuning dial, volume control, 8-channel audio mixer, and it is
designed for low electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the hosted receivers.
Q. What are the software
options I need to operate more than one MS8108?
A. Operational software
is provided for one MS8108, but if you want to operate the Client Server Option
(CSO) on each remote server, you will need one licensed CSO for each server. The
number of clients, however, is virtually unlimited.
Q. I would like to build
my own computer mainframe to house eight receivers, essentially emulating the
MS8108 but with different panel and backplane. Can I do this?
A. Yes, but you will
additionally need:
(1) An audio mixer board to integrate the
outputs from the eight receivers;
(2) Shielded audio lines from each receiver
to the mixer board;
(3) DC power connections to the mixer board;
(4) Multichannel Spectrum Monitor software for the computer so that it can be locally controlled and for initial setup as well as later troubleshooting if necessary;
(5) Client Server Option (CSO) software package if you intend remote
control of the server;
(6) Multichannel Application software.