Basic Radio
Programming
Network Basics
Radio Modes
• Master – One per network
• Repeater – Unlimited number per network
-Can also act as a slave (S/R)
• Slave – Unlimited number per network
-Best practice is 150 or less
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Network Types
Point To Point Point To
Multipoint
Slightly faster than Point To Multipoint Can have unlimited slaves and
Can only have 1 slave repeaters
Can have up to 4 repeaters Can use local/network
Communication is assigned by serial diagnostics
numbers
No local/network diagnostics
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Serial Radio Programming
FreeWave Tool
Suite
HyperTerminal EZ Config
EZ Config
Old Generation Configuration Tool
Radio Settings must be saved individually
HyperTerminal
•Included in older versions of Windows
•Provides access to setup of most Freewave
Radios
•Works with any COM Port
•Can also use PuTTY, TeraTerm, others
FreeWave Tool Suite
•All of the functionality of EZ Config and
CommControl are maintained in the Tool Suite.
•Configuration and Diagnostic tools are available
in one software.
•Built in organizational tools to manage saved
data.
•Configuration and Diagnostic data share same
data store.
•Every radio file read/programmed is stored in the
data store.
FreeWave Tools Suite
If needed, a preconfigured Terminal Window
is available in the Tool Suite.
FreeWave Tools Suite
1. Select Configuration
FreeWave Tools Suite
•The Configuration tool supports radios
with firmware versions x.60 or higher.
•For versions older than x.60, when
reading or programming the radio, a
message will appear prompting you to
launch EZ Config to configure your radio.
Tools
Tools Suite
Suite Configuration
Configuration
1. Select appropriate Com Port
2. Select Read Radio
Radio
Radio Information
Information
Serial number
and type of
Radio reported
FreeWave Tools Suite
Program Quick allows the user to program only
the settings changed by the user. Time to
program radio is shortened.
Program All allows the user to program all of the
settings from the Configuration tool into the radio.
FreeWave Tools Suite
Tool Suite Export
Tool Suite
Template
Complete Tool Suite Database
Legacy EZConfig files
The option to import other Tools Suite Data
Stores and existing EZ Config files is available.
FreeWave Tools Suite
The ability to export data stores is available and
can be used to share network settings between
users.
FreeWave Tools Suite
Folders can be created in the Data Store to help
with organizing settings.
FreeWave Tools Suite
Tool Suite organizes radios into Networks.
To add a new network, click the Add
Network button.
To import a FreeWave Network file (*.fwn),
click the Import Network button.
FreeWave Tools Suite
The Network Button allows you to choose
the current active network within Tool Suite.
Options/Network Settings allows you to
change the name of the network and add
notes.
FreeWave Tools Suite
If a radio has a firmware version older than the
currently released version, you have the ability to
upgrade the firmware through the Configuration Tool
by clicking the Update button in the firmware section.
Clicking the View Available button shows the firmware
version currently stored in the Tool Suite database.
FreeWave Tools Suite
A new radio based on default settings can be added
as a Radio Template by right-clicking a blank area
of the Devices pane and choosing Add/Radio
Template.
The New Radio box allows you to name the new
radio and to choose the type of radio that is
created.
Network Critical Settings
The Five Network Critical Settings
• Frequency Key
• Max Packet Size
• Min Packet Size
• RF Data Rate
• Network ID
Critical Settings Must Match in ALL radios in the Network.
Operation Mode
Modem Mode determines the type of network
being built, and how each radio will behave in
that network.
Baud Rate
Baud Rate settings are radio specific, but do
not have to match across the network.
Call Book
Call book is used to store serial numbers of
radios in the network that are allowed to talk to
the radio.
Typically Call Book is for Point to Point Operation
Only.
Transmission Characteristics
15 Selectable Hopping
Patterns
Controls size of data
in packets.
Controls over the air
data rate
Multipoint Parameters
Determines
which radios
can talk with
each other
Problems with Programming
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Problems with Programming
1)COM port is incorrect
2)COM port is N/A because it was connected after starting Tool Suite
3)Connected device is sending data and kicking radio from setup mode
4)Cable is too long (Max distance for RS232 is around 50 feet)
5)Radio is wired for RS485, but is still configured for RS232 (Tx & Rx are
crossed)
6)Port being used is disabled for setup
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