Procat Cool for Windows
From Zerobeat
February 21, 2008 Don Rasmussen wb8yqj/6 Carlsbad, Ca.
- Introduction - Procat Cool 5.1 and 5.2 for windows is a program that is meant to be an extension of the user interface for the K2 or the K3. It adds band stacking registers and a virtual analog S meter to either transceiver. Version 5.5 is for the K3 only and includes extended S-Meter and interface improvements.
- ProCat Cool is designed to be simple yet powerful. Consider it "GPS" style GUI navigation for the K3.
- Click Here for version 5.1 Screen Shots (Revised Feb 19, 2008)
- Version 5.5 Update Screen Shot: (Revised November 21, 2008)
Instructions:
1. Copy ProWin55.zip into a temporary folder that you have created.
2. Extract the contents of the zip file into the temporary folder.
3. Read the Readme.txt
4. Connect your Elecraft K2 or K3 transceiver via any serial port - COM 1 to COM 8.
5. Run the setup.exe and specify the actual folder where the program files will reside. There is no uninstall, when you want to uninstall simply remove the folder you named during the setup.
The program is configured for 38400 bps, click on SET to change this to 4800.
Click Here to Download the 2.75mb Zip file.
Version 5.2 Update Instructions:
- Cool Version 5.1 must already be installed on your computer.
1. Copy ProWin56.zip into the COOL folder that you created during full install of Cool 5.1
2. Extract the contents of the zip file, overwriting ProcatW.exe
Click Here to Download the Version 5.2 update Zip file.
Version 5.5 Update Instructions:
- Version 5.5 Supports K3 exclusively.
- ProCat Cool Version 5.1 must already be installed on your computer.
1. Copy ProWin58.zip into the COOL folder that you created during full install of Cool 5.1
2. Extract the contents of the zip file, overwriting ProcatW.exe, Read ProCatW.RTF for a description of version 5.5 changes
Click Here to Download the Version 5.5 update Zip file.
November 20, 2008 Summary Version 5.5 This package is available only as an update to the ProCat Cool Installation. Unzip the Compressed file and copy into your existing Procat Cool Folder.
1. This version of the program supports S-Meter precision to the DB level, therefore
it is necessarily restricted to the Elecraft K3 transceiver only.
2. Cool 5.5 also allows the S-Meter screen to come up as the active primary operational screen, allowing
access to the other screen when record edits are needed. To enable this feature, click on SET from the main
screen, then select METER as the start form and clear the check box labeled MAIN. The next time ProCat is
brought up, only the meter window will be displayed.
- If the K3 is powered up, the band button will be selected in ProCat that matches the MHZ of the K3, and LIVE
UPDATE will be turned ON.
- The LAST record of the group will have it’s value written as the value displayed on the K3.
- Always leave the last spot of records 40-50 clear for this, the records group description will also be written
in the last spot.
3. Some of the operational buttons from the non S-Meter screen are now available on the S-Meter screen. There are
also S-Meter relocation spinners above the black S-Meter frame. To center the S-Meter, click <> at any time.
4. Click on the large blue plus sign to call the non S-meter form, then use the large blue minus sign to make it
disappear. Clicking the close window X from the non S-Meter form will shut down the entire program.
5. Window locations are now saved.
6. If you are familiar with band stacking on any number of currently available transceivers, that is how the BAND
buttons in the upper right part of the S-Meter screen function. These buttons, along with the virtual analog
S-Meter, make operating the K3 feel like operating many of the metered radios you may be used to.
Program notes
- Click on the button in the upper left corner of the main screen to set a frequency at the radio and in the computer.
- The live update feature is turned off when you click on the left or right arrows in the lower right part of the main screen. This will keep the program from writing over records that were placed in the database for setting the radio. You can still write over these memories, you just need to press CTL + SHIFT first as a way of confirming the change.
An exception to this is when changing frequency by clicking on one of the band keys in the secondary window. The first time you click one of these buttons, you still need to press CTL + SHIFT, but the live update will remain in effect as long as band changes happen using the band select keys. This is similar to the way band stacking registers work on many transceivers.
- Here is an example. After the program is running for the first time, click on any band button on the secondary window, example "20". Press CTL + SHIFT to turn on live update. Now hold down the ALT key and click on the second button under "Live Update" on the primary screen, which will select it. Next click on the button in the upper left corner of the main display, just above the word DIRECTORY. Now enter 14.025 for example, then press enter. Click on CW. Next click to the right of the button you just set, and enter any text to describe that entry. "20m CW" for example. Also, the bottom left corner of the primary screen contains the description for the memory record "20 Meter bandstack", this can be clicked into and changed.
- The upper right part of the primary display has an arrow up and arrow down, for minor changes to the frequency. This should rarely if ever be used, update using the VFO knob on the radio with live update on, or with live update off use the VFO knob then press CTL + click to set the button only.
- Close the secondary window at any time, click on the GMT clock button in the upper left hand corner of the primary window to reopen the secondary window.
README.TXT ProCat Cool for Windows Version 5.1 February 2008
Documentation file is K3Cool.PDF - please read this file first, it is very short and has everything you need to know to use the program.
To Install:
COPY ALL OF THE PROCATW FILES INTO A SUBDIRECTORY ON YOUR HARD DISK, THEN ENTER MICROSOFT WINDOWS. SELECT "FILE" FROM THE PROGRAM MANAGER MENU, SELECT "RUN", SELECT "BROWSE", SELECT "SETUP.EXE" FROM THE SUBDIRECTORY WHERE PROCAT FOR WINDOWS IS LOCATED, CLICK ON "OK", CLICK ON "OK".
Revision History:
Feb 7 2008 - PROWIN50.EXE, Beta status.
Feb 8 2008 - PROWIN51.EXE, Beta status - S-Meter increased response.
Feb 9 2008 - PROWIN52.EXE, Beta status,
Feb 10 2008 - PROWIN53.EXE, Beta status - added COM5, COM6, COM7 and meter select in setup.
Feb 17 2008 - PROWIN54.EXE, Non-beta Release 5.1
- Alt plus click on band stacking register (secondary display screen) will call up the registers group without setting the radio. - COM 8 added - Meter enhanced - Added 6m and 60m to the band stacking registers - Enhanced direct frequency entry at program, decimals allowed like: m (dot) kkk (dot) hhh or without decimals like 10 (provides 10 mhz set)
Feb 18 2008 - PROWIN55.EXE, Non-beta Release 5.1a
- Alt plus click on band stacking register (secondary display screen) will turn off live update.
Nov 8 2008 - PROWIN56.EXE, Release 5.2
- Reformatted and expanded the program visuals.
Nov 21 2008 - PROWIN58.EXE, Release 5.5
- S-Meter accuracy to the DB level - Numerous interface and band stacking improvements - K3 only.
Registering
There is no charge for the program, nor is there formal support, I'll make corrections and changes as they seem necessary. Donations accepted - registration is by email request. Provide your name or name and call, or serial number - and I'll email a program attachment that will be executed in the Cool Folder. That will write the registration information into any Procat database you might have. It also drops the message at startup that requests registration.
