Getting
Started with MARS-ALE
Recommendations for
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MARS-ALE is available in two versions. The Standard Edition (SE),
and the Legacy Edition (LE). The difference between the MARS-ALE SE and LE is
that LE has been tailored to work better on systems running slower hardware and
older versions of MS-Windows by coding LE to use an 8Khz sound device clock
sample and removal of the MIL-STD-188-110 modem.
What you will need:
(MARS-ALE v1.02 BETA)
|
ITEM |
SE - Version |
LE - Version |
|
Personal Computer |
CPU speed of
866Mhz (or better) with 256MB
dynamic RAM (minimum) 512 MB or more
recommended. An available
serial port or a USB to serial converter. |
CPU speed of
133Mhz to 550Mhz. (The faster the
better.) An available
serial port or a USB to serial converter. |
|
Between a
550-866Mhz CPU, depending on the type of CPO sound
device, LE or SE may be the appropriate version, an exact CPU speed and
combination of sound device sample clock ability has not yet been
determined. If your equipment falls
into this category, try both versions to determine which is best suited for
you |
||
|
A stand alone machine without a network card
or any other non-OS software running, which is dedicated to MARS-ALE will provide the best results. |
||
|
A USB Mouse is recommended. (RS-232 and PS/2 mice ports generate
hardware interrupts and are problematic, especially on marginal CPU speed
computers.) |
||
|
Operating
System |
For all systems that have enough CPU speed and RAM to run Windows
2000 Professional SP4 or XP is recommended.
However, both LE and SE will work on Windows 98SE and WindowsMe although performance will be somewhat less. |
|
|
Sound Card |
Internal PCI soundcard or external USB sound device is
recommended. AC’97 on-the-board sound chip sets are also
supported. |
Most sound
devices, including ISA boards will work with the LE version. |
|
See the MARS-ALE Radio Help Operator Guide (supplied
with the MARS-ALE software) for additional sound device information and
recommendations. |
||
|
MF/HF
SSB Transceiver or Receiver |
For full scanning/sounding
operation: A supported SSB
Transceiver (see the aleradiohelp.pdf
file generated when you install MARS-ALE). An RS-232 level converter is needed for
most rigs for full-function/software controlled scanning. RS-232 level converters (for CAT control)
can be built or purchased fairly inexpensively. A web search should yield many sources for
your particular radio. The Radio Help
file, which is included with MARS-ALE, covers this issue in sufficient detail
to guide you through your hardware set-up. For single channel operation: A CAT controlled
radio is not needed for single channel operation, but VFO must be tuneable to
10Hz resolution. If
your radio tunes to 10Hz resolution but the read-out shows only 100Hz
resolution, a CAT level converter may be necessary. This will allow MARS-ALE to set the
frequency accurately. |
|
|
Computer to Radio Sound Card Interface |
Any sound-card to radio interface,
purchased or home-made, with software controlled (RTS
or DTR) Push-To-Talk (PTT) control. For radios with CAT PTT control
(See MARS-ALE Radio Help Guide) RST or DTR PTT is not needed, allowing a much simplified
interface to be constructed. |
|
|
Antenna |
A multi-frequency antenna or an
automatic antenna tuner is needed for scanning/sounding operation. |
|
|
MARS-ALE software and license |
(See following step for instructions to
obtaining software and license) Download Standard (SE) Edition either
full or for floppies. |
(See following step for instructions to
obtaining software and license) Download
Standard (SE) Edition (either full or for floppies) and also the Legacy (LE) version. |
STEP BY STEP SET-UP
|
Apply for MARS-ALE License |
Navy Marine-Corp MARS members should Contact NNN0ASL
at KD4OL@AOL.com with
the following information:
With your MARS Call in the subject line of the
e-mail. NNN0ASL will generate a license file for you and
email it to you with instructions of how to download the MARS-ALE software. |
|
DOWNLOAD
and INSTALL MARS-ALE software. |
Just run the INSTALL.EXE file(s) to install
the software and automatically create desktop icons for the program as well
as all of the documents that you will need.
|
|
The steps above will install MARS-ALE v1.01 (or
current version) stand-alone software with your license. To install
the 1.02 BETA version, go to http://www.n2ckh.com/MARS_ALE_FORUM/
, download the SE and LE software, Quick Start
Guide and Radio Guide - Appendix A. Installation instructions are included in
the READ ME file which comes with the software. Follow these Instructions carefully!
(This BETA
version expires on January 31, 2006 to be replaced a new stand-alone release.) |
|
|
Configure MARS-ALE Software |
You can quickly become operational by reading just the Quick Start and Radio Help – Appendix-A
files. (ICONS for these will appear on
your desktop during MARS-ALE installation.) Follow the instructions of these two documents. Note: It is
recommended that you read all of the documentation which comes with the
software to give yourself a full understanding of this tool. (ed) The documentation for MARS-ALE is truly outstanding, as is
the software. Thankfully this was done
on a volunteer basis, as a commercial venture could not support this level of
detail and professionalism. The entire Software Development and Testing teams
are to be commended! |
|
Join the MARS-ALE Support Group. This is absolutely essential to stay up to date on changes, operating instructions and rules
and support for any MARS-ALE questions you may have. Experts from all three MARS services are
there to help. |
|
|
Net |
Day/Time |
Frequency |
MARS Service |
|
3X1Y |
1100-1300 EST
Saturday |
NEB |
Navy-Region 3 |
|
NA1Y |
1900-2100 EST
Thursday |
NCN |
Navy - National |
|
AAR5RV/R |
1930-2100 EST Wednesday |
KCN/KBL |
Army |
|
This page is
maintained by NNN0TJC |