Copyright: 1997 Aarto Reponen
Citation: FMBox 1.0 Help


Welcome
 FMBox help contents

Thank you for using FMBox 1.0

What is FMBox

Hardware Requirements

Installation

Operation

How to register FMBox

FMBox home page:

http://www.algonet.se/~aarto/fmbox

Author:

Aarto Reponen (aarto@algonet.se)

http://www.algonet.se/~aarto

 	Aarto Reponen

Notariebacken 17, 5tr

14556 Norsborg

Sweden


 What is FMBOX?

FMBox is a program that allows you to control FM-tuner ISA adapters from Radio Reveal and Aims Lab.

FMBox is a product of my frustration with the software included in the RadioReveal package. I decided there was nothing else i could do but to make my own application to control the tuner.

Enter: FMBox 1.0

The application is 32-bit all the way and can be minimized to the system tray. All the preset stations (100 of them) are easily accessible using buttons or menus and every single station can be given a descriptive name. I will continue to add featores to FMBox and registered users will get new versions for absolutely nothing.

This is a full version of FMBox. You are free to evaluate this product and redistribute it in its original package!. To remove the reminder screens, please register the product. (The registration fee is only $15 USD)

Any comments are thankfully accepted as i am continually developing this product.


 Hardware Requirements

FMBox  works ONLY with the following adapters:

Manufacturer	Product

Radio Reveal 	RA300

Aims Lab.	Radiotrack

FMBox can be configured to use I/O ports 0x30c (default) or 0x20c (alternative)

If you have not changed any hardware jumper settings when installing your FM-adapter, the default I/O address should work just fine

Do not try to control any other hardware using this product!


 Installation and uninstallation

Since you can read this help file, you propably have already installed FMBox The installation and uninstallation is fully automatic and no files are scattered around your storage space. All files FMBox uses are kept in a single directory. When you uninstall FMBox, all traces of it will be deleted.

Files that are placed in the FMBox folder:;

fmbox.exe - The excecutable

fmset.exe - Setup program

fmbox.hlp- (this file)

license.txt - License agreement

register.exe - Registration program

mail.url - Internet shortcut - sends mail to the author

fmbox.url - Internet shortcut - FMBox home page

aarto.url - Internet shortcut - Authors home page

fmbntdrv.exe - An archive containing drivers needed to run FMBox with Windows NT. If you are using Windows NT, please extract the files in this archive. for more information about installing the needed drivers, look here

   giveio,sys

   instdrv.exe

   ntreadme.txt

   tstio.exe

Registry entries made by the setup program and FMBox:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AARTOR

This is where FMBox stores all the settings. this registry key will be removed when you uninstall FMBox


 Installing drivers for Windows NT

   FMBox uses direct access to I/O port 30C alternativly 20C. In WindowsNT,

   that kind of access to hardware is not alloved without a driver. This is

   where "giveio.sys" comes in.

   In order for FMBox to gain access to the radio card under NT, the driver

   giveio.sys must be loaded before running FMBox!

   Installing the driver:

   1)  Copy the file "giveio.sys" to the \winnt35\System32\drivers\

       directory.

   2)  Use the following command at the system prompt to install the driver:

       example:

                "instdrv giveio c:\winnt35\system32\drivers\giveio.sys"

       Note: The "instdrv" utility is included with FMBox.  After

             executing the command you should get 3 "SUCCESS" related

             load messages.

       The driver should now be loaded.

   3)  Open the "Devices" applet inside control panel.  Scroll down

       until you find the givio driver in the list.  Change the

       StartUp mode to "Boot" if you want the driver loaded

       when your system boots.  Else you will have to load it each

       time you boot your system.

   4)  Run the "testio.exe" program to test the driver installation.

       If all goes well, you will hear some tones being played

       through your system speaker.  If you don't hear anything here

       are a few things to check:

       1) Make sure the driver is loaded by performing step 3 above.

          If the driver isn't in the list, try reloading it using

          the instdrv.exe program.

       2) Make sure your PC speaker works.  Verify that your mixer

          settings are correct, ie you don't have the line-in device

          muted if you are redirecting the output of the radio card

          into your sound card.

       3) If all else fails, E-Mail me (aarto@algonet.se) for assistance.

  5)  Execute FMBox.  If the driver is loaded, you should hear

      your radio card.  If the driver is not loaded, you will get

      a dialog box with an error message.  Recheck your driver installation.

      If your system hangs, you probably have a conflict with the I/O port

      address of the Radio card.  Try changing it to the other setting .

Removing the driver

The giveio.sys driver can be removed by using the instdrv.exe program.

For syntax of the command, type "instdrv" with no arguments.

This is cumbersome, yes, but will be automated in FMBox 1.1 once i get my

WindowsNT installed


 Operation

Click on the FMBox window to see what each element does or select the items below to find out how to operate FMBox

Selecting a preset station

Tuning manually

Scanning for stations

Storing new stations

Adjusting volume

The Snooze function

The Alarm function

Setting FMBox options

Controlling FMBox from the system tray

Minimizing FMBox window


 Selecting preset stations

you can easily switch between stations using the preset buttons and the Channels menu . Up to 100 stations can be saved and you can give each preset station a descriptive name. The station name shows up in the channels menu for quick access.

Keyboard shortcuts:

- To browse through the preset stations, you can use PageUp and PageDown keys

- You can use the numeric keys below your function keys to tune to corresponding preset station


 Manual tuning

You can tune to any station manually using the "Tune" buttons. When you have found a channel you can add it to your presets with the memory button. You can also use the Quick Jump to tune in to a station really fast.


 Quick Jump

Want to tune to a station really fast?

just type it in!  When you type the first number, a dialog box will open and let you type in the rest of the frequence. Press <ENTER> and you're tuned!


 Scanning for stations

You can automatically scan for all the stations in your area. Press the scan direction button and FMBox will automatically tune to the next station in that direction. When a station is found, FMBox will display a "T" in the status display


 Storing preset stations

You store a station in the presets by first tuning to the desired station and then clicking on the "MEMORY" button in the FMBox window. FMBox status display will now show a "W". You can now select in which slot you will save the station in  using the preset buttons.

When you have clicked on a preset button, you will be asked for a name you want to give to your new preset station. Type the name and press OK, or press "CANCEL" to cancel adding a new preset station


 Adjusting volume

You can set the volume in four ways.

•	Using the volume control buttons on the display

•	Using the volume control items in Options-menu

•	Using the volume control items in the System tray icon

•	Using the keyboard shortcut ("+" and "-")


 Snooze function

You can set FMBox to automatically mute the radio after a certain amount of minutes.

The current status is shown in the display

Keyboard shortcut: "S"


 System tray icon

If you enabled "Minimize to system tray" in the settings dialog, you can control use the system tray icon to control FMBox

•	A single click on the icon mutes the radio

•	Right-clicking on the icon shows you this menu


 Minimizing FMBox

Click on any unoccupied areaf of FMBox to minimize its window. If you have enabled the system tray icon in options you can control FMBox by clicking on the icon on your system tray  without having its window visible on the screen


 Turning off  FMBox

you can close FMBox in a number of ways

•	Click on the "POWER" button in the FMBox window

•	Click on "EXIT in the main "FILE" menu of the main window

•	Click on "EXIT" in the System tray icon


 Alarm function

You can set FMBox to automatically wake up at any time you want.

You can set alarm time and what preset station you want FMBox to use

Use the ALARM button in the main window or the ALARM menu item in options menu

Keyboard shortcut: "A"


 Options dialog

I/O Port address

If you didn't alter any jumper settings when you installed your FM-tuner, this shuold be set to the default (30c). 20c is the alternative port

Minimize to system tray

If this option is selected, FMBox window will be hidden when it is minimized. You can still control FMBox from the System tray icon


 Preset buttons

There are 10 preset buttons. you can use the [image] button in order to see more presets.

•	Click on a button to select a preset station.

Right click on a button to display the menu

•	To change the name of the preset station, select "NAME"

•	To remove the preset station, select "CLEAR"


 Volume buttons

Allows you to control the volume or mute the radio

Keyboard shortcut: "+" and "-"


 Tune buttons

Use these buttons to manually tune to a station.

You can also use the automatic scanning feature


 Scan buttons

Use these buttons to automatically scan up or down to the next station


 Sleep button

This button activates and deactivates the Snooze feature

Keyboard shortcut: "S"


 Memory button

This allows you to add a new preset station.


 Alarm button

Activeates/deactivates the alarm

Keyboard shortcut: "A":


 Keyboard shortcuts

Numeric keys below function keys

 -  Tune to corresponding preset station

Numeric keys on the right side of your keyboard

-  Tune to a frequency. A dialog box will appear to allow you to type in the frequency

PageUP / PageDown

- Browse through preset stations

"+" and "-" keys

- Adjust voume up/down

"M" Key

- Mute/unmute audio

"A" Key

- Turn the alarm on/off

"S" key

- Turn the Snooze on/off


 File menu

•	Click on "Quick jump" to manually enter the station frequency

•	Click on "Exit" to close FMBox


 Options menu

Settings	Change FMBox settings

Minimize	Minimize FMBox window

Volume up	FMBox volume controls

Mute

Volume down


 Channel menu

Allows you to select one of the preset channels

•


 Help menu

Contents	Shows the help file contents

Search for help on...	Opens the help file search dialog

About	Shows miscellaneous information about FMBox

Register	Runs the registration program


 Restore FMBox window

Restores the FMBox window


 About

Shows miscellaneous information about FMBox 1.0 and allows you to enter your license number you received when registering this program


 Exit

Exits FMBox. You have the option of leaving the radio on.


 Mute

Mutes/unmutes the radio. Current status is indicated on the FMBox display


 The Display

FMbox 1.0 has a display that shows you the current channel, frequency, time and various status inormation. Click on the display for detailed description of each element.


 Frequency

Displays the current frequency the radio is tuned to


 Station name

Shows the descriptive station name. This is assigned when storing new preset stations


 Status

This shows you the current status of FMBox

Blank	Not tuned to a channel

T 	Tuned to a channel

W 	Storing a new station. When you click on a preset button, the current frequency is stored as a preset channel

<	Scanning down

> 	Scaning up


 Mute-indicator

Displays a "M" if the radio is muted


 Snooze-indicator

Displays a "Z" if the Snooze-function is activated


 Clock

Shows the current time


 Alarm indicator

Displays a "A" is an alarm is active


 How to register FMBox

This version of FMBox requires a license key in order to remove the reminder messages that appear when you run/close FMBox .

To obtain a license key, please run the registration program and follow the instructions.

After registering, you will be sent a license key by email.

The registration fee of FMBox is only $15 USD

Benefits of registering:

(apart from getting rid of the nag-screens)

•	Registered users receive upgrades for free

•	The shareware concept depends on registered users. Lots of great applications would never have been released without this concept.

•	Registered users have peace of mind!

•	I need the money

•	Additional reasons included in the next version of FMBox


 About FMBox 1.0

I have coded FMBox on my spare time using Delphi 2.0

As i'm not a wealthy man, i appreciate all registrations of this product since it allows me to develop this product even further

License information

How to register

FMBox home page:

http://www.algonet.se/~aarto/fmbox

Author:

Aarto Reponen (aarto@algonet.se)

http://www.algonet.se/~aarto