AlphaSense® and PBXaminer®

Knowledgebase / FAQ

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Installation and Operations

Tips & Tricks



Installation & Operations

My modem seems to have a problem connecting to AlphaSense
Our pagers are receiving "AlphaSense Battery Alert" messages. What should we do?
We forgot or lost our access password. Can you help?
I would like more detail on how "matchstrings" work, and how to use them
I used to get a login message, but now all I get is dots...
What is the EOB or EOL character, when do I need a different one, and what does it do?
Some of our pagers are numeric only, not alpha. Will AlphaSense work with them?
What's up with the "-FF" models of AlphaSense? What do they do?
What if my data comes out a parallel port, not a serial port?
Don't you also make some software that enhances AlphaSense with even more features and capabilities?




Tips & Tricks

How to use AlphaSense to selectively forward data from your equipment
How to combine multi-line data, or create custom data-block formats
How to make AlphaSense work with numeric-only pagers
How to make an inexpensive Paging or Wireless Messaging Server




Installation & Operations


My modem seems to have a problem connecting to AlphaSense

This usually means your modem needs to be set in the correct mode. Find the correct command for your modem on our Modem Setup page.

Our pagers are receiving "AlphaSense Battery Alert" messages. What should we do?
Get complete details in this pdf file. Otherwise, call Compuquest, Inc. Customer Service at 630.405.0740, or please use our Comments Form. Don't forget to include your name, phone, and fax number so we may contact you.

We forgot or lost our access password. Can you help?
Yes, we can re-program your unit, but we cannot bypass your password or get around it. Please call Compuquest, Inc. for a Return Authorization number, and send your unit to us. We will re-install the operating system software, and return it to you. Please record your passwords in a safe place!

I would like more detail on how "matchstrings" work, and how to use them
Sure! Here is a complete explanation, with examples.

I used to get a login message, but now all I get is dots...
Your modem has been changed, or someone changed the modem setup commands. Find the correct command for your modem on our Modem Setup page.

What are the codes to use for the EOB (end of block) character, and what do they do?
Here is a complete table of codes, how to use them, and what they do.

Some of our pagers are numeric only, not alpha. Will AlphaSense work with them?
Yes. Here is an app note describing how to use AlphaSense with numeric (digital) pagers.

What's up with the "-FF" models of AlphaSense? What do they do?
The -FF model exists in two versions: AlphaSense for Networks and the standard AlphaSense model. The -FF units have special functionality unlike the other AlphaSense units that process data streams. The other models perform a filtering function on incoming data, and that data may be any textual content, unformatted - just like what might be sent to a logging file, a printer, etc. The -FF expects data in a "fixed format". This format, explained here, is simple, and contains not only message data, but access information for the wireless service(s) being used, as well as the identity number of the device receiving the message. This capability makes the -FF unit into a "paging server", with the ability to reach an unlimited number of different services, and recipients on those services. The user of an -FF AlphaSense must be able to program or otherwise control their equipment so that it will deliver data to AlphaSense -FF in the correct format. If you have control over the data you send out to an external device, you can make use of the powerful features of the -FF models!

What if my data comes out a parallel port, not a serial port?
Just use a simple plug-in parallel to serial converter. Plug the parallel side into your parallel port datasource (usually a PC printer output), and the serial side of the converter connects to AlphaSense. These small modules and the needed cables can be obtained from Compuquest, Inc., or may be located at data communications and network supply sources.

Don't you also make some software that enhances AlphaSense with even more features and capabilities?
Yes, its called Remote Support Software. You can see screen shots, and complete feature descriptions here.



Tips and Tricks


How to use AlphaSense to selectively forward data from your equipment
This is one of the features that makes AlphaSense very valuable. Set your matchstrings to capture the data messages you want from your host equipment, while ignoring the rest. Instead of defining a "fixed message" to send when a match occurs, put this in the "message contents" space: "^F" (no quotes). This instructs AlphaSense to "forward the entire data block which contained the match" - that's it!

How to combine multi-line data, or create custom data-block formats
Doing this is easy, and involves simple changes to the EOB (end-of-block) character code. Here is a complete table of codes, how to use them, and what they do.

How to make AlphaSense work with numeric-only (digital) pagers
Simple. Here is an app note describing how to do it.

How to make an inexpensive Paging or Wireless Messaging Server
Use one of the -FF models... The -FF model exists in two versions: AlphaSense for Networks and the standard AlphaSense model. The -FF units have special functionality unlike the other AlphaSense units that process data streams. The other models perform a filtering function on incoming data, and that data may be any textual content, unformatted - just like what might be sent to a logging file, a printer, etc. The -FF expects data in a "fixed format". This format, explained here, is simple, and contains not only message data, but access information for the wireless service(s) being used, as well as the identity number of the device receiving the message. This capability makes the -FF unit into a "paging server", with the ability to reach an unlimited number of different services, and recipients on those services. The user of an -FF AlphaSense must be able to program or otherwise control their equipment so that it will deliver data to AlphaSense -FF in the correct format. If you have control over the data you send out to an external device, you can make use of the powerful features of the -FF models!



Formed in 1983, Compuquest, Inc. is a leading designer/manufacturer of hardware and software products for telecom, data communications, remote monitoring, and wireless messaging.

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