Frequently Asked Questions


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Table of Contents

  1. How do I order a probe?
  2. Where can I find a spec sheet for the OptoWave ?
  3. What is a wireless optical probe?
  4. What is the range of the wireless communications?
  5. What is Bluetôôth  ?
  6. What operating systems are supported ?
  7. What types of batteries are required?
  8. How do I install my wirelss services on com port 4?
  9. My MeterCat software doesn't work. Is a special configuration required?
  10. I use PC Pro Plus from Itron. How should I set up my probe?
  11. I want to use a Toshiba adapter. How do I set it up?
  12. I have a Toughbook with Bluetôôth already installed. How do I set it up to connect with the OptoWave Probe?
  13. Why is my COM port number so high? Can I reset it?
  14. Can I Download a copy of the OptoWave Instruction Manual?
  15. How do I pair the OptoBlue adpater to the OptoWave wireless probe?
  16. The Windows Bluetôôth drivers installed over the Linksys Bluetôôth drivers. How do I fix this?

How do I order a probe?

Just call or send us an email. We'll set the order up right away. You can use a purchase order or credit card. We also have a network of authorized distributors. Call for details or ask your metering products representative if they sell the OptoWave by Probe-TEC.

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Where can I find a spec sheet for the Optowave. ?

Either click this link or send an email to t.houck@probe-tec.com and ask for a .pdf file containing all the technical specifications.

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What is a wireless optical probe?

A wireless optical probe is a patent pending device used to read and program electric meters. The wireless optical probe combines infrared communications technology (at the meter optical port) with wireless communications (between the probe and the handheld) and serial communications (between the handheld receiver and the operating system). If you read or program electric utility meters than you need a wireless optical probe.

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What is the range of the wireless communications ?

Radio waves are a dynamic physical phenomena as such many factors can improve or diminish their performance. In the best of cases our Optowave probe can communicate over 300 feet. In the worst of cases communications will be about 15 feet. The use of external wireless adapters greatly improve performance.

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What is Bluetôôth?

Bluetôôth is a wireless communications standard adopted worldwide. The term Bluetôôth applies to the radio hardware, firmware and protocol structure. In short Bluetôôth is a wireless communications standard developed for short range data communications. Bluetôôth devices are used in everything from cell phones to automobiles. Bluetôôth is a popular worldwide technology as such there have been over 1 billion Bluetôôth devices manufactured worldwide. For more information on Bluetôôth see www.Bluetôôth.com

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What operating systems are supported?

Prior to Windows 98 wireless communications were not a part of the Windows standard operating systems. Since then Windows has supported wireless Bluetôôth technology in Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 thru 11. For intructions on installing the drivers CLICK THIS LINK.

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What types of batteries are required?

After discussing the options with our customer we decided to design our probe with replaceable batteries. The reason was that our customers wanted the option to replace the batteries in the field if necessary. So we designed in a set of standard AA batteries which can be purchased at any local gas station or convenience store. We sell our probes with Energizer Lithium Ion batteries because they last far longer than any of the others. They are more expensive but the added cost is offset by the longer life. But the probe can use any AA batteries, even rechargeables. The Premium Kit come with rechargeable batteries and an in vehicle charger.

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How do I install Bluetôôth services on com port 4?

Some meter software do not support higher com port settings above com 4. It is advisable to check with the supplier of your meter software to determine if your metering software can utilize com ports above com 4. It is also important to understand if the software you are using supports virtual com ports such as those used by USB devices. For more information on com port settings please CLICK THIS LINK. If you need more information please don't hesitate to call us for further support.

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My MeterCat software doesn't work. Is a special configuration required?

While most metering software requires no special configuration some users have told us they have a problem communicating while using Elster's MeterCat software. In most cases the problem can traced to the packet size setting under the Connection Manager screen. Please refer to THE LINK HERE to see how to properly configure MeterCat
MeterCat is a registered trademark of Elster Metering.

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I use PC Pro Plus from Itron. How should I setup my probe?

Again, normally there is no special configuration required to use the Optowave. However some manufacturer's software packages may require that you change the probe setup from its current setting to more generic setting. This depends on the current settings and the type of wired probe that was formally used. For best performance we recommend that you check your settings for PC Pro and, if necessary, change them to agree with the setting as shown on THE LINK HERE . The settings shown correspond to a com port 6. If your probe is installed on a different port change the number shown accordingly.   
PC Pro is a registered trademark of Itron Metering.

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I want to use a Toshiba Bluetôôth adapter. How do I set it up?

We recommend the Linksys Bluetôôth adapter because of its range and ease of use. But if you already have Bluetôôth in you laptop of if you have already purchased a Bluetôôth adapter that uses the Toshiba stack you can easily set it up to work with the OptoWave probe. If you would like to down load the instructions be sure you have the .pdf viewer installed and then click  THE LINK HERE . You may also want to refer to THIS LINK.

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I have a Toughbook with Bluetôôth already install. How do I set it up to connect with the OptoWave probe?

Using an internal Bluetôôth radio has the advantage of not having to worry about damage to the radio or the USB port. But you sacrifice range. Internal radios typically give you a range of 30 to 100 feet. If the laptop has a Bluetôôth antenna then the range could be as far as 300 feet. If you would like to down load the setup instructions be sure you have the .pdf viewer installed and then click  THE LINK HERE .

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The Windows Bluetôôth drivers installed over the Linksys Bluetôôth drivers. How do I fix this?

Windows XP SP2 has a set of Bluetôôth drivers that can be used with many Bluetôôth devices. However the Windows XP Bluetôôth drivers are not as robust as other drivers so we recommend that you use the Linksys (Broadcomm) drivers or the drivers that came with your Bluetôôth radio. If you do not follow the installation instructions and plug the Linksys adapter in the the USB port too soon Windows will install its drivers and will prevent the Linksys software from properly installing the Linksys drivers. If you think this happened you can down load the instructions to correct the installation. Be sure you have the .pdf viewer installed and then click  THE LINK HERE/a>/strong> .

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Why is my COM port number so high? Can I reset it?

Windows sets virtual COM port numbers based on the records in a registry key. This key can be edited to reset the virtual COM port emuneration. To download the information be sure you have the .pdf viewer installed and then click  THE LINK HERE .

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Can I get a copy of the OptoWave Instruction Manual?

There are two version of the OptoWave Manual one for the Linksys/Bluetôôth adapter and one for use with the OptoBlue USB adapter. The files may take a few minutes to download depending on your connection speed. To download the information be sure you have the .pdf viewer installed. For the Bluetôôth adapter version click  THE LINK HERE To view the OptoBlue version THE LINK HERE

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How do l pair the OptoBlue adapter to the OptoWave wireless probe?

Normally each OptoBlue is paired with an OptoWave when shipped from the factory. However if you received your separate OptoBlue and want to pair it with an OptoWave that you already have you must follow this simple procedure. For a copy of the instructions  CLICK THIS LINK.

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