American Innovations Allegro MX User manual

Allegro MX v5.2 User Guide
Allegro v 7.0
User Guide
Proven compliance solutions. 
Proven compliance solutions.
Relentless service.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2017 American Innovations, Ltd. All rights reserved.
American Innovations | www.aiworldwide.com | 12211 Technology Blvd | Austin, TX 78727
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of American Innovations is strictly
forbidden.
The American Innovations logo and icon and Allegro MX Field Data PC are trademarks of American Innovations,
Ltd. Juniper Systems, Allegro Field PC, and the company logo are registered trademarks of Juniper Systems, Inc.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Windows Mobile and the Windows logo are
trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the
marks and names or their products. American Innovations, Ltd. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks
and trade names other than its own.
Revised August 2017 Part Number 122125-000

iii
Contents
Chapter 1
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Equipment List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Preparing the Allegro for Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Install the Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Set Display Properties for a Monochrome Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Set Regional Settings, Time Zone, and Date/Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Install Windows Mobile Device Center or ActiveSync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Windows 7/Vista: Install Windows Mobile Device Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Windows XP/2000: Install ActiveSync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transfer Utility Files to PCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overview of the Allegro Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connector Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chainer/Stick Adapter Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Overview of AI Allegro Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Touchscreen Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Realign the Touchscreen Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Keypad and Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Function Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Windows Mobile Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Al Allegro Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Contacting Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 2
Digital Voltmeter (AiDvm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connect Test Leads to the Allegro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Set Test Function, Voltage Range, and Sample Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Set Properties to Measure On/Off Potentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Set GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Set Properties to Measure Current Across an External Shunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Set Data Logger Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
DVM Graph Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Data Logger Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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Chapter 3
Close Interval Survey (CeCi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Connect Test Leads to the Allegro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Set Survey Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Set Survey Type and Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Set Flagged Mode Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Set Fixed Increment Mode Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Set On/Off Survey Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Set GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Save Survey File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Record Inspection Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Set Survey File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Set Audio and Double-click Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Set Auto-backup and Skip Mode Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Set GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Set Color Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Set Graph Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Add Remarks and Test Point Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Add a Remark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Add Test Point Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
View Survey Records and Show Bearing to Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Export a Survey File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Transfer a Survey File to PCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Survey File Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Chapter 4
DC Voltage Gradient (DCVG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Connect Data Canes to Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Set Survey Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Set Survey Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Set Flagged Mode Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Set Fixed Increment Mode Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Set On/Off Survey Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Set DCVG Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Set GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Save Survey File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Record Inspection Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Survey File Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Set Optional Audio and Double-click Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Set Optional Auto-backup Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Set Optional GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Set Optional Color Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Add Remarks, Indication, and Test Point Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Add a Remark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

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Add Indication Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Add test point information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
View Survey Records and Show Bearing to Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Export a Survey File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Survey File Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Chapter 5
Annual/Periodic Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Quick Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Connect Test Leads to Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Set On/Off Survey Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Set GPS Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Add or Delete a Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Rearrange the Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Locate a Specific Survey Record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Select a Value for a Field with a Multi-select Picklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Change Font Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Save Survey File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Record Inspection Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Timed Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Set Auto-backup Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Transfer a PS Survey to PCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Transfer a PS survey file to PCS version 1 or newer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Transfer a PS survey file to PCS 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Copy a PS Survey to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
PS Survey Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
GPS Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
GPS Status Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
GPS Config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
GPS Config Ublox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
GPS Pod Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Key Redirect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Bluetooth COM Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Install Bluetooth COM Setup Utility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Set Up GPS Controller and GPS Status for Bluetooth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Set Up a Holux GPS Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Install GPS Controller Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Set Up GPS Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

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Export Control Classification Number . . . . . . . . . . .107
Software License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

1
Getting Started 1
This guide explains how to set up and use American Innovations’ software installed on the Allegro MX Field
PC®. This chapter includes the following topics:
•Equipment List
•
Preparing the Allegro for Use
(page 2)
•
Overview of AI Allegro Software
(page 13)
•
Overview of the Allegro Hardware
(page 10)
•
Windows Mobile Icons
(page 17)
•
Al Allegro Documentation
(page 19)
•
Contacting Technical Services
(page 19)
Equipment List
Your Allegro ships from American Innovations (AI) with the items in the following list. Several optional add-
ons are available for purchase, such as GPS (global positioning system). For a complete list contact AI Sales
at 1-800-229-3404.
Items provided in the box with the Allegro include:
•Rechargeable battery pack and AC charger
•USB cable
•Mini stylus and pen-style stylus
•Hand strap and shoulder strap
•Screen protector
•AI Allegro CD with copies of AI software, user guide, release notes, and upgrade procedures
•Microsoft Getting Started CD with Windows Mobile Device Center and ActiveSync
•Juniper Systems CD with owner’s manual and quick start guide

Allegro MX User Guide
Getting Started 2
Preparing the Allegro for Use
When you first receive the Allegro from AI, perform the following tasks to prepare the device for service:
•
Install the Battery Pack
(page 2)
•
Set Display Properties for a Monochrome Display
(page 4)
•
Set Regional Settings, Time Zone, and Date/Time
(page 5)
•
Install Windows Mobile Device Center or ActiveSync
(page 6)
•
Transfer Utility Files to PCS
(page 9)
Install the Battery Pack
Complete the following steps to install and charge the battery pack. Charge the battery pack for at least six
hours.
1Push the sliding latches up on the sides of the Allegro to open the battery compartment door
(Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1. Slide Latches
2Place the battery pack in the battery compartment with the small arrow pointing to the right (Figure
1-2). Push the battery pack down and then slide it to the right to secure it in place.
Figure 1-2. Install Battery Pack

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Getting Started 3
3Push the battery door closed until slide latches click into place. If slide latches are not securely in
place, the unit is no longer water tight.
4Plug the battery charger into a wall outlet, then the Allegro (Figure 1-3). The Power window
(Figure 1-4) automatically displays after applying power.
Figure 1-3. Connect Battery Charger
5Complete the following settings in the Settings / Power window (Figure 1-4):
–Select Enter percentage and capacity.
–Set Charge Percentage to 10%.
–Set Battery Capacity to 4000.
Figure 1-4. Power

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Getting Started 4
Set Display Properties for a Monochrome Display
If the Allegro includes a monochrome display, complete the following steps to set display properties:
1Tap Start > Settings > Today icon to display the Today Settings window.
Figure 1-5. Today
2In the Appearance tab, select High Contrast in Select a theme for your device. Tap OK and then the
Close icon (X) to return to the Today screen.

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Getting Started 5
Set Regional Settings, Time Zone, and Date/Time
Regional settings specify the style that date/time, numbers, and currency are displayed. After selecting a
display style, set up the Allegro with your preferred time zone, date, and time.
Complete the following steps:
1Tap Start > Settings > System tab > Regional Settings to display the Regional Settings window
(Figure 1-6).
2Set your preferred language in the Region tab. Use the remaining tabs to set the display style for
Number, Currency, Time, and Date. Click OK to return to the Settings window.
Figure 1-6. Regional Settings
3Tap the Clock & Alarms icon in the Settings window and set up the time zone, current time, and
current date.
Figure 1-7. Time Zone and Date/Time

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Getting Started 6
4Tap OK to apply settings. Tap Yes to save settings and close the window. Tap the Close icon (X) to
return to the previous screen.
Install Windows Mobile Device Center or ActiveSync
The Allegro communicates with a computer using either Windows Mobile Device Center (for Windows 7
and Vista) or Microsoft ActiveSync (for Windows XP or 2000).
If your computer is not installed with Windows Mobile Device Center or ActiveSync, complete the following
steps to install the software. View your computer’s Start Menu to determine if the software is installed (Start
> Program Files or Programs).
Windows 7/Vista: Install Windows Mobile Device Center
If your computer is running Windows 7 or Windows Vista, complete the following steps:
1Insert the Getting Started CD in the CD drive of your computer. The CD is included with the Allegro.
If you cannot locate the CD, please contact Technical Services at
[e-mail].
2Plug the provided USB cable in the Allegro and your computer.
3Download the Windows Mobile Device Center Installer to your computer by clicking the download
link that appears in the pop-up window.
4Select Run this program from its current location and click OK. Follow on-screen prompts to
install the software.
5Create a connection at anytime by connecting one end of the USB cable in your computer and the
other end in the Allegro. Windows Mobile Device Center automatically opens (Figure 1-8). Click
Connect without setting up your device to create a connection.

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Getting Started 7
Figure 1-8. Windows Mobile Device Center
Windows XP/2000: Install ActiveSync
If your computer is running Windows XP or Windows 2000, complete the following steps:
1Insert the Getting Started CD in the CD drive of your computer. The CD is included with the Allegro.
If you cannot locate the CD, please contact Technical Services at
[e-mail].
2Follow on-screen prompts to install ActiveSync.
3To establish a sync connection with the Allegro and your computer, follow these steps:
aConnect the USB cable to your computer and the Allegro.
bWhen Synchronization Setup Wizard displays, click Cancel when prompted to create a sync
partnership. Clicking Cancel allows you to create a Guest connection instead (Figure 1-9).

Allegro MX User Guide
Getting Started 8
Figure 1-9. ActiveSync Synchronization Setup Wizard
A successful sync connection occurs when the following ActiveSync window displays (Figure 1-10).
Figure 1-10. ActiveSync Connected
NOTE:If a successful sync connection does not occur and you also use a VPN (virtual private network)
software to establish a remote connection with a private network: (1) Disable or disconnect the VPN
software. (2) Recycle power to the Allegro and your computer. (3) Click Cancel when Synchronization Setup
Wizard displays. If a sync connection has not been established, contact Technical Services at
[e-mail].

Allegro MX User Guide
Getting Started 9
Transfer Utility Files to PCS
If you use Pipeline Compliance System (PCS) with the Allegro, complete the following steps to transfer two
utility files from the Allegro installation CD to the PCS executable directory on your computer. The utility
files are labeled wToCmd.exe and CeFileXer.exe on the Allegro installation CD.
IMPORTANT:To locate your PCS executable folder, search for either of the utility files. Click the Windows
Start button and then type wToCmd.exe or CeFileXer.exe in the Search field to locate the utility files and PCS
executable folder.
Complete the following steps:
1Insert the Allegro installation CD in your computer’s CD drive.
2Open Windows Explorer and view the contents of the CD folder labeled PCS Files on the installation
CD.
3Drag the files wToCmd.exe and CeFileXer.exe from the installation CD to the PCS executable folder
on your computer.
Figure 1-11. PCS Executable Folder

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Getting Started 10
4Click Yes or Move and Replace to update existing files when Windows displays the Move File
message.
Overview of the Allegro Hardware
The Allegro includes a connector panel, touchscreen display, keypad, and function keys (Figure 1-12).
Optional add-ons available for purchase include a GPS expansion pod with GPS antenna and a Trimble GPS
receiver. For a complete list of add-ons available for purchase, contact AI Sales at 1-800-229-3404.
Figure 1-12. Allegro Field PC

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Getting Started 11
Connector Panel
The connector panel is located at the top of the Allegro (Figure 1-13). It supports connections for items in
the list below.
Figure 1-13. Allegro Connector Panel
The connector panel supports the following connections:
•DVM positive and negative test leads
•Remote trigger for data cane or wire counter (3-pin connector)
•Communication ports with the following characteristics:
–USB port for connecting the Allegro to a computer
–USB port for connecting to other USB devices
–One 9-pin serial communication port labeled COM1
•AC power adapter
•GPS expansion pod (optional add-on)
•GPS antenna (optional add-on)

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Getting Started 12
Chainer/Stick Adapter Switch
A hardware switch inside the Allegro must be set before taking survey readings. Use the procedure below
to set the switch in Stick Adapter mode if using a data cane to take survey readings. If using a wire counter
instead, set the switch in Chainer mode.
To set the Allegro in either Chainer or Stick Adapter mode, follow these steps:
1If the Allegro is on, press the power button to turn Off the device.
2If a GPS antenna cable is connected to the Allegro, disconnect the cable.
3Use a coin or flathead screwdriver to loosen two screws securing the card slot door on the back of
the Allegro. Turn screws counter-clockwise ¼ of a turn to release the door.
Figure 1-14. Open Card Slot Door
4Open the card slot door and set the switch in one of the following positions (Figure 1-15). When
you finish, close and fasten the door.
–Chainer: if using a wire counter, select Chainer.
–Stick Adapter: if using a data cane, select Stick Adapter.
Figure 1-15. Set Chainer/Stick Adapter Switch Position

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Getting Started 13
Overview of AI Allegro Software
The Allegro ships from American Innovations with the following AI Allegro software factory-installed. AI
Allegro software version 7.0 is compatible with PCS Axis as well as all version 6 and 7 PCS software.
Figure 1-16. AI Allegro Software Overview
Touchscreen Display
Use the provided stylus to tap the touchscreen and activate a software program or make a selection.
Several system icons are available for selection that allow you to navigate.
IMPORTANT:Avoid using sharp objects that may scratch or puncture the touchscreen display.
Digital Voltmeter (AiDvm) Close Interval (CeCi)
Measures voltage and current. Records potential readings
for close interval (CI) surveys.
DC Voltage Gradient (DCVG) Periodic Survey
Records indications of pipeline
coating defects.
Records voltage readings for annual and
periodic surveys.

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Getting Started 14
The Allegro includes a high-contrast, pressure-sensitive display with an adjustable backlight. When working
in harsh conditions, such as a rainstorm or in high brush, pressing the BLUE shift and TS buttons toggles
the touchscreen on or off.
The monochrome version of the Allegro displays best when the device is set up with the High Contrast
theme. See Set Display Properties for a Monochrome Display on page 4 for instructions.
Realign the Touchscreen Display
If the touchscreen does not respond accurately to stylus taps, realign the touchscreen manually using the
following steps:
1Tap Start > Settings > System tab > Screen.
2Tap Align Screen and then follow on-screen prompts to realign the touchscreen.
Figure 1-17. Realign Touchscreen
3When the process completes, tap OK to close the window and then tap the Close icon (X) to return
to the Today screen.
Keypad and Shortcut Keys
The Allegro keypad is similar to a computer keyboard (Figure 1-18). The keypad provides the following
functionality:
•Alphanumeric and symbol keys for data entry.
•Tab, Enter, Spacebar, and Circular keys for moving the cursor.
•F1 through F5 keys perform softkey operations in certain software programs. These keys perform
special functions when used in conjunction with either the Blue or Orange key.