Whelen Engineering Company SmartArrow MGM01 Owner's manual

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®
ENGINEERING COMPANY INC.
Route 145, Winthrop Road,
Chester, Connecticut 06412
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Internet: www.whelen.com
Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Canadian Sales e-mail: [e-mail]
Customer Service e-mail: [e-mail]
Automotive: Other
Programming Procedures
SmartArrow Messenger™
Safety First
This document provides all the necessary information to allow your Whelen product to be properly and safely installed.
Before beginning the installation and/or operation of your new product, the installation technician and operator must
read this manual completely. Important information is contained herein that could prevent serious injury or damage.
• Proper installation of this product requires the installer to have a good understanding of automotive
electronics, systems and procedures.
• If mounting this product requires drilling holes, the installer MUST be sure that no vehicle components or
other vital parts could be damaged by the drilling process. Check both sides of the mounting surface
before drilling begins. Also de-burr the holes and remove any metal shards or remnants. Install grommets
into all wire passage holes.
• If this product is mounted with tape or Velcro™, clean the mounting surface with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl
alcohol and water and dry thoroughly.
• Do not install this product or route any wires in the deployment area of your air bag. Equipment mounted
or located in the air bag deployment area will damage or reduce the effectiveness of the air bag, or
become a projectile that could cause serious personal injury or death. Refer to your vehicle owners
manual for the air bag deployment area. The User/Installer assumes full responsibility to determine proper
mounting location, based on providing ultimate safety to all passengers inside the vehicle.
• For this product to operate at optimum efficiency, a good electrical connection to chassis ground must be
made. The recommended procedure requires the product ground wire to be connected directly to the
NEGATIVE (-) battery post.
• If this product uses a remote device to activate or control this product, make sure that this control is
located in an area that allows both the vehicle and the control to be operated safely in any driving
condition.
• Do not attempt to activate or control this device in a hazardous driving situation.
• If this product contains strobe light(s), halogen light(s) or high-intensity LEDs, do not stare directly into
these lights at a close distance. Momentary blindness and/or eye damage could result.
• If this product contains strobe light(s), halogen light(s) or high-intensity LEDs, use only soap and water to
clean the lamp lens. Use of other chemicals could result in premature lens cracking (crazing) and
discoloration. Lenses in this condition have significantly reduced effectiveness and should be replaced
immediately. Inspect and operate this product regularly to confirm its proper operation and mounting
condition. Do not use a pressure washer to clean this product.
• It is recommended that these instructions be stored in a safe place and referred to when performing
maintenance and/or reinstallation of this product.
• FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE
TO THE PRODUCT OR VEHICLE AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU AND YOUR PASSENGERS!
©1997 Whelen Engineering Company Inc.
Form No.13099A (050102)

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Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 3
Section I: Installing and Operating the Programming Software............................................. 3
Installing the Messenger Programming Software ................................................................... 3
Windows 3.x ................................................................................................... 3
Windows 95.................................................................................................... 3
Starting the Messenger Software....................................................................................... 4
Windows 3.x ................................................................................................... 4
Windows 95.................................................................................................... 5
Selecting the proper Messenger Display................................................................................................. 5
Creating a Message File or Library File ............................................................................... 6
Section II: Designing a Message.......................................................................................... 8
Message Characteristics ................................................................................................. 8
Display Characteristics ...................................................................................... 8
Functional Characteristics................................................................................... 8
Exercise I: Creating a Message ...................................................................................... 10
Exercise II: Font Justification......................................................................................... 11
Exercise III: Font Effects ............................................................................................... 13
Mirror ............................................................................................................ 13
Reverse......................................................................................................... 13
Bold.............................................................................................................. 14
Exercise IV: Message Timing ......................................................................................... 15
Continuous Mode ............................................................................................. 15
On-Off Mode ................................................................................................... 15
Exercise V: Scrolling .................................................................................................... 16
On-Off Mode ................................................................................................... 16
Continuous Mode ............................................................................................. 17
Section III: Additional Features............................................................................................. 19
Exercise VI: Copying & Pasting a Message from one file to another...................................... 19
Exercise VII: Copying & Pasting multiple Messages from one file to another.......................... 19
Exercise VIII: Deleting Messages .................................................................................... 19
Exercise IX: Uploading a Message File to the Messenger display ......................................... 20
Section IV: Trouble-Shooting................................................................................................ 22
Illustrations
Figure 1 - “Searching for Messenger” Window.............................................................................. 5
Figure 2 - “Setup” sub-menu......................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3 - “Display Model Selection” window................................................................................ 6
Figure 4 - “File” sub-menu............................................................................................................. 7
Figure 5 - “Create a New Message File” window.......................................................................... 7
Figure 6 - “TEST.MSG” ................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 7 - “Messenger Editor” window .......................................................................................... 8
Figure 8 - “Segment Scrolling Parameters” window (On-Off Mode).............................................. 8
Figure 9 - “Segment Scrolling Parameters” window (Continuous Mode)...................................... 8
Figure 10 - “Messenger Editor” window (“Caution Ahead”)............................................................. 11
Figure 11 - “Test.MSG” (with “Caution Ahead” message)............................................................... 11
Figure 12 - Left Justification............................................................................................................ 11
Figure 13 - Center Justification ....................................................................................................... 12
Figure 14 - Right Justification.......................................................................................................... 12
Figure 15 - Mirrored Display............................................................................................................ 13
Figure 16 - Reverse Display............................................................................................................ 14
Figure 17 - Normal Font.................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 18 - Bold Font ...................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 19 - “Message Uploading” window....................................................................................... 20
Figure 20 - “Message Uploading” window (shown in process)........................................................ 21
Overview - Messenger Connections Layout................................................................................... 24

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Introduction...
This manual will outline the procedures necessary for programming the Whelen Messenger
Display (models MGM01, MGM02 and MGM03), with the Whelen Programming Software. The
Messenger is capable of generating messages in a wide variety of styles, however this does not
mean that programming the Messenger is overly difficult or complicated. It does mean that the
programmer must pay close attention to the procedures outlined herein. Do not “skim” over any
portions of this manual. It is important for the programmer to understand the entire manual before
attempting to actually program the Messenger.
Section I:
Installing and Operating the Programming Software
Before using the configuration software, it must first be installed on a PC or notebook computer
(hereafter referred to as the “host”) that utilizes either Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 (collectively
referred to as Windows 3.x in this manual) or Windows 95 as its operating system. The person
operating the host computer will be referred to as the “operator”. The following steps explain
how to install the programming software on your host computer. Please note that although this
manual has been written in a simple, straight-forward format, it is necessary for the operator to
have a basic understanding of the Windows operating system.
Installing the Messenger programming software...
When the operator installs the Whelen Messenger programming software onto the host computer,
a setup program transfers files from the release disk to a directory which the setup process creates
on the hard drive. The setup program (setup.exe) is run from a 3.5” floppy disk drive. On most
systems this is drive A:. The following steps assume that drive A: is the 3.5” floppy drive.
Windows 3.x Installation
1. Insert the Messenger software program disk into drive A:.
2. Choose Run from the File menu of the Program Manager window. Enter the following text
in the Command Line box:
a:\setup
3. When the installation is complete, the operator will have the option of restarting Windows
or continuing the current Windowssession without restarting. Windows should be restarted
before using the Messenger software.
Windows 95 Installation
1. Insert the Messenger software program disk into drive A:.
2. Choose Run from the Start menu and enter the following text in the Command Line box:
a:\setup
3. When the installation is complete, the operator will have the option of restarting Windows
95 or continuing the current Windows session without restarting. Windows 95 should be
restarted before using the Messenger software.
Now that the software is successfully installed in the host computer, it is easier to understand its
functionality and operation by defining some of the terms used herein:

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Messenger - The LED panel that is used to display Messages. This is available in three different
models; Model MGM01 (8-character display), Model MGM02 (16-character display) and Model
MGM03 (24-character display).
Messenger Controller - The panel used to control the functions of the Messenger. This controller,
located within the vehicle, enables the vehicle operator to turn the Messenger on or off, as well as
to select the message to be displayed. If multiple Messengers are present on the vehicle, it also
allows the operator to choose which Messenger will display a selected Message. For example,
Messenger #1 could display one Message, while Messenger #2 displays a completely different
Message.
Message - a phrase or pattern created for viewing on the Messenger.
Message File - a data file comprised of various messages that is uploaded to the Messenger. Using
the controller, the Messenger operator can then select a message to be displayed on the Messenger.
The Messenger is designed to store one Message File.
The messages in a Message File are usually oriented towards a specific vehicle and are based on
the needs and/or function of that vehicle. Message files are identified by the extension MSG and
are typically given names that reflect the specific use for which the message file was designed. For
example, UNIT_123.MSG would contain messages designed for use on Police Unit 123.
UNIT_047.MSG would contain messages designed for use on Police Unit 47.
A Message File can contain up to 128 messages.
NOTE: A Message file must adhere to the 8.3 file name structure. In other words, the name of the
Message File (which can not be longer than 8 characters) comes first, followed by a dot (a period)
and then the 3-letter extension that identifies the file to the computer. Example: 12345678.MSG
Library File - A data file that contains specific types of messages. Library files are identified by
the extension LIB. Libraries are usually given a name that describes the type of messages that can
be found within that Library. For example, a POLICE.LIB library would contain messages and/or
patterns oriented towards the Police Department and their particular message needs. A FIRE.LIB
library would contain messages and/or patterns oriented towards the Fire Department and their
particular message needs.
A Library File can contain up to 128 messages.
NOTE: A Library file must adhere to the 8.3 file name structure. In other words, the name of the
Library file (which can not be longer than 8 characters) comes first, followed by a dot (a period)
and then the 3-letter extension that identifies the file to the computer. Example: 12345678.LIB
Starting the Messenger Software...
Since this software is compatible with both Windows 3.Xand Windows 95, the process of
launching the software on either platform will be outlined. However, once the software is running,
its operation and functionality are identical, regardless of what version of Windows is running on
the host computer. Please note that the screen shots shown in this manual demonstrate the program
on a Windows 3.X platform. On computers with Windows 95, the software will have a slightly
different appearance.
Windows 3.X
In Windows 3.X, locate the “Messenger Programmer” icon. This can be found in the
“Messenger” program group that was created when the programming software was installed on the
host computer. Double-clicking this icon will start the Messenger Programming Software.

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Windows 95
In Windows 95, click the “START” button and highlight “Programs”. Now highlight
“Messenger”. From the fly-out window, click on “Messenger Programmer” to start the Messenger
Programming Software.
As the software is launched, it will search to see if a Messenger is connected to the host computer.
After it has searched each address, the software will display a window stating the results of its
search. If the search was successful, a message box will be displayed that should be similar to the
following:
If there is no Messenger connected to the host computer, or if the Messenger is improperly
connected to the host computer, the message box will state that there was no Messenger found. It
is not necessary for the host computer to be connected to the Messenger in order to create a
Message, Message File or Library File. However, in order to preview any message, or to upload a
Message File to the Messenger, the host computer does need to be connected to the Messenger.
If the host computer is connected to the Messenger and the message box indicates that no
Messenger was found, click on the “Retry” button. If a Messenger is still not found, please refer to
the troubleshooting section of this manual.
Click “OK” to close the message box.
Selecting the proper Messenger Display...
There are three different Messenger Displays available; The MPG01 8-character display,
the MPG02 16-character display and the MPG03 24-character display. Before any programming
can begin, the operator must first identify which display unit will be used to display the Message.
1. Launch the programming software.
2. In the main programming window, click on “Setup”. Now click on “Model” from the list (see
Fig. 2.
Messenger Programmer
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File Edit Setup Window
Searching for Messenger
Messenger found at Address #X
Help
OK Cancel Retry
Fig. 1

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3. This will open the “Display Model Selection” window (Fig. 3). From this window, the
operator will identify which type of Messenger the Message is to be designed around.
4. To select, click on the circle adjacent the desired model. As shown in the above illustration,
model MGM02 has been selected. When the desired model has been selected click the “OK”
button to close the window.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each of the three available models display a different amounts of
characters (8, 16 or 24). Because of this, a Message designed for use on one display may not
function properly on another type of display. For example, a Message designed for use on an
MGM02, would have to be redesigned for use on an MGM01 or an MGM03.
Creating a Message File or Library File...
As explained earlier in this manual, a Message can only exist within a Message File or Library file.
Therefore before the operator can create a message, a Message File or Library File must first be
created.
1. Launch the programming software.
2. In the main programming window, click on “File”. Now click on “New” from the list (Fig. 4).
Fig. 2
Messenger Programmer
Window
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File Edit ComPort
Address
Confi ureg
Connect
Model
Setup Help
Fig. 3
Messenger Programmer
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File Edit Setup Window
Display Model Selection
MGM01 (8 Char.)
MGM02 (16 Char.)
MGM03 (24 Char.)
Select Model
Help
OK Cancel

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3. This will open the “Create a New Message File” window (Fig. 5). From this window, the
operator will assign a name to the Message File or Library File being created. Refer to Fig. 5
to see where to enter this name.
4. The operator must also determine where the Message File or Library File is to be placed. See
Fig. 3 to specify the file destination. The default directory is whelen\messnger on drive C:.
5. After the file name and destination have
been selected, press “OK” (Figure 6).
6. In this example, a Message File named
TEST.MSG has been created. A
Message can now be created within this
Message File.
NOTE: The process for creating a
Library File is identical, except that the
operator must select “Library Files
(*.lib)” from the “Save File as Type:”
pull-down menu (see Fig. 5).
Messenger Programmer
Edit Setup Window
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File
New... Ctrl+N
Ctrl+O
Ctrl+S
Ctrl+P
Ctrl+U
Alt+X
Open...
Save...
Save s...A
Save A ll
Close
Print
Print Setup...
Upload
Eitx
Download
Help
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
c:\
Directories:
File Name:
Save File as Type:
Message Files (*.msg)
Unit_123.msg
c:\whelen\messnger
whelen
messnger
Read Only
Dri es:v
C:\
*.msg
OKOK
Cancel
Create a New Message File
Messenger Programmer
File Edit Setup Window Help
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
Enter the name of the
Message File or Library File
you wish to create here.
Select the type of file
(Message File (msg) or Library File (lib))
you wish to create here.
Select drive letter
where the file
will be stored here.
Select directory and sub-directory
where the file
will be stored here.
Messenger Programmer
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File Edit Setup Window Help
TEST.MSG
<new>
Fig. 6

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Section II:
Designing a Message...
Message Characteristics...
As defined earlier, a Message can consist of text, graphics or a combination of the two. Every
Message has two major characteristics that must be defined by the operator: Display and
Functional.
Display characteristics determine the way the Message looks on the Messenger. Display
effects include the following:
• The font size (default or Bold)
• The type of background (default or Reverse)
• The font layout (default or Mirror)
• The font justification (default, Center or Right)
Functional characteristics determine the way the Message enters and exits the Messen-
ger. These characteristics are configured in the “Scrolling Parameters” window. This window is
opened by clicking on any of the “Functional Effects” buttons in the “Messenger Editor” window.
A “Functional Effects” button can only set characteristics for the Data Field to which it is
adjacent (Fig. 7).
The functions of the “Scrolling Parameters” window are different, depending on whether the
On-Off/Continuous button is set to the On-Off setting, or to the Continuous setting. In their
respective modes, the windows will look like this:
Fig. 7
Messenger Programmer
Config Addr Edit UpLoad Display Clear Help
File Edit Setup Window
Messenger Editor
Edit Help
On-Off
ON | OFF
D S T | D S T Bold
Reverse
Mirror
Left
Center
Right
Terminate
Reformat
OK
Cancel
ID:
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
No 0 000 No 0 000
Help
Enter “Message”
name here
On-Off/Continuous
button
“On” Column
D = Direction
S = Speed
T = Time
“Off” Column
D = Direction
S = Speed
T = Time
“Terminate”
button
“Reformat”
button
“OK”
button
“Cancel”
button
Functional
Effects
buttons
Visual
Effects
buttons
Data entry
areas
On-Off Mode Continuous Mode
Fig. 8 Fig. 9
Segment Scrolling Parameters
NONE Very Fast
0.000 sec
0
Left Fast
Right Slow
Up Very Slow
Down
In
Out
OK Cancel
Clear
ON Dir ON Speed
Time ON
Segment Scrolling Parameters
NONE NONEVery Fast Very Fast
0.000 sec
0
0.000 sec
0
Left LeftFast Fast
Right RightSlow Slow
Up UpVery Slow Very Slow
Down Down
In In
Out Out
OK Cancel
Clear Clear
ON Dir OFF DirON Speed OFF Speed
Time ON Time OFF

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In ON-Off Mode, there are 6 parameters that the operator can change. NOTE: These
settings only effect the data in the field adjacent to the specific Functional Effects
button that opened the “Scrolling Parameters” window.
ON Dir - This determines how the data will first appear on the Messenger Display.
NONE (default) = The data appears immediately on the display
Left = The data scrolls onto the display from right to left
Right = The data scrolls onto the display from left to right
Up = The data scrolls onto the display from the bottom
Down = The data scrolls onto the display from the top
In = The data scrolls onto the display from the end
Out = The data scrolls onto the display from the center
ON Speed - This determines how fast the data will scroll onto the Messenger Display. The
available speeds are Very Fast (default), Fast, Slow and Very Slow.
Time ON - This determines how long the data will remain on the Display. The duration is
increased or decreased with the arrow keys adjacent to the numeric display. The
“Clear” button resets the duration to 0.000 seconds. The default Time ON is 0.000.
OFF Dir - This determines how the data will exit the Messenger Display.
NONE (default) = The data disappears immediately from the display
Left = The data scrolls off to the left
Right = The data scrolls off to the right
Up = The data scrolls up and off the display
Down = The data scrolls down and off the display
In = The data scrolls inwards from both the left and right until display is blank
Out = The data scrolls outwards towards both the left and right until display is blank
OFF Speed-Thisdetermineshow fastthedata will scroll off the MessengerDisplay.Theavailable
speeds are Very Fast (default), Fast, Slow and Very Slow.
Time OFF- Thisdetermineshowmuchtimewill elapsebeforethenextdatasegmentisprocessed.
The duration is increased or decreased with the arrow keys adjacent to the numeric
display. The “Clear” button resets the duration to 0.000 seconds. The default Time
OFF is 0.000.
In Continuous Mode, the only parameters that can be configured are ON Dir, ON Speed
and Time ON. To understand the difference between On-Off mode and Continuous mode, it is
necessary to see how the different modes process the data fields.
On-Off Mode
If this parameter is set to On-Off, the data fields are processed in this fashion:
• Messenger is blank.
• The data in field 1 appears on the Messenger in a set fashion (as determined by ON Dir and
ON Speed).
• The data remains on the Messenger for a set duration (as determined by Time ON).
• The data exits the Messenger Display in a set fashion (as determined by OFF Dir and
OFF Speed).
• The Messenger Display stays blank for a set duration (as determined by Time OFF).

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The cycle then repeats itself using the data in field 2, then 3, etc., until all of the fields that contain
data have been displayed. NOTE: Fields that do not contain any data are not included in this
cycle.
Continuous Mode
If this parameter is set to Continuous, the fields are processed in this fashion:
• Messenger is blank.
• The data in Field 1 appears on the Messenger in a set fashion (as determined by ON Dir and
ON Speed).
• The data remains on the Messenger for a set duration (as determined by Time ON).
• The data in Field 2 appears on the Messenger in a set fashion (as determined by ON Dir and
ON Speed).
• The data remains on for a set duration (as determined by Time ON).
This process then repeats itself using the data in Field 3, then 4, etc., until all of the fields that
contain data have been displayed. NOTE: Fields that do not contain any data are not included
in this cycle. After all available data fields have been processed, the entire Message (beginning
with Data Field 1) is then repeated. A more detailed explanation is provided in Exercise IV:
Message Timing.
It will be easier to understand how a Message is structured by creating a sample Message. In the
following exercises, generic Messages will be created, each with different effects and
characteristics. These exercises will assume that the host computer is connected to a MGM02
8-Character Messenger Display.
EXERCISE I: Creating a Message
NOTE: For these exercises, the MGM02 16-character display will be used to represent a
typicalMessenger.Keep inmindthat the MGM01can only display8 characters at atime and
the MGM03 can display up to 24 characters at a time.
In this exercise, the operator will create a Message named “Caution Ahead”.
NOTE: When instructed to enter data in a Data Field, do NOT enter quotation marks.
1. Start the Messenger Programming Software.
2. Click on File, then Open. Select the TEST.MSG Message File created earlier. If this file does
notexist,create it by following the stepsoutlined in“Creating a Message File or LibraryFile...”
in Section I.
3. Double-click on <new> in the TEST.MSG window. This will open the “Message Editor”
screen.
4. Enter the name “Caution Ahead” in the box adjacent to “ID:”.
NOTE: The data entered in the “ID:” field will not only serve as the name of the Message,
but will also be displayed on the Messenger Controller’s display screen. Although this name
may be from 1 to 24 characters in length (including spaces), the display screen on the
Messenger Controller will only display the first 8 characters.
5. Set the mode selection button to “On-Off”.
6. In Data Field 1, enter the words “CAUTION AHEAD”. The Messenger Editor screen should
look like this: