Home Login
  Information  
Support Subscribe
   Spectrum: Online Information and FAQ's
 
   Introduction

Spectrum: Online provides users with access to the same data found on the previous CD-ROM products, but with a continuous update cycle. In addition, the new system extends many of the previous CD-ROM product features, but takes advantage of additional benefits found only with an online environment. These benefits include the following:
 
  • Continuous Update Cycle- Because the data is contained on a central server, it can be updated at any time. Although PerCon created a new Spectrum CD-ROM every month, the data could not be updated without purchasing a new CD-ROM. The Spectrum: Online system features data that is updated as often as every month at no additional expense to the user.
  • Large Files- Due to the growth of the FCC's database, much more data can be provided online than with a CD-ROM. With the size of current hard disk storage systems, the FCC's database could grow to 100 times the current size with no impact to the Spectrum: Online system.
  • Access to More Data- Spectrum, Spectrum/Aviation, Spectrum/Canada and Ham_db were all treated as separate CD-ROM products. With the Spectrum: Online system, users have access to all 4 databases. In addition, more databases are added to the system as needed. Again, with no additional expense to the user.
  • Cost Effective- Based on the previous update cycle, PerCon created 21 hobby level CD-ROMS in their last year of production. This included 12 Spectrum CD-ROMS, 4 Spectrum/Canada CD-ROMS, 1 Spectrum/Aviation CD-ROM and 4 Ham_db CD-ROMS. At the regular retail price those CD-ROMS would have sold at a combined total of $696.45. With the Spectrum: Online system users will have access to almost $700.00 worth of data for less than $50.00 a year.

In addition to the data residing on a central server, the code used to execute the searches and process the output is also maintained on a central server. This makes it possible to add new searches, new export options or other features to the system instantaneously with no need to download program updates.

It is important to note that the Spectrum line was not being discontinued. There was simply a change in the delivery medium. While the data is no longer be available on CD-ROM, it is available in a medium that offers more benefits. This is no different than when data was no longer provided on floppy and moved to a CD-ROM-only system. Again in this case, the current medium is being replaced by a medium with more advantages.
 
   Frequently Asked Questions

The following information is provided to help answer the most common questions about the Spectrum: Online System.

  • Q. Why has PerCon moved to an online-only system and no longer producing the CD-ROM versions?

    A. There are several reasons for the move to the online system. First, there has been a great deal of interest and user request for a hobby/entertainment version of our DataLinks Online system. In addition, all of the benefits the online system has to offer makes a CD-ROM version obsolete.

  • Q. I like the convience of having data stored locally on my computer. How is Spectrum: Online going to work for me?

    A. The Spectrum: Online system has the ability to export data to files for download in a variety of formats. Those formats include the PerCon UFDBF format, Mircosoft Excel, dBase III compatible .DBF and ASCII compatible format(s). For those who travel and wish to take data with them, connecting remote is an option. If that option is not available, a search can be run prior to departure and the user can take the results of the search along in any of the files listed above.

  • Q. I only have a dial-up internet connection. What can I expect for system performance? Will it run slow?

    A. First, the amount of data sent from your computer to our servers to run a search is very small and not much different than requesting a typical web page. On the server side, all data is stored on hard disk arrays which makes search execution time much faster than CD-ROM. Transmitting the search results back is also very quick. PerCon has many processes built into the online systems to avoid common bottlenecks.

    PerCon has been hosting two other online search systems, PerCon DataLinks and PerCon DataFinder, for approximately 7 years. The DataLinks system is used by industry professionals, including all FCC field offices and has had very few performance-related issues.