It is critical that nothing interferes with the firmware upload process. Disconnecting the power or serial connection during the upload could leave your radio in an unusable state that can only be corrected at the factory.
Navigation Bar
You can select the majority of the configuration utility's features by clicking the appropriate icon in the main window's left panel.
Serial
The configuration utility communicates with a radio via the serial port. The serial port panel lets you select which serial port and baud rate to use.
The serial port settings and status are tracked in the two rightmost sections of the status bar, respectively. If the last section does not show Connected, then recheck your cables, radio power, and serial port settings.
Information
This panel displays a wide variety of information about the currently connected radio. Unlike the settings in the configuration panels, most of the information on this panel cannot be changed.
The information panel does allow you to enter a text string to associate with the current radio. This string is used within the configuration utility only and is not saved in the radio's memory.
Useful applications for this string include tracking the physical location of the radio or, in mobile applications, what hardware the radio is attached to.
Firmware
This panel gives you a way to search the Internet for the most up-to-date version of the radio firmware. Once you have downloaded the firmware from the Internet, you can upload it to your radio over the serial port connection.
An active Internet connection is required to download the latest firmware version, but not to upload the firmware to a radio.
Warning:The firmware panel also checks for any updates to the configuration utility itself. If a more recent version of the utility is available, the updated software will be downloaded and installed before searching for firmware updates.
Encryption
The encryption panel lets you create an encryption key that can be uploaded to the radio. Data packets will be encrypted and decrypted automatically with the key if the appropriate setting on the configuration panel is selected.
Only one encryption key can be programmed into a radio at a time.
Encryption keys can be from 8 to 448 bits in length. Longer keys are more secure than shorter keys, and there is no performance penalty to using a longer key over a shorter one. Any key in excess of 56 bits is generally considered "strong" encryption.
Note:Some countries have laws that restrict the use of encryption. Do not enable encryption or use a strong encryption key unless you are certain that it is legal to do so in your country.
Recommended reading: http://rechten.uvt.nl/koops/cryptolaw/ 
Configuration
The configuration panel is divided into multiple panes. It has standard and advanced options panes that let you configure various settings kept in the radio's EEPROM. The third panel lets you reset the radio's EEPROM back to factory defaults.
Standard Options
The standard options panel lets you select:
- The radio's serial baud rate.
- The radio's location code.
- A destination location to use in transparent mode (the destination is specified dynamically in mixed-on mode).
- Whether the radio should power up in mixed-on mode instead of transparent mode.
Advanced Options
The advanced options panel lets you tweak some of the radio's more technical settings. The best way to configure these settings is to launch the configuration wizard and answer the questions it asks.
Country
Different countries allow the use of slightly different frequency ranges. It is very important that you select your country from the list so that you do not transmit on any prohibited frequencies.
Pool
The pool panel shows a list of all the radios you have at your site. Every time the configuration utility detects a different radio on the serial port, it is automatically added to the pool. This will help you keep track of which radios you have in service and how they are configured.
Most importantly, the pool panel gives you a means to clone the settings on one radio for use on another. Radios that have been configured differently may not be able to communicate reliably, or at all.
Site Survey
The site survey panel also has multiple panes. One pane allows you to monitor the 900MHz band for potential interference. The other allows you to listen for transmissions from other CDR XL family radios, so you can make sure their received signal strength is sufficiently powerful.
Spectrum
The spectrum analyzer has two major functions:
To check for interference from other radio transmitters (communication will be most reliable if the frequencies you are using are not being used by your neighbors).
To assign channel frequencies that avoid the strongest transmitters in your area.
Promiscuous Monitor
The promiscuous monitor listens for transmissions (even those intended for other recipients) and graphically displays the signal strengths by transmitter. This passive monitor is handy for observing the "health" of a working system.
Testing
The testing panel gives you a couple tools that can help verify that the radios are working as expected.
