Communications FAQs

Active sync works with Windows XP. If you don't have it listed in your program files, then you may have to download it directly from Microsoft or ask your local IT support for assistance.

This may be because Standard partnership was selected. If so, every time you insert the scanner into the cradle, you'll get a new Partnership window asking to establish a partnership. Since this is not practical in a typical AMS environment, we need to force the system to automatically connect as a guest.

1. You'll need to get the guest.reg file from the web. Visit our downloads page and follow the instructions for fixing the Guest registry for Active Sync.

If you are using a Keyspan Serial to USB adapter, ensure that you have installed the drivers and restarted your computer.

You may also need to ensure that your scanner is set to the correct Comm Port in Active Sync. To do this:

1. Right click the Active Sync icon in the tool bar and click Connection Settings. Ensure that you select the correct comm port and then click OK.
2. Click Next.
3. Active Sync will begin searching for your scanner.
4. Once the scanner is connected, you will hear a beep from both the scanner and the PC. The Active Sync icon in the tool bar will turn green. This will inform you that active sync found your mobile device and is connected.

Windows Mobile Device Center comes with your Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation. If you don't have it listed in your program files, then you may have to download it directly from Microsoft or ask your local IT support for assistance.

The transmission of records to the ITV (In-Transit Visibility) Server is an integral part of the military transportation process. These records are vital to maintaining the traceability of shipment both CONUS and OCONUS. For the purposes of AMS TAC, the following steps will ensure the transmission of your ITV records.

1. RF Tag Setup
2. Burn Station Setup

1. From the AMS main screen go to System – Setup – Peripherals – Burn Station Setup.
2. Input information in the following fields:
   • Transfer Mode: On the drop down arrow, select HTTPS-TIP or FILE (All data going to ITV server should be set to HTTPS).
   • Burn station name: Input the camp name and then add W1 if there is only one write station available.
   • Location: Add the camp name that the write station is from.
   • Description: Input the address of the write station.
   • DODDAAC: Input the unit’s DODDAAC (RUC or consignee).
   • Latitude: Input the correct latitude coordinates.
   • Longitude: Input the correct longitude coordinates. (For the correct coordinates do a goggle search or contact your system admin).
   • Altitude: Input the altitude (this is not a required filed).
   • Zulu Time Offset: This field is configured for you, based on your location.
   • ITV server: Set to Trainer, National server, Pacific server, or European server.
   • POC Name: Input the name of the AMS administrator.
   • POC Phone: Input the phone number for the AMS administrator.
   • POC Email: Input the email address for the AMS administrator.
3. Once all information is entered in the required fields, select Save to Disk and then Save to Defaults.

Note: The registration data will be sent with the first ITV record transmission. After the initial transmission, the Last Registered Date will be filled in.

1. In the Burn Station Setup, click on the Marines Only box.
2. On the LTM ITV Server field, click on the drop down arrow and select Trainer or Server 1.
3. Select Save to Disk and then Save to Defaults.

1. From the AMS main screen go to System – Setup – Peripherals – RF Tag Setup.
2. Choose your RF Equipment from either:
   • Dock/Cable - This is a docking station or cable with a tag.
   • Fixed Interrogator - This is a large dome interrogator that can be mounted on poles.
   • Mobile Reader - This is a small mobile interrogator which is sometimes called a pod. AMS requires extra software to use the mobile reader, so you will only see this option if it applies to you.
3. Select the Bus Type:
   • RS-232 can be used with docking stations, fixed interrogators, and mobile readers. Note that the mobile reader will automatically default to RS-232. RS-485 is used with the fixed interrogator only.
   • RS-485 is used with the fixed interrogator only.
   • USB is used with the ISO Cable.
4. The RF Device Serial # defaults to the MAC address of your computer's network card. If you are using a device with a serial number on it, such as a fixed interrogator or mobile reader, you will need to enter the correct number here.
5. Select the Serial Port that your RF docking station is connected to. When using a USB connection, this field is no longer applicable.
6. The Read Check instructs AMS to perform a read check of the data written to the RF tag to ensure the data was written correctly. Your options are Yes or No.
7. Select Save to Disk and Save to Defaults.

If you do not have internet access from your PC, you should set the ITV Server field in Burn Station Setup to FILE. This will download the ITV Records to whatever media you have specified via a drive letter in the Copy Drive field.

1. From the AMS main screen go to System – Setup – Miscellaneous Drive / Paths / Settings.
2. Make note of the drive letter specified in the field Copy Drive, and change it appropriately. This drive letter tells AMS where to send ITV Records if you have set the ITV Server field in Burn Station Setup to FILE.
3. You must then go to a PC with internet access, and have AMS TAC loaded on it. In Windows Explorer, look in the AMSTAC directory. You should see a subdirectory named Upload.
4. Copy these files to a PC with an internet connection. Send these files as an email to the national RF-ITV server. They will upload your files to the server; however, this process may take up to 24 hours.

• Ensure that you have an internet connection.
• Ensure that you properly registered to the ITV server and that your Burn Station Setup is set to HTTPS-TIP.
• If these steps do not work, your network may have a block on port 443 or your AMS system administrator may need to install DoD certificates. Please contact your system administrator or the AMS help desk to further assist you on this issue.

The first step is to obtain a user name and password from DAASC. Each site will need to fill out a GEX SAR form. To begin, visit https://www.daas.dla.mil/sar/warning.asp. You will need to read the usage agreements and click Accept on each page. After accepting these agreements, you'll be on the DAASC System Access Request page. Scroll down the page to find the GEX link and click on it.

Fill out the GEX SAR form according to their instructions. Be sure to select HTTPS for the account type and to type in "AMS to IGC (GTN) transfer" for the reason. If you have any questions about the form, please contact the DAASC 24/7 EDI Help Desk at either (937)656-3333 or at J6D-edi@dla.mil.

Sometime after the form is submitted, you should be contacted, usually via email, for more information to complete the process. One of the things that you will be asked is the IP address for the AMS-TAC machine(s) that will be sending the GTN/IGC data. This is needed because DAASC uses a white list of approved IP addresses to block unknown computers from sending data. Note that this may not be the same IP address assigned to your computer for local network use. The easy way to find this address is to go to a website that shows you that address. Click here to obtain your machine's IP address.

In order to configure your system to send data to GTN/IGC, you will need to configure the DLA TS System Setup. Data can be sent to GTN/IGC to provide greater in-transit visibility of shipments. If this functionality is turned on, files will be generated with transaction data that shows that material has been received and dispatched. The files can be manually transferred to GTN or DLA or sent electronically. In order to make changes to this section, you will need to log into AMS as an administrator.

Note: Make sure that the Data Transfer Program is not running before configuring the DLA TS System Setup. Please Exit the program if running.

GTN/IGC

LOGSA TK

1. Select System – Setup.
2. Select the Installation Setup/Activity function. Ensure that your DODAAC, name, and address are completely filled in. If you made changes, be sure to select the Save to Disk button.
3. Select the DLA TS function. Fill in the following fields:
   • Transfer Mode - The options below are available. Check with your AMS administrator for the appropriate setting.
     • None - If selected, no transfers will take place. This is the default setting.
     • File - File allows you to create files that are saved to a specific directory. These files can then be transferred to another computer and sent later.
     • HTTPS - HTTPS allows you to send files via a secure internet connection.
   • Machine ID - This is a one letter designator used to ensure that each machine at a site can be uniquely identified.
   • Mark old GTN/IGC records as sent - The mark old records as sent button is used if you haven't sent data to GTN in a while, or if this is your first time sending data to GTN. This helps you avoid sending a potentially large amount of outdated records that are not useful to GTN. This will mark all that are older than 10 days as already sent to GTN. Note that you do not need to use this if you have been sending data to GTN regularly.
   • File Mode Directory - This is the location where the files will be saved. Files are only saved in this location when File Transfer Mode is selected above. You may click on the folder icon to the right of the field to navigate to the correct location.
   • Transfer Mode - The options below are available. Check with your AMS administrator for the appropriate setting.
     • None - If selected, no transfers will take place. This is the default setting.
     • HTTPS - HTTPS allows you to send files via a secure internet connection.
   • Cap Transmit File Size - This option is primary used by sites sending data by satellite phone to GTN. When checked, packets will be split into smaller sized files to allow transmission.
   • Transfer Interval - This is the number of minutes in between updates. The default is 60 minutes.
   • Log Retention - This is the number of days for which log data is kept. The log describes the actions taken by the transfer program.
   • User - This is your user ID. Your AMS administrator will obtain this information from DLA.
   • Password - This is your password. Your AMS administrator will obtain this information from DLA.


4. Once you have finished making changes, select Save to Disk.
5. Select Close to return to the main screen.

1. You may have a firewall setting that is not allowing you to send data. Please check with your local IT department to resolve this.
2. You may need still to have your IP address placed on the DLA Transaction Services allowed list (whitelist).

1. Select System – Setup.
2. Select DLA TS.
3. Change the Transfer Mode to File. This will allow you to choose a file mode directory.
4. Use the folder icon to the right of the File Mode Directory to select the location of your GTN/IGC folder. For example:
   • If you are running in single-user mode (or a stand-alone machine), enter the GTN/IGC path of your local machine, such as c:\amstac\gtndata\.
   • If you are running in a shared environment, enter the GTN/IGC path for your primary machine's drive, such as s:\amstac\gtndata\.
5. Next, go back to the top field for Transfer Mode, and change the field back to your previous setting, such as None or HTTPS.
6. Click on the Save to Disk button.
7. Exit AMS and restart. Your error message will be gone.