Magtek MT-95, Installation And Operation Manual

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MT-95 RS-232 HiCo/LoCo Encoder/Reader
20
CARD ENCODING
When a keyboard is used, data is keyed into the buffers for encoding, or data can be copied from
another card. Encoding always takes place when the card is swiped from the right end of the slot
to the left end. When
E
is selected from the main menu, the display will read:
Select encoding type Esc=exit
1) Free Format 2)Fixed Format
Free Format allows any legal data to be placed anywhere on the tracks. (Legal data, for example,
may be any alphanumeric data on Track 1 but only numeric data on Tracks 2 and 3.) Fixed
Format defines constant and variable data on one or more tracks. In Fixed Format the operator
can create a Format (or template) card which, when used, allows the variable fields to be filled
in.
Free Format Encoding
If 1 is pressed, a display similar to the following will appear:
Select an operation Esc=exit
Tk:1* 2* 3* E)ncode card C)lear tracks
The asterisks after the track numbers indicate that there is data on that track. In the above there is
data on all three tracks. To become familiar with Free Format Encoding, follow these steps:
1. To select Track 1, press 1 on the keyboard. An example of a Track 1 display is as
follows:
TK1:001 F1=FS Ins Enter=done
%A12345^JKL^SARAH SMITH^1234567890?
TK1:001
indicates the track and the position of the cursor. In this example the cursor
is on the first character (
A
). To place the cursor at the end of the track, press the right
arrow key to scroll to the end or press and hold Fn and press the End key. The cursor
will then flash on the
?
, which is a symbol for the end of the track.
Note
Neither the start sentinel nor the end sentinel can be
modified; they are automatically placed on the track.