The Auction Flex RF Modems are a perfect long-distance clerking solution when a full-sized keyboard and monitor are desired (vs clerking with a wireless handheld). This setup file will take you through the initial setup and running of the MaxStream modems used with Auction Flex. (If you are using other modems, such as the FreeWave modems used with JBS, you will find an addendum at the end of this setup.) After installing the modems, be sure to mark the port on each computer that you plug the USB cable into. By marking and using the same USB port each and every time, you lessen the chance of your computer not recognizing the modem and requesting a re-install. Be sure to keep you Maxstream installation disk with you in case you ever need to reinstall.
Installing the MaxStream RF Modems
1. Load the disk included with the modems and run the installer. This will install both the necessary controls for the RF modems and also a utility that will allow us to access the settings for the modems. This installer will run twice. The first time installs the modem; the second time will install the USB driver.
2. Starting with the server computer:
| • | On XP, go to My Computer  and right click with the mouse. Click on Properties. In Properties, go to Hardware  , |
| • | On Vista, right click on Computer and go to Properties. |
For both XP and Vista, click on Device Manager 
. Once in Device manager, go down to the 
section of your devices. Double-click on the COM Port (Usually installed as COM 4). This will bring up the settings screen for that port. Click the Port Settings tab 
and set your ports up as shown. Your Bits per second should be at 115200 to match the transmit speed of the modems. 
Perform the same operation on the secondary computer.
3. Install Auction Flex onto the second computer. We will not be using the full program of Auction Flex on this computer. Instead we will be using the RF Modem Clerking Grid. This can be launched from your Start Menu, All Programs, Auction Flex folder, RF Modem Clerking Grid. 
| • | VISTA NOTE: By default, Vista comes with User Account Controls (UAC) enabled. Do not disable these controls (Start > Control Panel > Security > Security Center > Other Security Settings). They allow Auction Flex and the screens associated with the modems to install with administrator privileges. If the UAC controls are disabled, some controls used by Auction Flex will not be installed and errors will occur when starting either the Modem Server or the RF Clerking Grid. |
For instructions on using the RF modems on auction day, see our RF Modem Clerking section.
FreeWave Radio supplement:
If you are using FreeWave radios as found with JBS hardware, the only changes needed are the result of their transmit speed of 9600 Bits Per Second. Make the appropriate change to the Bits Per Second Drop down as described in Step 2. Please be advised that these RF Modems will operate slower than the MaxStream modems and may prove too slow to clerk the auction with.
FreeWave radios are not supported by Auction Flex and you are on your own to troubleshoot any issues related to their use.