Import Oehler System 89 Data

This tool is used to import data from Oehler System 89 Data Export (Excel® report) files into Ballistic Explorer's currently selected trace database file. The data that's imported includes the parameters shown in the following image.

In addition, the Test Note is imported along with the measured velocity and B.C. (ballistic coefficient) depending on the Trace Option that's selected (more about that below). Note that the System 89 files don't included a bullet weight parameter, so a default of 100 grains (or metric equivalent) is used. Bullet weight is needed for momentum and energy calculations, so you may want to load the trace after it's imported, enter the actual bullet weight, and then save the trace.

The System 89 uses Station Pressure rather than Pressure and Altitude. Station Pressure is the absolute pressure measured at the shooting range, which is equivalent in Ballistic Explorer to setting Pressure to Station Pressure and Altitude to 0.

Click Tools on the main menu and then click Import trace data... to open the Import Trace Data dialog. In that dialog select the Import Oehler System 89 data radio button, and then make sure the current trace database file that's shown is where you want to import data into, and if not, change it. Finally, click the Select import file... button to open the following dialog.

Click the Select a System 89 Data Export file to import data from button at the top of the dialog. This opens a standard Windows® dialog box for locating and specifying a file. Data Export files are compatible with MS Excel® and on Windows® 7 and newer the dialog can show you the contents of the file by clicking once to select the file's name and waiting a few seconds while it's read. This allows you see the contents of the file before actually opening it.

The System 89 Data Export (Excel® report) files are different than the System 89 Test files. The Data Export files can be generated from the System 89's Testing window at the end of the original test and/or at the end of a replay of the original test depending on the options selected as shown in the following image of the System 89 Testing window's Options menu.

When the System 89 program generates a Data Export file it saves the location of the exported file to the Windows® registry, which is read by Ballistic Explorer and used as the initial folder that's shown when you select to open a Data Export file. In most cases that makes it easy to find the Data Export files.

Once a Data Export file is selected you can click on the radio button for Make 1 trace using Avg velocity and B.C. or on the radio button for Make 3 traces using Avg, High, and Low velocity and B.C. The Date Export file includes a summary of all the shots fired in a test and that summary includes the Avg, High, and Low velocities measured as well as the Avg, High, and Low B.C. (ballistic coefficient) values measured. The Make 1 trace... option imports a trace using just the Avg velocity and Avg B.C., while the Make 3 traces... option makes 3 traces, one trace using the Avg velocity and Avg B.C. values, a second trace using the High velocity and High B.C. values, and a third trace using the Low velocity and the Low B.C. values. The name of the trace using the High values ends with "+", and the name of the trace using the Low values ends with "-". The "+" and "-" are automatically added to the end of the trace's name.

When one of the Trace Options has been selected the default Trace Name and Trace Category are displayed. You can edit these as you will. The Trace Name is limited to 20 characters if Make 1 trace... is selected and 19 characters if Make 3 traces... is selected. The Trace Category is limited to 12 characters. Once the Trace Name and Trace Category are set, then click the Import Data button. After the import is completed successfully the following message pops up.

If you want to import more data click the Yes button, or click the No button to close the dialog. If a trace of the same name already exists in the trace database file then the following message pops up.

If you want to overwrite the existing trace click the Yes button, or click the No button to skip saving the new trace and return to the dialog where you can change the trace name and import again if desired. If the data export file cannot be opened then the following message pops up.

This can happen if you have the file open in MS Excel® or some other program. Click the OK button to return to the dialog, correct the problem, and import again. If the data export file has been modified or damaged then other error messages may pop up. The best way to correct this is to use the System 89 program to replay the test and export the data file again.