TQSoft / TQAero Frequently Asked Questions — last updated 15 October 2025

1. Where is the list of users in TQSoft?

The user list is in the Edit Security option.

The user list starts with a default user called demo. As long as demo is active the Login window will not appear at TQSoft startup. Once demo is de-activated in Edit Security, the Login window will appear at startup and valid credentials must be entered.

Be sure that an Administrator is correctly set up before de-activating demo!

If access to TQSoft is lost through ID/password errors, download the Emergency Security Patch from www.tqsoftware.com. Instructions are there.

2. How do I start configuring TQSoft for my thermal validation requirements?

This consists of several easy steps.

1. Set up a Chamber Record (optional). Go to Setup Database Entries and select Chamber Records. Right-click on Chambers to create a new record. In the ID tab enter the Serial Number and Name (they can be the same). In the Details tab enter Manufacturer and Model; everything else can be left until your report content requirements are fully known. Press Save Changes, then exit.

2. Logger connection and channel configuration. Decide if you need to set up a user list in Edit Security. Consider each of your thermal validation projects and select one to start with. Go to Equipment Connections / Select Type of Logger and select your logger type and connection parameters (see the relevant TQSoft manual appendix for full connection information). With a successful connection TQSoft will know how many channels the logger is configured for. Go to Equipment Connections / Edit Channel Configuration and create a new one by right-clicking on Channel Configurations. Click on the new file (e.g. Channel Configuration 9) and change the name on the right. Set up each channel with the required sensor type, decimal places and chart colour; use the Duplicate option for speed. For pressure, humidity or other measurements you will likely want to set a voltage input. Scaling uses the same correction registers as the thermocouple calibration procedure; see step 3c for the scaling procedure. Press Quit when finished. If you answer Yes to 'Use channel configuration now?' the settings are uploaded to the logger; if you answer No the settings are just saved.

3. Calibrating your thermocouples with a thermal bath. This step may not apply to all projects; it depends on your sensors and your customer's requirements.

3a. Setting up automatic calibration (optional). With no thermal bath connected the operator is prompted to set the temperature on the bath. With no reference probe connected the operator will need to enter the stable reference displayed on the bath or reference unit. With no connection to a thermal bath or reference channel, proceed directly to Calibration Corrections then Calibration. To connect a thermal bath go to Equipment Connections then Select Type of Thermal Bath (see the relevant manual appendix). Some baths have a built-in reference probe and may allow TQSoft to use it. Use the drop-down option Thermal Bath Control to check the unit is communicating. To connect a separate reference unit go to Equipment Connections then Select Type of Reference, and use Reference Control to check it is communicating. If measurements are not displayed, use Windows Device Manager to check COM ports and check the COM settings on the unit.

3b. Calibration procedure. Go to Calibration Corrections then Calibration (the logger must be connected). Select which calibration file will store the offset results and press OK. Select the channels to calibrate. At the Test Equipment window select the equipment you are using. At the Calibration Setup window enter the high, low and check points of the procedure. The stability panel settings will be familiar to experienced technicians; see section 2.5 of the general manual. Press OK to proceed. If the calibration is automatic TQSoft will wait for the sensor stability criteria to be achieved and proceed to completion. For non-automatic calibration the user is prompted to set thermal bath temperatures and change reference setpoints.

3c. Scaling voltage channel inputs for pressure, humidity etc. Go to Calibration Adjustments then Calibration Files Manual Adjust (this option may need to be added to your user profile in Edit Security). Click on the same calibration file used for the calibration above and open the treeview to see all channels. Click on the voltage channel and enter a scaling on the right, for example Measured 0 volts, Actual 1 bar. Press Add SetPoint, then click on the channel again and repeat, for example Measured 4 volts, Actual 4 bar. Press Add SetPoint again and open the treeview for that channel; there should be 2 setpoints. Close the window and click Save.

4. Checking that all setpoints are being used. Go to Equipment Connections then Select Type of Logger, drop-down option Test Connection. If the logger starts successfully the Inputs Display window shows scanned measurements. Values shown in green have corrections or scaling applied; the operational calibration file is shown in the window caption. Values shown in red do not have corrections or scaling applied. Hover over a measurement value to see the actual correction applied.

5. Preparing for a test by setting up a Test Specification. Test Specifications have many parameters but this guide creates a simple one. Go to Testing then Test Specifications. Click New, then No for 'Use as basis for new one'. Click Next, then change the Name to something like Test 1. If using a Fluke, click Measurement Rate Fast. Select the calibration file and channel configuration file used in the previous steps. Click the Probes tab and the Select Probes button, then select the desired probes. Press OK to save the Test Specification and exit.

6. Running a test. Go to Testing then Start Logging. Select a chamber name and enter a number for this test, then press Next. Select the required Test Specification and press Next. Enter a Job Reference or press the Auto button. Press Start Logging; the chart appears showing real-time data being updated. To stop, exit the chart and press Stop Logging. The data will be available in Reports and Data File Management.

3. Why is the page numbering of my PDF generated by TQSoft incorrect?

You do have to make the PDF twice before the correct 'page x of y' appears. If that is not the problem, or you have some other paging error, you can find your report files in TQSoft/Reports; locate the particular set of report files and send them to support so we can have a look.

4. When logging, the Fluke logger nearly always loses communication with TQSoft. How can we fix this?

1. When we have a Fluke connected to TQSoft in our office with LAN or USB we are able to log data for weeks without issue.

2. When the system is used on site the real-time data can stop in TQSoft. Sometimes it stops after minutes and sometimes after many hours.

3. Sometimes the Fluke unit also freezes and needs to be rebooted, but usually the Fluke unit continues storing data and it can be imported to TQSoft at completion.

4. With a USB connection the Fluke drivers create a COM port in the PC. We found that when the communications issue occurs the COM port is affected and will usually need re-installing by disconnecting and re-connecting the USB.

5. With a LAN connection we found that the port is also affected by the communications issue, but less so than the COM port. In fact after a period of minutes real-time data in TQSoft re-appears. However, complete data must be recovered from Fluke memory afterwards.

6. We concluded that the communications issue is caused by electrical noise impacting the Fluke firmware, and this cannot be addressed by a PC application such as TQSoft.

7. We advise customers to try a different electrical circuit and to use Fluke memory.

8. We don't believe the Windows version has any effect on this issue. There is extra code in the latest TQSoft versions to try to recover real-time communications. This works to some extent with LAN, but a Fluke download is still required because real-time data is not complete; some is lost.

5. Our TQSoft user assigned as Administrator has forgotten his password. How can we get access to the software again?

It's simple to resolve. Go to www.tqsoftware.com then Downloads and download the Emergency Security Patch, then copy it (Operat3.ini) to the TQSoft folder, replacing the existing file. You will then have to re-enter the user accounts.

6. Can I get a trial of TQSoft or TQAero?

Contact info@tqsolutions.net and request the login credentials for the trial download.

7. Is there a way to read a Fluke 1586A channel configured with the mx+b function? We need it for relative humidity and other non-temperature measurements.

Yes, the Fluke channels can be directly programmed with the mx+b function. However, TQSoft can have multiple setpoints added for each channel, and 2 setpoints is an mx+b. The way TQSoft works is to do all adjustments in TQSoft, so the Fluke is not programmed with the mx+b through TQSoft. If you use Fluke memory, the adjustments are applied when the data is imported to TQSoft.

8. Is TQSoft limited to a maximum of 2 setpoints? We want to calibrate an oven at 9 temperature locations and 1-2 RH sensor locations, at multiple temperature and RH setpoints (e.g. -70, -20, 0, 50, 150 degrees C; 5% RH / -10 C, 20% RH / 20 C, 95% RH / 80 C). Can it be done with TQSoft?

We are talking at cross purposes. By setpoint we mean a temperature (or humidity) value at which a calibration adjustment is calculated. Using your meaning, we will call them calibration points. Calibration in TQSoft and your calibration of a chamber are separate things.

1. In TQSoft you can add calibration points for your sensors connected to the Fluke. These calibration points can be used to adjust temperatures or scale voltage to pressure or humidity.

2. From the data you collect you want to calculate calibration data/adjustments for the chambers you are working on.

The process:

1. In TQSoft set up a channel configuration and calibration file so that 9 temperature and 2 humidity sensors are functional; test it with Inputs Display.
2. Set up a simple Test Specification that uses the correct channel configuration and calibration files and will log 9 temperatures and 2 humidities.
3. Try the Test Spec in a simple scenario and check the data.
4. Put the sensors into a chamber and log a complete data set at all setpoints and temperature/stability points. Be sure to use the Fluke memory option in case TQSoft communications are disrupted; if so, the data can easily be imported into TQSoft at completion.
5. Send the data to support and we can then discuss what calculations you wish TQSoft to make and report.

9. How can I make the Data List provide data every 1 minute?

The Data List print interval is controlled by stage settings, for example: 08:12:35 Cycle Started [INT:02.00 CODE:1]. INT:02.00 means a 2 minute print interval. Each stage has its own setting.

This is separate from the scan interval in the Test Specification. The scan interval is the rate at which the logger scans and sends data to TQSoft, and is the rate at which TQSoft stores data.

10. When I click on Calibration it says 'Calibration currently NOT active in PC'. What is the cause and what should I do?

This message indicates that a user has switched off calibration in TQSoft. To switch it back on use Calibration Files Manual Adjust; this may need enabling in your user profile via Edit Security. Then click on Calibration Files in the treeview and you should see the option box on the right.

11. How can I get support for TQSoft or TQAero?

1. If your issue involves collected data it is best to email the complete data record to support@tqsolutions.net. A complete data test consists of 8-12 files located in the TQSoft/chamber/data folder; the folder is shown in the chart or data list window caption. You can copy the files to your desktop by right-clicking the chart and choosing Copy Files to Desktop, then zip that folder and attach it to the email. Send a zip of the complete set of data that requires support.

2. If your issue involves configuration or setup there should be some coverage in the list of support videos after login on the website; failing that, email support@tqsolutions.net.

12. How can I use data stored in Fluke memory or on a flash drive?

To get data directly from Fluke memory in TQSoft/TQAero:

1. Connect to the unit and in Equipment Connections select Logger Control.
2. The control window should list all data files in the unit, identified by date and time.
3. Double-click the required data and proceed through the test initiation.
4. There may be questions about decimal place settings and calibration adjustments; at this point calibration corrections can be applied to the data.
5. If successful the data will be accessible in Reports and Data File Management.

To get data from a flash drive or folder:

1. Go to Reports and Data File Management then Select Historic Tests.
2. If the CSV file is on a flash drive or outside the TQSoft folder you will need to use the Configure button.
3. If the Configure button is not available, change the Edit Security user profile Tests tab to allow Historic Tests Configure.
4. Select the required drive or folder and press OK.
5. If data is not shown try the Remake button.
6. Fluke data files usually have 2 CSVs, one with the word 'setup' in its name; double-click the one that is NOT the setup.
7. Proceed through the test initiation.
8. There may be questions about decimal place settings and calibration adjustments; at this point calibration corrections can be applied.
9. If successful the data will be accessible in Reports and Data File Management.

13. How can I get a lethality trace for each temperature channel?

An I-Calc must be created for each temperature channel that requires a lethality trace. This can be done with a historic test or in a Test Spec in Setup.

1. In the Test Specification go to the I-Calc list.
2. Click New to start a new one.
3. Answer No to the question about using an existing one as the basis.
4. Double-click on the NEW I-Calc shown in the list.
5. Give it a name, e.g. LT1, and click Next.
6. Select Continuously Monitored Interval, click Next.
7. Select Max Interval Lethality; if required add temperature reference and base temperature, click Next.
8. Select Cycle Start, click Next.
9. In Interval Probes choose the temperature channel, click Next.
10. Leave the next four pages blank, clicking Next on each.
11. Click Include Calculation on Chart/Data, plot thickness 1, click Next.
12. Click OK to save it and view the chart, or start a test to try it (in Setup).

14. I have configured a Test Specification and want to copy it to other computers. How can I do it?

Each Test Specification consists of 3 files residing in the TQSoft\Logger01 folder, with suffixes .pa2, .tql and .stg (General manual section 4.12.3, Data Management Specification Table).

1. Find the Test Spec by looking at the .pa2 file in a text editor, or by the date it was changed.
2. Optionally rename the files so you recognise them; TQSoft will still find them.
3. Copy the 3 files to a flash drive and paste them into the same folder on the other PCs.

15. How can I migrate an installation with all its data to another PC, for example moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

If you do not have a TQ installation EXE, go to www.tqsoftware.com and download the full install of the same major version (8 or 9).

1. Make a new install on the target PC, being sure to use the same TQ install folder name(s) as on the old PC.
2. Copy the entire TQ folder(s) from the old PC onto the new PC on top of the new install.
3. If you are using an online licence you may need to re-register the licence on the new PC.
4. TQSoft version 10 (TQWeb) will soon allow easier migrations.

Machine-readable version: tqsoft_qa.json