If you're able to post a short video of the device from power on to error that might help. I'm really struggling with what you are trying to convey. The $0280 error occurs when a vehicle connection is attempted and there is no vehicle found by the device. A vehicle connection is generally not made by simply connecting the device, unless the tuner has done something like that in it's config (I'm not even immediately sure how).
As I mentioned in the first post though for AutoCal support you should be contacting your tuner or supplier of the AutoCal device for their direction and guidance.