Greetings!
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Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR - President & CEO
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We are pleased to announce immediate availability of SmartSDR v1.5 for the FLEX-6000 Signature Series.
My sincere thanks to our highly dedicated software team and alpha
testers for their great work on this release. I encourage you to read
Steve Hicks' article below for more detail on the exciting new v1.5
features including Wideband Noise Blanking (WNB), SO2R on the FLEX-6700,
Full Duplex (FDX) operation, RTTY filter mode, digital mode offsets,
and D-STAR using ThumbDV. These are exciting times in ham radio made
possible through the magic of direct sampling SDR technology!
Last
year we opened the SmartSDR Application Programming Interface (API) to
software developers and have been overwhelmed with the positive
response. There are now almost 100 developers signed up for both
amateur and commercial use. Read the article on our FlexADP program
below to learn more about new third-party applications such as FLEX-6000
Series client software for the iPad and Mac along with tight
integration with DXLabs, MacLogger, N1MM+ and Writelog.
Maestro
is progressing toward Q4 production ramp up. Production samples of the
injection molded plastic and machined metal components all look great!
We are working out the final details with our manufacturing partner so
that we can be in full production volume in time for the holiday season.
We are still taking pre-orders if you would like to reserve your place
in line.
Up next our team is well underway on development of SmartSDR v1.6, a contest themed release. Stay tuned .
We sincerely hope you will enjoy the new features of SmartSDR v1.5.
73,
Gerald, K5SDR
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FLEX-6000 Engineering Update
by Steve Hicks, N5AC - VP, Engineering
This
month we're releasing SmartSDR v1.5 for all FLEX-6000 Signature Series
radios. SmartSDR v1.5 has a number of exciting new features that I'd
like to tell you about. First, let's talk about noise mitigation. As
you may remember, we committed to conduct separate research projects on
each of the noise mitigation functions (automatic notch filter, noise
reduction and noise blanker), looking at each feature in detail and
doing fundamental research to yield the best noise mitigation possible.
With SmartSDR v1.4 we released an all-new design noise reduction and
automatic notch filter that are far superior to others in the industry.
These were added to our ever-popular Tracking Notch Filter™, a
FlexRadio exclusive that allows permanent notching of noise sources that
are then remembered and tracked by frequency.
Wideband Noise Blanker
With
SmartSDR v1.5, we again pulled out all the stops to do more fundamental
research on noise blanking and have come up with what we believe is the
most advanced noise blanker in the industry. We started out looking at
the existing well-known algorithms, comparing the performance of these
along with several competing radios to see how each performed. There
were a number of issues with each of the noise blankers we tested. We
found that by increasing the bandwidth available to the blanker, we were
able to overcome the shortcomings in many of the existing blankers and
more accurately find and isolate the sources of noise. This also allows
us to remove much less of the signal while removing the noise. We also
made the blanker intelligent and able to adapt to changing band
conditions and radio settings to optimize the removal of noise sources.
While
we've dubbed this new class of noise blanker a Wideband Noise Blanker
(WNB), it is much more than it's name implies. We truly believe we have
set a new standard for correlated/impulse noise mitigation. The new
SmartSDR WNB approaches magic in removing impulse noise like that
emitted from a faulty power pole insulator across the street from our
office. When we point our SteppIR antenna tuned to 40m toward the power
pole, the band is completely unusable due to noise. When we turn on
WNB, the noise floor drops 20-30 dB and the band below the noise suddenly appears. This video provides a good demonstration of the WNB and can be found on our website.
We've received similar videos from our
alpha test team and we'd love to see your videos showing how the new WNB
takes out your tough noise sources!
RTTY Mode and Digital Mode Offset
While
we've had digital mode settings in the DIGU/DIGL modes since the
inception of SmartSDR, there were a number of things that could be done
to enhance RTTY operation that really fell outside of generic digital
mode settings. So we've added a specific RTTY mode to SmartSDR in v1.5.
The RTTY mode understands RTTY offsets, correctly moves the mark tone
to a clicked location in the panadapter (rather than the location where a
0Hz carrier would be), properly highlights where mark and space tones
should be in normal and while RIT/XIT are active, automatically expands
your filter if you alter offsets and shifts, and correctly moves to the
exact frequency reported through CAT when a spot is selected in an
external program. We hope these additions will make operating the
FLEX-6000 in RTTY mode a pleasure.
For
other digital modes, an offset was also added that allows the same
point-and-click capability. For example, if your offset is set at
1,500Hz and you click on a panadapter signal in a DIGU/DIGL mode, your
carrier will be 1,500 Hz below (or above) the signal and the filter will
be properly centered on the signal where you clicked.
Logger Integration
We've
continued to work with several logging programs, including N1MM
Logger+, Writelog, DXlab Commander and MacLoggerDX to check
functionality within the loggers and ensure that SmartSDR does all the
"right things" in support of the logger's requests. We've asked experts
on the loggers who regularly contest with each of them to report any
issues or enhancements they feel would enhance operation. Then we've
gone about adding as many of these fixes and enhancements as we could to
streamline operations. This is also part of a larger program at
FlexRadio to enhance the FLEX-6000s contesting capabilities.
D-STAR Mode
Continuing
with our addition of the FreeDV/CODEC2 digital voice mode in v1.4, we
are adding the D-STAR mode in v1.5. Since the underlying codec in D-STAR
is the AMBE codec, the codec must be licensed from its owner, DVSI.
We've teamed up with NW Digital Solutions to offer the ThumbDV device
(available on our website here)
which contains a chip licensed for the codec. To operate D-STAR,
simply insert the ThumbDV into an unused USB port on the back of your
FLEX-6000 and install the ThumbDV Waveform available on our website www.flexradio.com/downloads/smartsdr_d-star_waveform_installer-exe/.
Your FLEX-6000 will now have the D-STAR mode (selected as DSTR in mode
selection). There are more details on how to operate D-STAR in the
documentation at www.flexradio.com/downloads/d-star-waveform-how-to-guide-pdf/.
We've
done extensive interoperability testing with Icom radios, verifying
proper operation on HF as well as through repeaters and gateways using
the FLEX-6700's VHF capability. Because all FLEX-6000 models support
transverter operation, you can operate D-STAR on ANY amateur band with
an external transverter. Special thanks to Mark, AA3RK, one of our
FlexADP members for his work on the D-STAR user interface!
Full Duplex
The
FLEX-6000 was designed with full duplex capability in mind -- that is
the ability to transmit and receive simultaneously. We've now added the
software components to make this a reality. After selecting the full
duplex mode by clicking the FDX icon in the lower left of SmartSDR, your
FLEX-6000 can transmit and receive at the same time. This enables a
number of capabilities including satellite operation (with the addition
of external transverters) as well as continually monitoring a DX station
while you are calling him split, monitoring a net control frequency
while you are transmitting as a liaison on another frequency, monitoring
a 2-meter frequency while transmitting on HF (FLEX-6700), and SO2R
operation in a single radio (more on this in the next section). Full
duplex does require a different transmit and receive antennas and the
isolation of the antennas at your station will impact how well full
duplex works for you on HF. This is an exciting new capability not
offered in many transceivers, but now part of every FLEX-6000.
630m and 2200m
For
those of you that are experimenting with 630-meters and 2200-meters, we
added support for these bands as licenses were issued, but we used the
frequency rather than the wavelength on the buttons in SmartSDR. Since
most folks are referring to them by their wavelength, we've changed the
buttons to 630 and 2200. While we're on the topic of new frequencies,
some of the EU countries are being issued new privileges in the 60m band
and we've modified SmartSDR v1.5 with these updates as well. We're
preparing an update to PowerSDR that includes these new bands as well.
SO2R for FLEX-6700
SO2R,
or Single Operator 2 Radios, is a contesting method for single-op
contesters wherein two transceivers are used to maximize score.
Generally, the operator will transmit on one radio, say calling CQ as a
run station, while listening on the second radio for a multiplier.
After calling CQ on radio one, the operator will listen for someone to
call him on the run frequency while calling the multiplier he has found
on the second radio. In this way, the operator makes use of two radios.
In most contests, an SO2R operator may use only a single transmitter at
a time. It is well established that this can add around 30% to a
contester's score and that this gain in score is generally unattainable
using other methods.
The
chief problem with SO2R is that it requires purchasing a second
transceiver and a pile of ancillary equipment ... until now. In v1.5 we
have added support for SO2R in a single radio with the FLEX-6700 --
another industry first. We have done extensive testing with the
FLEX-6700 in a SO2R configuration and have worked out all of the details
to make this completely seamless. As with all contest operations, your
antenna configuration, amplifier setup (if present) and filter
requirements will vary with site configuration. We've provided some
guidance on how to get the most out of SO2R operation on a FLEX-6700 in
the SmartSDR Software Guide and there is a lot of web and book
documentation on how to setup your station for SO2R if you've never done
this before.
What
are the benefits of operating this way? If you are a single-op
contester, you know that the second transceiver is only part of a SO2R
solution. With two radios, you now need control boxes to interface a
single microphone and keyer to the radios, switching between them when
necessary. Digital modes have similar issues. What if you could just
plug your mic and keyer into the radio without all the external devices
to make everything work? This is how it works on a FLEX-6700 with SO2R!
Not only is there a huge cost advantage, the station complexity is
significantly reduced. We've already released a "SO2R Mode with N1MM for the FLEX-6700 How to Guide"
document on how to get this going with N1MM that you can download and
you'll want to check out all the details on ensuring your station is
ready for SO2R in the SmartSDR manual to get started. Why buy two
radios when you can use one?
We're
very excited about the new capabilities we've added in v1.5 and I hope
you are able to see that "we're just getting started." The promise of
software defined radio is the enhancements that can be added to existing
hardware with the addition of software. While there are other SDRs on
the market, we hope you'll agree that no one is adding new capabilities
at the pace of FlexRadio. On that topic, we're just getting started on
v1.6 now. v1.6 will focus on additional capabilities for contesting and
we are targeting a release before year-end. Until then, happy
operating!
73,
Steve, N5AC
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FlexADP - Third Party Applications Now Available
by Lori Hicks, Marketing
SmartSDR for the FLEX-6000 Signature
Series radios offers a world of possibilities for software interfacing.
For the first time in amateur radio history, a transceiver is
completely controllable using standard Internet protocols, TCP/IP,
UDP/IP and VITA-49. With SmartSDR's APIs it's easy to integrate
existing programs with the FLEX-6000 series transceivers or build new
interfaces, control systems or even new modes. The possibilities of what
can be achieved are virtually limitless.
The FlexRadio Application Developer Partner
(FlexADP) Program provides resources and support to developers
fashioning applications and mobile apps that work with the SmartSDR
APIs. With enrollment in the FlexADP, developers enjoy access to
pre-release versions of software, forums where software functionality
can be discussed with other developers and access to documentation and
software resources for all of the SmartSDR API components.
Today,
FlexRadio has close to 100 participants in the program. Below you will
find descriptions and links for a few of the products/applications
optimized to work with FlexRadio FLEX-6000 Series transceivers that are a
direct result of the program. We thank each of the developers below for
providing descriptions of their offerings and we encourage you to try
them out. We hope you find them as exciting as we do.
K6TU Remote - iPad client for the FlexRadio 6000 series by Stu Phillips, K6TU Stu
Phillips, K6TU is likely familiar to many of you as one of the
designers of the FlexControl as well as his K6TU Control virtual front
panel iPad application for controlling the Flex-6000 series in
conjunction with SmartSDR.
Stu
is also the designer of the Objective-C interface library allowing
Apple iOS and Mac OS X applications to interface to the native Ethernet
API of the FLEX-6000 series radios. This software is used in Stu's K6TU
Control app as well as MacLogger DX and the new dogparkSDR Mac OS X
application from Dogpark Software.
Together with Stu, we are happy to
announce the upcoming availability of Stu's latest iPad app, K6TU
Remote. The app should be in the Apple App Store by the end of October
2015. K6TU Remote is a native client
application allowing full remote control of the Flex-6000 series radios
over the LAN. The app provides a high-resolution pan-adaptor and
waterfall together with controls to allow the radio to be operated for
DX, Contesting or rag-chewing operation.
K6TU
Remote supports a single pan-adaptor and up to two slices. The iPad
speaker and microphone (built-in, wired or wireless headset) provide the
support for remote audio on transmit and receive.
The
first release supports Phone operation only, with CW support coming in
the next release. Stu has had some 25 Flex-6000 owners alpha testing the
app and was encouraged by them to release the functionality as it is
completed on his roadmap.
When
available in the Apple App Store, K6TU Remote will be available for
free download supporting receive-only operation on a single slice. You
will be able to subscribe to the full capabilities of the app through an
in-app purchase of either a monthly or yearly subscription. The
subscription unlocks the second slice and enables transmit operation.
The subscription covers all new features released during its time limit.
At the end of the subscription, the app reverts back to single slice
receive-only operation unless the subscription is renewed by the user.
Stu is planning a series of releases that, over time, will add many new exciting capabilities and features.
Pricing for US customers is $9.99 for a one-month subscription and $99.99 for a one-year subscription.
dogparkSDR Version 1.0 Public Beta released
Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that version 1.0 Beta of dogparkSDR, the first native Mac client for the FLEX-6000 Signature series SDR radios, has been released.
dogparkSDR will include the following in the first version:
* OS X 10.9+ and Intel 64 bit Processor.
* OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) compatible.
* 1 Panadapter and 2 VFO Slices.
There is a 20 minute timeout on this demo but it can be run multiple times.
Since
1991 Dog Park Software Ltd. has been providing the Amateur Radio
community with the best in Ham Software for the Mac and iOS including
MacLoggerDX, MacDoppler, MacLoggerDX for iPad, iSpectrum Audio Analyzer
and now dogparkSDR for the FLEX-6000 Series from FlexRadio Systems.
DXLab
Suite is a free set of applications that support DXing activities. They
can be used individually, but when multiple DXLab applications are
running, they detect each others presence and interoperate
automatically. DXLab's Commander application has been managing FLEX
transceivers since the early SDR-1000 days. The latest version of
Commander, now in beta test, employs the FLEX Signature Ethernet API to
provide full access to the FLEX-6300, FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700 SDR's
capabilities. More information can be found on the DXLab website.
FRStack - Mark Hanson, AA3RK
FRStack
is a SmartSDR companion application that provides Band Stacking, Memory
lists with Favorites, Memory Scan Banks, Global Hotkeys for popular
SmartSDR functionality, Remote Foot Switch, Mute non-active slices, TX
follows active slice, SSB / AM Meter Level Mute (Squelch), and many
others.
The latest version of FRStack supports SmartSDR v1.5 and adds support for the following:
- Memory editor
- Support for new Demod modes
- Meter Level Mute now works with SSB, AM and FDV
- Meter Level Mute now for each Slice
- SmartSDR / FlexLib V1.5 Support
- Support for RTTY and DIGL/U Offsets
FRStack
was made possible by the FLEX Applications Developer Partner (FlexADP)
Program. The FlexADP program provides the necessary software APIs and
guidance to enhance and extend the already great FLEX-6000 SDR
experience.
For more information on the FlexRadio Application Developer Partner Program visit our website.
73,
Lori
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Upcoming Events
HamExpo
Belton,TX
October 3rd
Pacificon
San Ramon, CA
October 16-18
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