N5ACのChicagoでのプレゼン

久しぶりに、SmartSDR v1.5の説明があがっていましたので、リンクを、、、。

Full Duplex ってどうやって使う？

SmartSDR v1.5.1になってFDX(Full Duplex)というボタンができて、フルデュープレックス通信が出来るようになっていますが、実際の話「これってどうやって使うの？」って思っていましたが、自分の送信オーディオの調整に使うというアイデアの書き込みがcommunityに出ていました。
ビデオなので、詳細を把握するのにちょっと手間が掛かりましたが、参考になると思います。
AD変換等を経由するかからか、自分の発声と実際の送信信号との間に少し遅延が発生するので、ちょっと違和感がありますが、これってしようが無いのでしょうかね。（同様の事をKenもビデオの中で言っていてDAXとAudityを使う、とか言っていますが、、、）

=========================コミュニティの書き込み=========================
his is my first Audio/Visual Tutorial on the Flex-6000 Series
I hope it is helpful.
If you like it, I will make more on other subjects.

https://youtu.be/CzT1qDKKySk

Ken - NM9P

=====================================================================

TX3X

そろそろCQの連呼に閑古鳥状態になって来たので、昨日はまだ出来ていなかった10mと20mのRTTYを狙ってワッチ。　流石にRTTYはしんどいが何とか完成！　これでホントに出来る処（バンド、モード）はすべて終了。　

SmartSDR v1.5.1

一部不具合が報告され、早々に1.5.1にアップデートされました。　
FPGAの信号タイミングがずれることによる変調の歪（ノイズ）というのが主たる修正ですが、これ以外にWNBが「効果ないよー」というユーザの意見に通常のNBも追加されました。　
例によって、すんなりインストールでき、特に問題なく使えています。

以下、Release noteの抜粋

SmartSDR for Windows v1.5.1 is a general release that includes a new feature and addresses two defects identified in previous versions of SmartSDR for Windows.  Please consult the SmartSDR Software Users Guide for details on using the new and updated features of SmartSDR for the most optimal operating experience.
A cumulative and inclusive ChangeLog.txt file along with other ancillary documentation can be found in the Program Files\FlexRadio Systems\SmartSDR\Documentation folder.
Slice Noise Blanker (NB):  In response to customer feedback reading the effectiveness of the WNB on less correlated pulse type noise, a slice or narrow bandwidth noise blanker (NB) has been added to SmartSDR for Windows.  The “NB” noise blanker will not remove noise visually from the spectrum display, but operates only on the demodulated slice receiver audio.  For complex correlated noise sources, using the WNB, NB or a combination of both may be employed to mitigate pulse type noise.  To enable the NB, select it from the slice DSP menu and adjust the NB threshold to an appropriate setting.
TX Distortion Issue:  In a small number of FLEX-6300s, a random timing defect which resulted in data corruption between the FPGA and main processor manifested itself as distorted transmit audio. Once the data was mis-aligned, data alignment would not recover without rebooting the radio. Root cause analysis determined that the defect was inherent in all FLEX-6000s, but reviled itself more easily in the FLEX-6300.  In this version of SmartSDR, additional constraints have been added to the FPGA to prevent this fault from occurring on all radio models. 
Frequency Calibration Issue with the FLEX-6300:  A frequency calibration defect specifically related to the FLEX-6300 that would produce incorrect results has been corrected.  

TX3X Chesterfield Is.

金曜日の夕方からはじまった（と思う？）様ですが、最初は20mから始まり、バンドもモードも少しづつ広がっていった感じですね。
水曜日の時点で出来る処は終了したので、これで打ち止めに、、、。
不思議なのですが、大航海時代にも出てこないし、海洋大国でもないフランスが何でこんなに沢山島持っているんですかね？　そこら辺の歴史的な事誰か教えてくれませんかね？

MODE/BAND	80 m	40 m	30 m	20 m	17 m	15 m	12 m	10 m
CW
SSB
RTTY

SmartSDR v1.5のWNB

アルゴリズムから見直すので少し待ってね！というメッセージと共に6か月以上またされて、やっとV1.5がリリースされ、ノイズブランカが Wideband Noise Blankerという名前になりました。　名前から想像されるように、広い帯域で対象となるインパルスノイズを検出して来て、これをベースにブランキングする、というものです。　　今の処、私のロケーションではその効果を確認するようなノイズが出てくれないので、確認できませんが、YouTubeにその効果の動画がアップロードされていましたのでリンクを張っておきます。　
ちょっと凄いじゃーん！

SmartSDR v1.5

皆があまりに「何時出る、いつでる。約束と違うじゃん」と煩いので、リリース日時の予告をしなくなってしまったFlexですが、やっとv1.5.0がリリースされました。　今回の目玉はWNB(Wideband Noise Blanker)。　要するにImpulseNoiseを広い帯域で拾って来て、ブランキング情報とすることにより、より使いやすい（？）NBにしようという試み。　　communityを見る限り、評価は高いですが、一部「効かねー」という声もあります（ノイズの種類によって効果がかなり違うので、勘違いしているのかも）。　これで、AGC-T,WNB,NR,ANFと4種類のノイズ処理アルゴリズムが用意されたことになります。　
マニュアルも、ここら辺の説明が強化されています（そもそも、デジタル処理されているのにAGC？ってオカシイのですが、機能としてのAGCです）。

AFSKのRTTYがモードとしてサポートされましたので、少しRTTYが快適になりました。　これの実験でSU9IGと昨日QSOしました。　　週末のCQ WW RTTYでもう少し遊んでみようと思います。

Release Noteにはこれ以外にも、D-STAR、FDX,など幾つかありましたが、特に必要が無いので今は読み飛ばしています。　

例により、インストールは何の問題もなく終わり、すんなり1.5が本体にもインストールされ、一度電源を落として再起動すれば、「はい、新しいリグの一丁上がり」というのが嬉しいです。

週末に来るのかな？と思っていたら先ほどFlexInsiderが来ていましたの、下に張り付けておきます。

 

September 2015 Issue: 5-15 THE FLEX INSIDER A Word from our CEO -     Greetings! Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR - President & CEO       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 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 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. This is a free public Beta and can be downloaded from http://dogparksoftware.com/dogparkSDR.html   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- Dave, AA6YQ 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.   FRStack is free to download and use. It can be found at http://www.mkcmsoftware.com/Flex    For more information on the FlexRadio Application Developer Partner Program visit our website. 73,     Lori In This Issue Engineering Update FlexADP Third Party Applications Upcoming Events HamExpo Belton,TX October 3rd Pacificon San Ramon, CA October 16-18 FlexRadio Systems 4616 W. Howard Lane, Ste. 1-150 Austin, TX 78728 512-535-4713(main), 512-233-5143 (fax)  www.flexradio.com / sales@flexradio.com Copyright 2014. FlexRadio Systems is a registered trademark and SmartSDR is a trademark of FlexRadio Systems.  All Rights Reserved.  Information contained in this newsletter is the sole property of FlexRadio Systems and may not be distributed or posted without the express