When will Tuning Steps Option be implemented?

KY6LA_Howard

I tried to use the 6700 in the 10M DX Contest Today... 50KHz tuning steps were basically unusable for contesting .... tuning 50KHz at a mouse click is far too slow and painful to win a contest. I need a minimum of 250KHz or preferably 500KHz tuning steps for quick Search and Pounce Operation. Yes... I have the K6TU iPad App which sort of fixes the issue but not really good enough to win a contest. Yes ... I have tried DXLabs Commaner which sort of fixes the issue but not really good enough to win a contest. Yes... I see that it is planned for a future release. Yes.... I looked at the roadmap NO... I do not see when it is going to be fixed.. Tuning Steps Option is a most critical usability feature if one is to win a contest with the 6700.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

I hope you mean Hz and not KHz :-) For the moment, use DDutil and allow it to control the FlexControl (you DO have one, yes? ;-)... I agree that different tuning steps are required in SSDR but there is a work around available now. Stu K6TU

KY6LA_Howard

Oops... Yes I meant Hx not KHz... Not i do not own a Flexcontrol KNOB What other work arounds?

KY6LA_Howard

Hz

Stu Phillips - K6TU

Without a FlexControl you will have your work seriously cut out to win a contest... The workflow issues alone with having to swap keyboard focus will cut into your rate. For now, without an external control I believe you are stuck unless you can get along with the frequency drag capability in the K6TU Control ipad app... I (would) feel your pain... but i have a FlexControl... Stu K6TU

Tom K3TF

I have been using the point and double click approach so far for cw and it works well for me. Monday I am supposed to get my Flexknob, looking forward to giving that the smoke test.

Al_NN4ZZ

Tom, If you use DDUtil you can set it to control your Flexknob. Here are some CW settings you might like to try to get started. The 10 HZ setting gives you the fine control like the scroll wheel on your mouse. The Variable rate tuning and rate value will make the slice move faster when you move the knob faster. Another benefit of using DDUtil is you can program the AUX buttons on the knob using Macros. If you don't use DDUtil the speed will be set to 10 HZ all the time currently. SmartSDR will add more FlexContol features next April in V1.2 Regards, Al / NN4ZZ **** CLICK to Enlarge ****

WA6FXT Mike

I'm waiting for the FRS version of these type of controls. I would rather not use third party tools for something that is best done by the Radio.

Tom K3TF

Al, Thanks for the info. I will give it a try. Does one of those Macro's adjust the AGC-T? I find running QSK CW that I am adjusting AGC-T constantly. Tom K3TF........

Stu Phillips - K6TU

The tuning steps are not done in the radio - they are done in the thin client (SmartSDR). So there's really no difference in using DDutil (another thin client) than SmartSDR. I understand your point - just pointing out the distinction. For a station of any reasonable complexity, its hard for me to see how you can get the best out of it without using DDUtil to control the other elements of the station that are unlikely to be controlled by the radio - maybe ever. Stu K6TU

Reg

Al: Thanks for the DDUTIL Flex Control screen setup. I was already using DDUTIL 3.0 to control my Alpha 9500 and now the function keys on my Flex Control work great. I'll evaluate what FlexRadio releases in V1.2 and continue with whatever is the most elegant implementation. For now, you have substantially upgraded the interim usefulness of my Flex Control. Thanks, Reg, KD5RB

Tom K3TF

Reg, Are you using DDUTIL with a Flex 6700 or a Flex 5000. I thought there is nothing out there yet to support the FlexControl with a Flex 6700??? Tom K3TF........

KY6LA_Howard

OK ...It is just too frustrating to work S&P in a SSB Contest with tiny 50Hz steps.... So in spite of the fact that 1. I hate knobs 2. It will be useless for remote operation, and 3. I will probably sell it as soon as they fix the tuning step issue in SSDR.. I just ordered a Flexcontrol Knob.

KY6LA_Howard

BUT I still want a road map time frame for when it will be fixed

Robert -- N5IKD

I think the Flex control knob will work remotely when SmartSDR remote operation is supported, assuming that you have it with you.

Al_NN4ZZ

Tom, I'm not aware of a CAT command to adjust the AGC-T (maybe Tim E. could advise if I missed it or if that is in the works). I currently use one AUX button Macro to reset the CW speed to 20 WPM. And I have one set up to make the A and B slices match frequency. It helps when working splits to quickly get them set up. I'm still hoping for a clone button to make quickly setting up for splits even better. See below and add your comments and vote +1 if you like the idea. http://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/default_when_adding_a_second_receiver_rx I change the other AUX buttons periodically and experiment with different macros, You can set the AUX buttons up to do what ever is currently defined. See the SmartCat documentation for details on the current CAT commands available. Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

Al_NN4ZZ

Reg, DDUtil V3 works fine with the 6x00 radios. I use it to control my amplifier, array solutions bandmaster III antenna switch, and FlexControl knob. Steve hosts a good Yahoo forum on DDUtil if you have any questions or need support. Some day we will probably be able to control all of these directly from the radio or a dedicated controller attached to the radio but for now DDUtil is a good solution. Steve has all of the major peripherals covered. Regards, Al / NN4ZZ

Ken - NM9P

The only problems I have with using DDUtil with the FlexControl knob are 1) The pan doesn't move when you go off scale. 2) When you change steps to a larger step, it doesn't even up" the steps.. i.e. if I was tuning in .001 steps and go to 28.254.037 and then move up to .1 step, the next wheel turn should "even up" to 28.254.100 and then .200 .300 etc. But instead, it simply starts moving in .1 steps and goes to 28.254.137 .237 .337 etc. It would be nice of it would "even up" the steps when changing.

Tim - W4TME

Tuning steps are part of the road map development plan, it just has not been assigned to a specific release yet.