SmartSDR 1.3 - DAX not keying radio

Jason Donnelly

Attempting to use DAX for FlDigi and RMS Express Winmor TNC sessions.  DAX appears to be set up correctly as I can see the level meters bounce within the DAX control panel, but DAX does not key up the 6700.   Within the 3rd party apps I can view the waterfall sessions and I see the level meter when the 3rd party application "thinks" it's transmitting.  Uninstalled and reinstalled SmartSDR - now I can't get FlexControl working - ha.  Am sure this is op error.  Have checked out the YT video walking through how to set up DAX.  Some upgrades since that video was taken, but still following the spirit of the original intent.  Anyone have any ideas?

Steve N4LQ

Jason. DAX doesn't "key up" the 6700. Your 3rd party software has to do that via a CAT command through smartCAT. So take a look at your "rig control" in FLdigi. Do you have rigcat set to control Smartsdr.xml?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSRIefEWjcc&list=UU8yv24rjknvixn1KIAcwzoQ
Steve N4LQ 

Jason Donnelly

Steve - When I watched this " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcb5QGoo_Nc"  FlexRadio presentation of DAX, it doesn't mention setting up CAT at all.  By creating a bidirectional DAX connection and setting up the appropriate or corresponding sound card capture and playback devices within the 3rd party application, it should key unilaterally without CAT being set up.  

   With that said, to get it working I'll try the CAT avenue of approach.  Thanks for the reply.  Just unboxed the 6700 Friday night.  Have a ton to learn.  I appreciate this resource very much - having elmers at the ready to answer my rookie questions is a huge help.  Thanks again.  /// KJ4EOO.

DrTeeth

Jason, total FlexRadio noob here. Getting cat set up so digi mode apps key the rig is dead easy. Start off with Fldig as a config file is supplied and you can copy your settings to other progs. Basically, set up a virtual com port in SmartCAT and use that one. There are so few permutations to try it takes less than a minute to try them all.

Good luck. If you are still stuck, let me know here and I'll do what I can to help Sometimes a fellow newbie can help more than a maven.

Guy G4DWV/4X1LT

Mike_N1MD

Jason, I have been burned many times while setting up DAX. Be sure that in the control panel you have the red TX button enabled for the proper soundcard you are using. Also, be sure the soundcard you have set up in the 3rd party program is the same soundcard you are using in DAX in your receiver slice under the DAX tab.

I had the same problem when setting up Winmor in RMS Express and needed to double check my soundcard settings and DAX settings in RMS Express, the DAX Control Panel, and in the receiver slice on the radio.

Good luck!  Mike, N1MD

Steve N4LQ

I told how to set up CAT starting at 4:19 in the video. 
Glad to help.

Jason Donnelly

must be different video?

Jason Donnelly

Gents -  

  That pesky VOX button was the culprit.  Had DAX set up correctly - just didn't have the VOX set up.  No need to play with CAT configs at all - DAX handles it all -. Just connected up to WINLINK gtwy W4CPG on 7102MHz and was able to pass xffic back and forth.  Appreciate everyone's comments - This is sure to be first post of many for me as I am THE noob.  73///KJ4EOO

Ken - NM9P

DAX and CAT are different parts of the whole system. DAX is the audio pipeline to and from the radio and digi program. It does no keying. CAT is the virtual serial connection to send data and commands to and from the rig. Keying (PTT) is done either with CAT serial radio commands, or by direct manipulation of a data line on a virtual PTT port in the CAT interface. In order to do digital modes, you must set up BOTH DAX and CAT properly.

Steve W6SDM

See?  Someone else got zapped by that VOX button. <snicker>  And here I thought I was experiencing some sort of dementia.  That still may be the case but it didn't apply here.

Don't feel bad - none of the setup documentation I read said anything about VOX being an alternate PTT and I had to find that by trial and error.  Now I realize that you should be able to key the radio with the PTT COM port but I was never able to get that to work - so I use VOX.

Glad you got it working.

Ken - NM9P

Oops....Until I saw some of these posts, I was not aware that VOX had been implemented via DAX! Cool! I can use this while experimenting with outboard broadcast audio processing programs like SA Stereo Tool... You Learn something every day! You learn even more If you read ALL of the release notes and documentation! Hi hi!

Jason Donnelly

rr Steve- just saw your initial post re: the YT vid - thanks for that.

Jason Donnelly

rr - Thanks Steve - Just messing around with PSK31 via FlDigi and Digital Voice (freedv.org).  If I understand this correctly, it appears I can set the delay between the VOX keying up and the 3rd party application beginning it's transmission/data flow with the slider alongside the VOX button.  So far so good.