Inquiry re> LAN audio vs DAX (also audio controls)

Paul, WB5AGF

(I apologize for having to post this but when I try and research existing messages I just get confused.)

With the recently released SmartSDR v1.40 LAN functionality has been included. When I go through the v1.40 documentation it explains how to turn on the LAN feature but then further back in the document there is still a separate entry for the ('old') DAX function.

Question 1.)
I have been using DAX to play the receiver audio through my computer's speakers for some time (previous SmartSDR release) and I do not understand how (or if) there is a difference now that there is a LAN feature.

Question 2.)
As best I can tell the 'take-off point' for DAX carried audio (call it baseband if you want) occurs before the audio processing features such as audio level and equalizer controls. If this is correct then the receive audio controls only work when a speaker is plugged directly into the radio (i.e. they don't do anything when using DAX). (What outboard hardware would be needed to take the speaker output from the radio and encode it so that it could be sent to the PC via the EtherNet cable ? I understand that a dedicated PC could do the task but wonder if there is something less complex/cheaper ?)

- Paul, WB5AGF

George KF2T

DAX and Remote Audio are two distinct features, DAX is designed to route high quality audio streams into digital mode programs like WSJT, FLDIGI, etc. Remote Audio is designed to allow voice communications and aural monitoring on a remote machine (currently on the same LAN). Yes you "can" monitor DAX audio on speakers, and use it for microphone audio, but it's roundabout and doesn't take full advantage of the on-screen level controls, audio processing, etc. I believe Flex considers such use "deprecated" and not recommended.. Remote Audio can be managed with the on-screen slider, just like a speaker connection, and allows processing, etc. on transmit. DAX also is more bandwidth intensive, given its mission for digital modes. Remote Audio is more efficient, since it serves "only" your ears. This makes the overall experience on a LAN much cleaner and reduces possible latency and drop-out issues. Hope that helped!

Paul, WB5AGF

George;

Yes .... Your comments helped.

My problem (why I couldn't hear the difference between DAX and LAN transported audio) was that I still had DAX selected from SmartSDR 1.38 (even though I'd installed SmartSDR 1.40) and (this is embarrassing) I found that I had not turned-up the master LAN audio control (upper-right part of the screen). As a result even though I'd pushed the 'LAN' button I was still hearing audio via DAX.

Now, with the ('old') DAX conveyed audio disabled (not selected), I can hear receive audio using the LAN transport mechanism ..... and the audio controls work (left/right speakers .... audio equalizer).

I need to remember that DAX transported audio is 'baseband' (in another 'existence' I was a Systems Engineer designing microwave systems) whereas the LAN transported signal is processed audio.

Thanks Much !

- Paul, WB5AGF