Do I really need to install SmartCAT?

Norm - W7CK

Since I've been having issues with SmartCAT / FlexVSP arbitrarily tagging com ports as (in use), I've started to wonder if I really need to use SmartCAT and FlexVSP at all.....

I currently run DDUtil which I believe talks directly to the Flex via IP.  I also have DDUtil configured to emulate Ham Radio Deluxe.  I do not run the main HRD program.  I only run HRD DM780 and HRD Logbook.  Once again both DM780 and HRD Logbook should get HRD emulation directly from DDUtil.  I don't believe they need any CAT interface at this point.

I also run cw skimmer which I believe talks directly to the Flex via IP.

So - Do I really need to be installing SmartCAT and FlexVSP at all?

Norm - W7CK

Al K0VM

DDUil will throw error message if SSDR CAT is not running..
AL, K0VM

Jay Nation

Norm 

What happens when you remove it? Or was that, what you were asking about?
My total guess would be that due to the many reports that folks have had to manually reinstall FlexVSP and SmartCAT in order to get  SmartSDR to function correctly, that SmartCAT might need to be installed.  

  SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC chat

  73, Jay - NO5J

Rick

I'd be be interested to learn more about your ddutil configuration with the apps you mention asomething I'd like to disable SmartCAT for the time being. [email protected]

Norm - W7CK

It was wishful thinking I guess, but I just had to try.

I thought I could do away with SmartCAT / FlexVSP so I decided to reinstall SmartSDR and leave them out of the install process.  That went smoothly.  Next I fired up DDUtil, HRD's DM780 and HRD Logbook.  Everything looked good at first.  The correct frequencies are shown in both HRD programs, I can copy PSK using DM780. I can even change bands and frequencies from within DM780 and my Flex follows along.  BUT, there appears to be a few functions within DDUtil that still rely on SmartCAT.   There are several functions that don't work properly.  One example is when you change frequency from within SmartSDR a popup stating

"CAT Server Send Error. It appears the server is not connected. Please correct the problem and try again. DDUtil".

What's really strange is that I see nowhere in DDUtil that references a COM port for the Flex.  The only connection I see is an IP connection on the first page of the setup.  How it knows what port to talk to the Flex on is beyond me.

Darn, it is so close too!   It sure would have been nice to not have to use the old legacy CAT interface.

Norm - W7CK