Does anyone else have trouble toggling through filters on a M radio?

Rich McCabe

I have a terrible time switching through filters on the new 6600m. No matter how hard I try, I often bring up the menu that shows filter width instead of toggling the filters. So apparently it is sensing rotation before the actual click.


Rich

John - AF3K

Not sure I understand which menu you are trying to bring up.  Is it on SmartSDR or on the M?

Rich McCabe

M Radio front panel.  The filter knobs turn to adjust filter width with an inner/outer ring but also push to toggle through the preset filters.

When you turn the knobs you get a menu showing that particular filter skirt sitting. Like 3 k for a filter skirt. When you press the knob it should cycle though the filters without pulling up a menu to adjust. It only does it part of the time correctly. Pressing really fast seems to work best, most of the time.

Should not take practice and skill to toggle through filters

KC2QMA_John

Sounds like a debounce issue with reacting to button press.

John - AF3K

I have what might be a related issue - its happened maybe 2 or 3  times during the first week of operating the 6600M where the AGC-T value changes up/down randomly without touching the radio. I wasn't able to replicate it at the time, but turning the AGC-T knob manually fixed it.

While trying to replicate your situation by pressing the filter knob I noticed the AF gain value (which is on the adjacent knob with AGC-T) started to change randomly. 

Perhaps the vibration caused by the button press is causing what we are both experiencing to happen? 

I was able to catch some of it on the video attached.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmE62Oywqvs

KC2QMA_John

Sure looks like a debounce / sensitivity type issue. Also looks like the encoder update rate is crazy fast, but maybe that's a good thing.
I hope some of these bugs are worked out real soon.

Rich McCabe

John,  I think Flex needs some/more filtering on the rotary encoders as to what should be considered rotation.  My first 6600M which flex replaced had audio issues and it would randomly popup the menu for AF gain, Mic Gain and filter without even touching the radio. I could sit back in my chair and just watch it do it.

It appears to me that the encoder is sitting on the edge and toggling on/off making the radio think you are rotating the knob.  6600M #2 does not seem to do this however pressing the filter buttons is challenging because once again it appears to me that it is sensing rotation.

KC2QMA_John

Yes in simple terms "The Darn Things Are Too Sensitive"!

Rich McCabe

I am just surprised there are not lots of people complaining and alpha testers did not have the issue.

Here is my AF issue.

https://vimeo.com/256510325

KC2QMA_John

"It appears to me that the encoder is sitting on the edge and toggling on/off making the radio think you are rotating the knob."

Now imagine how the poor radio is trying to deal with all of the encoders miss triggering at the same time.

KC2QMA_John

"I am just surprised there are not lots of people complaining and alpha testers did not have the issue."
Maybe this problem is isolated to just a few radios?

John - AF3K

Sounds like I'd better put in a trouble ticket in case it is radio specific.

Rich McCabe

That would be a good idea, and I might do the same.

I personally don't think its hardware. I think they can fix it with software filtering of some sort.

Jlawson40

I have a Maestro and never had this problem with any of the controls. I am running the latest software. Hope it’s not a hardware problem. I have a 6600M on order.

John, W8AGS

Bill -VA3WTB

John, the Maestro and the radios do not share the same electronics, But now that Flex is aware of this they will look into it. If it were a hardware issue it would have been spotted even on the mock up radios.

Steve-N5AC

John, AF3K, this is a hardware problem that is easily remedied. You should enter a trouble ticket and we’ll get this fixed.

Rick WN2C

Rich, I have the 6400M and found that using my the tip of my finger pushing directly in it will toggle with out any problem. Although it does seem that when I first touch the knob it will change the skirt setting.

John - AF3K

Steve - Thanks for the answer! I'll get the ticket in.

Wayne

Someone else had a similar issue and it was easily remedied by removing the knob and cover and adjusting the closeness of the knobs after loosening the set **** retightening recovering and reinstalling the knob. Apparently the knobs were too closely mounted with inadequate clearance for the push operation to take place properly.