Power SDR 2.4.9 keeps crashing on laptop

Ken Golubski

This has been a bad day for me and Flex....
After several reboots to get the Maestro working again, I said heck with it, I'll just use the CAT cable directly to the PC and use it that way. Well, now it shuts down saying no connection or can't connect. Doesn't matter what I do....I could try and change the frequency and BAM...gone.
Or I can activate receiver B and down it goes. Exact error says "SmartSDR for wiindows has lost connection to the radio. Please reconnect" Not sure how that happens with the CAT cable connected direct.
I am really begining to think I may have made a mistake purchasing this....
Thanks
Ken

Jim K4JAF

You say using CAT cable to the PC, are you using an ethernet cable?  Not sure what you mean?

Bob K8RC

I would say the there's a good possibility that that CAT cable is bad..? 

Was the cable the same one that connected the radio to the network when you were trying to get the Maestro to work?

Ken Golubski

Yes, same ethernet cable. It worked like a champ yesterday.

Bob K8RC

Everything works until it doesn't.

Got another one?

Ken Golubski

I do. However, several more reboots of PC and radio, it's been holding for several minutes now. Go figure.....
Thanks !

Mark WS7M

Ken,  I think I remember you were playing with a bridge/access point.  Am I right?   If so is there a possibility your ethernet port on your PC changed configuration?

I know a lot of people use a direct CAT5 able between PC and radio but I just don't get it personally.

Go and buy yourself a fairly inexpensive router that has a small network switch on the back.  Most of these have DHCP enabled, some have WiFi built in.   You plug your radio into the the switch on the back and your PC in the same switch.  

PC needs to be set to DHCP and assuming you don't have a physical program with the radio or the PC they will work.   

I personally find the direct cat cable to be a scary thing as it is very dependent upon ports being setup right.

As far as if you made a mistake, trust me, you did not,  but you simply cannot expect a radio like the Flex to work anything at all iike an Icom out of the box.  It is MUCH MORE COMPLEX.   With complexity comes much greater power and ability BUT it does take some persistence to get everything right.

It feels to me like you are in a state of flux, unless I am mistaken about your access point/bridge, radio, WIFI etc.  If that is true then you cannot hope to have reliable radio operation.

I cannot speak to the Maestro reboots required.  That is in itself a complex device.  Just take some deep breaths and just take things a step at a time.

You have plenty of help here and a helpdesk ticket with Flex will work wonders!

Mark

Bob K8RC

Good deal. Have fun.

Ken Golubski

Thanks,  Mark. I'm trying 

Mark WS7M

I know you are Ken and I do get that it is frustrating.

But take it from me... My 6600 and 6300 have run 24/7 with both local and remote access now for well over a year.   

Once you get your networking solid, and don't discount a bad cable!  It can work one day and not the next, then you will love the radio and Maestro.

My radios set in a shed, outside, well away from my op position.  I can op on my laptop anywhere in the house over WiFI and I can op remote from work or just about any hotel that has a reasonable WiFi.

I know of no other radio that does this, this well.  So hang in there!   AND do take advantage of help ticket with Flex if you have issues!

Mark

Peter Porschenova

Ken,  It may not be a FLEX issue, it might be a virus or maleware.  I would run anti-virus and maleware program to see if that may be the issue.

Steven Catani

I had a very similar problem with shutdowns. I upgraded my network drivers and all the issues went away.

Steve
n2tao

Ken Golubski

You're correct ! Got everything working on the local wireless network and sat out on the patio last night with Maestro and laptop running HRD. All wireless. I had fun.
Thanks again.