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I'm kinda disappointed with SmartSDR v.3.
Comments
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"There are not even band edge markers that users have been asking for for years." So move you freq to 14.247 then move a little higher and you will see that your TUNE button grays out and the MOX buttons also grays out. Why you need a marker?
Jim WU5E
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This is exactly why I don't immediately jump on the bandwagon as soon as a new version is released.
Some ops stated that they buy the new version regardless of features just to support Flex. Well, the last time I checked, Flex is a for-profit company and not a charity.
I do like my 6700 but I see nothing in V3 for me that warrants spending $199. I'm sure MultiFlex is a welcomed feature for many but I have no use for it at this time. I'll stick to 2.3.9 and perhaps V4 will be more appealing to me.
I do suggest to Flex that when designing a new release they incorporate features that appeal to a broader range of customers and not only those that are interested in one particular feature. More ops would be inclined to upgrade.
Have a Flexcellent day!
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There are few visual changes in 3.x. 3.x is not going to be for everyone. There will probably be some that have no use for MULTI-Flex.
I upgrade to support Flex and figure that for all the pleasure I get from my radios $200 is not a bad price to pay to help provide a tiny bit of income for Flex.
Just my way of thinking.2 -
If you don't plan to use the Multi-Flex feature, is there any other good reason to upgrade at this time? With 2.4.9 you can still have a friend / relative login and use the radio. You just have to agree on a schedule. And it simplifies everything and removes restrictions of 2 people using radio at same time. For example, say your operating a 6400, you would have the restriction that both concurrent operators must use same RX antenna regardless of what band they are operating on. There are adequate workarounds for this scenario but all are suboptimal. dan2 -
I like the new "TX Band Settings" menu. No, it's not critical, but I find it useful.
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Flex was pretty forthcoming with the new features on SmartSDR V3, I'm not sure why you are disappointed - did you review the description of V3 before purchasing? Is there something in V3 marketing literature that isn't in software? If I read your comment correctly, bugs in V2 have fixes rolled into the new V3 of SmartSDR, and that upsets you? Just as they did with V2, any fixes to problems in previous releases are backported and released as a maint. Update to previous release/release bug occurred in. Understand the backport of those fixes takes place after the new version has been released. SmartSDR V2 fixes included in V3 will be forthcoming. That, anyway, is how I understand the Flex support model, I may be wrong but I don't think so.2
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I don't think I need Multiflex, but I am interested in what has been done with "wants" and improvements to existing 2.4.9 features. Regardless, I'll wait for some more user comments on 3.0 before buying. Or, maybe just wait for 2.5 which I guess is the final V2 revision.
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A major bug should not pass 2 major releases, a rule like this would help Flex keep it's client base.1
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As I read the original comment, some V2 bugs were fixed in V3, they should (and I expect will be) back ported to V2 software base. It wouldn't make sense to 'transfer' known bugs to the subsequent major release, but it is possible a bug in V2 may not be resolved in V3 (too complex to address given delivery timeline, for example). I expect flex will have st least one more V2 software release, incorporating bug fixes back ported from the V3 code base.0
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Since the major update for V:3 is the Multiflex and it is described as being specifically for those ham experts who contest, I would like to hear from same as to how Multiflex will be used when the one big flaw seems to be no TX from more than one user at a time. How does one expect to coordinate this problem in the hectic ongoing of a major contest?1
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What about a V1 bug that still hasn’t been fixed in V3? Will that get back ported to V1.12 and V2.5? This model doesn’t work.3
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Good question. For contesters, I would think they would have to have some highly coordinated means to take turns. And how does that work?1 -
The rules for multi-single contests state only 1 tx present at any time. Having 2 tx is pointless and expensive.1
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In a multi-multi contest 6 flex radios and 6 PGXLs can be used, each with 2 ops per radio/amp (run and s/p ops) sitting in front of 12 maestros/SSDR/Smartlink terminals all as if they have their own radio (1 tx per band in rules). An equivalent non-flex alternative to this setup would be 12 radios and 12 amps with tx inhib measures to ensure no 2 tx on any one band at the same time.0
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That amount of equipment would probably cost close to $100,000
If winning a contest meant that much you might as well just bribe the judges with $50,000 and save lots of $$$
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However, contesters will not accept bugs in SSDR and will not adopt en masse until these are fixed. If Flex now consolidates it's efforts into bug fixes, this should have knock on stability benefits for the normal user.3
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So sad, I am not trying to belittle ANYONE but.
Most of the people wanted the release of V3 to come out several months ago and now it's out people (maybe the same people) complain it wasn't debugged and fixed their old issues even after they read the release notes ??? and the Version still has most of the faults it had with V2.
I thought the release notes where well written and announced the issues and features in a satisfactory manor, maybe I read between the lines dealing with FLEX since 2008 and have seen a lot of bad and GOOD Flex has done in 11 years I've been involved with them for the Amateur radio world.
It really doesn't matter if your a early adopter or not to Version 3 your going to get the updates quicker that come down the pike and learn how to use the Multi-Flex which has a issue or two but it does what was promised to the early adopters of the Signature series back in 2012-2013 with MultiFlex.
I do know how frustrating it is to spend money on something and not have your issues fixed BUT I have patience and hope some day they will be fixed, I have 2 issues that have been there for about 1.5 years or more that BUG the **** out of me and the main one for me is with the PC MIC not working if DAX is enabled when I run remote which is about 95% of the time.
Thanks Flex for completing what was promised to us and keeping our radio's ahead of the curve, now onto debugging the software which the software guys are hard at work I am sure.
73's guys and remember "patience is a virtue" and "a watched **** NEVER boils"
Bret
WX7Y
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Here is a report of a contest staion using multi client lately.
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/cq-wpx-multiflex-use
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Hind sight is better then fore sight.... that being said, I think that a better course action would have been to offer remote op as a subscription. Broaden the new features introduction for the greater Flex community, and offer major upgrades at a lower cost. The features being introduced do not enhance my radio for since I am not a major user of remote operation. So will pass for now on this major upgrade. My wish list, looks like this. Better performing noise reduction options, add native RTTY, PSK and FT8. Choice of metering styles. Very visual band edge markers. For the remote users, remote reset/reboot capability. Take a look at functions that could be redone fewer mouse strokes. Etc.7
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"add native RTTY, PSK and FT8"
Flex is no where near adaptable enough to do this. Just look at their implementation of Dstar. It worked, they lost interest, and it never worked again. Many of us are out $100 over that fiasco.
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One of the best commentaries I've read in a while, my sentiments exactly. Another point in my mind just think had Flex not set the bar by exsisting at all NONE of the competition would be producing ANYTHING except the same old status quo read "ANALOG!". No FPGA's, nada you'll never convince me otherwise. The term "Legacy Radio" wouldn't even be on anyone's lips. AGC pumping would still be an issue you just put up with. Give Mr Youngblood and staff some well deserved credit. They ARE true trendsetters.0
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Flex should start asking the customers what features they want instead of telling us what features they'll provide. Then upgrades will appeal to a greater percentage of existing customers.
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You upgrade to support Flex? You do realize they are not a charity?2
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Companies tend to add features they can easily, not what s what is wanted. Like the useless audio scope in the Icom 7300.0
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Nothing worth upgrade for as far as my needs go.3
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Nothing here for me also, especially when you take into account none of the bugs from the previous version have been fixed.4
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>> Douglas Maxwell <<
Did you ever work as a OP in a Multi/Multi contest ?0 -
Although the latest update does not seem to have any new features or fixes that would convince me to purchase v3.0 there is a long way from v3.0 to v4.0. Maybe v3.5 will have more of the features that interest me and others. In the meantime I will continue enjoying my radio just as is.
I would just say as far as I’m concerned the 6000 series and SmartSDR is still the State Of The Art in amateur radio technology and at this point in my opinion there is no other radio platform that even comes close to features, performance and ease of use.
I looks to me that FlexRadio’s are selling like crazy I see adds online all the time of people looking to trade or sell their legacy radios to buy a FlexRadio and that’s good news for us Flex owners because more customers means more demand for faster and feature rich software development.
Just remember the 6000 series radio right now can do WAY MORE than TODAY that any other amateur radio on the market.
I love my 6600M and Maestro and would not trade them for anything at this point.
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I'm a big confused over this post. V3 upgrade changes and enhancements were not kept a secret (until purchase) but rather are well documented in the release notes. Seems pretty straight forward to me. Read the release notes and based on your wants or needs, buy or don't buy.
Band band edge markers were never advertised as an upgrade on V3 (although they are available on SSDR iOS).
Some like to say a major software revision ushers in a "whole new radio." Wishful thinking I suppose but that's not hardly the case. Major software revisions just add certain enhancements and fixes, and I'm thankful FRS continues to do so.
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