For V4 I would like to have ........

Pat N6PAT

I have no use for V3 so I am looking towards V4

For V4 I would like to have FT8 built into SSDR. It's rapidly becoming the most popular mode on every band especially 160. Incorporating FT8 into SSDR would eliminate the interfacing issues with WSJT-X (need to restart DAX, decoding stops , etc.). Ideally this would tie into JTAlert or perhaps SSDR could have it's own version of JTAlert.

This is a feature I would be willing to pay the upgrade fee for.

KF4HR

Pat N6PAT

FT8 is very ;popular. Most of the action on 160 is FT8 now. That goes for 60 meters as well. 30 meters is another band very active with FT8

Bill -VA3WTB

As long as it does not use any radio sesources, keeping in mind we are talking thin client here.

Perhaps just skip V4 features all together and work on many of the oustanding problems we have now. Then go back to working on features.

Pat N6PAT

I'll never understand why some people hate FT8 so much. It's just another mode. I'll bet RTTY was hated when it was first introduced.

FT8 is a wonderful way for deaf people to participate in ham radio. It's also great for those with speech problems like recovering **** victims to enjoy QSO's

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Also great for those of us with (of necessity) severely compromised antennas and power output. 

Pat N6PAT

How does downloading V3 and letting it sit in a folder without installing it keep you up to date?

Kevin

Roger_W6VZV

KF4HR

David Decoons, wo2x

Pat N6PAT

I suppose you could say the same thing about CWX.

There's a number of third party CW  keyboard coders available.

Or how about the Quick Record feature? There's lots of ways to do that outside SSDR,

Just because a function is available via third party applications doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to incorporate the same functionality in SSDR.

David Decoons, wo2x

How often does the alphabet change? (CWX)

Recorder - if you want to do anything but quick record and playback you NEED to use third party software (Contest voice keyer with multiple selections, export recordings to a file)

The point is the FT8 protocol has changed several times, making older versions not compatible to newer versions. This would require extra engineering time to keep up with the changes. Flex would not release a new version the same day Joe Taylor and crew decide to change F/H mode. Imagine the uproar if a Bouvet Island DXPedition required a new version of FT8 protocol and Flex did not release a new version. 

As Roger mentioned above Joe Taylor has stated there are restrictions to allowing others to use his protocol in other programs. (We had the opportunity to have him as a guest speaker at NJDXA meeting).

Yes it would be convenient to have an all included but I prefer to leave as-is since it works so well. Using latest Windows 10 OS on an I7 8700k CPU I have not had any DAX dropouts in a long time.

Dave AA6YQ

Pat N6PAT

I doubt that Flex would offer a free core version when they don't even offer a trial period of new releases that they charge for.

In fact, I mentioned it in a post yesterday and they immediately deleted my post.

Dave AA6YQ

Providing a core release bearing defect repairs at no charge is not the same as offering a trial period for new enhancements.

The problem with a free trial of new enhancements is that nearly everyone will want to kick the tires, even those not serious about purchasing a license. Supporting all that tire-kicking is consumptive of support and development staff.

Pat N6PAT

What is the difference between potential buyers reporting bugs verses buyers reporting bugs? A bug regardless of the party reporting it should be fixed

Dave AA6YQ

Pat N6PAT

Dave AA6YQ

One can't properly evaluate a car by reading documentation and watching YouTube videos; Tesla recently tried this, and quickly abandoned it. Cars also cost a lot more than new Flex features, and thus can support a higher "cost of sales" -  like salespeople who chaperone test drives.

Stan VA7NF

Steve

Neil D Friedman N3DF

And location (grid square).  Now if only they could add the weather, your job and rig.

Pat N6PAT

If it's been broken for years in spite of new versions being released then I take that as a clear sign that there are no plans to ever fix it.

Bill -VA3WTB

I am not a Flex employee

Even though all versions of software continue to be supported by Flex I suspect soon V2 will become feature frozen if it has not been already.

In effect being retired....

Dave AA6YQ

Many software organizations make the mistake of prioritizing enhancements over corrections to defects that aren't "showstoppers". But the logic behind correcting all known defects is compelling; organizations can and do improve their software development processes.

The Flex user community's love-hate reaction to SmartSDR v3 as demonstrated by posts in this forum is a crystal-clear indication that such a change is required.

Mark_WS7M

I also have seen FT8 "change" meaning Joe Taylor is updating it with new modes and features.  I think it would be unlikely that Flex would want to get in that mix with an internal decoder.

If you are having lots of issues with DAX then something is wrong.  I had a period of instability but it is mostly gone.  I can fire up SSDR and DAX with WSJT-X and it runs all day long without issue.

Like the others in this comment I doubt flex will re-invent the wheel here.

Dave AA6YQ

Steve K9ZW

I’d like to see a future version combine the product from several Flex-6000 radio servers together. I’d also wonder if the Maestro and M models could gain an ability to carry onboard software that now has to stand alone? 73 Steve K9ZW

Burt Fisher

Reminds of a woman instead of taking a shower cover up the aroma with perfume. Would you paint over a dirty wall or clean it first?

Pat N6PAT