Two PowerSDR display features on SmartSDR?

vectorizer

I had been using PowerSDR for about 5 years with Flex 5000, 3000, and 1500 radios. Now I'm using SmartSDR v3.0.27 with a Flex 6500 for a few months and obviously still learning. There are two display features of PowerSDR that I sorely miss, and was wondering if there's a configuration, plugin, or other cleverness that would restore these:

1) While SmartSDR's SWR bar meter is nice, it only goes up to "3"; PowerSDR has a numeric readout that goes far into double digits. I use the software SWR readout to adjust my transmatch to use my humble doublet antenna, and my SWR is typically far above 3 when I switch bands. Can I get a numeric readout or any other much wider SWR display in SmartSDR?

2) PowerSDR displays U.S. band segment info like General vs. Extra, CW vs. Phone vs beacons, and some calling frequencies like for SSTV and AM. Can I get that in SmartSDR?

-- Pete K0BAK

[I tried but failed to find a previous discussion of these features, which surprised me.]

Steve Sterling

KI4P

If you try FR STACK, I think it does that, as well as show reflected .someone can correct me,

vectorizer

Thanks for your response, although disappointing.

I didn't want to complicate my post, but my 6500 is actually destined for a mobile installation with a screwdriver antenna, and I don't have an analog readout there to fall back on, so the SWR readout in software is really vital there. Currently use a Flex 3000 and I push the screwdriver up/down button while watching PowerSDR's numeric readout. (Yes I could add an analog meter, but obviously I don't want to add stuff to an already tight mobile install.) It never even occured to me that old features of PowerSDR wouldn't be supported in SmartSDR ... what's up with that?

vectorizer

News to me, I'll look into it, thanks. Initial glance it seems like it mostly has features way more sophisticated than I am, but I'll take a closer look.

Bill -VA3WTB

And, the Flex meter has a simple readout as well.

KF4HR

Steve K9ZW

KI4P

if you go under view and click meter window it shows voltage, PA temp, Fwd watts, Ref Watts, and SWR, also amp stuff if you have a supported amp!

John WA7UAR

Here is a link to the developer blog of Flex Meter. It seems to still be available. Anyone using it with FRS Firmware version 2 or 3? http://www.denzone.com/

Ken Hansen

A couple quick thoughts: With a 6000 series radio, you can operate your home radio from your mobile over a cellular data link - no antenna. Just a thought, it is one of the great features of the 6000 series radios with SSDR 2.x and beyond. Have you considered using a tunematic-like device? It could automate tuning your screwdriver antenna. See: http://www.tunematic.us/

KF4HR

John KB4DU

vectorizer

vectorizer

No one wants to add hardware to a mobile install if it's not necessary, for the sake of money, space, complication, and reliability. If the 6xxx series hardware can measure a greater SWR range (which no one has disputed yet), why can't the software display it? If the hardware is incapable of measuring an SWR beyond 3, that would be a surprising step back in capability from the previous hardware series, but at least would close the question of SmartSDR displaying a wider range.

John KB4DU

vectorizer

Thanks, but I'm not using an app. I'm using a Windows 7 computer and (in my eventual mobile install) a fairly large UHD screen. It's fantastic that the radio can be operated from an iOS app, but that's not my situation.

My use of the few calling frequencies displayed in PowerSDR is to avoid using those frequencies when I'm tuning around the band to find a place to CQ. For instance, the SSTVers and the AMers are pretty quick to intentionally interfere with anyone transmitting on "their" frequencies, so PowerSDR was useful to help me avoid those spots. I didn't explain any of this in my original post.

vectorizer

Using TNFs is a creative hack, thanks. Not sure I'll go down that road, but an interesting suggestion that doesn't require additional software.

vectorizer

I'm still activating parks, but in the POTA, WWFF, and CNPOTA programs. Which is why I need an easy and quick way to tune my screwdriver; I used to be able to operate a simple up/down switch while watching PowerSDR's numeric SWR readout.

N8AUM

I must admit, I was disappointed with the so called "diversity ".  I read someones comment on how well it works but you have to use headphones and let ur brain figure it out, might be true if both ur ears work! You can do same thing by using separate radios and antennas. I upgraded from a 6400 to 6600 thinking that it would be the same scheme like the 5K where you can change the phase between the receivers for true "diversity". Some of the features with the 6K series are SUPER ! I know theirs a limit to how much stuff u can add, be nice if it was possible to remove things that u dont use so u can add stuff that are useful for ur taste. I love both my 5K and 6600!!! Too bad I wasn't born 50 years later, I cant even imagine what they will come up with next!