Six Months of Mac and Window Flex Software - My Observations

Alan

Ria

Ted VE3TRQ

I’m just looking forward to the time when I can run the “M” front panel, xDax, xCat, dogparkSDR, MacLoggerDX, and multiple digital apps all at the same time. Best of all worlds (in my mind, anyway :-) Needs v3 to be supported by xDax / xCat. I know, dogparkSDR can provide the digital audio, but I don’t want to be required to run dpSDR - I might just want to run SDR iOS from my iPad (or even SmartSDR on a PC) somewhere else at the same time - only two GUI interfaces at a time. Had to inject a few reasons to really like a Mac (although even avid Mac users sometimes avoid Amateur radio software on Macs, and I can understand and accept that).

Alan

Ria.  I hope the community does not take my observations as criticizing Don.  I believe the criticism is for the tightly controlled Mac OS system that limits developers ability to offer more options and flexibility.  I am just sharing my observations that this has on the product.

As a Mac user, for the normal suite of apps, we like the tight OS/App control for the added security and integration with the Apple Echo System.  Everything is a compromise in the design world.

Alan

Alan

Ria

I don't have anything against Don... but the UI divergence is an issue and for a while it did not even support all slices on the higher end radios like the 6700. This is why after trying out the 20 minute trial a few times I decided to spend my money on parallels and run SmartSDR. The person who emailed me in a not so nice tone also sealed the deal. 

Ria

Burch - K4QXX

Don Agro

Some of us are trying to change that.

Bert Sharp

My findings as well. Realize it’s hard to be be a Swiss Army knife for everyone.

Scott Oakland

You speak the truth my friend. I like you LOVE my Macs. I have never ever spent an entire weekend trying to get a PC/ham related item working since the 1980s. Seriously. I am giving up on DogParkSDR and getting a Windows bootup for my IMac and running all Windows for the Flex 6400M. I could NOT get my audio settings to hold to save my life, nor could I ever get FT8 working on transmit. While I would LOVE to use my beloved Mac on Flex, alas, it just isn't feasible. Too many apps have to be set just exactly right or it all comes tumbling down. I'm sure in time it will get better. And I know everyone is working **** it. But for now....I await Windows 7 and Smart SDR or Power SDR to get this thing on FT8. Lord, forgive me for running back to Windows for this! LOL.

Michael N3LI

John Orjias

you can use the 64 channel one for a second audio path, so you can run audio for 2 slices using soundflower

Bob G W1GLV

Scott, I must be a different kind of person, I've never had a problem with Don Agro's software. It always worked for me using digital 3rd party software with it. xxDax and xCat worked well.

Ted VE3TRQ

Scott, I still do not understand why you could not get wsjt-x fully going on a Mac. A significant number of us are using a Mac with many native digital programs with great success. In fact, the "M" model makes things even simpler, as running a GUI program is an option. I suppose the extra complexities of running v3 may have made it more troublesome.

One of these days I will find something I really need or want with v3 and will start to use it. Running remote and local at the same time will likely be that something :-)

Michael N3LI

The Mac is no different than Windows in the respect that if someone cannot get something working, it must be the computer or software's fault.   As far as the two programs go, I use both. But I have every expectation that a Windows update qwill pooch one or another of my programs. This is not the case on my Mac - I have never had a problem with an update rendering Dogpark inoperable, or the programs I use with it. With Windows, even if SSDR has improved, other programs require me to go in and fix problems. I have this thing about reliability. Bad habit, I know. 8^)

Bill N3HQB

The number of Mac users running Flex 6000-class rigs in Parallels may be larger than you think.