Spots

Andy W3LI

OMG, found another item that will not work? SPOTS. The list gets longer.
Settings> Spot box ok. But nothing doing. 
Using Log4OM and 6400M. Found nothing in either manual about Spots.


Pat N6PAT

The spots feature on my 6700 works fine with Slice Master, CW Skimmer and Spot Collector. They're a great combination.

Slice Master launches CW Skimmer and sends the spots to DX Labs Spot Collector. Then I use Spot Collector's excellent filtering options to select the spots I want. Then the filtered spots are sent back to Slice Master which sends them to the 6700 where they are displayed on the appropriate panadapter.

Works great

Andy W3LI

Thank you Pat for the prompt but disappointing reply. No where in the manual is the word Spot even used let alone tell folks that the must have Slice Master, CW Skimmer and Spot collector on board to make Spots work. Yet again the manual is full of errors and omissions. 
Thank God my logging program has spots and is connected to the 6400M via Cat control.
I have got to get it out of my head that the radio is just a radio and that everything else is extra.
At least with Smart SDR I can use my Flex Control, mouse and keyboard to run the radio and that is all.
Thank you agn,,Andy...W3LI

Steve K9ZW

Hi Andy Thinking you may be looking in your hardware manual rather than checking the SmartSDR manual where there is an extensive amount of information on setting up spots. Starting around page 111 There is also a good explanation of how the spots from third party software is displayed. I’m guessing but a lot of other SmartSDR things puzzling if you only peruse the hardware manual may make sense after checking the SmartSDR manual. GL and 73 Steve K9ZW Blog: http://K9ZW.wordpress.com

Neal_K3NC

The philosophy is that the radio is a client that displays spots sent to it from compatible programs. These programs dictate what is shown and when they are removed. Its not very complicated when you understand its role.

Dave AA6YQ

Here's the introductory text from the SmartSDR manual:

"SmartSDR v2.3 for Windows introduced a feature that allows Spots, supplied by third party programs, to be displayed directly in the Panadapter window. Some of these programs include N1MM, FRStack, Slicemaster, DXLabs, and Logger32. While there is no capability in SmartSDR to directly connect to a cluster server via telnet, spots can be provided using these programs as well as any other third-party program that uses the Spot API commands in the radio. This section explains the various Spot controls that are available in SmartSDR."

DXLab is free. Step-by-step instructions for using it to display active DX station callsigns color-coded by "award need" and eQSL/LoTW participation are here:

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/FlexSignatureDisplayCallsigns

The font color indicates award need (note P5DX in red font), and the background color indicates online QSL participation (magenta for eQSL, yellow for LoTW, light blue for both):



If the logging application you're using doesn't yet support this capability, point its developers at the Ethernet API's spot command:

http://wiki.flexradio.com/index.php?title=TCP/IP_spot

Brian Denley KB1VBF

Spots is mentioned in the SmartSDR and the Maestro manual

Andy W3LI

Thank You!

Andy W3LI

I guess that I am out of luck being able to use Spots. Do not have any of the programs listed in the manual. I have Log4OM as a logging program. I have used this program for over 10 yrs with my TT Orion ll.  It works very well with Cat control for the 6400.
Oh well, a day late and a dollar short.

Geoff AB6BT

FRStack, Slicemaster are both downloadable.

Mike VE3CKO

You are not out of luck, you are making a decision not to learn a little bit of new information. Got nothing to do with luck. Everything to do with choices. As suggested just download the free software SliceMaster. Plenty of instructions in other threads here how to configure it but I'm sure someone will be glad to repeat or cut and paste previous instructions.

Mike VE3CKO

Been around computers all my professional life and just sometimes get so lazy, like geez here is another piece of software I have to learn, when will it ever end. But I wanted spots so I spent the 5 minutes to get it and set it up.

But really Andy, finding it is as simple as opening up a google search and typing "Slicemaster"

Andy W3LI

Thanks Mike, Just do not like to download programs. There is no indication that my current Log4OM will provide the information that is required for the spots to work.
This daisy chaining of programs is nuts. 
TNX again.

Bill -VA3WTB

Andy, it seems that the spots feature is not going to work for you. It is too bad you won't find the programs you need. With Flex you work in and with software, a matter of fact any latest radio out there need software to be able to do many things. Just consider your options, there are so many things you can do with your radio if your willing.

Andy W3LI

Bill your are absolutely right with your words.
I just hate the fact that in order to make program "A" to work it is necessary to download program B & C &D etc. Do not have the time or the patience to deal with it.  I would rather be operating than installing cutesies.
Happy New Year, Andy... W3LI

Neal Pollack, N6YFM

No Andy.  It is not nuts, and it is not "Daisy Chaining".   Computers are designed to let you add an almost infinite number of functions.  To add a new feature or function, we can install programs.  We can add spots, photo editing, check printing with quicken, Tqsl for LOTW uploads, Automatic backup, calculators and similations software, filter design programs, sattelite tracking, etc, etc, etc.   It is not daisy chaining, it is adding another feature.    And on your cell phone they are called Apps.  You can add almost anything you want.   Both my computer and my mobile phone each have close to 200 apps or programs.

It is a free country, and no one will force you to download a program and read for 10 minutes.  But the features are free if you are willing to.  

And, this is not replacing your familiar log program.  This is only another stand-alone utility that can do a lot of other stuff with your Flex radio, including adding spots. I am not trying to be rude at all, but I wish you could be outside yourself reading what you sound like on this thread :-)

We can put a cookie on a silver tray in front of you and say that it is free, but
we can not and will not force you to lean forward and take the cookie.  :-)

Cheers, and happy new year.

Neal
N6YFM

K5ROX

I have to use a second program for something as simple as a squelch.....to me its beyond comprehension.

DL5VZ, Alex

Hello and HNY

i am using a Flex6400M with H-Spot from IW7DMH. very easy Tool and working great.
if interested see this topic : https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/spots-api , download is in the middle of the page.

73´s Alexander, DL5VZ

John WA7UAR

Hi Alex, the download link I found on the page you referenced appears to be no longer valid. I found the link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tyx2nbk42cv5exq/H-Spot.exe?dl=0 Does someone have another link?

DL5VZ, Alex

Hi John
i put the files in my cloud as long as no one complains that. Link: https://www.magentacloud.de/share/j78nb70p0p , look for H-Spot.zip
have fun with it
73´s Alexander, DL5VZ

N5NHJ

Alex, can you  please update the link, it appears not working anymore.
Thanks

Tim - W4TME

It works and it is documented in Chapter 30 of the SmartSDR Software User Guide v3.x