MARS operation with SmartSDR v3.0.27+ on Flex 6400

Eddie Jennings

I have a new Flex 6400, which replaced my Flex 3000 used almost daily in MARS service for nearly 10 years.


I can't get my new Dell laptop running Windows 10 Home with Flex 6400 directly connected via ethernet cable to work with MARS programs: MS-DMT V2.00 and Station Manager V4. 

I've tried com0com and VSP Manager with existing setups posted here. I suspect that I'm making operator errors, in that my como0com and VSP manager User Interfaces don't show Flex SmartSDR settings and I don't know how to reconcile both.


In addition, I'm not sure how the DAX TX settings map to COM ports.

I will gladly document my successful setup and will provide via MARS channels and upon MARS approval provide back to this Flex community.

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Eddie You might want to watch this. There is no need for com0com or VAC anymore. You use SmartSDR CAT and DAX. https://youtu.be/RXeMMayB3-o Mike

Gary NC3Z

w6vm

Eddie Jennings

Eddie Jennings

Thank you, Steve,
      I will respond to this forum and will gladly document for MARS use.
           Very Respectfully,
        Eddie Jennings, AJ4OC

Gary NC3Z

Well this part really has nothing to do with the Flex but if I decipher what you listed above I see several issues. Since comm0comm is set for 6 & 66 this is strictly for SM and MSDMT. SM should be set to COM6 and the MS-DMT Data port should be 66. Data rates need to match. I am at a loss with your Port 44 listed above.

You also list Com 6 for the VSP of your Slice B, this is incorrect. As I noted in my first message comm0comm has nothing to do with Flex. This port for Slice B needs to be changed, say to COM7 just as an example.

Then on the Rig side of MS-DMT you need to set the Rig setting such as (in the red circle):

And put in the Rig CAT port whatever you set Slice B to. The black circles the link to SM, which should be 66 in your example.

Eddie Jennings

Gary NC3Z

Great, it's not too difficult. Just need to know which settings are what. I dont comprehend why the use a virtual comm port between SM and MS-DMT, and not some sort of TCP connection.

John WA7UAR

So an update … I have been running MS-DMT for years now (32-bit BETA C version is the best version to date — do NOT use the 64-bit version from 2018).

DATA PORT should be zero (0) and TCP/IP should be checked ON. Set CAT to the port number managed by your SmartSDR CAT assignment.