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NEED INFO (HELP) ON COMPUTER BOOKS THAT HELP WITH UNDERSTANING FLEX RADIOS

jwinner
jwinner Member ✭✭
I am a old F**T that doesn't know a lot about port forwarding and things that would help me set up my Flex radio. I need some recommendations on books to read to help me understand some of the technology that is needed to set up and control my flex. 

I know this is a broad request but any help would be appreciated.

Answers

  • Andy W3LI
    Andy W3LI Member ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    I am with you John. The thing that I am especially anoid about are the folks who keep throwing around these cute little 3 nd 4 letter abbreviations .
  • Wilbur Doolittle
    Wilbur Doolittle Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Are you trying to set it up from scratch to control via network?

  • Eric-KE5DTO
    Eric-KE5DTO Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited February 2020
    For what it's worth, I'm sure you aren't alone.  For everyone that feels like this and expresses it here on the community, there's probably 10 more that feel the same way, but just haven't said so.

    I, for one, am of the opinion that the only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked.  I'm sure I'm not the only one here on the community that would be happy to answer questions like "what is an IP address?" or things of that nature.  We all have to start somewhere and I remember what it was like to be on the front edge of that learning curve for networking.

    So please -- ask away.  I'm sure you aren't the only one.  This is part of what this community is about -- helping each other out and learning something new.
  • N9VC
    N9VC Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    John,

    Do the basic setup. Unless you have the M model, just plug the radio into the computer
    and operate it that way. At least during the period of time you will getting familiar with
    your radio. Once you feel real comfortable, then expand your horizons.
    Use the quick start guide for your radio and follow the instructions and pictorials. The last
    thing you want to do is overwhelm yourself.
    Again the quick start guide and take baby steps. These radios are quite user friendly and
    you will have loads of fun.

    73, Jim N9VC
     
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Thank you Eric, Andy & Wilbur for your responses! I have owned a 6700 for 1 year. Bought from Matt at last years Hamcation. I have made some contacts and have set up my Maestro to remote control my 6700 downstairs in my storeroom by ethernet and Wi-Fi. I love the radio and ALMOST had it set up for FT8.
    YES!!! the ADMNS  (Abbreviations Drives Me Nuts)! When I went to electronics school they introduced the PNP & NPN Transistor!! Maybe I bit off more than I can chew? I must say that the "Challenge" is exciting to me as I love to learn. 
    I will ask questions even if they sound very novice. I have faith that with this community I will learn about port forwarding etc.!

    Thanks again for the encouragement. I will be going tomorrow to the Hamcation here in Orlando as I am only 15 miles from there. We are expecting severe weather tonight so plans may change?? 

  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Thanks Jim, really appreciate. 
  • bahillen
    bahillen Member ✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Eric, John maybe asking for some reference books at a level the average ham could understand. I would add some web address or articles, even the appropriate Flex articles you would recommend. Some 3 rd party applications have reduced the work to set up other modes apps and logging. 73 Bil W9JJB
  • Andy W3LI
    Andy W3LI Member ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    I was going to comment but decided that it was not worth it.
  • Bob- W5TX
    Bob- W5TX Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    John
    I assume you have downloaded the SSDR manual and the other manuals available on the Flex web site.  If not it might help you to give it a read.  As Eric said folks are here to answer questions.  If you can be very specific about the subject or area of assistance it will speed up answers.  If an 84 year old (me) can do it so can you!  If you would like further help in setting up FT8 for instance, give me contact particulars and we will proceed to get it running.
    Bob W5TX. w5tx@verizon.net
  • Jon_KF2E
    Jon_KF2E Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Honestly you are probably better off looking at some of the youtube videos available on the radios. They give you the opportunity to see as well as hear how to use various aspects of the radio. You can also easily search for videos on specific topics you might be trying to accomplish like digital modes, remote operations or interfacing with third party apps.

    Good Luck!

    Jon...kf2e
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Thank you all!! I will try to respond to all but we live in central florida and we are expecting severe weather tonight & possible tornado watch. Loads of lightning and 60+ windslater. Sorry but have to get stuff (pool furniture etc. inside) so I don't have to at 1 a.m. in the morning. I hope the Hamcation buildings will be O.K. as I live 15 miles from it. I just heard on t.v. that the weather warning transmitter in Daytona Beach has stopped working so no warnings on the weather radio in my area.. Can you say "No backup  transmitter?" Again, thanks for all the info. This is a fantastic forum with fantastic people!!!! Thanks again!
  • Michael Wolff
    Michael Wolff Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Agreed. To some degree... Some of the videos avoid the network configuration part and leave you on your own to figure that part out. I understand why, the configuration of each Flex and home network is probably different in at least one way from someone else's configuration. A basic understanding of TCP/IP goes a long way in getting around this, particularly with the concept of client server communications and how they work between nodes on a network.
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Thanks Michael, I will try to find some "Computers for DUMMIES Books"!
  • Michael Wolff
    Michael Wolff Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    John et al:

    The 'for Dummies' series books are typically well written and actually sometimes fun to read, hence the suggestion. I'm not trying to call anyone a dummy. I am enrolled in college at age 50 myself, and three of my courses toward a cyber security degree have used a 'for Dummies' book as one of the text books. Here is a more specific suggestion -

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BS6DGM8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_PlBpEbE5N1WCZ

    I do hope this helps!

    73,

    Mike - KG4Y

  • Alan
    Alan Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Often, when I see a term or phrase that I do not know, "Googling" it often brings up a lot of good information.

    Just type the term into the internet browser's address box and hit return.

    For example, I typed "IP" into my browser address box.  I received several pages of articles with links to click on to help with understanding the term.

    One return I ofter look for is Wikipedia.   After I "Googled" the term, "IP" and clicked on Wikipedia, here is what I learned:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address

    Alan
    WA9WUD
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Hi Michael, Thank you for the "Dummies" info. I am going to order it and I am sure it will make me more educated about networking. 
    I have used Windows since the IBM 8080 (1981 I think). ! I learned DOS by crashing my 8080 many times. I look back to those days and wonder how the heck I recovered my info. DOS was pure ****!
    The past 2 years I have been using a Imac with Parallels, so I am trying to learn both operating systems as well as I can. I really like the info of buying that book as I am sure it will expand what little I know.
    Thank you Michael!!!

  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Alan, I do that same think here as Google knows all. I sometimes wonder what "GOOGLE" knows about me!
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Michael, I have ordered the Dummies book on networking that you suggested. I receive it Sunday . I thought about how I have Alexa, Flex, Security Cameras to be hooked up and who knows what in the future? I definitely need to know networks!! Thanks, you have helped!!!
  • Michael Wheatley
    Michael Wheatley Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    One of the very effective ways of using this Flex Community is to ask specific questions like

    -- how do I attach my new Flex 6400 to my PC?
    -- should I use WiFi or a cable to attach my radio to my PC?
    -- if I want to use my radio remotely, how do I go about setting that up?

    There are lots of us here that have significant experience in networking and in PC setup and trouble shooting that would be only too happy to help.

    Michael -- KM6LHD
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Thanks Michael, I bought a "Dummies" book that is about 1000 pages long. I need to read it to understand networking first so I can ask questions more on what you are saying. When I get to that point maybe I will be able to answer some of my own questions?
    This community is great. I know now I can even ask some "****" questions and not be reprimanded. Thanks again and sorry I wasn't more specific.
  • John KB4DU
    John KB4DU Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Speaking of specific, when you have a question, make it as specific as possible. It usually helps to describe the situation as fully as you can. Questions like "why doesn't my Maestro boot?" are really hard to answer. Most of the questions are network related, so you are on the right track. Getting the Maestro to talk to the Flex radio is a major accomplishment. If I had noticed your post earlier, we could have meet at Hamcation, I spent the weekend there.

    I'm by no means the expert, but I have gotten FT8 working and JS8Call. Ask away!
  • jwinner
    jwinner Member ✭✭
    edited February 2020
    Hi John,
    I went into the Hamcation and think they need larger buildings! I had to park way out over where they hold a flea market, all the way near the end of the parking area. I left after I couldn't take the crowds. The most people I have ever seen at the fairgrounds! Wish they would hold it somewhere else even though I live near in Clermont. Thanks for replying to me!

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