New 6400

GERRYV

Just took delivery on new 6400 today. Now the learning begins. I am sure I will have questions to post.

Ted VE3TRQ

It’s always nice to know a callsign and a name. You should get in the habit of signing any message with both :-) Not a complaint, but a suggestion - it builds camaraderie.

KD0RC

Hi Gerry, I think we worked recently (I would need to look at my log...). I am in Broomfield, so if you ever have problems with your new rig, I am more than happy to take a phone call or come over and help - just reach out to me here or via my call at arrl.net.

GERRYV

Ted, you are correct. Gerry W0GV

John KB4DU

Welcome. It’s really good radio and helpful community. The radio, however, has a learning curve. It’s not your fathers, or your previous, radio. The manual is a really valuable resource, and will answer most of the questions but sometimes needs to be read very closely.

So, my suggestion, after screwing up a few things. Connect the antenna to the rx in port, and a dummy load to the ant 1 port. This allows learning the receiver and the transmitter without incurring any damage to anything. When ready to transmit, connect antenna to ant 1 and dummy load to ant 2, to help with ongoing testing and learning.

Mike-VA3MW

We have over 50 videos online and I am sure a few can help you out

https://www.youtube.com/user/FlexRadioSystems/videos

73

KD0RC

It's funny, but I found the SmartSDR controls and menus to be much more intuitive than some of the new high-end ICOMs and Kenwoods. I did read all the manuals while I waited for delivery, so it might not be a totally fair comparison...

A radio with as many controls on the front panel as the 7610 or TS 890 needs to make them really small and close together. I found it hard to find what I was looking for in all the clutter.

The logically grouped controls of SmartSDR just make good sense to me. I was on the air making contacts almost immediately after taking delivery of my 6400.

normancyyj

I am new here also and not very computer savvy. What do I need to do and get to control my 6400 with a midi controller?

Ted VE3TRQ

Don’t know about SSDR for Windows, but SSDR for Mac very nicely supports a few devices. I’m using the DJ2GO2, and find it quite flexible for radio control (of a 6600M).

normancyyj

Thanks for your comments Ted. I am using Windows 10. I will need I think a midi controller and software to talk to the controller and the 6400.