SDC Skimmer for Flex Radios

Erik Carling EI4KF

Hi Sergey. See my pre-contest message and that the profile is downloadable from

https://www.lw-sdc.com/?page_id=454

Sergey KN7K

Eric, it is not clear to me. I downloaded Contest profiles a while ago. Do I need to do it regularly and manually? It is not part of the SW package?

Thanks

Here is ver 17.15.15

Erik Carling EI4KF

It is a one time deal (except for updates). There is a lot of information in every profile such as every known stations' region/State, rules that are sometimes complex, etc., that takes time to compile for Yuri. There are a huge number of contests in a calendar year and he is releasing profiles for each month. Next year we will already have them. But for this year this is why I gave advanced notice on 17 September. I am sorry it was not clear in my message.

Erik.

Martin_G4ENZ

Sergey,

SDC comes with a limited number of contests when first installed. To add a contest go to Yuri's website at http://www.lw-sdc.com/?page_id=454 and pull down a contest definition file. These definition files are being added to as we progress through the year. If there's a contest you want and it's not there - just ask. They're fairly quick to create for most contests.

Yuri did a video on loading contest profiles here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=remcBd-SGug&t=1s

73 Martin

David Decoons, wo2x

https://www.lw-sdc.com/?page_id=454

And you then click DX next to CQ WW RTTY

Dave wo2x

Erik Carling EI4KF

But as Sergey is KN7K, he would be better off clicking 'N.A.' next to CQ WW RTTY. I hope it is understood that profiles often have mutiple versions, depending on the users' locations.

David Decoons, wo2x

Thanks for clarification!

Dave wo2x

Jens DL7AUO

Hi,

Is it correct that I need a new license key to use the contest Mode?

73

Jens

Erik Carling EI4KF

After registration, you will have the following opportunities: - You can use SKM Server together with SDR radios that do not support TCI interface. - You will get the opportunity to connect through the TCI, SmartSDR-API protocols - Access to the Contest module will be open. Support the project on the SDC website with any amount available to you. In the payment note, be sure to include your callsign and e-mail address to which you will receive the registration key!

If you can already enable Contest via Setup tab then you must have donated and registered. If not, please use the instructions above. Yuri UT4LW, SDC author, will respond.

Jens DL7AUO

Hi Erik,

I have already a key and using the product since 1 year connecting with my Flex 6700 using the Flex API, but I am not able to get a Contest window open…

I was told I might be missing a new key…

73

Jens

Jens DL7AUO

Update:

Confirmed by Yuri and updated key provided to me. Since 17.06 one needs to have new key.

Erik Carling EI4KF

This video shows the SDC Contest operation of ED8M in SO2R Dueling CQ mode

RIG: Flex-6600, Power Genius XL, 2xSteppir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWHvPPyuW-k

rah50

Hi:

New user here, I just installed SDC strictly for the Auto AGC-T function to use with FT8. It seems to work, I'm getting movement, although I'm getting higher AGC-T levels than I thought it would produce.

And of bigger concern is that changing bands in one slice effects the levels produced in a second slice.

Additionally, I have no idea what level to set the threshold at, although I see higher numbers reduces the produced level significantly. Any help appreciated!

Thanks,

Bob WA8PAM

Erik Carling EI4KF

Hi Bob,

The calculation of the AGC-T regulator position is not intended to be accurate. Yuri will, when he has time, try to check it all with a SpectraLab meter. But the automaton serves for not having to make manual adjustments.

I did a manual calculation in a "normal noise" situation, no solar/weather related/man made influences, and set the S/N (dB) number to get a near match (10dB in my case) and I do get a slightly higher number with SDC. It will then self adjust for environment and band changes. That figure will be different for each user and the calculation is based on the IQ stream data and position of the antenna gain switch. This allows a more correct determination of the ambient noise level.

Changing bands on a slice does not affect levels on a second slice, as checked here and by Yuri. So I cannot explain why you see something else. I have a 6400 so could only make the active slice A or B but any combination of band changes on one retained the level integrity on the other.

You are welcome to email Yuri for further discussion or clarification. I am merely a messenger and not an expert.

rah50

Thanks Eric, I'll send Yuri a note. But I definitley see some movement when changing to certain bands. For example, when Slice A is on 10 meters and B on 12 meters, both levels are around 52. Then when I switch Slice A to 30 meters, Slice B levels moves up into the 60's, a ten to 12 point increase just because I switched bands in the other slice.

Please confirm though that you don't see anything missing in my setup,

Thanks,

Bob WA8PAM

Erik Carling EI4KF

Nothing is missing Bob. Send Yuri an email. A video of the A panel in SSDR showing the A AGC-T slider moving up when you change bands in Slice B would help him. Let me know what he tells you if possible. A private email to EI4KF (qrz.com) would be good as I am interested to know!

Erik

rah50

Video is a good idea!

Mike-VA3MW

I always struggled to work a DXPedition on CW.

Now, I feel guilty for a bit, but working E6AM (again on CW) is fun.

It is always cool when that 599 pops up and you move the transmitter right there and he gets you on the next call. :)

Erik Carling EI4KF

Video demonstration of what can be daunting for some, QTC exchange. Made quite simple by SDC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mhXnEs8mI

Erik Carling EI4KF

SDC Audio Scope and SWR Graph functions are now available for Flex users. See demonstration video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SgTZ-N_xtA

https://www.lw-sdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SDC_17.2101x64_setup.zip

Erik Carling EI4KF

There was a discussion a while back about SDC not being Multiflex aware.

See https://www.lw-sdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/mf-mode.png

version 17.2105

I have not tested but knowing Yuri, it will work FB.

Erik.

Mark Griffin

Hello Eric,

I installed SDC to use with my Flexradio 6400M. But I am getting the message when trying to connect, WAIT IQ Channel. I have no idea what it is even asking for. I have used the correct IP Address, and set things up according to the instructions. But evidently I am missing something because it's not working. Any Advice? I typed in under search wait IQ Channel and nothing shows up.

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Mark Griffin

Hi Eric,

I finally got it to work. I needed to put SDC in DAX plus SmartSDR. Yuri's Video on Youtube, mentioned nothing about that. Mark KB3Z

Mark Griffin

For some reason my screen decodes do not look like what you guys are showing here. I adjust the contrast, and it really doesn't make much of a change. I get better results from CW Skimmer when it comes to decodes.

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Erik Carling EI4KF

There is an updated video showing the first setup steps for direct connect SDC-Skimmer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWF9MoErNeY

Rick N0VT

I have a couple of issues that I would like to solve before this weekend's NAQP-CW.

I'm trying to incorporate the CW skimmer into Contest mode when running. In other words, instead of typing the callsign of the caller manually, I would like to click on the callsign in the CW decoder and have it populate the callsign field in the New QSO 1 panel. Is this possible?

Also, I can't get the focus to return to the New QSO 1 panel. I have "other" in the SSDR Focus Helper box checked and "New QSO 1" entered but that doesn't have any effect.

Thanks!

Rick N0VT

Erik Carling EI4KF

If you click on a callsign in the CW decoder, it will go to the New QSO panel. That callsign will have been transferred to New QSO anyway, as soon as your VFO marker is on the call in the panorama or if you click on it in Spot List.

When you click or tune to a callsign on the panorama, or use Spot List, the focus returns to the New QSO panel. However if you click on a call in the decoder that is not on the panorama it will not. Most likely such a call is a caller rather than a workable run station.

Rick N0VT

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20608343#Comment_20608343

Thanks Erik, but I'm still not seeing focus returning to New QSO 1, even when clicking on the callsign in the panadapter or the SpotList. As I type this, the CWT is going on and there are plenty of signals to work with.

I don't know if it matters, but I have "Focus Helper" in SSDR set to OTHER with "New QSO 1" in the box. But I don't know how to tell if Focus Helper and SDC are communicating.

I'm using version 17.21 with the NAQP-CW 10.1.24 profile.

Erik Carling EI4KF

I do not know why that is. I have tried to find some configuration setting which leads to that error but cannot - click on a Spot List call and focus goes to the New QSO window.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1djpfdb69sbfft2zlp1oa/SDC_5ulsBqQ7No.mp4?rlkey=8kvkqm8pu3cgnoe3hciqm6phl&dl=0

Rick N0VT

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/comment/20608348#Comment_20608348

I just discovered something that may or may not be significant, but clicking on the spot in the panadapter populates the New QSO 1 window and gives it focus. Clicking on the callsign in the SpotList1 window populates the New QSO 1 window but does NOT give it focus.

I also experimented with several CW contest profiles and had the same results.