Preserving NR and NB settings when changing modes.

Stefan AF6SA

NR and NB are always cleared to OFF when changing between CW and USB even on same band.
Usually it doesn't bother me too much, but it was a problem while running ARRL 10M contest and switching between CW <> USB. Every time I needed to re-enable NR and NB and set the level sliders.
My Setup: Flex 6600 with latest SmartSDR v3.2.39

I was told that this was by design!?

Is there any other way to deal with this in N1MM+ or other software?

Stefan / AF6SA

Mike-VA3MW

Yes, when you change modes by N1MM it clears that slice and builds a new one. This was at the request of the contest community as it was deemed to be faster.

You could build 2 different global profiles, one for 10m CW and the other for 10m SSB. (Page 73 shows what is saved in a Global Profile).

Then, either change bands by loading the required Profile (FRstack makes this simple). N1MM will then follow for the frequency change and mode change.

Give that a test and see if it works for you.

John KB4DU

As Mike mentioned, free FRStack makes this really easy, I don’t operate without it. With the software installed and operating, setup a slice the way it will be used. Stack saves almost all the parameters, vol, nb, nr, wnb, tx eq, rx eq, transmit bandwidth, rx bandwidth, and many others. Stack will move the data to the Most Recent Used (MRU) display. Then save it as a favorite with a name like 20M CW or 20M SSB, which can be recalled as desired, N1MM will follow the radio. One caution, stack sets the active slice to the memory settings, so set the desired slice to be active before clicking on the memory.

Lots of other features, like programmable hot keys, set tx on when changing slices, meters.

Stefan AF6SA

@Mike-VA3MW

NB and NR are set to OFF and sliders moved to "0" every time the mode is changed in SmartSDR alone.

I opened a ticket #48167 and the answer was:

"For issue #1, this behavior is by design. Noise Mitigation features are band and mode-dependent, therefore they are not carried over when there is a mode change."

For me this is a bad design and FlexRadio is not willing to address it.

I just want to preserve and restore NR/NR settings while changing modes on same band in N1MM while contesting and DXLabs while DXing.

Craig_KØCF

The answer has been presented: FRStack, a free utility that works brilliantly. It also allow use of the Stream Deck to control the radio. There have been many posts on the Community about it.

FRStack provides buttons (or hot keys) to recall memories that you can define, and they include NR, bandwidth, mode, frequency, and much more.

As I said, it is free. Give it a try!

73, Craig KØCF

Stefan AF6SA

Thanks Craig,

Will FRStack adjust NR/NB settings when I click on a spot in N1MM bandplan, or Multiplier window to QSY on that station frequency/mode?

John KB4DU

Not tried that with n1mm, but basically frstack works with its own memories. However, if the mode/band stays the same, it won’t stop frequency changes from any source, click on spot on panadapter, enter frequency with keypad in SmartSDR, slide frequency with the mouse, they all work as expected. If changing modes outside of frstack the radio behaves as you described, so the procedure might be to use the FRstack memory to change modes then the spot in n1mm. Using the frstack memory will set the nb, nr, volume, bandwidth per the memory. Try it, I believe you’ll like it.

Stefan AF6SA

@Mike-VA3MW

Hi Mike,

We talked about this issue on Pacificon and you were very surprised nobody reported about it.

Here is the treat form 2021.

I can't remember / find now the ticket i opened for that same issue back then - maybe you can find it.

Hope this will be fixed in the new release.

Stefan AF6SA

@Mike-VA3MW

Re posting my post back from 12/2021

=====

NB and NR are set to OFF and sliders moved to "0" every time the mode is changed in SmartSDR alone.

I opened a ticket #48167 and the answer was:

"For issue #1, this behavior is by design. Noise Mitigation features are band and mode-dependent, therefore they are not carried over when there is a mode change."

For me this is a bad design and FlexRadio is not willing to address it.

===

Mike-VA3MW

This is a bug and I had Nicholas make up a new bug for it.

Stefan AF6SA

Today submitted a new ticket about this issue:

http://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/requests/71283

following the old one back from 2021:

Preserving NB and NR settings while changing modes. – FlexRadio

In 2024 I spoke during Hamvention with Mike / VA3MW and Stephen Hicks / N5AC.

We tested this functionality on both 6600 and newer 8800, they both agreed this is a bug and need to be fixed.

NB, WNB, NR settings should be preserved between modes and band changes.

I don't want other programs running to fix that - it should be SmartSDR functionality.

Hope this will be fixed this Solar cycle.

Stefan AF6SA

I just got a response, a nice one…

Stefan,

Thank you for using the HelpDesk.  Let's get started addressing your issue.

SmartSDR by design generally does not make certain dynamic parameters persistent leaving them under positive user control.  Noise mitigation settings do not persist because the dynamic nature of band and environmental changes could leave the radio in a state that actually degrades reception.  We have a program change request logged to discuss this behavior, but it is not high in the priority queue.

Since your inquiry related to this support ticket has been addressed, your HelpDesk ticket is being submitted as closed. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any follow-up questions regarding this support incident. In this case, you can reopen this ticket simply by replying to it, and we'll continue working with you on your issue. 

Thanks for using the FlexRadio HelpDesk. 73

Tim Ellison, W4TME
Technical Support Manager

I will only accept it if / when Mike / VA3MW and Stephen Hicks / N5AC say to me here this is the right answer.

Clearly stating that this basic feature, that my 20+ years old TS-2000 has, can't and will not be implemented in SmartSDR.

Say it, so i can adjust my expectations.

VE7ATJ_Don

Hi Stephan.. getting back to your original post re: difficulties switching between CW and SSB during a contest… I have another workaround which might be suitable.

I (and a number of others apparently on this forum :-) ) create Global Profiles for each band/mode combination (e.g. 10m Phone, 10m CW, 15m Phone, 15m CW, etc.). That way, not only are NR/NB settings (and others) are retained at appropriate levels/settings for each band, they are also set-able for each mode (e.g. FAST AGC for CW, Med for SSB). You can also set the AGC-T levels for each profile.

The other advantage of these global profiles is that you can set the panadapters to view only the 'mode specific' portions of the band.

Lately, with the addition of a new EFHW antenna, I've further created separate band/mode/antenna specific profiles.

Then, switching modes is simplified to just selecting the appropriate band/mode profile and voila — everything is ready to go.

I spend most of my time hunting SOTA and POTA and this makes it super simple for me to roam the bands.

Mike-VA3MW

Tim talks to the engineering team every day. You can accept what he says as a company answer.

Stefan AF6SA

@Mike this is not acceptable answer for me:

"SmartSDR by design generally does not make certain dynamic parameters persistent leaving them under positive user control.  Noise mitigation settings do not persist because the dynamic nature of band and environmental changes could leave the radio in a state that actually degrades reception."

The Operator knows if he needs NB, NR at the moment and changing mode USB to CW and back to USB should preserve those settings, not reset them all.

I just don't see it as "positive user control" as Tim states.

What about our talk with you and Stephen / N5AC during Hamvention?

Or your post here from last year? "This is a bug and I had Nicholas make up a new bug for it."

Stefan AF6SA

@VE7ATJ_Don Using Global profiles can help to mitigate this issue.

Also, TeensyMaestro, Node-red and I build microcontrollers to talk the Flex.

But why i need to do click / press / select something, after mode or band change in order to restore a NB, NR setting?

Why not SmartSDR restores my chosen NB, NR settings that i set 5 min ago, not a Global profile created days or months ago for different band conditions?