SDC info and upcoming video

Rich McCabe

I am in the process of doing a high-resolution video walk-through of SDC (Software Defined Connectors) software running a contest which should be completed in the next couple weeks.

I have found SDC to be an amazing program but not without frustrations because of outdated documentation. As a matter of fact, if it was not for Erik’s (EI4KF) efforts and support with a supplemental document it’s likely I would not have made it past the first day with SDC.

You can find the most recent version of Erik’s document in this thread.

https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8024971/sdc-skimmer-for-flex-radios

As I worked through learning how to use SDC I created a Flex only document that assumes the following:

*** You are using the SmartSDR API included in SDC and no earlier method which you can still find in his documentation.

*** You are contesting using the excellent contesting app built into SDC.

If it is your intention to continue to contest using N1MM or other contest loggers integrated with SDC, please refer to Erik’s document as I am not going to cover using other applications.

Yuri (SDC) continues to do an amazing job at developing this software but has not been able to keep up with the documentation. He might add new features to the documentation but really has not removed any of the obsolete stuff causing some frustration with many users.

This has been quite a process as I have sent/received about 500 emails with a developer that’s native language is Ukrainian. I do give him a lot of credit as he does an amazing job with translating but sometimes I have to re-ask the question a different way.

That said, you WILL probably find errors in this document as I basically went through every aspect of the program and tried to figure out what it did or tried to get Yuri to explain it. During this process, he changed several things and removed some obsolete features, which of course caused rewrites and updated images on my part.

If you see errors or find something that is not clear and needs written differently or expanded on, please drop me a message at r.mccabe@iowawebhosting.com

I plan to keep this updated and have a system in place to update the program images as he adds new features.

The SDC (Software Defined Connectors) Flex Connectivity PDF manual can be downloaded here.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1NEfrDuj8nG5RW_n4sHI1bON-o9YhPIDT

Kudos to Yuri for writing such an amazing program and to Erik for EVERYTHING he does to help the Flex community with SDC including the supplemental manual.

Video coming soon.

73,

Rich

KD0ZV

Val DM1TX

Wow! I wanted to use SDC for a long time but due to bad documentation I have never suceeded! Thank you both! 73

Rich McCabe

Val, if you have questions just ask. Either here or on the support group which can be found here.

https://groups.google.com/g/sdc-ut4lw

Be happy to help.

73,

Rich

kd0zv

Rich McCabe

The video is online now. This gives an overview on how to use SDC in a contest. This is not a how to video about contesting as my focus was just to get around the basic features of the program for anyone considering running SDC in a contest.

73,

Rich

KD0ZV

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

Rich McCabe

Yuri just released the official 17.29 version of SDC. Manual has been updated and can be found here.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1NEfrDuj8nG5RW_n4sHI1bON-o9YhPIDT

Improvements include multiple bug fixes, added some additional macro variables, direction control which allows you to filter your spotlist to beam heading and width, updates to allow the 070 PSK contest, ability to drag clock to map window, ActiSpot enhancements and a dozen other small feature improvements.

See Revision History 1.2 at end of document for details.

Program download page

https://www.lw-sdc.com/?page_id=79

73,

Rich

kd0zv

Rich McCabe

Version 17.30 has been released with significant changes.

Manual Rev 1.3 – Updated images throughout document with feature changes. Expanded verbiage in various sections.

Added documentation for the optional SWR plot feature and the Audio Scope.

Version SDC 17.2932 Misc update fixes, add QSO record to actispot window and information details when
incorrect exchange format is entered.

Version SDC 17.2923 SDC contest can be fully run via the SmartSDR API so starting SmartDAX and SmartCAT is no longer required.

Version SDC 17.2922 In SmartSDR settings Audio TX DAX is no longer needed. Can be selected automatically by choosing UPD stream.

Version SDC 17.2920 Added Version information to contest file so you can see what version you are running.

Version SDC 17.2914 Added ability to select custom presets in the statistics window instead of just selecting the data you want to see in the rows and columns.

Version SDC 17.2910 Added additional functionality to preset contests environment to make the contest rules

Version SDC 17.2901 Added CQ column to Decoded Callsigns window to show which stations are calling CQ

Updated version can be found here.

Updated manual can be downloaded here.

73,

Rich

kd0zv