Is Maestro C 100% compatible with the new Flex-8400

zlham

I just ordered a Flex-8400 and the Maestro. I am hoping that there is no loss in performance using that combination rather than buying the Flex-8400M. Can anyone please confirm I haven't made a costly mistake?

NA7AA Tom

You haven’t made a costly mistake.

Trucker

The only difference would be the total cost difference between the M model version and the Non-M model plus purchasing the Maestro C. If you don't need the advantage of having the front panel separate from the radio itself, then the M model is a few hundred dollars cheaper than purchasing the separate devices.

I had considered doing the same at one time. But, I realized by buying a M model radio I could actually save space on my desktop and still have the knobbed interface I like. That is why I traded in my 6500 and Maestro A when the M model radios were announced. I didn't need the ability to take the Maestro elsewhere to operate my radio.

James

WD5GWY

WX7Y

The separate Maestro A, B, or C will be 100% compatible with the 8400 / 8600.

Myself I like leaving my Radio on all the time and use it from my Laptop, MAC, iPad and Maestro from other parts of the house and Remote and DIDN'T care for the 6600M I owned screen being on ALL the time the Radio was turned on and I didn't care for having such an expensive Night Light. It ALSO uses one of your slices unless you manually from the front panel Menu of the M front panel go to the Radio chooser and have it disconnect from the radio and with a 6400M / 8400M if the front panel isn't set to the Radio chooser uses up one of your 2 Slices.

Again this is just my opinion and experience with the M version for MY operating and it's NICE to put the radio in another room in a equipment rack or something.

Gives you more to think about.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

My experience with the Maestro C and a 6600M is that the 6600M uses up one of your four slices (assuming it is set to one slice). In other words, then three of the 6600M’s slices are in use.

zlham

Thanks everyone. I decided to buy the Maestro and blank face Flex-8400 so that I can park the radio in a corner and just have the Maestro on the desk. My question was that FlexRadio says the Maestro is for the Flex-6000 series. I am worried that it might not work properly with the new Flex-8000 radios, or that it might not work as well as the built-in screen. I will just have to hope that it works because they have shipped the Maestro already. The new radios are not shipping until at least August.

Trucker

I think the issue is Flex Radio has not updated all the information about the new Maestro C on their website. The Maestro can be thought of as a computer connected to your network. As long as the computer/Maestro is running SmartSDR, it will find and connect to, your radio if it is connected over your home network or an ethernet cable directly connected to your radio.

There should be no difference between the Maestro C and older versions of the Maestro as far as your radio being able to work with it. One thing, you will need some type of microphone and the correct cable to connect to the Maestro C's microphone input. Flex Radio should sell different cables to adapt different microphones to the Maestro C. ( it won't work with older Flex hand microphones without an adapter)

Other than that you should be good to go.

James

WD5GWY

Russ Ravella

Hi ziham,

Let me just add a couple comments to Trucker's thorough response above. Since the Maestro C was released a few weeks ago and the 8XXX radios without displays will be released in another few weeks from now, it basically goes without saying Flex intents for them to work together. Trucker lists good specific reasons to believe that's true.

The other thing is, Flex really **** the pooch with their choice of headset connector for the Maestro C and extremely poor communication about it. This forum and the groups.io forum (and probably the other ones I don't follow) are just full of posts resulting from the totally unnecessary confusion it caused.

However, it's totally no big deal and depending on which headset(s) you have, there are simple ways to get them connected that will be easy to find with a quick search here on the community. If you have any trouble, just post the details and any one of a bunch of people here will help you. As an aside, there is absolutely zero need to mutilate your headset cable to do this so ignore any such rubbish you might come across.

You're going to love the Maestro ! Good Luck, Russ KR6W

Trucker

If you have an FMH3 hand microphone, Flex Radio sells a Y adapter cable specifically for the Maestro C. It's $15.00 .

James

WD5GWY

Russ Ravella

Hi James and ziham,

The adapter sold by Flex only works with certain headsets. For example it doesn't work with Heil Pro7 or 4O3A headsets. That's why I suggested ziham check posts here if he has any trouble with his.

Russ KR6W

David Decoons, wo2x

for headsets that have a 3.5mm TRS for mic connector, an inexpensive adapter from Amazon that is 3.5 TRS female to 3.5 TS male should work with the Y cable.
Dave wo2x

P.S. I have the Maestro C and already had a CTIA Y cable breakout for my laptop. I feed my Heil PR40 and W2IHY audio gear into the mic side of the Y cable. Julius from W2IHY provided a 5 pin DIN to 3.5mm TS male cable. I get outstanding audio reports. Also the RadioSport RS55SL has a TRRS CTIA wired plug and works very well with minor EQ tweaking.