KD0RC Flexicraft Utility

KD0RC

FlexiCraft Utility V1.10 is now available on GitHub:

https://github.com/KD0RC/KD0RC_Flexicraft_Utility/releases/tag/V1.10

As a reminder, since this thread does not get a lot of activity:

Flex 6000/8000/Aurora radio utility to provide control over Flex output power when using an Elecraft KPA 500 amplifier.

The primary function of this utility is to change the output of the Flex so that it does not overdrive an Elecraft KPA 500. It provides 10 settings per band; one for each mode with and without the amp.

The utility also provides control for the KPA 500 and KAT 500. This makes managing the amp and tuner very easy, especially when operating remotely.

• ****************************** Changelog ********************************
• V1.10
• Fixed issue where SDC adjusting the AGC-T caused the RF Power to match the value on the power tab
• Fixed issue where radio events are occasionally missed at startup

If you use SDC and have it set to update your AGC-T automagically, it was causing FlexiCraft to go back to the saved power setting. I had a misplaced statement that set the power level on any slice change event. I fixed my long-standing bug and now the FlexiCraft Utility works well with SDC.

Be sure to uninstall the previous version before installing this one. Use the Windows Settings, Apps & features screen to do the uninstall, do not delete any folders or registry entries.

KD0RC

FlexiCraft Utility V1.11 is now available on GitHub:

https://github.com/KD0RC/KD0RC_Flexicraft_Utility/releases/tag/V1.11

As a reminder, since this thread does not get a lot of activity:

Flex 6000/8000/Aurora radio utility to provide control over Flex output power when using an Elecraft KPA 500 amplifier.

The primary function of this utility is to change the output of the Flex so that it does not overdrive an Elecraft KPA 500. It provides 10 settings per band; one for each mode with and without the amp.

The utility also provides control for the KPA 500 and KAT 500. This makes managing the amp and tuner very easy, especially when operating remotely.

• ****************************** Changelog ********************************
• V1.11
• Added FDVU and FDVL modes to the Digital power settings

This release allows the FlexiCraft Utility to change power when in FDVL or FDVU modes (FreeDV). It uses the same settings as any digital modes, DIGU, DIGL and, RTTY.

KB2NGK

Im having issues with the latest Version of SmartSDR and FlexiCraft 1.11 - 'Band' Doesn't always change in Flexicraft and sometimes changes to the previous band. All other functions work. Operate to standby does in fact change the Flex PWR slider (although incorrect values due to 'Band' not changing., Amp responds correctly, and tuner responds correctly. Using the Debug tab - I can see the new FREQ stream in when changing on the radio, the app just doesn't always recognize it. It also seems more reliable to change when switching profiles. It never changes correctly if using WSJT-X to change band/Freq. The debug when using WSJT-X - doesn't include Freq data at ll. I don't want to confuse the issue - so even when eliminating all other third party software from running - I still have this issue. I suspect Flex changed how that data is streamed / API

EDIT—-After looking back through my notes from a year or so ago, I realized that I was always changing bands via the profiles - So disregard. I have hidden those darn BAND buttons in WSJT-X.

KD0RC

Band changes don't happen from WSJT-X. It does a frequency change which doesn't change the band. Very unfortunate…

Let me take a peek at it to see if there is something that I can do to cause a genuine band change when the frequency changes.

I'll post back here soon with whatever I find.

KB2NGK

Appreciate it - and what you have already done. I guess I wasn't really thinking through what I was doing in the past. Not using the band buttons in WSJT-X is OK with me. My current screen layout makes profile changing a bit more difficult as I have SmartSDR shrunk way down into a small window. Previously it was full screen. Either way - Thanks for the utility in this - It has likely saved my amp more than once.

KD0RC

Well, I just opened WSJT-X and my KPA 500 and the FlexiCraft Utility follow the band properly when I click the band change in WSJT-X. It also follows correctly if I type a frequency on another band in the flag of SmartSDR.

I have an 8600 running 4.2.20. I have both amp serial ports plugged in - The RS232 (PC) port is plugged into my PC and is what the FlexiCraft Utility uses. The RS232 (XCVR) port is plugged into the back of the Flex which tells the amp directly what band I am on. If you don't have this cable plugged in, I suspect that is your issue. If you do have the XCVR cable plugged into your Flex and it is set up like I show below, let me know and I will look further.

Here is how I have my USB Cables set up: