Considering a Maestro, but have some questions

Rick N0VT

I've been using an old/slow laptop to connect back to my 6600 at home via wifi and Smartlink when I'm out in the RV. With WSJT-X and SSDR loaded onto the laptop I've been able to work digital modes just fine.

If I get a Maestro I obviously will no longer need to run SSDR on the laptop. Or will I?

Will I need to connect both the Maestro and my laptop to the radio back home at the same time so that I can run programs like my logger and WSJT-X on my laptop? Is that even possible? Or would I be better off skipping the Maestro, upgrading my laptop and continue running all the software from there?

73, Rick N0VT

KD0RC

Hi Rick, you only need one GUI client (Maestro or SmartSDR) at any given time. On the computer that you want to run your digital modes and logging, you would run DAX and possibly CAT.

So to directly answer your questions, SmartSDR is not required if you are running a Maestro.

Yes, Maestro and PC should be connected to the radio simultaneously (run DAX for the WSJT-X audio and if required, CAT for logging).

David Decoons, wo2x

I have a Maestro C as main client in my shack. An advantage for RVing is having the panadapter and waterfall on the Maestro and not taking up screen space on the laptop. Also having the physical controls for popular functions (slice A and B tuning, volume, AGC-T and RX bandpass for both slices, power, etc) is nice.

For Field Day, I use the Maestro and my 15” laptop. Radio is out of the way. I have had good reports with TX audio using my PR40 and external EQ at home or the RadioSport RS55SL headset when on the road.

The choice comes down to budget, ergonomics and usage requirements.

73 Dave wo2x

John KB4DU

I believe a large part of the answer is the preference for knobs. Maestro has them, pc doesn’t. Pc can do anything the maestro can do, plus more, like logging, digital, spotting.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

with the Maestro you can MultiFLEX, gaining the advantages of the Maestro and the Pc.

Rick N0VT

"…Yes, Maestro and PC should be connected to the radio simultaneously (run DAX for the WSJT-X audio and if required, CAT for logging)."

Len—-I have tried running CAT and DAX on my remote laptop and they won't connect to the radio via Smartlink on their own. SSDR must be running as well. Do I have something mis-configured?