Has anyone been able to get SmartSDR for Windows 11 to work on Mac M1 with Parallels 17?

K7JV

Just purchased a new MacBook Pro with the M1 processor. I occasionally run Windows 11 (only when no other options 😊) using the Parallels Desktop 17 virtual machine. Unfortunately when I tried to load SmartSDR for Windows, a window came up saying it could only run on an Intel x86 or x64 based processors.

Has anyone worked thru this? If not, is there any hope of SmartSDR for Windows being updated to allow using the new family of Mac computers?

Alan

Flex CAT and DAX will not run on AMD Windows, such as when using Parallels.

Flex SDR will run.

Remove CAT and DAX.

If you continue to have connection issues, check the Parallels device setup for your LAN connection.

Alan. WA9WUD

Tilio

the matter is this: Flex 6400, Mac MINI M1, SmartSDR Mac (Marcus Roskosch masterpiece), Parallel+Win11 on VM, DXLog 2.6.10 for Win11.

Since Smarsdr "classic" from Flexradio runs on Win11-Parallel on Mac M1, but the drivers for DAX and CAT do not (Flexradio people have not yet updated such drivers), I have to use SmartSDR-Mac, which is perfect also for simple Contests, such as "NONTESTS" like CWops cwt, as special feature of its capability to log.

In case of serious Contests, Skookumlogger is OK, but nothing goes over DXLog for Contests, thus I put on win11 windows - in parallel - DXLog, with these specs for interfacing: Radio Panadapter R1 connected via TCP as follows:

Same for R2. Adress comes from Radio Cat Control of SmarSDR-Mac.

For messages, i.e. F-keys, connection is via winkeyer connected to USB to Mac, with appropriate driver CH340 on Com3: this means that the winkeyer is connected to the back panel of my Flex6400, on Morse Key Socket: to connect winkeyer to Win, just unplug and re-plug USB terminal, Parallel will ask to connect to Mac or to Win, choose Win, than check in Computer devices that the usb has been assigned to a Com port, normally Com3, with proper driver ch340. This way everything is working with DXLog, as if you were on SmartSDR "classic" in traditional Intel-based windows environment, but much faster. In fact I also use a ASUS laptop with I9 Intel, in genuine Win11, I made contests with this before to discover the trick with Mac M1, that I suggest.

Arizona Mike

I am running Windows 11 ARM / Parallels on a MacBook Pro M3. Killer combination, best computer I have ever owned.

Runs everything I have tried including the AutoCAD, Codan Radio VCP, Com0Com, TPS and Envoy Assist, VSPE, Flex PGXL and TGXL utilities.

Can't be that hard for Flex to update their drivers. This is 2024.12 :).

Mark_WS7M

SmartSDR Windows is not built to run on ARM windows which is what Parallels is running.

VMWare plans to at some point support x86 Windows but no sure when. I am not sure how fast it will be though.

SmartSDR Mac runs beautifully and natively on M1 processor.

K7JV

Thank you, Mark. I do have SmartSDR for Mac on my M1 MacBook Pro and you are right, it works beautifully. It's actually much better than it was on the Intel chipped Mac's. On this new one, it runs WAAAAAAY cooler with FAAAAR better battery life. I need to get more familiar with what the Mac version of SmartSDR can and can't do, before I know if I'm losing anything by not being able to run the Windows version.

Ignacy

ARM Windows seems to evolve and now it supports more programs than before, e.g., EZNEC, Green Heron software, FRStack and Expert amplifier control program. But no N1MM.

If you use the Flex locally, I would get a Windows PC. Remotely, I use Mac with the M1 processor and SmartSDR for MAC, and Teamviewing into a local PC.

Ignacy NO9E

K7JV

Thank you, Ignacy. I suspect that since Apple has made the commitment to the M1 chipset, N1MM and/or Parallels will figure out a way to make it work. I don't really need the Windows version, but knowing that there are times when what was working doesn't, and it's nice to be able to have a "Plan B" in the sock. I do have SmartSDR for Mac on my Mac, and it works awesomely. It also seems to do what I want to do in the wee bit of FT8 that I've dabbled in, maybe even more user friendly than the Windows way of doing it.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the ability to one day do it on the Mac using Windows 11 and Parallels, but it is far from urgent. I was just hoping that someone might have figured out a fix.

Thank you again, and I wish you cheers and best 73,

Jim, K7JV

Garden City (Boise), ID

Tilio

I have same problem with my Mac mini M1, where I use Smartsdr MAC and Skookumlogger for contest on my Flex6400 (skookumlogger cannot reach remote rigs, but local only due to the fact that needs connection between winkeyer and rig). But since I also use SmartSDR Windows on an ASUS Vivobook, Intel based, and I found that SmartSDR-Win is very well performing with DXLog (for sure the best Contest logger around, far superior to any other), also with remote connection, I wondered if I could use same couple of apps (SmartSDR-win and DXlog) on my Mac with parallel. I tried it, SmartSDR can be loaded, but the drivers CAT and DAX do not run, DXLog has no problem. Conclusion is maybe soon or later Flex Programmers will do drivers suitable for ARM processors, since those type of processor are replacing the old intel based ones (also Microsoft Surface has a ARM processor now). The question is : how soon or how later?

K7JV

I just downloaded SmartSDR for Windows, DAX and CAT 3.8.19. I also updated Windows 11 Pro to version 21H2. I also updated Parallels Pro to 20.1.1. Download and install seemed to go well.

When I launched SmartSDR, it loaded and started out as expected. I opened SmartLink after selecting my radio, which showed up on the window. At that point, a splash appeared that said, "Unable to connect to the radio. Please try again."

When I tried to launch CAT, a splash came up that said, "SmartSDR CAT requires the FlexRadio Systems FlexVSP service to be installed and running. Please submit a HelpDesk support ticket for assistance in resolving this error."

Dang!