Will my 8400M ship with the latest firmware

KB4OIF

Good morning all. I have purchased a new 8400M. Ordered on May 17th. Have not received it yet. My question is will it ship with the newest firmware installed already. Just read the release notes. I did not save my profiles or anything from my 6600M so i will have to do all of that when it eventually get here.

Mike-VA3MW

Yes, it ships with the most current version.

KB4OIF

Thanks Mike.

KB4OIF

When 4.0 comes out will it be free????

Mike-VA3MW

No. 4.0 will not be free.

KB4OIF

ok thanks what will be the cost/

Mick W8BE

Mike, you posted this comment on July 17th, 2024.

Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator adminJuly 17

What I can share at this point is:

• 8000's ship with SmartSDR 3.8 which will have a number of fixes including a few nagging issues customers have been asking about
• ADP software will ship at a later date, with the target of year-end and no extra cost for 8000 buyers. The hardware is already built into the radio.
• The GNSS will be operational for frequency stability (+/- 0.5 hz at 50Mhz)
• NTP Time server at a later time

To add, in case others are reading:

• About 30 days prior to any customer's specific shipment, we will update them on their trade-in valuation. This is for customers who have requested a trade-in and have a deposit in place. They will receive a personal email from us.

You can always email us directly at hams@flexradio.com if you have more questions as well.

73

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Does this mean that ADP software is already built in SmartSDR 3.8.20? I also read some where that 3.8.20 is the last release on 3.xx (unless bug fixes are necessary) series so that implies to me that 4.0 will have ADP. Did Flex decide to not provide at no extra cost after your July 17th comment? I ordered my 8600 on July 17th after your comment implied that ADP would be an no extra cost.

David Decoons, wo2x

3.8.20 will not be the last 3.x release.

APD will be in a future 3.x release and free for 8000 series owners.

73 Dave wo2x

Mike VE3CKO

Thanks Dave for clarifying that APD will be in a 3.x release, and that there will be at lease one more v3 update before v4. Now would be great if the July gestimate for end-of-year APD release is realistic.

It's going to be an exciting 2025 as we should be seeing some big features coming in v4.

Mike Steventon

I am reading this with great interest, but have to admit some confusion…….

Adaptive Pre Distortion. (APD)………….

or ADP, which is an online payroll system for seamless integration!!

Which one is coming to our Flex Radios!!!!!!???

I think I have the answer, but others might not!!

Cheers and beers.

Mike.

Mike VE3CKO

Sorry, no confusion, just a typo on my part. APD adaptive pre-distortion. I fixed the typo. I did that before in another discussion, lol.

KB4OIF

Still no info on the cost of V 4.0. I was under the impression that it was included on the 8000 series radio's. My mistake.

Mike-VA3MW

No. 4.0 will not be free and is not included on the 8000's currently shipping.

There will like be some grace period based on order date and the announce date of 4.0, but I can't comment beyond that.

KB4OIF

ok.

Mike VE3CKO

The cost of new versions historically has been $199 US but earlier this year there was a sale and v3 was available for $149 if I remember correctly. I think it's safe to say when v4 is release it will be the $199 for existing users and of course will be included free with new radios purchased after the v4 release date.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

The world-wide inflation exempts Flex?

Mike VE3CKO

I've search flexradio.com for references to the cost of a software upgrade. I found this under the FAQ section:

Though this refers to version 3, I personally don't expect them to raise the price of an upgrade as it would just create some bad vibes, the very opposite of everything they are working very hard to avoid. I know a few who haven't upgraded from v2 yet as they said v3 didn't excite them enough. Upgrades also fixes bugs and thus reduces ticket support, resources etc. A price increase would deter some from upgrading, especially the very many newcomers to FlexRadio.

It was a great gesture for APD to be included in version 3, not enough has been said about that, thank you FlexRadio.

My opinion and it is just my opinion, it be even a greater gesture to grant a free v4 upgrade to all new 8000 who made an early deposit and then had to wait a few more months after paying in full. At the very least a discounted upgrade. I'm just saying . . . anyone listening?

Neil D Friedman N3DF

I’m guessing $249 for V4.

KB4OIF

I will get it when it ( V4) comes out.

Mick W8BE

My opinion and it is just my opinion, it be even a greater gesture to grant a free v4 upgrade to all new 8000 who made an early deposit and then had to wait a few more months after paying in full. At the very least a discounted upgrade. I'm just saying . . . anyone listening?

I had inferred that APD was going to be in 4.0 which was one of the reasons I put a deposit down. I agree that for the customers who put a $500 deposit down it would be a great gesture of thanks to those customers. I wish Flex would be clearer on what software to expect on delivery of the radio.

Trucker

They were quite clear that the new radios would ship with the latest version of SmartSDR available ( v3.8.20) at the time of shipment. That was stated here in the Community and elsewhere including Facebook and the groups.io Flex Radio mailing list.

James

WD5GWY

Mike VE3CKO

I see Mick, at least now you know to get APD you will not have to purchase v4. Which puts the pressure on the development team to have v4 loaded with so many features, it will be a no-brainer decision to upgrade.

I think Flex has been pretty clear as to what software any new radio will get. They have said many times that new radios are shipped with a license for the current major version. As of today that is still v3.x. So if your order has been taken is being processed for shipping the radio will be loaded with a v3 license. The licensed version will be based on the shipping prep date, not the order date. When v4 is released new radios at the time of shipping will be licensed for v4.

It gets tricky when a new version release happens, for example if a radio was shipped with a v3 license and then shortly after v4 is released, when the purchaser receives the radio, it will be licensed for v3 and not v4. Then they must contact FlexRadio to request the free upgrade to v4. That is the "grace period" Mike was referring to. Factors come into play and that call will be made at the time.

Mick W8BE

Mike,

I do recall the statement that 3.8.20 would be the last release. Then I see that APD is in 3.9 now so i would argue that it is not clear at all how they intended to roll this out. The only thing I have heard of now that 4.0 might have is improved NR, NB, and WNB. To your point if they want any one to buy 4.0, it better be impressive.

Richard

I received my 8600 after the a latest release. So to answer your question…. Probably not…. I will tell you like any and all recent 6600 Series, as well as the 8400, 8600, since you should be downloading the Latest SmartSDR Software all along and prior to receiving your latest rig. You will be asked to do an Update when you Launch/Open the Latest SmartSDR Software and power up you new toy. Assuming you have the latest software loaded into you computer, the SmartSDR Window will Open up and have a Selection Window in "Yellow" and the word "Update". Select Update and sit back…. Enjoy you new radio…

73's N4RWG Richard

Mike VE3CKO

Mick I'm not following what your saying, how to roll it out ? What do you mean ? Lets say for the sake of this discussion v3.9 has APD and know APD will be released for 8xxx radios initially. APD for 6xxx to be determined down the road. They release v3.9 the same way they have done with every previous release, available on their website, you download and install it. If you have an 8xxx the APD feature will be activated if you have a 6xxx the APD feature will not be available.

Mick W8BE

Mike,

The point is until a few days ago when Mike Walker indicated APD was going to be in 3.9 no one knew. Every one knew that 3.8.20 was a stop gap release for the 8xxx series so they could start shipping the radios. No one knew anything about when APD was going to be released let alone what version of software. This should not be left to customer speculation. This should have been thought out and communicated by Flex before the 1st pre order transaction occurred. I can't believe that Flex just figured out that 3.9 needed to be developed in 4Q24 to support APD. I bet a lot of people assumed that the 4.x upgrade was a part of the package even if the radio shipped with 3.x.

Mike VE3CKO

In May 2024 Steve Hicks discusses ADP with Mike VA3MX, where it was said the radio will be release first then the software to make it work released shortly after that. It's after the 15 min. mark of this video. Since then it was clarified that APD feature will be included free for all 8xxx radios. I kinda see your point, that maybe they should have been a bit more clearer in that video announcement from Dayton. like, by the way ADP will be in a v3 release. I had thought APD would be the big feature of v4 but I'm glad they decided to include it a v3 release. Nobody who has received or ordering an 8xxx radio will have to buy a software upgrade to get the APD feature. That's not anyone guessing, they are doing what they said they would do.

I would think the people who received there 8xxx are happy they have the radio and that the APD feature is soon to be release at no extra cost. Just a new v3 download.