CAT query

Mal G3PDH

Flex 6500, Maestro, W10 PC Smart SDR 3.8.20

Some weeks ago I asked the question as to whether others were experiencing a problem with the CAT frequency info tracking properly on Logger 32 and N1MM from Slice A.

I was told that this was a known problem and being worked on by the software team. I therefore assumed that version 3.8.20 had fixed this but was surprised to find that the problem still exists. Slice B frequency CAT tracks ok. I also notice that if the Maestro is also connected in SmartControl mode the CAT frequency output tracks ok.

Can someone please explain and/or confirm whether this problem is still being worked on or was supposedly fixed in 3.8.20

Thanks

Mal G3PDH

Mike-VA3MW

If it is in the release notes, then it was addressed. You can check that in the download area.

I ran 3.8.20 on Sweepstakes with N1MM and didn't notice any issues. What sort of failure are you seeing?

Joe Uhrich

I've had the same issue with my 6600 as Mal reports with his 6500 since I upgraded from 3.74 to 3.8.19 and subsequently to 3.8.20. The CAT frequency does not track properly to N1MM on Slice A except when the Maestro is alco connected in SmartControl Mode.

I was told by Ken Wells in response to my support ticket, "I spoke to our sustaining engineering team about your issue. They have determined it is a possible software defect and are scheduling time to investigate it in more detail. This issue has been logged as defect number: SMART-10633. Unfortunately, at this time there are no known workarounds."

James Del Principe

I have the same issue with Logger 32. My Flex 6500, rel 3.8.20, will follow the Logger program but changes in Flex frequency are not seen in Logger 32. If I monitor the CAT port, I see that the frequency that is reported for the port does not change with QSY on the Flex but it does with frequency changes in Logger. I'm not sure when this started or which release. Jim KD1I

Mal G3PDH

Mike, Basically although the CAT window shows that it is connected to Logger 32 or N1MM but the frequency information passed to those programs does not change when switching bands on the radio. I think it is ok if you switch bands by clicking on the bands links shown on N1MM in the call entry box window. Logger 32 does not have such a facility. This seems to be only when using Slice A. This problem appears to have come in on one of the more recent updates as it was perfectly ok before. I assumed it may have been fixed in 3.8.20 as the fix information mentioned CAT. how many CAT problems are there? Looking at the other responses above it is not just me having this problem. If you need more details about the problem I will do a further study of it but understood that that it was a known problem being worked on. Meanwhile it is a real pain.

73

Mal G3PDH

Steve N9SB

Same issue here with Flex 6300 running 3.8.20 and N1MM.

Mal G3PDH

with the above responses it is clear that other people have this same problem. I therefore would like to know officially if this specific issue is definitely known to Flex and being addressed?

I have done further checking of my set up and this is what I experience which I hope is of use to the software team.

Flex 6500, Maestro, PC W10, Smart SDR 3.8.20, used with either N1MM or Logger32 using Slice A

Upon boot up of radio and Smart SDR the frequency information will display the last frequency used and will initially track with change of in band frequency. Thereafter band changes will cause the frequency info to stop changing and frequency tracking in the band.
However, when the Maestro is booted up in either Smart control or to display its own slice A on any band the frequency change and in band frequency tracking then works properly on the PC Slice A.

When a slice B is created on the PC and the logging program adjusted to use that via its specific port the band changing and in band frequency tracking work correctly without the Maestro having to be switched on.

The conditions are convoluted to express in explicit detail making it difficult to fully explain in a short message. It is necessary to run SmartSDR along with the logging programs and simulate several band change and frequency tracking tests in order to observe the affect described.

Are we few the only people with this problem?

Mal G3PDH

Mal G3PDH

I should also add that when the radio is operated directly with the Maestro, ie no PC running Smart SDR the band changing and in band freq tracking using slice A work perfectly normal.

Mal G3PDH

Mike-VA3MW

I would like to recreate this, but I am not able to.

@Mal G3PDH can you share your configuration please. I need to see:

• N1MM configuration windows
• SmartSDR CAT configuration
• Are band changes done on the radio or N1MM?
• Is this SO2R or SO1V - I am assuming you are only using 1 Slice for SO1V and 2 Slices for SO2R with unique CAT address

You say it fails the minute you do a band change, but then you say later on it is variable. Does it fail on the first band change?

What I need is very clear and concise steps to recreate this. Once I have those I can then pass that environment on to engineering to isolate the root cause.

Thanks to the Log feature in SmartSDR CAT, it is pretty easy to see if commands are being sent (the button on the bottom of the CAT screen).

thanks

Mal G3PDH

Mike, thanks for your response. After carrying out the various configurations changes of using Slice B only and then the Maestro only etc it looks like something has reset itself and is now working correctly. So no idea as to what has changed but thankfully seems back to normal. Thanks for your attention and will let you know if the problem reoccurs. Seems ok with both N1MM and Logger 32.

73
Mal G3PDH

Mal G3PDH

Mike, Having switched the station back on I find that the same problem is back. I attach a screen shot which I hope you can expand sufficient to see the data as it is a 2 screen set up.

I have deleted all old Smart SDR progs from the computer including 3.8.20 and reloaded it c/w with DAX and CAT.

In a nutshell the issue is as follows:-
Bootup radio and computer, open Smart SDR then N1MM
frequency output to N1MM displays current band and setting.
change band and check frequency tracking in band USING N1MM band change and all works ok.
Change band using Profile or Smart SDR Band selection it does not change but N1MM band changing will still change the band but tracking of frequency in a band has stopped.
It can onl be restored by shutting down and reopening Smart SDR.
I usually leave the CAT selection re SO2 in SO2R(normal) but changing to SO2V makes no difference to this.

When I connect the Maestro as Smart control, with PC still running SmartSDR, all then works correctly and band changing is ok via N1MM, profiles or SmartSDR band change (left side menu).

When using Logger 32 which does not have its own band change like N1MM the problem starts after changing band, sometimes twice, and also works correctly when the Maestro is connected as above.

I would appreciate any further advice and will even try a different PC if necessary but cannot see any obvious problem other than it being within Smart SDR since a recent software changes.

Having spent almost 5 or 6 years advising Flex about the CW transmission problem only for it to be finally admitted and rectified I am reluctant to just accept that its a problem on my system rather than in Smart SDR.
However, I would be happy to be proved wrong.

73 Mal G3PDH

Rich M5RIC

Mal

Over on the Flex Facebook group, there was someone who reported something similar and by adding an OTRSP port in SmartCAT, this fixed it for them. See Com9 below.

You then need to add the port in N1MM.

73

Rich

Mike-VA3MW

change band and check frequency tracking in band USING N1MM band change and all works ok.

Change band using Profile or Smart SDR Band selection it does not change but N1MM band changing will still change the band but tracking of frequency in a band has stopped.

Thanks.

Changing bands by profiles might not be the best way and it wasn't something we followed.

The best N1MM practices have been to always change bands (actually a frequency change) by N1MM band changes and to not change bands with programs external to N1MM.

James Del Principe

Mike, at one time, changing frequency in FLDIGI or the Flex or a spot in Logger 32 and they all tracked each other. That is no longer the case. I can click on a spot in Logger 32 and the Flex with follow but does not follow FLDIGI as it once did. Changing frequency in the Flex does not track in Logger 32. Jim KD1I