Problems connecting 6400 to Log4OM

G3BA

I've read all of the related threads here but I am struggling to connect my 6400 to Log4OM so that I can log directly into it. I'm an RF engineer by training and the IT-related stuff challenges me! My set up is:

- Ethernet cable coming into the shack from my router and going into 4-port switch
- From the switch I run one Ethernet cable to my PC running Log4OM and another to the 6400 running V3 firmware
- I have a USB cable running from the 6400 to my PC - but don't know if I need that?
- I run SSDR on my MacBook Pro and it works fine to control the radio over a Wi-Fi connection or externally over cellular.
- I have CAT Control 1 enabled on SSDR with settings 'FlexRadio CAT' and the port set to 4532
- On Log4OM (latest version), I have selected Hamlib for CAT (I use Omnirig for my Icom radios and it works well) and it is set up as 'Network Connected Radio', 'Connect to active HAMLIB interface', 'Port 4532', 'no PPT'
- When enabling Hamlib CAT in Log4OM, the program defaults to 2 metres and displays 145 MHz, so it's some random problem and is clearly not connecting with the 6400.
- I have tried variations on port forwarding on my router, without success, and again I'm not sure whether this is needed. If it is, where should 4532 be forwarded to?

I'm a few days into trying to resolve this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Bob, G3BA

Erik Carling EI4KF

Using Omnirig, more straightforward. Is there an advantage to HamLib over Omnirig?

G3BA

Hi Erik, There are several posts, including one from one of the developers of Log4OM in their community that advise using Hamlib. I use Omnirig with two Icom radios and have tried configuring it for the 6400, again without success. Also, I use a Mac for the client, for which there is not a version of Slice Master. What connections have you set up to use Omnirig? Do you rely on Slice Master and do you use a USB cable between the radio and the PC running Log4OM?

Gord-VA7GP

I use Omnirig to join my Flex6400 to Log4OM. It works well, for me.

In my Flex CAT settings, I use

Port Protocol: CAT

Port Type: Serial Port

Serial Port: FlexVSP

VFO Slice: A

Auto Switch TX Slice: Enabled

In Log4OM, under CAT Management, I ONLY select Omnirig and Autostart. All other tabs have nothing selected.

Under Log4OM menu, upper-left, let's check the Omnirig settings - Connect → CAT → RIG 1

Rig Type: SmartSDR

Port: <matches your Com8, my Com4 … whatever your FlexVSP port number is>

Speed: 115200

8 - N - 1 (Data, Parity, Stop)

As for which is better, OmniRig or Hamlib:

I have used Linux for >30yrs now, and when I began hooking my radios to my computer, the only choice under Linux was (and remains) hamlib. It works. It's very configurable. It can be "split" or "T"d to work with multiple clients. There are command-line tools to checking each and every step.

But SmartSDR is natively Windows, so I run Windows. In this case, OmniRig is a refined solution that I've also become comfortable with, and it's worked reliably for me. In summary: I let the Operating System guide my choice, and I've found both to be good, but I choose to selectively use them in the specific environments they were "born" into.

Does any of this help you? Perhaps your OmniRig installation and configuration needs adjustment?

Erik Carling EI4KF

I don't use Slicemaster. Simply create the SmartCAT ports and configure Omnirig or use an existing configuration. Select it in Log4OM and hey presto you are good to go.

You do not need a USB cable or anything for that matter. All connections ie Log4OM>Omnirig>SmartCAT are virtual. Same with CW and DATA eg RTTY/FT*

Erik Carling EI4KF

BTW port speed is irrelevant because in virtual ports it is emulated.

VE7ATJ_Don

Hi Bob… as per Erik and Gord, I've found OmniRig to be the only consistent way to get Log4OM to work with my Flex. Yep, I've also seen the recommendations on the Log4OM website, but like you, I've tried EVERYTHING to get Hamlib working but to no avail.

Save yourself the headache… switch to OmniRig :-) It works great.

G3BA

Many thanks everyone. I am familiar with the Log4OM settings but it's the "FlexVSP port number" that confuses me. How do I set up the VSPs and where - do I do this in SSDR on my Mac? Also, do I need any port forwarding on my router for this to work when operating outside of my LAN?

G3BA

Just to clarify, this is the action I need step-by-step help with: "Simply create the SmartCAT ports". Thanks again!

Erik Carling EI4KF

Use the integrated CAT control. FlexRadioCAT is the FlexVSP and the port number is the same as in Omnirig.

See the user manual and I expect there are videos on You tube. One I saved a long time ago that might help is this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EV5wPo0tNU&t=186s

Marcus will also guide you on remote working or someone can chime in here since I don't remote myself.

WI9Q

Log4OM CAT control was working perfectly through OmniRig until the recent Log4OM update. Now CAT will not work. It shows connected in the Log4OM footer bar, but no frequency display, nor any CAT control such as frequency change when clicking on a cluster selection. I'm going to try to revert back to prior version and see if that corrects things. Meanwhile, any guidance or suggestions? SmartSDR CAT still has the appropriate ports configured.

WI9Q

It ended up being a SmartSDR CAT issue. After eliminating variables, a reboot of the radio and SmartSDR showed all 18 of my SmartSDR CAT Ports were gone. Device Manager still had the Com ports, and they could not be deleted (the ports came back on reboot, scan for hardware change, or other events). Once I created a new port, CAT control is working correctly. I should note that I had earlier created a new CAT port thinking that might be the issue, but no love. Once all ports disappeared from SmartSDR CAT, then adding in a new port worked. This is not the first time CAT ports randomly disappeared. And this is using OmniRig, Rig type: SmartSDR, etc, same as before.