Streamdeck on mac?

Doug

Moved to iMac and loving it but would like to get a few of my helpers back. Streamdeck is one that I used through FRstacks on the PC but that does not run on the iMac.

I've searched the posts and find nothing to point me to how to anything that helps. How can the streamdeck "talk" to smartSDR/Mac?

Thanks

Mike Steventon

Hey Doug,

I do not have one, but you can use the stream deck as a midi controller interface. There a 127 "notes" (actions) that you can program in. The Mac SSDR will recognise midi note instructions. The list of actions that Marcus has included is very comprehensive. Go to "tools", "Controller" and then "Midi controller" to view the many actions available. Advise you write down the list and allocate a midi note number to each of the actions you want to incorporate. I note several YouTube videos available to help programming.

Mike G4GWH

Doug

Mike,

Thanks, I'll check it out. Already using the CTR2-MIDI flawlessly. It would be really nice if using the streamdeck turns out to be as easy.

I wonder if I can use my MIDI piano as a controller ;-)

Mike Steventon

Christmas carols through your Flex on 20 Metres???!!!

Alan

Doug

Understand you want to run StreamDeck on your Mac and use FRStack to control your Flex.

You have two available methods, both described in Mark's FRStack help guide. Both methods start with running StreamDeck on your Mac.

Method one is to is to install FRStack on your Mac. This version will not have a graphical interface, and everything is done via there Mac terminal with CLI commands. Follow Marks's detailed instructions, but it is not "plug and play".

Second, run the easy to install FRStack on a PC on the same subnet as your Mac. Windows firewall will block the Mac StreamDeck from commanding FRStack on the PC . Mark, again, as detailed instructions to open up the windows firewall….but again not plug and play.

Alan. WA9WUD

K3CDY

It’s funny you should ask how to do this. I have just completed a fairly comprehensive set up for my Stream Deck plus with Mac SSDR and my new Flex 8400. It was extremely easy, but there are some specific things you need to get and do. All of them are free. And no, you do not need FSR stack.

I am planning on publishing an article how to make this happen. Stay tuned..

Doug

Mike - Christmas Carols would be interesting but then there is that legality thing that spoils fun things.

Alan - Not really. I was running FRStack on a win machine that imploded and I'm taking the opportunity to remove Windows from my computer types. (leaving just linux and mac) Since SmartSDR/Mac has most everything I was using built in I'm enjoying my 5 year old Flex6000 like it is brand new. It's amazing the difference when things simply work and you don't have to tinker with things every time you go to use it. I've been on the air more in 3 days than in the past 3 months because of this. That's why I'm not in a rush to install "supporting" software to get things running. Streamdeck and GridTracker are the only two items that I miss….and it will get there in time.

Bill - will look forward to reading your writeup.

Mike-VA3MW

@Doug — I have a Mac Book Pro that is absolutely possessed and come the spring I will be sending it off the end of the dock. That is why you never see me do any videos on my MAC since it freezes up and crashes every time I try. (and, a dozen other things).

tldr; use what works for you

K3CDY

Here's a guide I put together for getting the Stream Deck to work with Mac SmartSDR. I've also included files to replicate my Stream Deck + setup. Have fun!

Flex Stream Deck Guide.zip

Doug

Mike - I retired after 45 years of fighting with everything from IBM 360s, DOS, Windows, Unix, Linux,CPM/MPM, MacOS and all sorts of hybrids in between and I will make my "broad brush" assessment. Having been in the trenches for that long my POV is I want something that "Just Works". (personal opinion based on history coming….danger…danger)

Windows fell apart after Win7sp3, (still have a Pentium running win7…rock solid) Mac got better when they went Intel. I have only been on the iMac M2 for a couple of months and so far rock solid. Linux has always been fun but it isn't a "mainstream" platform yet so I'll really stick with PC or Mac. (Though LInux is still more fun than any of them but for completely different reasons.)

That said…. I have been trying to use my Flex for 5 years and considered selling it many times. (Running Win 10-11) I can't even tell you how many time I didn't even bother or just shut it down and used my KX3 because I could not make it work. Even the Maestro gave me problems from time to time because smartsdr tripped up the radio itself and only resetting the radio would get it going again. I just could not count on it to just enjoy talking to someone. And it came down, not to the actual radio, but the platform I was running from.

Then, a couple of months ago I put a crowbar in my wallet and replace my 2011 iMac with this one and then picked up sSDR/Mac 6 days ago. The Flex has been going non-stop, with only one glitch (unexplained but it resolved) with RTTY since then. I probably have more air time in the last 6 days than in the previous 3 months. All because I can fire it up and work a station instead of trying to diagnose what part of the software has gone **** on me.

You and I seem to have had opposite experiences concerning platforms. Bottom line is, you are spot on, we use what works for us. For you it's WIN…. for me it's not….but, I'm finally smiling about my purchase of the Flex since I can "just use it". 73

Doug

Bill… have downloaded but I my familly Christmas duties mean I have to delay playing and be responsible. Looking forward to finding out where my disconnect is. Thanks.

Merry Christmas from rural West Tennessee y'all!

Doug

Bill - (shhhhh.. I'm not here…I'm being naughty. hi hi )

IT WORKS!! You provided the missing puzzle piece. I had midi pluggin set and even a button programmed but you write up brought my attention to Midi Studio. Once I enabled the IAC driver magic "almost" began to happen. The almost is because I already had a CTR2-MIDI online on port Bus 1. I had to change it to Bus 2 and it all came alive.

I put a quick 4 buttons up and they all work so I'll wait till tomorrow to do the main programming. (can't really use your map as I just have the 15 button streamdeck….and… of course I want to set it up the way I had it so I don't have to remember where things are now.

SO…. thanks for the Christmas present.

Merry Christmas & 73.

K3CDY

Your secret is safe with me! Glad you could make it work.

kk4cnm

This is fantastic thank you so much.
I'm just setting up my Stream Deck+

I followed the tutorial and got PTT working; however, I noticed it would not UNKEY if I used PUSH.
HOLD would work, however.

I'm curious how to import the cwspeed.xml file into El Gato could you fill me in?


> @K3CDY said:
> Here's a guide I put together for getting the Stream Deck to work with Mac SmartSDR. I've also included files to replicate my Stream Deck + setup. Have fun!

K3CDY

Actually, I’m working on a version 2 of my guide, which will include a lot of refinements, plus I’ll add an explanation for how to use the .xml file.

Stay tuned!

K3CDY

OK, here's version 2 of the guide. It corrects some errata, offers a more streamlined example profile, information about the CWSpeed.xml translation file, and some suggested application keyboard shortcuts.

73!

Bill Cody - K3CDY

Flex_Stream_Deck Guide V2.zip