The Mystery of SmartLink

HB9DDS

Hello to All

I have a 6400, Purchase Date unknown.

Do I need a License for smart link or just register it? The red light is coming up. No green….

And what means License exactly? To buy one?

I'm lost. A little bit

Daniel

HB9DDS

John KB4DU

No license necessary. Just a matter of registering the radio to smartlink, which is a security feature. Registration pretty much has to be done when local to the radio. Just understand that smartlink is only used for remote operation, not when the radio is on the same lan as the computer.

HB9DDS

Hello John

Thanks for the info. I only ask because I read somewhere that you have to buy a license from the date of purchase of the Flex.

But somehow it doesn't work with Smart Link. I have the Flex 6400 and the PC plugged into the same LAN at home. So I can operate it easily. Working on a Mac with Parallels and Windows 10.
Now when I look at the Smart CAT and DAX on the computer (at home), I see this:

It searches and searches for the SmartLink connection. I assume to the server.

Either I am doing something wrong, don't understand SmartLink or there is a technical problem.

But if the connection is established, how can I connect my Flex 6400 from anywhere in the world? I use an iPab with Smart SDR for iOS (Marcus Roskosch).

What do I need to activate and where?

Daniel

HB9DDS

HB9DDS

Thanks for the info. I only ask because I read somewhere that you have to buy a license from the date of purchase of the Flex.

But somehow it doesn't work with Smart Link. I have the Flex 6400 and the PC plugged into the same LAN at home. I can operate it easily there. Running on a MacMini with Parallels Desktop and Windows 10

Now when I look at the Smart CAT and DAX on the computer (at home), I see this:

It searches and searches for the SmartLink connection. I assume to the server.

Either I am doing something wrong, don't understand SmartLink or there is a technical problem.

But if the connection is up, how can I connect my Flex 6400 from anywhere in the world (via WLAN in a Hotel or Caffee Shop ….. via or GSM 4/5)? I use an iPab with Smart SDR for iOS (Marcus Roskosch).

What do I have to activate where

Erik Carling EI4KF

Running the Network Settings Test, but not get a green response.

A red test result means that the connection will not work with the current configuration on the radio network.
Hover the mouse cursor over the red result indicator to open a window containing details about the test
failure. These details may help you to understand how to correct the problem. Take note of the details
in case you need to open a Help Desk support ticket.

To avoid connection issues and obtain a good test result (green), enable UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) on
your router if it is supported or use the Manual Port Forwarding option (see below).

For a reliable connection without UPnP, you will need to use Manual Port Forwarding. To use Manual
Port Forwarding, you will need to pick one TCP port number (e.g. 4994) and one UDP port number (e.g.
4993) for SmartLink to use. Select Manual Port Forwarding then enter the port numbers you have chosen in the TCP and UDP Port fields. Click the Save button. The remainder of this procedure is done to the
configuration settings of your router. Details for setting up port forwarding is in this document,

https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003365503-What-is-Port-Forwarding-and-How-do-you-do-it

or see this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmkejJWIQpc&t=1s

In addition to port forwarding, your radio should be assigned a Static DHCP address by
the router to avoid occasional breaks in the SmartLink connection caused by changes to the radio’s IP
address.

Don't be put off opening a Help Desk Ticket - Flex support is excellent.

HB9DDS

Hello Erik

Thanks for the explanations and the video. The solution to the problem has been solved with “Switch on UPnP on the router”.

At first it didn't work, but the router had to digest that first and communicate with the Flex. That takes a while.

Now I have made an FT8 QSO externally from the streetcar.

Another tip for all those who operate remotely. It doesn't make sense to switch the Flex on and off remotely, but rather the power supply unit. Because when it switches on, the Flex also switches on. It is safer.

Thanks again for your help.

Daniel

HB9DDS

KD0RC

Hi Daniel, it is not recommended to power your radio on and off that way. The radio is a server, and needs to power on and off gracefully by either pressing the power button on the front, or using the REM ON jack on the back.

Once the radio is finished with its shutdown routine, the power supply can be safely shut off.

HB9DDS

Len, I mean, of course, with the “shorting plug” plugged into the remote ON.

What speaks against it?

Or you can switch both. Power supply unit and Flex on and off separately remotely.

KD0RC

Hi Daniel, turning the rig on that way is probably OK. I don't do it because I don't know what happens when the radio is at low voltage while the power supply ramps up.

Turning the rig off by shutting off the power supply puts you at risk of corrupting the memory card. It would be like shutting off a desktop computer by pulling the power cord. The radio needs time to save persistence values before it is fully powered down.

A 4 channel, wifi connected remote network switch is relatively inexpensive ($20 USD) and gives you the ability to remotely power the rig on and off safely. I use one channel to control REM ON and the other three channels to switch among antennas.

HB9DDS

Hello Len (again)

If I first switch off the Flex 6400 with Remote ON and then the power supply, this should not be a problem

And accordingly when switching on first the power supply and then the Flex 644.

The idea behind this is as follows:
If you are away for a few days or weeks (overseas etc). Then it is also safer to switch off the power supply unit at the same time.

Unfortunately I can't

4CH WiFi RF Wireless Switch Relay, Inching Self-Locking Interlock Mode, for access control, smart garage door, compatible with Alexa Goolge Home

via Amazon. An account that I wanted to activate or set up a new one is immediately locked. No idea why.

Daniel

HB9DDS

Ken Wells

Turning the radio off by simply turning off the power supply is the equivalent of shutting down your computer by yanking the power cord from the wall. It doesn't let the radio shut down "gracefully" and doesn't allow it to make final writes to the SD Card as it shuts down.