Does anyone have FreeDV working with MacSSDR?

K3CDY

I downloaded the FreeDV waveform installer from the Flex site (ref: https://www.flexradio.com/documentation/smartsdr_freedv_waveform_installer-exe-2/%29 which I know is a Windows app, so I used my VMWare Fusion emulation environment to load it up to my Flex 8400, which it appeared to do successfully. In the Windows SSDR / Waveform Manager, I see FreeDV v1.0.5 installed.

I also downloaded the native macOS FreeDV GUI app from their Github site (ref: https://github.com/drowe67/freedv-gui/releases/), and installed version 1.9.9.2.

My observations:

1. The new FDV "waveform" that's supposed to magically appear in the SSDR band selector never does, either in Windows SSDR or Mac SSDR. I tried 40M, USB and DIGU. No joy.
2. The "easy setup" window in FreeDV 1.9.9.2 ain't that easy. I figured out the audio routing, but configuring CAT/PTT control is mystifying. My settings are attached. When I click "Test PTT" it latches "on" in MacSSDR, but I immediately get a Hamlib failure, saying
   
   "Couldn't connect to Radio with Hamlib. Make sure the Hamlib serial Device, Rate, and Params match your radio."
   
   PTT remains latched on until I stop the test, and click MOX in MacSSDR. I've tried all the permutations of "PTT uses:" settings with no luck.

Questions:

• Does FreeDV work with Flex Radios at all (even in Windows)?
• Is the new FDV waveform supposed to appear in the band selector?
• What are the proper CAT/PTT settings for the Mac environment in the FreeDV app?

Thanks and 73!

Mike-VA3MW

I don't think the waveform works at this time.

I have been using EZDV.

Mike va3mw

https://freedv.org/ezdv/

K3CDY

Well, given the lack of response to my question and after some further research on my part, I believe the answer is no. This looks like something that used to work many years ago, but no longer does.

Maybe some of that big influx of ARDC money will go towards a functioning Waveform.

K3CDY

Thanks for your suggestion Mike. While the ezDV looks interesting, I'm not thrilled with adding yet another piece of hardware/software to my shack, especially when Flex's Waveform capability has so much potential for superior integration.

After the massive ARDC grant. FreeDV published a project plan that included "integration with commercial radios" and it appears they have deferred to TAPR's ezDV when it comes to that part of the plan. Perhaps that's only one solution, for now.

I know you guys are pretty busy these days, and I'm hoping that an eventual refocus on Waveform is coming. It's too good a feature to let die on the vine.

KD0RC

FreeDV has a new mode that is currently in beta test (Pre-release). It is called Radio Autoencoder (RADE) and is supposed to be superior to the old modes. You can download version 2.0.0 and try it out. It is available for 64-bit Windows and MacOS. It does not require any additional hardware, but it is not implemented as a Flex waveform at the moment.

I have it working on my Windows PC, but I haven't heard any RADE signals yet. I am getting ready to release a new version of one of my Flex utilities, so I haven't been fooling with FreeDV the past few days. Once I get this software tested and released, I will do more to try out RADE.

I don't know if they will attempt a Flex waveform, but if they do, I would not expect it until they get this version into production.

Link to FreeDV site:

Radio Autoencoder – FreeDV

KD0RC

Hi Bill, I just looked you up on QRZ.com and see that we are only about 3.5 miles apart in Broomfield! If you want to do any experimenting with FreeDV, just let me know, I would be happy to try things out. You can message me here or e-mail me (my e-mail address is good on QRZ.com).