SmartSDR Subscription Service

Val DM1TX

Oh boy! This is heavy! Well as long as my trusty 6500 is still included in future software upgrade plans I am happy. How long? This is a question. I would be happier with a feature based system (enable what you need) as I do not or will not be able (due to hardware restrictions-or so I was told by Flexradio) to use all the features included in the subscription no matter the cost. I admit WAS contemplating either a new 8600 or an Aurora 510 (even the prices sky rocketed here in Europe - you know all why:-) ) but now I will put on hold any new aquisition till this storm is over. I believe Flexradio should consider a tiering of subscription costs based on the model of radio/features included. At this point we are all concerned about the cost but more about what is included or how it will be planned in the end by Flexradio. We are swimming now in murky waters and I find this change as very important for Flexradio. Nevertheless would motivate them to bring on our radios long awaited features and correct bugs faster then ever. And THIS is the hardest part for them. To deliver a promise of the best radio out there. Is there a clear roadmap our there? Unknown. Only time and Flexradio will tell…

And yes, sadly this will increase the sales of the main Flexradio competitor who use fully featured free software continuously developed by the community. It is tough! But I keep my fingers crossed for Flexradio!

vy 73

DM1TX

Mick W8BE

For me the issue is the lack of transparency on Flex. There is no software road map. The main reason I was interested in a 8xxx radio was for the APD and noise reduction enhancements. Please provide a roadmap for the subscription service. What do I get for my $200/year? I need more than a promise of new enhancements.

John Mikucki

1. How does one downgrade from 4.x.x to 3.9.19 or 3.10.10?
2. How does one do truly offline (no internet, no plans for internet) upgrades/downgrades/licensing updates?
3. How does this new licensing model work with third-party SmartSDR implementations (e.g. Marcus' mac product, or a future FOSS Linux implementation)?
4. Are "end of sale" units like the 6700 (2023) considered "end of life"? If not, when do they become end of life?

Dan Trainor

and when is End-Of-Life (EOL) for 6400 and 6600? Has it formally been declared to customers yet?

Doug - W3UB

Firstly, I am glad that Flex is moving in this direction, not because I want to pay for a subscription, but because hopefully they will be able to apply enough dedicated resources to actually do a good job with new features and bug fixes.

Flex needs to publish and keep updated a roadmap and timeline of features, including a matrix showing what legacy radios will work with new features. No roadmap should mean no subscribers. It is the right way to proceed. Hopefully they will publish their detailed plans soon.

And answer lots of the good questions that have been brought up. I suggest they update their sticky announcement at the top with all of this added information.