Smart SDR 4

gregoriosw

Wondering whether there will be any major impact on us Mac users with the move to Smart SDR 4.0. Currently we have our own feature set which is broader than windows users. We also can upload the necessary firmware for radios when there are upgrades. If the windows software becomes a limited set of functions depending on subscription will there be any need to subscribe via a windows machine or whatever to gain access to features that the Mac software provides but cannot be accessed because the radio firmware installed is somehow controlled by the subscription model. Or can we expect provided the Mac software works and the latest firmware is present all Mac functionality will be possible and only Windows functionality will be limited by subscription. Marcus' software has always been paid for software and given it is linked from the website has semi-official status, so clarity of what impact if any will occur with the change in model for Mac users would be helpful.

Thanks
Greg
2E1GW

Trucker

I think the the best thing to do is ask Marcus this question. I would think he would know how this new development will effect his software.

James

WD5GWY

Eric-KE5DTO

I answered a similar question on a different thread:

On the question about SmartSDR for Mac, I can clarify that the subscription unlocks features in the radio. The clients will have access through the API to know which features are available (or not) based on the radio subscription. This means that SmartSDR for Mac will work in the same way that SmartSDR for Windows and SmartSDR for Maestro/M work with regard to new features and SmartSDR+ subscriptions.

The features that Marcus has added in SmartSDR for Mac and iOS clients will continue to function as they always have (unless Marcus decides to change this — which is his prerogative as it is his software, after all). The new SmartSDR+ subscription should not have an impact on those features. The subscription will gain access to new features in the radio as they are released.

Dan Trainor

What if the new Flex 4.X subscription features overlap with the existing Marcus features? For example, what if Flex decides to create an internal CW decoder or any of the many features provided inside the SmartSDR for Mac app? Would this not create a a conflict in the licensing model? And if not, wouldn't it at least make Windows version more or less in competition with Mac version? Not that competition is a bad thing, as SmartSDR for Mac client far exceeds the Windows version client in terms of a broad array of built in functions that work seamlessly with each other without dependence on third-party software. And also the quality and performance of the Mac client version is so much more robust and stable. Dan WA1QZX

Mike-VA3MW

It really wouldn’t create any conflict, since both would run in their own domain.

Speaking just for myself (these are 100% personal thoughts, not FlexRadio’s), I use both products quite a bit. Both are excellent in their own ways, and I think the Mac version brings some really nice features to the table.

That said, there are a few areas where I’ve found the Mac setup a little more challenging. For example, I’m a heavy N1MM user when contesting — not just because it’s a logger, but because it does so much to help me improve my score. Nothing in the Mac world really compares to it. Running split during a DXpedition has also felt trickier on the Mac, whereas SmartSDR (and Maestro) handles it really smoothly.

Another personal preference: I’m not a fan of FT8 being fully automated on the Mac. Case in point, while I was RF testing recently, I watched my M4 make over 1,000 FT8 QSOs without me even touching the mouse. That might be a plus for some, but it doesn’t sit quite right with me — just my moral take, and of course, your mileage may vary.

The great news is that we all have choices, and every operator can find the workflow that suits them best. 

73

K3CDY

Marcus released Mac SmartSDR version 2.9.90 today, which adds features to support the SmartSDR+ (and EA) 4.0.1 subscription add-ons.

I purchased the SmartSDR+ subscription (not EA), using my Windows environment, and I see the Noise Floor Position slider, as expected, in Windows. However, I'm not seeing this slider in Mac SmartSDR (see screenshot).

Before I bug Marcus, has anyone gotten their SmartSDR+ license to show the Noise Floor Position slider?

Wayne VK4ACN

Bill yes. I had same problem.

Fixed it. In Mac, with Smartsdr app open

Settings>Extended>Restore Default Settings

That fixed it for me The mac app thought i was still on V3

Wayne

K3CDY

Hey Wayne - yes, that did the trick! Thank you sir.

I'm assuming you purchased the license in the Windows environment, correct?

If so, I'll report this as a bug to Marcus. One should not have to do this to get the 4.0.1 features working.

Wayne VK4ACN

i purchased SmartSDR+ not the early access on the pc. Marcus knows about it now and is working on it. Another fix for it is turn off auto connect radio.