SmartSDR 4.0.1 and DVK

Bob AD7J

I have some questions on the 4.0.1 update. First I had to laugh that I sent in asking about the DVK option just before it was posted. Along that line I am also a big ICOM user and on a ICOM I can have an external button box used to play the prerecorded entries by pressing the button on the box and not drilling into the software to activate the recorded memory slot. In Smart SDR this still takes up space on the screen so having the ability to have an external box would be great to have.

Secondly, I'd like to have SmartSDR+ explained to me. My 8600 is licensed for 3.0 so by adding 40.0.1 gives me the Basic additions but not the DVK or other options. If I upgrade to the SmartSDR+ to get the DVK, is that only for the year or is that a permanent license? If this is something that needs to be renewed every year, that wouldn't be a good option.

Mike VE3CKO

The v4.01 Release Notes takes out the guesswork, I've cut and pasted below just a portion. In the Release Notes each feature is detailed along with what radio model supports said feature.

Description of SmartSDR Basic, SmartSDR+, and SmartSDR+ Early Access Feature License Tiers:

SmartSDR v4 Basic is available free of charge and includes all bug fixes and select minor feature enhancements for all radio models. We strongly encourage all customers to upgrade to SmartSDR v4 Basic. If you are currently running SmartSDR v2 and upgrade to SmartSDR v4 Basic, you will receive all prior bug fixes and minor enhancements from previous versions. However, please note that MultiFlex—the major feature introduced in SmartSDR v3—is not included in SmartSDR v4 Basic for radios licensed for SmartSDR v2. For radios licensed for SmartSDR v1, the SmartLink feature introduced in SmartSDR v2, along with the MultiFlex feature from SmartSDR v3, are not included in SmartSDR v4 Basic.

SmartSDR+ is an optional one-year new feature license. When you purchase a SmartSDR+ feature license, you gain or retain access to all prior SmartSDR v2 and v3 major features, as well as all new SmartSDR v4 major features released during your one-year license period. All new SmartSDR v4 features are only available immediately for SmartSDR+ Early Access feature license radios. Radios that have a SmartSDR+ feature license will gain access to the new features ~30 days later with a subsequent software release. To get the features immediately, a SmartSDR+ Early Access license is required.
When your one-year feature license expires, you retain all features received during that period—you never lose them. To gain access to any new features introduced after your license period ends, simply renew your SmartSDR+ license for an additional year.

SmartSDR+ Early Access is an optional one-year SmartSDR+ feature license that provides all the benefits of SmartSDR+, with the added advantage of early access to new features 30 days before they are available for standard SmartSDR+ license holders by a subsequent software release. As part of the Early Access Program, participants are invited to share feedback with the software engineering and product management teams based on their experience with the preview software. This collaboration helps shape and refine future SmartSDR releases.

Al K0VM

Bob,

If you upgrade to SmartSRD+, you get all of the current new features and any new features released during the subscription year to use permanently. You'll get bug fixes whether you upgraded to SSDR+ or not. For any new features released after your subscription year, you'll have to resubscribe.

AL, K0VM

Bob AD7J

Thanks for the information. I know I looked through some of that but didn't that saying it was for a year only. That being siad, if you retain what you have after the year it's not so bad. Guess I'll look at the current discount that's offered.

Nagols

So I just purchased the SmartSDR+ subscription but new features are not enabled. Do I need to wait 30 days for these to be active since some people may have purchased the early access? I thought all new features were already in 4.0.1 and this should have turned them on?

KD0RC

Yes, the new features will be available 30 days after the release so that the Early Access purchasers can get the first shot at them.

Nagols

Yeah, I should have thought about that. Because now I am wasting one month of my 1-yera subscription. I should have waited a month before subscribing. I was thinking the 30 days would have been in the future. Oh well...

Trucker

If you waited a month, it might have put you beyond the cutoff date for the discount that expires on November 30th of this year. So, if it's any consolation, you did save some money.

James

WD5GWY

n0ypd

Like stated,,you didn't waste anytime,but you saved 50 bucks…

JoeH

So, what's the bottom line on this? Those that purchased PLUS NOW have nothing to show for it until +30 days ? and THEN these new features will appear? Will there be any documentation of them? I see lots about licenses and subscriptions, but nothing on the feature(s).

So those who wait 30 days, (and pay $50 more), will immediately get the new features - as they are 30 days past release. And they get one more month in time (their expiration is one month later),

This is so confusing.

JoeH

What date were these new features 'released' so I'll know what date I can expect them to work? I bought plus.

Mike-VA3MW

All

Both licenses include the same features — the only difference is timing:

• SmartSDR+ users receive all the new new features ~30 days after each release of the Early Access program. That date is ~November 30th, 2025 when the next minor version is released with all the features enabled based on the radio hardware (see chart below)
• SmartSDR+ Early Access users receive them immediately upon release.

Each license is permanently tied to your radio, adding long-term value to your station. Review the chart in the release notes to see which features apply to your model.

As in the release notes and various communications.

https://www.flexradio.com/software/smartsdr-v4-0-1/

Here is the table as well that gives you a bit more of a visual. Let me know if you have any more questions.