Installation 8400M new user guiding

Rejean Leveille

I took delivery of my new 8400M, to my surprised all accessories were missing from order 46566, I opened a complaint on Tuesday with your shipping/parts department and Cathy Clark did a great job to ship overnight priority received at my my home (QC) Thursday.

I installed SW SDR v4.0.1, radio connected, did an update v4.1.3.39644. I got hard time to understand how to navigate the screen and controls until I realized that I need the Maestro manual!

I got a connection with PGXL and to work I must uncheck CAT port for FTdx101MP. Easy to connect Flexxxx with DxLab-Commander.

Now; from Info screen, max licensed V3, from Menu/radio/ I see Subscription NONE,

What is next; to Get SmartSDR+ or missing something ?

Any link how to install CAT com, DAX,

thank you

Rejean, va2am

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Rejean

Many new users videos here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/FlexRadioSystems/videos

Rejean Leveille

Thank you Mike, I am still confused about license version, when I received my new 8400M last week, it asked me to update V4 follwed by v4.1.3, on Tuesday to V4.1.5. Now Menu/radio it will indicate V4.1.5.39794 but Licensed is v3. That means to buy SmartSDR+ as basic but the basket always mention empty,,,!

Something not allowed or a missing client or I need to create a new account,,,

Thank you

Mike-VA3MW

SmartSDR Basic is free even 4.1.5. Just download it and install it and update the radio.

• download SmartSDR v4.1.5 (current version)
• Install it on the PC
• Start SmartSDR on the PC
• It will find the radio and connect to it by clicking on it
• Update the radio.
• Make sure you add shortcuts to your desk top.

https://youtu.be/lc8-y-x63kU?si=A3ePfTAXSSZUkpFa

Rejean Leveille

Hi Mike,

I got Windows 10 isssues when I installed SmartSDR 4.1.5 then erased V4.0.1 with my sound card keeping double DAX,,,. I removed everything from Apps +no by keeping VAX channels. 8400M got terrible receiver audio, I did the factory reset, reinstalled again v4.1.5, radio back to normal. I installed SmartSDR v4.1.5, my PC needed 3x reboot to stabilize, I disconnect M link to get on SmartSDR, I got the remote SDR screen, now I could install your Flex compressed file.

Menu-Radio click on SmartSDR+, I got Flex buy screen, completed the transaction, waited 1 minute, Press On Refresh, now the radio works on V4.1.5 with all available functions.

Finally a success,,,

DxLab Commander, WSJT-X connected easy setup, next I need to master CW & SSB messages, later N1MM

Thank you

Rejean va2am

Mike-VA3MW

Glad you got it sorted out.

It does sound like Windows has some corruption issue. Have you considered rebuilding it?

Mike

Gord-VA7GP

Bonjour Rejean!

I am glad you got your new radio working, and I hope you are enjoying it when you read this:

My suggestion to you: a dedicated Win 11 computer for your radio.

I've opted to use a Dell small-form-factor i7-13 computer, which is compact, quiet and powerful, along with having the Windows license built-in to the motherboard. I don't check email, I only use a web-browser to download new SmartSDR or logging-software or fldigi. I don't add on any additional anti-virus or other slowdown softwares.

In this case, when I don't like the way things are working, I completely erase and re-install Win 11 Pro to get a fresh start. It doesn't take very long, because it's so lean and un-modified. And generally I seem to avoid any issues with CAT or DAX.

Thus, my suggestion for you: an easily-maintained computer that is dedicated to SmartSDR and your ham-activities, based on an actually supported Operating System that you keep up-to-date on a daily basis. I feel this will lead to long-term enjoyment and freedom from so many issues.

Bonne chance!

Rejean Leveille

I agree to up grade a new Win 11 computer, I also have Norton and learned to always work as administrator level some new software installations from trusted sites.

Flex does not support anymore Win 10.

Mike-VA3MW

I find that AntiVirus is a real problem and it isn't uncommon for it to consume a lot of resources given the fact it has to inspect every file it reads and writes before the application gets to use it. The 'spydriver' consumers a lot of CPU.

You will find that using Windows Defender which comes with windows good enough. Personally, I do not run any AV on my remote computers or my ham computers at all. I haven't for about 10 years. You might want to consider that as something that might help out.