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    Very newbie needs help with 8400M

    Member ✭
    in SmartSDR for Windows
    I installed the latest version of "SmartSDR".

    First. Can someone please explain what the "SmartSDR" software is supposed to do? Does it control the radio?

    Second. What does the "DAX" software do? I keep getting an error message when it opens.

    Third. What does the "CAT" program do?

    This radio and software is very different to what I have been used to for the past 35 years. I apologize. I want to have the radio operate in transmit and receive mode. I would like my logging and contest software to track with the radio.

    Do I need to tell the radio or software where I have the microphone, amp ptt line, mic ptt line, network cable, and usb cables are?

    I have a million other questions. I have not found a user guide for dummies yet. Or a user guide that shows in detail what to do.

    I'm kind of lost.

    Andy

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    Comments

    • Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

      Hi Andy

      Welcome to FlexRadio. I have a bunch of videos here that should help you out a bit.

      • SmartSDR on your PC is the user program. Instead of having a small screen and knobs with tiny lettering that you need a magnifying glass to read, now you can use a PC screen and a mouse to make it as big as you need.
      • CAT is used for logging programs and digital programs like FT8. If you only do CW or SSB and never use a computer to log, you don't to use CAT at all. For your logging program and N1MM you will need to use CAT.
      • DAX replaces all those audio cables we used to use for Digital programs. It is much better.

      With less cables, you have less chance of RFI issues as well.

      Here are the videos and feel free to ask more questions. We have some wonderful Elmers here. And, if what we say doesn't make sense ask again! :)

      73 Mike va3mw

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJteC7p59ZU&list=PLcubIF34IGQsV_G1p1JiCNhEzxwlsKHRN
    • Member ✭
      Thank you Mike. As far as the DAX error message, does that have anything to do with Windows security? I'm running a brand new (home built) pc, running Windows 11.
    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      Hi Andy, currently, Windows 11 Core Isolation needs to be turned off for DAX to work. If you won't be running the digital modes, you probably won't need DAX anyway.

      If you do want the digital modes, just turn off Core Isolation.

      Most logging software requires CAT, but ACLog by N3FJP is Flex-Aware such that it communicates directly with the radio. If that is what you already have for logging, just set the rig interface to Flex API and it will follow the rig in terms of frequency and mode. It will also post DX spots directly to the SmartSDR screen if you turn on that feature.

    • Member ✭
      OK, I still can't get the DAX to work.

      The radio won't key. The amp won't key. There is audio coming through to the headset, but there is still audio coming through the speakers (?).

      When I try and key the radio, a little window opens on the radio's screen. It says "transmit slice not selected". What does that mean?
    • Member ✭
      The DAX settings window shows driver errors for the TX Stream, Mic Stream, and the RX Stream. I've reinstalled the latest version of the SmartSDR software. Is this DAX driver error why I cannot transmit?
    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      When you look at the "flag" that shows you your slice frequency, there is a "TX". Click that so that its background turns red. Now you have selected the transmit slice.

      Speakers and headphones are independent and can both be on at once. To mute either, click the speaker or headphone icon in the upper right hand corner of SmartSDR.

    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      Sorry, I forgot to mention... For your DAX issue, submit a help desk ticket. Instructions are at the top of this page.

    • Member ✭
      That TX flag is red. I've turned it on and off a few times. No joy.
    • Member ✭
      Len, thanks for the input. I have Windows Core Isolation control panel open. There is no "on/off" switch. I can turn off Memory Integrity. Is that what I want to turn off.

      BTW, I do want to do digital modes.
    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      Yes, that is it.

      I am down with a bad cold at the moment, but if I am up to it tomorrow, I can help you with your transmit issue using TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

    • Member ✭
      edited March 28
      I disabled the Memory Integrity. Now the mic stream and RX streams are working. But in the DAX window, the TX stream shows "DAX TX OFF". Clicking the button just turns the icon "OFF". I can manually key the radio and the mic drives the radio. The headphones are working. The speakers are working. When I key the foot switch, the same error about not selecting a TX Slice comes up.

      btw, when I manually key the mic from the MOX button, it won't key my amp. I have the PTT line for the amp plugged into "TX1". How do I enable that port to key the amp?

      I'm almost there.
    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      Good progress! In the flag is a tab called DAX. Open that and set to 1 and I think you will be in business.

    • Member ✭
      Awesome!! The amp now keys when I use the MOX button to key the radio. That DAX TX OFF is still on.
    • Member, Super Elmer Moderator

      I just realized... DAX TX off means that DAX is not selected on the control panel. This should only be turned on when operating the digital modes.

    • Member ✭

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    • Member ✭

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    • Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

      DAX is only used in digital modes.

      For keying your Amplifier, make sure you turn on TX1 in TX Band Settings.

    • Member ✭
      edited March 28
      Well, I got the amp keying working. I got the radio to track in N1MM logger. The foot switch is working. The mic is working.

      Now, I can't get the mic monitor to work. It is turned on, but I can't hear anything when I key the mic. I've tried all of the level settings.

      Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

      Also, it look like the radio is transmitting split. How do I turn that off? Or, how can I get the RX and TX on the same frequency?

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