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Can Smart SDR work directly with radio

W2PP
W2PP Member ✭✭✭

in other words can you operate without the Flex server? Is there a way to operate remotely and go directly to your Flex radio?

Peter

Comments

  • Al K0VM
    Al K0VM Member ✭✭✭
    edited May 18

    Peter,

    With a local ehternet connection YES ( as in direct cable from the radio to the PC/Maestro )..

    With a LAN connection YES ( radio<>Router<>PC/Maestro )

    With a remote situation NO ( as in beyond LAN , Flex server required, unless you setup a VPN connection that extends your LAN ) .

    AL, K0VM

  • W2PP
    W2PP Member ✭✭✭

    VPN so then how would you use the vpn from say a distant WiFi network?

  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭

    you have a few options, If you want/need a VPN solution you can build a SoftEther network Bridge between your station and your remote site that I have done for years, or a new solution that is kind of cool is to use a Zerotier Solution using a Raspberry Pi 3B or 4 at your station and purchase a GL-MT3000 BERYLAX travel router, this work so slick and you can have for the WAN side one of the WiFI Radios, or the Wired WAN port, for the LAN you can use the other WiFI Radio and LAN Ethernet port.

    This device is so VERY versatile and configurable if you spend the time to learn how to configure it.

    Main thing to remember you need to be on the same subnet as the Flex Radio is, and just because you can PING something doesn't mean you'll be able to connect to it with the Maestro or SmartSDR.

    Below is a Link to the work that has been done.

    https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8029743/using-zerotier-one

  • km9r.mike
    km9r.mike Member ✭✭
    edited May 18

    in other words can you operate without the Flex server? Is there a way to operate remotely and go directly to your Flex radio?

    In addition Peter, just do a search on the community page here by clicking the magnifying glass icon and type in VPN remote or like terms. Flex users have ben using VPN remote successfully since 2017 (?). I think I know where your question came from and the info provided was not very accurate. In addition, as far as I know and others could verify better than I, the flex server is more of a security handshake. Once the handshake between the user and the remote station has been verified the flex server no longer plays a role. In addition, remote cw is also entirely possible with the Maestro control head and has been so for some time just like the new feature for the 7610. I hope this helps.

  • W2PP
    W2PP Member ✭✭✭

    I think you mean the 7760 and yes you’re probably right about what brought this up.

    Ok some reading is in order

    One question I don’t quite understand what the Rasberry Pu does. After I do more research maybe we can talk on the phone. I need to know more about this first so I use your time efficiently

  • km9r.mike
    km9r.mike Member ✭✭

    I think you mean the 7760 …..yes my bad

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Hi Peter, as others have said, you can connect without using SmartLink, but you need a VPN and network knowledge to do so. You also give up some data compression, so it takes a bit more bandwidth (I don't know how much).

    Because the SmartLink server only "brokers" a secure connection and then gets out of the way, SmartLink can be a much easier to use and is faster.

    Do you have a reason for not using SmartLink?

  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭

    Sorry I didn't explain the Rasp Pi role in the VPN, That's why I attached the link for further questions, the Raspberry Pi sits at your station on the same Internet LAN as the radio using ZeroTier software set for Bridging and once the Travel Router is configured for ZeroTier Bridging it creates a Bridge between your Stations Network and your remote network using say a motel's network or tether to your Cellphone or whatever connection you can find.

    The Pi end is a bit harder to set up than the BYREL travel Router but it works when you get it right.

    hope that helps and the link I sent helps to, there are some pretty good step by step instructions on the Flex Community, just do a Google search and they should come up on the topic.

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