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8x00 API

John G3WGV
John G3WGV Member ✭✭
in SmartSDR API

I've not seen any comments yet on the SmartSDR API for the new 8 series radios. Can we assume that the API will retain backwards compatibility, so code using the API for 6x00 radios will work the same on 8x00 radios?

Are there any new/updated API commands or data classes? Any changes to meter scaling/manifest? Are there plans to update the Wiki?

I'm almost certain to get a 8600 when it becomes available in the UK and I'd like to think that my homebrew controller will work without too much of a fight!

Comments

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    That is an interesting question. Maybe when 3.8.x comes out there will some indication in the API for new commands for the 8000 radios in it. 3.8.x is supposed to be the version of SmartSDR that will first be available for both the 6000 and 8000 radios at the release of the new radios.

    I don't necessarily think there will be any noticeable differences until features exclusive to the 8000 radios appear. The real changes will be in the firmware itself. And code that identifies the radio that an external application can connect to and use. ( SmartSDR or your own application) otherwise, I didn't think there will be anything other than having to re-link to the new API and rebuild your application.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • John G3WGV
    John G3WGV Member ✭✭

    Thanks James, that is my general feeling too.

    I don't use the FlexLib middleware, my homebrew controller talks directly to the radio's SmartSDR TCP/UDP API. So I am potentially more exposed to any changes as they can't be hidden in the middleware. In fairness I don't think the development guys pull stunts like that with FlexLib.

    OK on 3.8.x being the first 8x00 version of SmartSDR. The fact that it's 3.8.x and not 4.x is perhaps a good sign that the API will evolve incrementally from the 6x00 specification.

    73

    John, G3WGV

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    Generally, the 8000 API will be the same as the 6000 series. This is to ensure SmartSDR compatibility.

    Any new features that require new commands will be easy to see if you are a developer and using WireShark as they are all in plain text on the TCP stream on port 4992.

    More will be available after the radio is shipping.

  • John G3WGV
    John G3WGV Member ✭✭

    Thanks Mike. It'll be interesting to see how the 8x00 develops with all that additional processing power. Hopefully not just bells and whistles for FT8!

  • John G3WGV
    John G3WGV Member ✭✭
    edited August 29

    Mike-VA3MW: More will be available after the radio is shipping.

    It's time to revisit this now that the 8600 is shipping and, at a more parochial level, because I am trying to decide whether now is the time to upgrade from my trusty 6600. As a 100% CW op, phone or data modes functionality won't figure in that decision!

    Is the 8600 firmware at the point where its functionality/performance is diverging from and improving on the 6600? I get that the 8600 has more processing power but is anything in the firmware/SmartSDR taking advantage of it yet? I run 3.9.18 on my 6600. Would I see any differences in API or (CW) functionality running that on the 8600?

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    We know that the 8000 series is significantly 'faster' than the 6600 and 6400 and then an improvement over the 6500 as well as you said.

    And, yes, there will be new features coming out shortly. And, I doubt you will see any API differences but possible additions at some point.

  • Erik Carling EI4KF
    Erik Carling EI4KF Member ✭✭✭✭

    One important improvement for me with my 8x00 radio and its faster processor over the previous 6x00 unit is that, if you currently experience crackles when tuning or even when on frequency, which seem to happen when an audio packet is lost likely because the radio's processor was too busy doing other things, that issue is gone. I also used to get the occasional mal-formed CW character on TX but not any more.

    It is the best receiver, indeed radio, I have had in 53 years. I doubt I will ever change it unless Flex put the Aurora technology into a 100W version.

  • John G3WGV
    John G3WGV Member ✭✭
    edited August 29

    Thanks Mike and Erik. There's nothing really wrong with my 6600 but it's now 7 years old and that's a lifetime in computing hardware terms, so I can see that a point must arrive when it becomes a no-brainer to upgrade. I'm just not sure I am quite at that point yet!

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