Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR or 4O3A Genius Product Software?

SmartSDR v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes

The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.

Smart SDR 4

gregoriosw
gregoriosw Member ✭
edited September 26 in SmartSDR for Mac
Wondering whether there will be any major impact on us Mac users with the move to Smart SDR 4.0. Currently we have our own feature set which is broader than windows users. We also can upload the necessary firmware for radios when there are upgrades. If the windows software becomes a limited set of functions depending on subscription will there be any need to subscribe via a windows machine or whatever to gain access to features that the Mac software provides but cannot be accessed because the radio firmware installed is somehow controlled by the subscription model. Or can we expect provided the Mac software works and the latest firmware is present all Mac functionality will be possible and only Windows functionality will be limited by subscription. Marcus' software has always been paid for software and given it is linked from the website has semi-official status, so clarity of what impact if any will occur with the change in model for Mac users would be helpful.

Thanks
Greg
2E1GW
Tagged:

Comments

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    I think the the best thing to do is ask Marcus this question. I would think he would know how this new development will effect his software.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Eric-KE5DTO
    Eric-KE5DTO Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin

    I answered a similar question on a different thread:

    On the question about SmartSDR for Mac, I can clarify that the subscription unlocks features in the radio. The clients will have access through the API to know which features are available (or not) based on the radio subscription. This means that SmartSDR for Mac will work in the same way that SmartSDR for Windows and SmartSDR for Maestro/M work with regard to new features and SmartSDR+ subscriptions.

    The features that Marcus has added in SmartSDR for Mac and iOS clients will continue to function as they always have (unless Marcus decides to change this — which is his prerogative as it is his software, after all). The new SmartSDR+ subscription should not have an impact on those features. The subscription will gain access to new features in the radio as they are released.

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    What if the new Flex 4.X subscription features overlap with the existing Marcus features? For example, what if Flex decides to create an internal CW decoder or any of the many features provided inside the SmartSDR for Mac app? Would this not create a a conflict in the licensing model? And if not, wouldn't it at least make Windows version more or less in competition with Mac version? Not that competition is a bad thing, as SmartSDR for Mac client far exceeds the Windows version client in terms of a broad array of built in functions that work seamlessly with each other without dependence on third-party software. And also the quality and performance of the Mac client version is so much more robust and stable. Dan WA1QZX

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

    It really wouldn’t create any conflict, since both would run in their own domain.

    Speaking just for myself (these are 100% personal thoughts, not FlexRadio’s), I use both products quite a bit. Both are excellent in their own ways, and I think the Mac version brings some really nice features to the table.

    That said, there are a few areas where I’ve found the Mac setup a little more challenging. For example, I’m a heavy N1MM user when contesting — not just because it’s a logger, but because it does so much to help me improve my score. Nothing in the Mac world really compares to it. Running split during a DXpedition has also felt trickier on the Mac, whereas SmartSDR (and Maestro) handles it really smoothly.

    Another personal preference: I’m not a fan of FT8 being fully automated on the Mac. Case in point, while I was RF testing recently, I watched my M4 make over 1,000 FT8 QSOs without me even touching the mouse. That might be a plus for some, but it doesn’t sit quite right with me — just my moral take, and of course, your mileage may vary.

    The great news is that we all have choices, and every operator can find the workflow that suits them best. 

    73

Categories