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ESC - Feedback

F4BPO
F4BPO Member, Unconfirmed ✭✭
in SmartSDR+

Hi guys,

Got the SmartSDR+ yesterday so I got straight away the ESC and floor panadapter.

While for the floor I am not a huge fan as it also adjust during transmission then it keeps moving between transmit and receive so I just turned it off.

As far as ESC is concerned, I tried it, I am using 2 antennas here, a Yagi (3 El Ultrabeam) and a vertical antenna (DX Commander Classic). To be honest I tried to change all direction in different signal even interference to try to null out some noise or improve reception but I did not see much difference. What I see is that going farther from the center increases the noise floor quite a lot.

Anyone who has tried it can give his feedback and advise which antennas are used ?

Thanks

Comments

  • F4BPO
    F4BPO Member, Unconfirmed ✭✭

    No one tried really?

  • VE6WZ
    VE6WZ Member ✭✭

    OK, I'll bite.

    I have not been able get the ECS function to have any effect. ZERO change using multiple antennas.

    I'm using the 8600 with multiple RX antennas. I have a very strong solar MMPS noise on 160m on my EU Beverage arrays. I have 18 Beverage wires and a directional 160m TX array. I have tried all combinations of various antennas and nothing will yield a null on the noise. I have confirmed the noise is present on the various antennas being combined, but no matter what gain/phase combination is used there is no change. Not even a subtle dip.

    To be clear, I understand how to use a phase combiner. I know how they can be tricky to find that exact gain/phase combination. For years I have used the MFJ and DX-ENG NCC-1 units. I also understand that noise nulling is limited to point-source noises which are phase stable. Skywave is problematic, as is powerline noise which gets phase smeared down the lines. The noise I am trying to null should be no trouble.

    The ESC seems to be ineffective for me. I will continue to test, but would like to hear anyone else who has had success. I am going to experiment a bit on BCB AM signals later today. Perhaps it is operator error??

    I would like it to work, but 100% of the time I operate in diversity mode on 160m for weak signal CW DXing. I never turn off diversity RX. When ESC is engaged, obviously, both antennas are combined into one RX, so I would only use it if I have a specific noise problem.

    So, anyone else been able to null a noise with ESC? A video of it in action would be great. I would have done that if I could demonstrate it works.

    Steve ve6wz

  • Russ Ravella
    Russ Ravella Member ✭✭✭

    Agree. It doesn't seem to be doing anything. It's like it selects the "B" antenna but that's it. The controls don't do anything.

    Also weird is, when you select ESC but turn it off within the ESC window, something weird that doesn't make any sense happens. Hard to explain but it's not right. The controls don't do anything either way.

    Too bad. It was my number one desired missing feature and now it's finally here but doesn't work.

    If I ever get the "feedback email" the marketing guy claims has already been sent out to early adopters, I'll report it. If not, I guess I'll just open a ticket.

    GL Russ KR6W

  • VE6WZ
    VE6WZ Member ✭✭

    Indeed I plan to submit a ticket soon as well. Its starting to look like the ESC function as delivered is non-functional. DOA.

    The fact that NOTHING happens when adjusting the controls is much different than "Well it kinda works but the nulling is not so good ". I remain hopeful this will be resolved and it's just a software bug that was overlooked.

    Given that so far, NO ONE has reported positively about it seems to indicate something is seriously wrong.

    Steve ve6wz

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Just got my new 8600 and love diversity! Unfortunately, the ESC function doesn't work at all for me either. I will submit a help desk ticket this evening.

  • Russ Ravella
    Russ Ravella Member ✭✭✭

    Yeah, diversity is amazing. Most under appreciated feature in ham radio in my opinion. Hoping they get it working super well. I'm thinking ESC must have worked at some point. Surely at least the basic functionality was tested after it was first implemented. Now it isn't. I'm guessing it was inadvertently disabled as they prepared the distribution package ?

    Len, did you ever get a feedback email from Flex ?

    73 Russ KR6W

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    No, I'm not an Early Access purchaser.

  • Stan VA7NF
    Stan VA7NF Member ✭✭✭

    I opened ticket #75684 thinking my first generation 6700 had a unique problem with ESC but these notes say ESC just doesn't work. Still looking for someone to describe a working environment.

  • marco rinaldi
    marco rinaldi Member ✭✭

    Same here

    ESC doesn't work…

    Not only: on my 6700, when I touch the GAIN on the ESC menu, suddenly Smeter goes to 9+60 on main antenna and it is unusable (audio goes crazily high) and the only way to restore it is a cold boot of the rig.

    If I don't touch the "gain" slider, nothing happens with any given kind of ant in A or B, while phasing them…

    I was waiting for it since ages… a pity (and waste of money for the subscription so far).

    Opened a ticket, they are experience a high number of request, let's cross fingers but I'm expecting a new release very soon, seen the number of "compliants".

    73 IK2LFF, Marco.

  • Stan VA7NF
    Stan VA7NF Member ✭✭✭

    Thanks Marco - "they are experience a high number of request(s)" - Perhaps a working environment doesn't exist, which raises a testing/packaging problem.

    Still looking.

  • Mango
    Mango Member ✭
    FYI...I am closely following this thread. I once owned a 6600 but got tired of waiting for new features such as ESC. I'd consider purchasing a new 8600 if this feature works!!!

    I'm sure others on this thread have experience working with noise cancellation with two antennas but for those not that familiar with this, it's a can of worms.

    First you need to ID what kind of noise source you are attempting to reduce and then you need an effective antenna that only picks up that noise or at least highlights the noise problem. Otherwise noise cancelling will not work and you won't notice much of a difference or no difference at all.

    Then once you have a proper "noise antenna", you need to carefully adjust the phase and amplification.

    I have worked with both mechanical and digital versions of noise cancellation products and although it is rewarding when it works, it's not that easy either.

    I would really, really like to see a video of this function actually working on a Flex dual receiver radio.
  • Martin Bérubé
    Martin Bérubé Member ✭✭

    I just bought a the Smart SDR+ especially for that feature. Let's say I am quite upset about all this.

  • Stan VA7NF
    Stan VA7NF Member ✭✭✭

    I bought the 6700 12 years ago for this feature - Then SmartSDR+ for the same 6700 and feature - Still waiting - Expect a working version in a pending dot release - Is patience is a virtue, an obsession, or ...

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    Stan, that is what I would call "virtue beyond your calling". 12 years and counting! Oh man! You patient man. lol. But, I also have been waiting almost as long, so in the same camp. Dan

  • Rich M5RIC
    Rich M5RIC Member ✭✭✭

    Will have to see if the 4.1.x release on 30 November will contain any fixes or just enabling the new functions that the SSDR+ users will get.

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    I don't believe that what happens on November 30th will be anything more than enabling the new features for SmartSDR + users. It would be nice if it was a new point release that includes fixes for several bugs introduced in version 4.0.1. ( Basic and others) A point release to fix bugs can occur at any time. New features are a different story.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Rich M5RIC
    Rich M5RIC Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 12

    Already confirmed it will be 4.1.x so it's a new version. That was as of this afternoon.

    image.png
  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    Yeah, from my understanding, the next point release can happen at any time. But, on some other post today, I read a new point / bug fix release might occur around 2 /12 - 3 weeks? from now. Speculation of course. But, the SmartSDR+ users will want bug fixes out of the gate on or before their features are turned on. Even Basic users will want bug fixes sooner rather than later. We shall see…. Dan WA1QZX

  • Mango
    Mango Member ✭
    I'm still waiting to see if the ESC function works. Any news? This is preventing me from purchasing an 8600.

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