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SmartSDR 4.0.1 and DVK

Bob AD7J
Bob AD7J Member ✭
edited November 11 in SmartSDR+
I have some questions on the 4.0.1 update. First I had to laugh that I sent in asking about the DVK option just before it was posted. Along that line I am also a big ICOM user and on a ICOM I can have an external button box used to play the prerecorded entries by pressing the button on the box and not drilling into the software to activate the recorded memory slot. In Smart SDR this still takes up space on the screen so having the ability to have an external box would be great to have.

Secondly, I'd like to have SmartSDR+ explained to me. My 8600 is licensed for 3.0 so by adding 40.0.1 gives me the Basic additions but not the DVK or other options. If I upgrade to the SmartSDR+ to get the DVK, is that only for the year or is that a permanent license? If this is something that needs to be renewed every year, that wouldn't be a good option.
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Comments

  • Mike VE3CKO
    Mike VE3CKO Member ✭✭✭

    The v4.01 Release Notes takes out the guesswork, I've cut and pasted below just a portion. In the Release Notes each feature is detailed along with what radio model supports said feature.

    Description of SmartSDR Basic, SmartSDR+, and SmartSDR+ Early Access Feature License Tiers:

    SmartSDR v4 Basic is available free of charge and includes all bug fixes and select minor feature enhancements for all radio models. We strongly encourage all customers to upgrade to SmartSDR v4 Basic. If you are currently running SmartSDR v2 and upgrade to SmartSDR v4 Basic, you will receive all prior bug fixes and minor enhancements from previous versions. However, please note that MultiFlex—the major feature introduced in SmartSDR v3—is not included in SmartSDR v4 Basic for radios licensed for SmartSDR v2. For radios licensed for SmartSDR v1, the SmartLink feature introduced in SmartSDR v2, along with the MultiFlex feature from SmartSDR v3, are not included in SmartSDR v4 Basic.

    SmartSDR+ is an optional one-year new feature license. When you purchase a SmartSDR+ feature license, you gain or retain access to all prior SmartSDR v2 and v3 major features, as well as all new SmartSDR v4 major features released during your one-year license period. All new SmartSDR v4 features are only available immediately for SmartSDR+ Early Access feature license radios. Radios that have a SmartSDR+ feature license will gain access to the new features ~30 days later with a subsequent software release. To get the features immediately, a SmartSDR+ Early Access license is required.
    When your one-year feature license expires, you retain all features received during that period—you never lose them. To gain access to any new features introduced after your license period ends, simply renew your SmartSDR+ license for an additional year.

    SmartSDR+ Early Access is an optional one-year SmartSDR+ feature license that provides all the benefits of SmartSDR+, with the added advantage of early access to new features 30 days before they are available for standard SmartSDR+ license holders by a subsequent software release. As part of the Early Access Program, participants are invited to share feedback with the software engineering and product management teams based on their experience with the preview software. This collaboration helps shape and refine future SmartSDR releases.

  • Al K0VM
    Al K0VM Member ✭✭✭

    Bob,

    If you upgrade to SmartSRD+, you get all of the current new features and any new features released during the subscription year to use permanently. You'll get bug fixes whether you upgraded to SSDR+ or not. For any new features released after your subscription year, you'll have to resubscribe.

    AL, K0VM

  • Bob AD7J
    Bob AD7J Member ✭
    Thanks for the information. I know I looked through some of that but didn't that saying it was for a year only. That being siad, if you retain what you have after the year it's not so bad. Guess I'll look at the current discount that's offered.
  • Nagols
    Nagols Member ✭
    So I just purchased the SmartSDR+ subscription but new features are not enabled. Do I need to wait 30 days for these to be active since some people may have purchased the early access? I thought all new features were already in 4.0.1 and this should have turned them on?
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Yes, the new features will be available 30 days after the release so that the Early Access purchasers can get the first shot at them.

  • Nagols
    Nagols Member ✭
    Yeah, I should have thought about that. Because now I am wasting one month of my 1-yera subscription. I should have waited a month before subscribing. I was thinking the 30 days would have been in the future. Oh well...
  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    If you waited a month, it might have put you beyond the cutoff date for the discount that expires on November 30th of this year. So, if it's any consolation, you did save some money.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • n0ypd
    n0ypd Member ✭✭

    Like stated,,you didn't waste anytime,but you saved 50 bucks…

  • JoeH
    JoeH Member ✭✭

    So, what's the bottom line on this? Those that purchased PLUS NOW have nothing to show for it until +30 days ? and THEN these new features will appear? Will there be any documentation of them? I see lots about licenses and subscriptions, but nothing on the feature(s).

    So those who wait 30 days, (and pay $50 more), will immediately get the new features - as they are 30 days past release. And they get one more month in time (their expiration is one month later),

    This is so confusing.

  • JoeH
    JoeH Member ✭✭

    What date were these new features 'released' so I'll know what date I can expect them to work? I bought plus.

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

    All

    Both licenses include the same features — the only difference is timing:

    • SmartSDR+ users receive all the new new features ~30 days after each release of the Early Access program. That date is ~November 30th, 2025 when the next minor version is released with all the features enabled based on the radio hardware (see chart below)
    • SmartSDR+ Early Access users receive them immediately upon release.

    Each license is permanently tied to your radio, adding long-term value to your station. Review the chart in the release notes to see which features apply to your model.

    As in the release notes and various communications.

    https://www.flexradio.com/software/smartsdr-v4-0-1/

    Here is the table as well that gives you a bit more of a visual. Let me know if you have any more questions.

    image.png
  • K4XD
    K4XD Member ✭✭

    So let's see if I understand this correctly. If I buy the SmartSDR+ license now, I'll get the DVK feature on December 30, correct?

    Does it appear automatically on that date, or do I have to install a new release in three places - my 6600M, my Maestro, and my Windows PC?

    73,

    Rowland K4XD

  • Mike VE3CKO
    Mike VE3CKO Member ✭✭✭

    Rowland, v4.01 was released on Oct. 30, so 30-days after that, say Nov.30th is when the features including DVK will open up. I had seen both that it will be automatic and that there will be a software release. Safe to say there will be a software release containing improvements and more bug fixes.

  • K4XD
    K4XD Member ✭✭

    Thanks Mike, I misread the email which said the DVK (along with other features) would be available ~Nov 30. I didn't realize that meant available for the SmartSDR+ users on that date. I thought it was coming in the Nov 30 release for the first time.

    I understand the business reasons behind this but it is a little odd to pay for an upgrade that includes new features and then not get them for another couple of weeks. It kind of dilutes the motivation to "buy now." I don't mind the subscription model for new features, but I think a traditional beta test model for early access would sit better with the community. Trying to be constructive here, not ranting!

    73,

    Rowland K4XD

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin
    edited November 12

    The update to open up the features is a new version of SmartSDR v4 that will have to be installed. (I think it is going to be a 4.1.x)

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

    @K4XD It has to do with the Early Access program that those users paid a premium to be part of that (btw, it has been more successful than we thought it would be).

    And, it really isn't a subscription since nothing expires. We found that that word disturbed a lot of people. :)

  • K4XD
    K4XD Member ✭✭

    Thanks @Mike-VA3MW. I worked in the software business so yes, I hear you about subscriptions. Pricing is always a touchy subject especially if you make a change. I'm glad the Early Access program is working well for you.

    I understand that the nothing expires and you would have to pay again in a year to get new features.

    If I didn't buy the license again in a year (I'm not sure what terminology you prefer since "renew" sounds like a subscription), would I get bug fixes to features like DVK that are released during the period of my license?

    73,
    Rowland K4XD

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