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SSDR Upgrade Question

Butch
Butch Member ✭✭✭
edited November 12 in SmartSDR+

From what I've read, upgrading to SmartSDR+ (or SmartSDR+ Early Access) will provide v4 features for one year. New v4 features aside, will I continue to get free v4.x bug fixes free after a year, or after a year will bug fix v4.x upgrades require additional annual $199 or $299 annual renewals?

Butch, KF4HR

Comments

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Bug fixes will continue after you subscription expires. And all of the features will continue to work.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Butch
    Butch Member ✭✭✭

    That's the way it normally works James, but have you read that anywhere for v4?

  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 12

    Butch, There has been a bunch of comments from Flex, the link below is the latest that came out 11/11/25, the License update Version 4 stays with your radio, this is the same as when version 1, 2, and 3 came out. With version 4 of SmartSDR even if you went from SmartSDR version 1 to Version 4 SmartSDR it would show your Radio is only Licensed for version 1, when you pay the $ it would show version 4 like mine does in the lower right of the "Setup" tab "Get SmartSDR+ or Early Access" and they will turn gray instead of Green for the product.

    image.png

    https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8032501/smartsdr-4-0-1-and-dvk#latest

    and

    https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/WhctKLbmsLdvkknxtkrpvNvjkbCZsxdpdlQSdrqcHpvdxBxHMzPDZxXQSfkgNDjRVCLjZRB

  • WX7Y
    WX7Y Member ✭✭✭✭
  • Butch
    Butch Member ✭✭✭

    Hi Bret. Yes I'm aware whatever version of SSDR a Flex owner purchases remains registered to the radio, including v4. But we have a difference with v4. It's the first version to offer optional annual upgrade fees. If you've seen it, please point me to where Flex actually states bug fixes will be free for the three versions of v4, after the first purchase year. Tnx

    Butch, KF4HR

  • Mike VE3CKO
    Mike VE3CKO Member ✭✭✭

    Here the proof you wanted Butch, top of the page, Ongoing stability and bug-fix updates in 4.x, at no charge. This translates to any version of 4, bug fixes are free.

    https://www.flexradio.com/ssdr/ssdr-for-windows/

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

    @Butch

    • v4 SmartSDR Basic is free for all users and does not expire and is attached to the radio
    • SmartSDR+ is a 365 feature license that allows you receive any features that are published during those 365 days. They stay operational with the radio for the life of the radio. Plus features are turned on 30 days after features are released to the Early Access group
    • SmartSDR+ Early Access gives you access to new features 30 days before the Plus group and the ability to provide feedback to our engineering team in those first 30 days

    You want to make sure you buy the right version first (Plus or EA).

    There is no pro-rating of the EA if you want to buy EA after you bought Plus. EA is a new license that overlays the Plus license.

    Choose wisely (as said in a movie one day)

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Mike, I think it is unfortunate that Flex Radio will not offer to upgrade from Plus to Early Access at a price reflecting the difference between the two licenses. There have been several people that have made the choice of Plus, and then realized that they actually wanted Early Access. To me, it is poor marketing otherwise. If Flex Radio uses this strategy, then it is purely a money grab and a clear indication of how little they think of their customers.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Butch
    Butch Member ✭✭✭

    Mike's - thanks for the information. v3 was supported for approximately 5 years and from what I saw, with the exception of MultiFlex, most of the software changes didn't involve additional major new features, but rather bug fixes. Perhaps this was due to the ageing 6000 series platform. Aside from new features already noted on v4 it'll be interesting to see what other new features SSDR+ and EA subscribers see come out in the next year.

  • Henkka
    Henkka Member ✭✭

    I tought it is mandatory to first buy Smart SDR+ before you can update to Early Access and was surprised to notice this move cost me 442,25€. Most likely I didnt read the small print. Well I hope extra bucks are used to provide more stable and user friendly software.

    73

    Henkka OH5KNL

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Unfortunately, Flex Radio didn't make it clear that you can buy Early Access without having to buy SmartSDR Plus first. Personally, I think if they allowed a SmartSDR Plus buyer to move up to Early Access and pay the full price, then Flex Radio should refund the difference in price between the two licenses. Otherwise, it is taking advantage of customers not understanding that they don't have to purchase Plus and Early Access. It is unfair of Flex Radio to not correct this by doing the right thing and refunding money to buyers who were not clear on the licensing process. To me it makes it look like nothing more than a money grab. And makes Flex Radio look greedy and uncaring.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Mike VE3CKO
    Mike VE3CKO Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 12

    James, Mike W. addressed this yesterday in another topic titled Ver 4 wow factor?

    image.png

    To that says it all, full refund of the $149.

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    You might want to reread his post earlier in this thread. It's clear from his statements that there isn't any refund or just paying the difference if you bought Plus and then realized that you want Early Access. Someone needs to get the information corrected and posted where there is no misunderstanding of what Flex Radio's policy is on this issue.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Mike VE3CKO
    Mike VE3CKO Member ✭✭✭
    edited November 13

    You must be referring to this:

    Mike-VA3MW

    You want to make sure you buy the right version first (Plus or EA).

    There is no pro-rating of the EA if you want to buy EA after you bought Plus. EA is a new license that overlays the Plus license.

    Choose wisely (as said in a movie one day)

    I could be wrong and this is just my opinion, but this is how I see it:

    There is no pro-rating of the EA if you want to buy EA after you bought Plus. Then I see the term no pro-rating which in a subscription world means like a period of time and you cancel you want a refund of the difference from the time you cancel. No means no. Then there is EA is a new license that overlays the Plus license which is saying everything in both are the same between, the only difference is the timing of new features availability from 30-days after each new feature release, to immediate access.

    To me this all says when you buy EA within the license time frame of Plus, your expiration date will not change. It won't add on any days to your expiration date, so choose wisely.

    In my scenario, I purchased SSDR+ on Oct. 30 2025 so my expiration date is Oct. 30 2026. If I choose to upgrade to SSDR+ EA which I am considering, I would assume I would have to pay the full amount right now it's $249, I assume I would get a refund of $149 for my SSDR+ and my expiration date would remain Oct. 30 2026

    If both assumptions are correct then it would be wise for me to upgrade before the $50 discount offer expires Nov. 30th.

    I do agree that this reference SmartSDR for Windows should be updated as the way it sits now are just two optional ways to go forward 1. SSDR+ and SSDR+ EA. Extra notes to address the scenarios such as:

    1. someone accidentally paying multiple licenses
    2. someone wanting to upgrade from Plus to EA

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