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Installation 8400M new user guiding

Rejean Leveille
Rejean Leveille Member ✭✭
in Maestro

I took delivery of my new 8400M, to my surprised all accessories were missing from order 46566, I opened a complaint on Tuesday with your shipping/parts department and Cathy Clark did a great job to ship overnight priority received at my my home (QC) Thursday.

I installed SW SDR v4.0.1, radio connected, did an update v4.1.3.39644. I got hard time to understand how to navigate the screen and controls until I realized that I need the Maestro manual!

I got a connection with PGXL and to work I must uncheck CAT port for FTdx101MP. Easy to connect Flexxxx with DxLab-Commander.

Now; from Info screen, max licensed V3, from Menu/radio/ I see Subscription NONE,

What is next; to Get SmartSDR+ or missing something ?

Any link how to install CAT com, DAX,

thank you

Rejean, va2am

Comments

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

    Hi Rejean

    Many new users videos here:

    https://www.youtube.com/user/FlexRadioSystems/videos
  • Rejean Leveille
    Rejean Leveille Member ✭✭

    Thank you Mike, I am still confused about license version, when I received my new 8400M last week, it asked me to update V4 follwed by v4.1.3, on Tuesday to V4.1.5. Now Menu/radio it will indicate V4.1.5.39794 but Licensed is v3. That means to buy SmartSDR+ as basic but the basket always mention empty,,,!

    Something not allowed or a missing client or I need to create a new account,,,

    Thank you

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

    SmartSDR Basic is free even 4.1.5. Just download it and install it and update the radio.

    • download SmartSDR v4.1.5 (current version)
    • Install it on the PC
    • Start SmartSDR on the PC
    • It will find the radio and connect to it by clicking on it
    • Update the radio.
    • Make sure you add shortcuts to your desk top.
    https://youtu.be/lc8-y-x63kU?si=A3ePfTAXSSZUkpFa
  • Rejean Leveille
    Rejean Leveille Member ✭✭

    Hi Mike,

    I got Windows 10 isssues when I installed SmartSDR 4.1.5 then erased V4.0.1 with my sound card keeping double DAX,,,. I removed everything from Apps +no by keeping VAX channels. 8400M got terrible receiver audio, I did the factory reset, reinstalled again v4.1.5, radio back to normal. I installed SmartSDR v4.1.5, my PC needed 3x reboot to stabilize, I disconnect M link to get on SmartSDR, I got the remote SDR screen, now I could install your Flex compressed file.

    Menu-Radio click on SmartSDR+, I got Flex buy screen, completed the transaction, waited 1 minute, Press On Refresh, now the radio works on V4.1.5 with all available functions.

    Finally a success,,,

    DxLab Commander, WSJT-X connected easy setup, next I need to master CW & SSB messages, later N1MM

    Thank you

    Rejean va2am

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

    Glad you got it sorted out.

    It does sound like Windows has some corruption issue. Have you considered rebuilding it?

    Mike

  • Gord-VA7GP
    Gord-VA7GP Member ✭✭✭

    Bonjour Rejean!

    I am glad you got your new radio working, and I hope you are enjoying it when you read this:

    My suggestion to you: a dedicated Win 11 computer for your radio.

    I've opted to use a Dell small-form-factor i7-13 computer, which is compact, quiet and powerful, along with having the Windows license built-in to the motherboard. I don't check email, I only use a web-browser to download new SmartSDR or logging-software or fldigi. I don't add on any additional anti-virus or other slowdown softwares.

    In this case, when I don't like the way things are working, I completely erase and re-install Win 11 Pro to get a fresh start. It doesn't take very long, because it's so lean and un-modified. And generally I seem to avoid any issues with CAT or DAX.

    Thus, my suggestion for you: an easily-maintained computer that is dedicated to SmartSDR and your ham-activities, based on an actually supported Operating System that you keep up-to-date on a daily basis. I feel this will lead to long-term enjoyment and freedom from so many issues.

    Bonne chance!

  • Rejean Leveille
    Rejean Leveille Member ✭✭

    I agree to up grade a new Win 11 computer, I also have Norton and learned to always work as administrator level some new software installations from trusted sites.

    Flex does not support anymore Win 10.

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

    I find that AntiVirus is a real problem and it isn't uncommon for it to consume a lot of resources given the fact it has to inspect every file it reads and writes before the application gets to use it. The 'spydriver' consumers a lot of CPU.

    You will find that using Windows Defender which comes with windows good enough. Personally, I do not run any AV on my remote computers or my ham computers at all. I haven't for about 10 years. You might want to consider that as something that might help out.

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