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 v4.1.3 | SmartSDR v4.1.3 Release Notes
SmartSDR v3.10.15 | SmartSDR v3.10.15 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.

Question about Tim's last post "Cleaning up prior versions of SmartSDR on the Maestro and M model ra

dd5md
dd5md Member ✭✭
in SmartSDR for Maestro and M models

After the cleanup, will I no longer be able to use v.3.8.23 on my Flex-8600M?

v.3.8.23 is the last fairly stable version. All subsequent versions had issues with audio and low output power. I definitely don't want to use the newer versions, as each update tended to have more bugs than fixes.

I would be happy if the versions would just disappear from the list. It was a lot of work for me installing the updates and then having to undo everything.

I don't want to use versions that include SmartSignal, which I think is the problem.

I'm happy with v.3.8.23, everything is running smoothly.

Best regards!

Mathias, DD5MD

Answers

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

    Mathias,

    The technical answer is that once we remove a version from the public list, it will remove that option from your M model (and/or Maestro) selection the next time it is used with internet access (as otherwise, it won't update the list). Using the radio offline, you shouldn't see a change in the list.

    FWIW, I believe we pulled v3.8.23 and v3.9.18 off that removal list for this round. However, it is likely that those will eventually be retired. If there are issues with the current release that would keep you from updating, please make sure that you open a helpdesk ticket to let us know about it. We would obviously like to be moving forward with better software and not causing issues that will result in folks not wanting to update. Thanks.

  • dd5md
    dd5md Member ✭✭

    Hi Eric,

    Thanks for your reply.

    I tested all versions after v3.8.23 (strictly following the instructions, full reset before and after the update). I didn't test v4.1.3 because I didn't want to go through all that work again.

    From v3.9.18 to v4.0.1:
    – The audio output feels 30% quieter than with v3.8.23.
    – To achieve the same output power as in v3.8.23, I have to set the RF power in SmartSDR to twice as high.
    – If I want to play back the recorded RX audio (REC button Maestro Console) of a radio friend (Play button Maestro Console), this is no longer possible because the output power is 0W
    – Since v4.0.1, SmartSDR freezes completely as soon as I try to change the band. The band does change, you can hear that, but the interface is completely frozen. The only thing that helps is restarting the app.

    Since the bugs were present in each of the versions, I'm a little hesitant to test version v4.1.3. I'll definitely do the update at some point, but only once the bugs have actually been fixed.

    It's not a bug, it's a feature 😜! That was the very first thing I was taught at work by our software developers 😂! And now, after 12 years, you start to believe it too 😉!

    All joking aside! The errors described limit my use too much. I am quite happy with my Flex-8600M (except for the integrated equalizer and some missing functions for processing the TX audio that I was used to being able to use) and am trying to avoid further frustration.

    If v3.8.23 is discontinued before the bugs are fixed, I would sell the Flex-8600M with a heavy heart.

    Best regards!

    Mathias, DD5MD

  • Rick N0VT
    Rick N0VT Member ✭✭✭

    It would be nice if this were a user-selectable item. Too many choices on a menu can lead to mistakes, and I like to get rid of things that I'll never use—old versions of SSDR included. I have the original install files saved in case I ever need to regress.

  • dd5md
    dd5md Member ✭✭

    My concern is that I can continue using firmware version 3.8.23. All subsequent versions, especially from version 4X onwards, are riddled with bugs.

    If version 3.8.23 disappears from the list and becomes unusable, that would be a major problem for me. This has nothing to do with whether too many versions are displayed in the list.

    I paid €6,700 for my Flex-8600M, and I expect Flex Radio to either properly fix bugs and actually test them before release, or to allow me to use a stable firmware version. Anything else is unacceptable and an outrage.

    What Flex Radio has provided in terms of firmware since the integration of PurSignal (version 3.9.18) is catastrophic and unacceptable.

    You can't seriously suggest that the installed Flex Radio firmware can be backed up and restored externally, can you? If so, I'm very curious to see how you manage that!

    Mathias, DD5MD

  • Dan Trainor
    Dan Trainor Member ✭✭✭

    I need several of the 3.x.x versions retained in the list as they provide my Flex 6000 series radios stability.

Leave a Comment

Rich Text Editor. To edit a paragraph's style, hit tab to get to the paragraph menu. From there you will be able to pick one style. Nothing defaults to paragraph. An inline formatting menu will show up when you select text. Hit tab to get into that menu. Some elements, such as rich link embeds, images, loading indicators, and error messages may get inserted into the editor. You may navigate to these using the arrow keys inside of the editor and delete them with the delete or backspace key.

Comment As ...

Categories