Tuning TGXL with Maestro Remotely

Paul Christy · January 1

Sorry I can't find any recent answers to this question searching The Community, although I'm sure it must have been discussed. I would like to tune the TGXL remotely from my Maestro. Currently I must open my laptop and use AnyDesk to connect to the station computer then use the TGXL app to tune the antenna.

I don't like this. AnyDesk has annoying nag screens, but it works. I don't really want to figure out if I even have a public IP or set up DYNDNS and change around router ports to run the app remotely. BUT, if this is possible, wouldn't it be possible to run SmartSDR remotely without SmartLink if you have a public IP? That would make it worth it for sure.

Otherwise, is there any other way?? It seems to me I should be able to run the station with the Maestro alone and not have to boot up another computer to tune the tuner. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Paul

N0GN

Paul Christy · January 1

Oh my gosh. So Sorry. Excuse me. I was using the Tune Button. The ATU button works! Kind of. Sometimes it says low RF power. Sometimes it doesn't tune. Sometimes it tunes a little bit. It works fine when I click Tune on the TGXL app on the remote computer through AnyDesk pretty much every time. I must be doing something wrong. Also, Tun SWR meter on Maestro doesn't work a lot of times.

David Decoons, wo2x · January 1

tap MOX to key then tap MOX to unkey. Now tap the ATU button and it should tune fine.

Paul Christy · January 1

Ha! Well that's an interesting technique. Doesn't seem to be working though. I've been reading since and betting all my problems in life are due to too low VDC TGXL PS. I have this on order:

https://www.amazon.com/5-5x2-1mm-5-5mmx2-5mm-Compatible-1000mA-2000mA-Equipment/dp/B084TTTV7M

Do you think that's an acceptable selection?

I have another active post about VFO issue. I noticed that when I spin the VFO on the Maestro this caused the remote Maestro to crash. I hear relays click in TGXL when I do this. I can hear this through AnyDesk. But the clicks do not always result in a crash. Could the VFO problem be related to TGXL?

Also, I'm seeing messages popping up on Maestro every few minutes saying something's reconnecting to the network. The Maestro is on a different ISP than the shack. However, the IP number displayed on the Maestro is the local LAN IP of the Antenna Genius on the shack network! WTH???

Also seeing random remote connection crashes. Could these be due to TGXL?

I had upgraded TGXL to 1.2.17 and understand people have similar problems with that. Do you think downgrading would fix this without changing out the power supply?

Thanks!

David Decoons, wo2x · January 2

try the new power supply. 4O3A recommends minimum of 15 VDC.

Spinning the dial fast on the Maestro sends a LOT of TCP commands to the radio quickly. Each step of the encoder will send the new frequency (for that step) to the radio) quickly and the radio in turn sends it to the tuner. The clicking is the tuner switching tuning solutions as the tuner will use the closest saved tuning solution.

Try turning the Slide A knob at a normal pace instead of just spinning it fast.

73 Dave wo2x

Paul Christy · January 2

It was ALL TGXL firmware version 1.2.17. Downgraded to 1.2.11 and almost all my problems went away. Network is handling VFO spinning with no problem. HOWEVER, as in the original post, Maestro A ATU button no longer works. But it works on Maestro C.

Paul Christy · 6:45PM

Actually, had to go down to 1.1.20 now. Lot's of features lost. Here's the last I heard from the Helpdesk in early January. Anybody hear any more since the last post? Here's the last I heard from them. Pretty sure I shouldn't have to pay to have this addressed…

I am going to ask Dave De **** to look at this. He is our resident expert on TGXL interfacing with Flex Radios. He may need to schedule a Paid FlexAdvantage session to log in to your computer and look at things.

David Decoons, wo2x · 7:39PM

Paul, this issue is being looked at by both Flex and 4O3A engineering. This issue does not affect all users. I personally use an 8600 v4.1.5, TG 1.2.17, PG 3.8.9 and AG 4.1.16. I have not had issues.

My setup has all RF equipment in a server cabinet in my garage connects to a 24 port managed GB Ethernet switch. That connects to a 16 port managed GB switch in my shack at operating position. One port goes to my router.

unfortunately there are almost infinite network configurations and trying the get a configuration to be able to consistently replicate the problem while doing network traces is very difficult.

If you have specific steps to boot everything up and working then be able to “break” it, I’d be happy to pass along.

You can revert back to 1.2.11 but will lose integration to SmartSDR and Maestro. Don’t forget to

Completely power down and the n boot up equipment if changing firmware version. This ensures the session IDs from Genius Equipment to the radio are recreated.

73 Dave wo2x

Paul Christy · 9:11PM

You mean like the picture below?? No TGXL firmware 1.2's worked. Had to go down to 1.1.20. I got the switch you guys told me to get. I dialed everything down to 100MF. I have all Cat VIII. The specific move to "break it" is to upgrade the software… To summarize, with the upgrade, the specific issues are that TGXL crashes every 10 minutes in a contest, it doesn't hold it's tuning solutions, Maestro ATU button is erratic. It crashes when you use the VFO in a reasonable fashion. Frequent remote connection crashes. Probably other things I'm not remembering now. I feel like I've been kind of ghosted on this since it doesn't affect all users. Maybe only a few? As far as I know my Helpdesk ticket is still open and last I heard they "sent it to engineering". I'm kind of tired of waiting. Are you telling me I have to get an 8400? Or is it possible my TGXL is a lemon? The TG, PG, and AG are all relatively new.

20260208_144558.jpg

Paul Christy · 9:13PM

Oh, and Interlock issues too.

David Decoons, wo2x · 10:49PM

what else do you have connected to the radio?

Software - logging? FRStack? Other?

Hardware / to troubleshoot start with radio, Maestro and TG to a switch. No Internet, no PC. Minimize any network traffic for testing.

What version Maestro? What model Flex? (I am assuming a 6000 series).

What is the voltage to TG. 4O3A recommends 15 VDC minimum. I have seen issues with less than 14.5.

The Dream Station configuration pdf has very good step by step process for introducing each piece of equipment.

Last, have you tested into a dummy load to rule out RF getting into network?

The big change with 1.2.17 is introduction of metering and control of TG into SmartSDR and Maestro which means more IP traffic to & from the radio.

sorry for all the questions but trying to understand what is different on your particular installation.

73

Dave wo2x

Tuning TGXL with Maestro Remotely

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