FreeDV Docker container for 8000/Aurora series

themindiswatching · May 28

Hi all,

I'm one of the developers on the FreeDV project. I mentioned this on a FlexRadio related mailing list but for those who haven't seen this yet, I wanted to make you aware that there is now a Docker container available that you can install onto your Flex 8000 or Aurora series running the most recent version of SmartSDR. To set this up:

Download the Docker container from https://github.com/drowe67/freedv-gui/releases/download/v2.3.1/freedv-waveform-2.3.1.tar.gz (Current version: 2.3.1, released today.).
Note: do not decompress the .tar.gz file. SmartSDR needs the file as-is in order for the FreeDV waveform to properly function.
Go to File→Waveforms in SmartSDR. You'll see something like the following:
Click on the "Docker" radio button and then click Install. When prompted, choose the .tar.gz file you downloaded above.
The Install button will change to "…". Once it finishes installing the Docker container, the label will become "Install" again and there will be a new "freedv-flex" entry in the list. "FDVU" for FreeDV on Upper Sideband and "FDVL" for FreeDV on Lower Sideband modes will then become available for use in SmartSDR.

Operation in SmartSDR is similar to operating in regular voice modes with a few differences:

DAX should NOT be enabled for the slice using FreeDV. Otherwise, no TX audio will go out.
The FreeDV waveform can only be used on one slice at a time. Attempting to use it on more than one slice will cause the waveform to switch other slices back to regular USB or LSB modes. (Note: it is possible to use the FreeDV application on a second slice without interfering with the waveform.)

The waveform/Docker container also supports FreeDV Reporter and will connect to that server when you set the active slice to FDVU/FDVL. This is particularly useful for seeing who's currently on FreeDV and how propagation is doing (for instance, rows will immediately light up in blue when they're decoding a signal).

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy! Feel free to comment with questions or feedback :)

Thanks,

-Mooneer K6AQ

Scott-ka0jwc · 3:03AM

Ive downloaded the file following your directions. it doesn’t show up in the waveform manager. where should that file go so it will?

themindiswatching · 3:22AM

It should appear as soon as you select the downloaded file in the window that comes up when you push the Install button. Does it come up if you restart the radio?

Dan-N7HQ · 4:56AM

Very nice, Mooneer! This will make FDV much more accessible.

73,
Dan

Don Pezet · 1:13PM

Mooneer, is there a step I'm missing when installing the container in SmartSDR v4.2.18? I went to File → Waveforms like you indicated:

I clicked Install and pointed it at the freedv-waveform-2.3.1.tar.gz I downloaded from the Github repository. The Install button changed to a grey button with progress dots like this:

After about 30 seconds, the button changes back to a normal Install button, but nothing is added to the list below. No error message was generated. I tried with the 2.3.0 release and got the same results. I also tried restarting SmartSDR and my 8600 multiple times, but always with the same result.

Is there an installation log created somewhere?

Thanks and 73,

Don, K4PEZ

FreeDV Docker container for 8000/Aurora series

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