Why does AetherSDR work better than SmartSDR operating a remote 6600?

W4AFK Bruno · July 25

Remote 6600, SmartSDR 4.2.20

When I use SmartSDR (SmartLink to connect), I get numerous packet drops. The audio and waterfall has tons of "hickups" which makes it almost unusable.

However, if I start AetherSDR and connect to the same radio (I am NOT using the low data more), there are no hickups … audio, waterfall, etc., all work fine. AetherSDR's delailed connection tracking shows an excellent connection.

What am I missing here?
Is AetherSDR's implementation of "SmartSDR" better?
- I know … SmartLink is used for the logging then it's direct SmartSDR —> remote 6600

If so, then it's sad as one would expect that Flex' native SmartSDR would be equivalent or better than the 3rd party AetherSDR.

Ha Gei · July 25

It´s because the guys behind AetherSDR want to make a perfect software for nothing and have better skills . DOT.

I use it since day ONE and no more smartsdr

Harry

DL9NDW

W4AFK Bruno · July 26

Harry - I also agree that AetherSDR runs circles around SmartSDR. I have been using it since the mid-beta days.

The problem is that this 6600 is our club's remote radio and we are using "iShareRadio" as the front end so we can manage users, configs, authorizations, etc. Unfortunately, iShareRadio does not currently support AetherSDR. The workaround is to install the iShareRadio client on another conputer on your LAN, then run AetherSDR on a second computer. Not very convivial.

So for now, we need to continue with SmartSDR and hope that Flex improves remote connectivity as we know it's doable as this is what AetherSDR has been offering for quite a while.

Regarding AetherSDR, I am currently on v26.7.2 and I have made a few recommendations, which have been quickly implemented (the team does listen).

If I have one item that I believe requires improvement, is that it's getting way too complicated for casual users. I have no problems navigating the menus and although I do not profess understanding all of the subtleties regarding some of the more esoteric items, I love to learn.

Unfortunately, there are many hams who would feel much more at home with an available "basic" or "simple" UI option. I have heard many who stated that they will continue with SmartSDR as it offers them what they want, nothing more, which makes it simpler.

Mike-VA3MW · July 27

Bruno

As I understand IShareRadio, their wedge does a simulated radio broadcast on the local lan, just like a radio does that was plugged into the local network. The client software, SmartSDR, AetherSDR, iOS, MAC,etc would all see the radio as a local connection (I though, or that was the way it was explained to me—I might be out to lunch on this one). Let me know if I have that wrong.

I have not tested this, but AestherSDR should see the broadcast. If it doesn't then it is an AetherSDR issue, or, at least, that is the first place I would confim. Have you logged an AetherSDR bug for this?

Mike

Neal Pollack AB6G · July 30

Bruno:

I am new to this discussion. When you said: "I also agree that AetherSDR runs circles around SmartSDR"
are you just talking about remote connection and network speed quality, or does AetherSDR have features
that are missing in SmartSDR? Before taking hours to ramp up and try it, I thought I would just ask
what are the main improvements or benefits that you find with it?

Cheers,

Neal

Mick W8BE · July 30

Neil,

It's easier to just go to the website and read all the features. https://www.aethersdr.com/

W4AFK Bruno · July 31

Neal - I am not talking about the "features". I am referring to remote operation.

We connect to a remote Flex-6600 and using SmartSDR/SmartLink and we have a lot of UDP dropouts (audio, waterfall, etc. drop outs).

However, if we use AetherSDR, the quality is dramatically better with very little drop outs. They use SmartLink for the log-in but afterwards, whatever they are doing on the same link is MUCH better.

Yes, part of the issue could be on our end as we use a microwave link to the internet gateway, but even so, what we are seeing is that the AetherSDR developpers must have done a much better job at handling this as the quality is excellent.

Mike-VA3MW · July 31

Fair framing, it really is "it depends." Here's an expanded version of each point:

More features/creature comforts – maybe SmartSDR. SmartSDR is FlexRadio's mature, officially-supported client with years of accumulated features, panadapter options, and integrations (SmartLink, DAX, CAT via multiple third-party loggers, etc.). AetherSDR is newer and still catching up on some of that surface area, though it already covers multi-slice, multi-panadapter, DSP/EQ, ATU, TUNE/MOX, client-side noise reduction, and a CW decoder.

Very busy screen – SmartSDR, if that's your style. It's dense with knobs, meters, and panels by default. AetherSDR's UI is comparatively cleaner, with per-pan display controls that let you pare things back.

Want a less busy operational screen than SmartSDR – AetherSDR. Same tradeoff from the other direction: less visual clutter, more streamlined layout.

Want to tinker and push a lot of configuration buttons – AetherSDR. It's open source (GPLv3, Qt6/C++20), actively developed on GitHub, cross-platform (Linux, macOS, Windows, even ARM/Raspberry Pi), and GPU-accelerated for the panadapter/waterfall, which frees up a good chunk of CPU. That openness invites tinkering, but it also expects more from your hardware, a fast multi-core CPU and decent GPU, whereas SmartSDR runs fine on older, cheaper machines.

All those buttons worry you – SmartSDR. It's the polished, single-vendor path with predictable behavior and official support.

Bleeding edge software – AetherSDR. It's a young, community-driven, rapidly iterating project. Great if you want the newest capabilities and don't mind rough edges. Daily updates and it can be intimidating.

Software that's been through a proper QA cycle with Alpha testers – SmartSDR. It's FlexRadio's own product, tested and supported through official channels before release.

Net: SmartSDR is the safe, official, feature-complete choice. AetherSDR is the free, open, cross-platform, cutting-edge alternative for people who want to tinker and don't mind being closer to the bleeding edge.

KD0RC · July 31

Another good choice is RimuSDR for Linux (including Raspberry Pi 4 and up) and Windows. It has been through extensive testing, and Simon is now developing a very comprehensive regression testing system for it. It very closely follows SmartSDR in functionality and layout. Here is a link to the website:

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9768e3380da6a049c0e6500b30fa2a1c68e92d80ef9c32eef9632812069ac8f0JmltdHM9MTc4NTQ1NjAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=20199076-1675-6409-02e4-821c178d65c5&psq=rimusdr&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9yaW11c3lzdGVtcy5jb20vcmltdXNkcg

A free trial version is available so that you can see if it is for you before you spend the money ($49.00 USD) for it.

Trucker · July 31

Mike, in your second comparison I think you may have reversed which UI you are talking about. SmartSDR doesn't have buttons and knobs ( unless you are talking about the M model radios and the Maestro). Plus, the AetherSDR display can be made just as sparse as SmartSDR if one wants it that way. AetherSDR's initial layout is basically the same as SmartSDR. It just uses a different default color scheme. There's times that I prefer SmartSDR over AetherSDR. And there are other times that AetherSDR fills my current needs.

James

WD5GWY

Mike-VA3MW · July 31

Thanks Ken, I have yet to take RimuSDR for a test drive, but I have read very positive things.

Why does AetherSDR work better than SmartSDR operating a remote 6600?

Answers

Leave a Comment

Categories