We have just released the SmartSDR v1.8.4 ecosystem which consists of SmartSDR for Windows, SmartSDR CAT, DAX and SmartSDR for Maestro. With the release of v1.8.4, we are deprecating SmartSDR v1.8.3, meaning that you can no longer down download SmartSDR for Windows v1.8.3 and you will not be able to run SmartSDR for Maestro 1.8.3 if had had previously downloaded and installed it on your Maestro.
For SmartSDR for Windows users, it is recommended that you install v1.8.4 at your earliest convenience. You may want to remove SmartSDR for Windows v1.8.3 prior to installing the new release to ensure that you do not accidently run a deprecated version of SmartSDR.
For Maestro users, please select and download version 1.8.4. While we have corrected the problem that resulted in a small percentage of Maestros becoming inoperable after upgrading to a new software version in release v1.8.4, that fix is not included in earlier versions of Maestro software, so we recommend that once you have upgraded to v1.8.4 that you only downgrade if it is absolutely necessary.
For SmartSDR for Windows users, it is recommended that you install v1.8.4 at your earliest convenience. You may want to remove SmartSDR for Windows v1.8.3 prior to installing the new release to ensure that you do not accidently run a deprecated version of SmartSDR.
For Maestro users, please select and download version 1.8.4. While we have corrected the problem that resulted in a small percentage of Maestros becoming inoperable after upgrading to a new software version in release v1.8.4, that fix is not included in earlier versions of Maestro software, so we recommend that once you have upgraded to v1.8.4 that you only downgrade if it is absolutely necessary.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
Posted 3 years ago
I normally do not hesitate to upgrade.... I was one of the lucky ones that is on 1.8.3 without any issue to either SWR Foldback or Maestro. But I think I might give it a few days. Thanks for posting positive results Tim.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
I can appreciate your hesitation in upgrading, but the three fixes in this release were tested extensively so I think your risk is minimal.
(Edited)
My hesitation comes from being far from the US or any technical service in Barbados... if I was in the US or EU I wouldn't hesitate Tim. :)
As somebody who is waiting for delivery, will Maestro's be upgraded prior to being shipped or no? No problem either way, just wondering.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
It will not. It will have the version it was tested with installed.
Ok, sounds good, thanks Tim.
Jay -- N0FB, Elmer
Oh well... I am my own worst enemy!! I couldn't wait... good news is that everything upgraded nicely!
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
Yippee!!!
No aguantaste Salvador jajaja veo que se actualizo bien..
Si, todo bien, pero la verdad es que también me fue bien en la versión anterior.
Alex - DH2ID, Elmer
Keep receiving message: "the software files are corrupted......" after downloading and trying to install 1.8.4?
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
We have seen this problem occasionally with low bandwidth and/or unreliable network (Internet) connections. If your Maestro is wifi connected, try using a wired Ethernet connection to your network.
I use a wired connection to a wired network that is neither low bandwidth or unreliable. I have made 5 attempts with two different browsers. Downloads from other sites are fine.
FYI: Just did a quick speed test and am currently downloading from the Dallas, TX area at 88 Mbps.
When the Maestro says upgrade required and then does so... this also upgrades the 6000 series Flex radio that it is connected to? Either way the Maestro seems to be working fine with 1.8.4 loaded.... Now if the lighting storms would just hurry up and leave the area.....
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
Yes, the radio firmware version has to be in sync with the client software that is connected to it. In this case, the client software is SmartSDR for Maestro.
if a non-Maestro guy is using 1.8.3 successfully, does it still need to be uninstalled, tim?
73
73
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
It is highly recommended to uninstall it since we have depreciated SmartSDR for Windows v1.8.3. Then install and upgrade the radio to 1.8.4.
I tried to install and now my maestro do not start anymore: Have a black screen with this message:
Waiting on Hardware Initialization
(W)
What should I do ???
Waiting on Hardware Initialization
(W)
What should I do ???
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
Please submit a support ticket via our HelpDesk (http://helpdesk.flexradio.com) so we can assign you a case number. For details on how to submit a HelpDesk support ticket, please refer to the following URL: http://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/202118688-How-to-Submit-a-Request-for-Technical-Supp... Once the support ticket is submitted, a support engineer will be in contact so we can work on the issue.
Sorry to hear this Robin, but I am in the same boat! Just packed my Maestro off to Austin for 'the fix' (I never installed 1.8.3 but waited until 1.8.4 was released...).
Just goes to show, "sometimes ya get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you!
Having fun on the bleeding edge!
Roy AC2GS
Just goes to show, "sometimes ya get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you!
Having fun on the bleeding edge!
Roy AC2GS
Hi Roy
I worked on that with Tim.
He helped me a lot with that and sent me a procedure to fix this error and now my maestro is working fine with 1.8.4
I really encourage you to take contact with him ...maybe it could take 1 hour of your time but you can fix this problem yourself...and have fun with your maestro this evening
I worked on that with Tim.
He helped me a lot with that and sent me a procedure to fix this error and now my maestro is working fine with 1.8.4
I really encourage you to take contact with him ...maybe it could take 1 hour of your time but you can fix this problem yourself...and have fun with your maestro this evening
We tried that last night (battery disconnected, plugged into AC power supply for a while to "charge up the internal battery", then boot it up and wait for the "Waiting on Hardware Initialization (W)" window to go away...
It never went away.
So, back to Austin it went.
Some things are just fated to be!
It never went away.
So, back to Austin it went.
Some things are just fated to be!
So if I upgrade my maestro to v1.8.4 it will automaticly upgrade my 6500 is this correct
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
Correct - it will upgrade the firmware on the 6500 to 1.8.4
But you also need to install SmartSDR for Windows 1.8.4
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
Remember that there are 3 different things that need to be upgraded
1. Maestro Internal Firmware
2. 6500 Internal Firmware
3 SmartSDR for Windows
1&2 are automatically updated when you update 1.
3 needs to be downloaded from Flex
Ok thanks,wish me luck lol
I may be missing it, but I don't see in the release notes where it specifies the changes in 1.8.4.
I'm sure it's in the Changelog.txt, but we can't actually get that until after we install.
Tim mentions that it fixes 3 issues, and one of them is obviously the Maestro problem, but what are the other two?
I held off updating to 1.8.x after I heard of the problems with power foldback when using external amplifiers. Was this addressed, or should I remain on v1.7?
Thanks!
-Mike AE0MW
I'm sure it's in the Changelog.txt, but we can't actually get that until after we install.
Tim mentions that it fixes 3 issues, and one of them is obviously the Maestro problem, but what are the other two?
I held off updating to 1.8.x after I heard of the problems with power foldback when using external amplifiers. Was this addressed, or should I remain on v1.7?
Thanks!
-Mike AE0MW
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
From the release notes...
Fixed SWR Fold-back feature not working properly with certain amplifiers and external tuners: Progressive averaging logic was added to the SWR fold-back feature to prevent exciter drive reduction when short duration transient reflected power was detected. (Defect #3765)
Fixed Noise Burst issue on initial transmit when operating digital modes: A defect has been corrected that resulted in a momentary noise burst being transmitted when utilizing the new feature that allows the use of a microphone in conjunction with DAX. (Defect #3780)
Fixed SWR Fold-back feature not working properly with certain amplifiers and external tuners: Progressive averaging logic was added to the SWR fold-back feature to prevent exciter drive reduction when short duration transient reflected power was detected. (Defect #3765)
Fixed Noise Burst issue on initial transmit when operating digital modes: A defect has been corrected that resulted in a momentary noise burst being transmitted when utilizing the new feature that allows the use of a microphone in conjunction with DAX. (Defect #3780)
Fantastic Tim, thanks.
I see an upgrade in my immediate future.
I see an upgrade in my immediate future.
