Why are SmartSDR CAT and DAX in Startup?

Dick B · January 2016

Why are SmartSDR CAT & DAX in Startup? I use the computer for many other tasks when SmartSDR is not running. If CAT & DAX are of any use to programs other than SmartSDR then they should behave like all other background tasks and appear only in the Notification area.

SmartSDR CAT does 28 I/O Reads and 4 I/O writes every second, and they use about 80MB. When not running SmartSDR this seems like a waste.

Can I simply remove them from Startup and only start them when I start SmartSDR?

Jim Gilliam · January 2016

If using windows 7, go to msconfig and remove it from the start up. Bring them up if you need them.

Rick · January 2016

Good question that I too would like the answer to.

DH2ID · January 2016

Hi ****, you can easily do that: just start CAT and DAX before you use SmartSDR.
If you only want to work SSB and no digital logging, you don't need them at all.
Alex-DH2ID

Dick B · January 2016

Sorry Alex, I didn't follow your response. What does mode have to do with it? CAT & DAX are only needed when running SmartSDR regardless of mode I believe. I have an IC-756 Pro3 that I use with HRD Logbook and DM780 for digital modes ... CAT & DAX have no role there either.

BTW. Prior to v1.6 I used a BAT file to start CAT, DAX, DDUtil, FRStacks, SmartSDR, HRD Logbook and PstRotator, and another BAT file to end them all. I guess I'll just remove CAT & DAX from Startup and continue using those BAT files. I thought maybe there was some other reason they were in Startup.

Thanks to all for the very quick responses! Great group.

K5CG · January 2016

"Can I simply remove them from Startup and only start them when I start SmartSDR?"

Yes you can.

K9DUR · January 2016

****,

They are placed in the startup only as a convenience. Yes, you can certainly remove them from startup & start them manually when needed.

SmartSDR, CAT, & DAX may be started in any order. You do NOT have to start CAT and/or DAX before starting the SmartSDR client.

You only need DAX if you are using a digital mode soundcard program, or for capturing receive audio or sending transmit audio by other programs such as CW decoders or voice keyers.

You only need CAT if you are running a logging program or other program that needs to talk to the radio via a serial port. Some digital mode programs also use CAT for PTT.

73, Ray, K9DUR

NX6D Dave · January 2016

The question of the notification area has been discussed in other threads. I would like to see the Cat and Dax autostart made an installation option.

DH2ID · January 2016

Mode has to do a lot with DAX and CAT. Try to run SmartSDR without DAX and CAT, which you can easily remove from the autostart folder (or simply
rename .old) and you'll see that SSB works and CWX works.
You have to start DAX and CAT only if you are running external programs,
for which purpose you can write a batch and start it. You can either start
CAT and DAX bfore or after starting SmartSDR, that doesn't matter at all.
Alex - DH2ID

K5CG · January 2016

I use 2 laptops. A Core i7 for SmartSDR and a Core2 Duo for other applications. I run DAX and CAT ONLY on the 2nd laptop (the Core2 Duo) for FLDIGI, RMS Express. CAT and DAX are not running at all on the Core i7 machine where SmartSDR is.

Why are SmartSDR CAT and DAX in Startup?

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