First Impressions of SmartSDR v1.0 General Release

FlexRadio Systems did that StarTrek Transporter thing again, and sent me a brand new radio by software download.

This time it is the first full public release – SmartSDR Version 1.0

I have been testing my Flex-6700 using an aged and clunky old Dell Windows-XP Box – the bottom end of what a use might think of using.  I have a newer SuperMicro Windows-7 Machine ready to use, and will update the station in the next few weeks.

The old hardware/software did give me some minor glitches in this particular upgrade process.  Somehow it caused the radio to duplicate as both ready to go and still needing update in the radio-selector:

SmartSDR Phantom Duplicate Radio

 

I could highlight either one, but the obvious need for a full power down and hard reboot of computer and radio fixed everything.

Once all sorted the temptation to “go play” was huge and I quickly worked a handful of DX Stations.  I missed on the Nigerian chap as I never could hear his call sign in the QRM.  Chile, Cuba, Ireland, West Indies, and a handful more.

Really a step up from the SmartSDR Preview Edition and knowing there are many features laid out on the SmartSDR Technology Roadmap means I will be getting another “new radio” by download roughly quarterly for some time to come!

Very impressed with the step-up from the first software I used through the roughly half-dozen versions to this much more polished General Release V1.0

Well done FlexRadio Systems!!

73

Steve
K9ZW

Flex-6000 Series General Release Tomorrow

An open-secret if there has ever been one is tomorrow’s (September 30th 2013) general release of production FlexRadio Systems Flex-6000 series radios and software.

Under the SmartSDR Preview Edition program I’ve seen the radio grow and improve leaps and bounds.  The latest SmartSDR Preview Edition software is a couple improvement cycles behind tomorrow’s launch of SmartSDR v 1.0

FlexRadio Systems has a forward roadmap of planned feature release dates out to SmartSDR v1.4

So just like I have received a “new radio” by download every couple of weeks under the SmartSDR Preview Edition program, production software users can expect significant upgrades to their radio roughly quarterly.

To be clear almost every ham will be waiting for features they personally really want – that is the nature of beast.  I will repeat my advice that if a certain specific set of features  are absolute musts for you personally, hold off adding a Flex-6000 until those features are included in the production software.

If you are like me and quite willing to enjoy the development process, dive right in.  I had a blast as my Flex-5000 grew in capabilities in leaps and bounds, and have been enjoying the same with the Flex-6000.

Kudos to FlexRadio Systems for their full production launch and for the fun I’ve personally had with my new radio.

73

Steve
K9ZW

Flex-6700 US Island Activation Hits Stormy Weather

Weather has interrupted  the testing with George W9EVT is hosting  on WI-001L Washington Island, and the internet we use.

Pictures and updates will have to wait until my return.

For now here is a video of from the German Ham Show:

As posted at the SmartSDR Yahoo Group list:

Hello to all,

Look http://youtu.be/Dg28LJvEzDA

73 to all
Michel F5OZF

Thank you Michel F5OZF

73

Steve
K9ZW

K9ZW Flex-6700 US Island Activation at WI-001L

As mentioned, George W9EVT is hosting us for a few days on WI-001L Washington Island to let me try the Flex-6700 in an exceptionally RF quiet location with his world class antenna farm.

Everything set up very quick and we’ve been working DX right from start.

I also ran a clean sweep of the 13 Colonies event, including the bonus WM3PEN station. I did do one QSO in the sweep on the IC-7800 as K2H was PSK and RTTY only, and I didn’t bring everything to put the Flex-6700 on digital.

I have filled in some band/mode holes and a couple DX QTHs I hadn’t worked at all.

Did a lot more listening, basically comparing against the IC-7800, with the Flex-6700 showing itself very well!

Will be on periodically for the next several days, depending on what days I need to be home and which I can be up there.

Catch you on the air!

73

Steve
K9ZW

With Flex-6700 Heading Off for US Island Activation

George W9EVT is hosting us for a few days on WI-001L Washington Island to let me try the Flex-6700 in an exceptionally RF quiet location with his world class antenna farm.

Software on a thumb drive and radio in its shipping box we’re off for the couple hour drive, then 30 minutes ferry ride to Washington Island.

Will be on periodically for the next several days, depending on what days I need to be home and which I can be up there.

Catch you on the air!

73

Steve
K9ZW

Amazing Sensitivity of the Flex-6700

Amazing Sensitivity of the Flex-6700

Okay, FlexRadio Systems asked that while the software was in Preview Edition that the program participants avoid putting performance numbers out, as the expectation is they will soon be surpassed.

But you can figure them out yourself.

This is a typical 20m band view.

This is received (and I worked this DX station) of a weak DX Station. Again you can work out the numbers, but be careful as I have expanded the scale to give the signal some definition.

I worked this DX too! I majorly expanded the scale to try and see a signal that was workable. Only gave this one a 55 and received a 57 in return.

Working this station reminded me of working digital modes, where stations you cannot even see can still be worked.

I don’t think my Flex-5000A would have heard this station in the first place.

73

Steve
K9ZW