FlexRadio Systems Forums / General / Support Questions & Discussions

Help with BobS meter

W4PJH — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:22:37 GMT

I have the following setup.

Kenwood TS-850 on COM3 PowerSDR / IF controls the rig trough COM3 and receives CATY commands on COM7 HRD controls PowerSDR / IF on COM6

I have VSPE, as recommended, emulating the 6<>& pair.

All that works flawlessly. I'm trying to get the woodboxradio Bob S meter to play in the sandbox, but I cant figure out the VSPE software. I know I need to use the splitter, or the mapper, but cant figure out which or how. The instructions for the meter software are basically non existent.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

INVALID NUMBER OF CHANNELS

K3ROJ — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:48:30 GMT

I just purchased a good ASUS Esentio Vista 64 bit computer with 4 GB RAM, DUO processors etc. I bought this computer for future use with a 5000A when the signed drivers come out. In the meantime, I downloaded the latest SDR console which looks great on my large monitor and want to practice using the DEMO mode. Only problem is, I get a message "INVALID NUMBER OF CHANNELS" each time I hit the start button on the console. The same software runs great on my XP computer where I can play the I/Q recordings but want it to work with Vista before I actually order the 5000A. Thanks

Memory save app

alzaba — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:16:20 GMT

Could someone pls point me to where I can download Tim's memory save app?

PSDR v2.2.3, Flex-1500 | Storing custom B/W info with channel?

W4AFK — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:26:02 GMT

Using PowerSDR 2.2.3 w/Flex-1500 and I wonder how to store channel, frequency,[u] mode & custom filter selection?[/u]

Saved all of the WSPR frequencies. I had optimized the filters for this mode but I can't seem to be able to save these custom parameters. Whenever I select a WSPR frequency, I get the default filter bandwidths.

Am I missing something obvious or is this a limitation of PSDR?

WSPR can be used to see who is around at any given time?

jean2011 — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:55:18 GMT

The WSPRnet website can be used to see who is around at any given time?and how to do it please ? Stitch Case

PowerSDR locks-up in demo mode

w5cdr — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:20:23 GMT

I am in the pre-purchase mode and I have down loaded PowerSDR 2.2.3. I have installed it and I was able to get running. So far everything seemed OK. However, I closed the program and later tried to launch it again. The program seemed to load fine but when I clicked on the 'Start' button the program freezes. Tried several times to close and re-open the program to no avail. I completely un-installed the program and re-loaded it. The program seemed to run OK, but . . . I shut down the program only to run into the same problem when I re-launched the program.

My computer is running Win 7, 64 bit, Core 2 Duo 2.0gHz w/6 gb ram. No other programs have been launched and the computer had a clean OS load about a month ago. No bloat ware.

What am I doing wrong? I'm not afraid of computers as I have been working with them and OS's since CPM days but this lock-up/freezing is simply not right.

Sean

WSPR setup - Mode/Frequency and Levels.

Tony Fletcher — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:11:07 GMT

Hi,
Anyone help with set up for WSPR?
I think I'm OK with Audio in and out but no Decodes. What mode is best and Frequency. I have set it to 7.038.6 but no Decode.
Thank you.
Tony..

SDR and Rig Expert Software problem

KC4RSN — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:27:35 GMT

Running the Flex 1500 on Windows XP without any problems, until I decided to get a CAT control for my ICOM IC-718, got a used Rig Expert Tiny.Downloaded the drivers for rig expert , well, the next time I started SDR, I got a blue screen, immediately uninstalled the rig expert drivers(com ports 4&5), problem resolved.Wondering if anyone is running Rig Expert and SDR on the same computer and if you have had trouble?BTW, I am not trying to run both at the same time,just one at a time depending on which radio I plan to use.Thanks.....

S meter versus Panadapter levels

almarc11 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:37:14 GMT

I have noticed that the average signal levels seen on the Flex 5K S meter as compared to the panadapter seem to be quite different. For example, on 40 meters on a section of the band with no signals, the panadapter shows a very flat line centered at -110db which should correspond to and S meter reading of about S3. However, the S meter reads S6 with the meter set to either "signal" or "sig avg". That is an 18db difference which is quite large.

I checked with Dudley the other day and he indicated that the panadapter would never read as high a signal level as the S meter since the panadapter is limited by the display frame rate. He indicated that the S meter should read the correct value. I guess this translates into some difference in the sampling rate.....not sure. When I switch to my Icom, the S meter there seems to agree with the Flex panadapter much more closely. I would think the Flex should agree more closely as well. However, I don't have any first hand experience with any other panadapters. So I wondered if anyone had any thoughts/experience on this.

Problems with using remote desktop.

NB3K — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:19:29 GMT

I was wondering if anyone can help me. I have stared to use remote desktop to control my sdr computer from my gaming computer, but when ever I am using the remote desktop and transmit powersdr crashes. How can I fix this?

VAC inserting spaces in stream

rt62 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:49:54 GMT

I have a Flex 3000, and I am trying to use VAC (v4.09) to stream the audio. I have discovered that whenever I try to record from the VAC device for several minutes, it will periodically insert about 1000 samples of space. I am running at 48 kHz and I have tried changing all of the buffer settings and using different audio programs, etc. to record the VAC stream but no matter what I do, this always happens about 3-4 minutes into the recording. After the 1000 or so samples of space, the stream seems to resume as normal. Has anyone else seen anything like this?

Audio output of Flex 3000

W6JSY — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:03:25 GMT

I have been using a HP computer with The Flex, however I also use this computer for everything else. I have to constantly re-boot the computer to get the Flex to work after using another application. Hence I set up a second computer to run the Flex, however the sound from the flex isn't working with the secound computer. The second computer is a new MSI motherboard with qaud core CPU and 4 gigs of memory. Using a I/O crest Firewire PCIe card. I seems to work fine. Switching the firewire between computers reveals the sound working with the HP but not the MSI. Any suggestions?

What is best Win 7 audio default setting override setting

designer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:05:11 GMT

When following the Wiki post and links for setting up VAC, it leads me to a description of how Windows 7 (and Vista) have modified thinks to default sound devices to 44.1 kHz. The text goes on to describe how to override that for VAC in a sound manager area.

My confusion is, at the beginning of the article, they mention that 48000, single channel (not stereo) is best. But at the end of the article, where it describes the override settings, they set it to two channels. ??

Also, is more better if the other app has a drop down for it. that is, if the apps I'm going to use have a drop down choice of 96K, should I set for that instead of 48K. I can see it could get messy if various digital apps have different limits (48K vs 96K, 8 bit, 16 bit, 24 bit).

If there is not that much "quality" difference between 48 and 96, I'm guessing the more universal (48K?) would be less hassle?

Finally, I also have a soundblaster 24 bit external box from yesteryear. Is the audio card in the Flex 3K leaps and leaps ahead of it - or would it be worth keeping around so I could feed non-SDR rig audio via it to different apps - again, trying to minimize sound setting adjustments.

Thank you for any advice.

73, Paul, K7NHB

Demo powersdr - playing sample wav files?

K1FR — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:44:37 GMT

Installed powersdr demo. Downloaded .wav (I/Q) files from flex radio site. Tried playing using "WAV" menu. No go. Getting errors about invalid format. Any help greatly appreciated!

73, Tom K1FR

60M changes

allenfr — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:37:52 GMT

I'm anticipating numerous questions about how to get changes in the Flex radios to cover the approx Dec16th improvements to 60M.

I will attempt to provide a basic overview of the
changes and rules in plain language, as they apply to the
Amateur Radio Service in USA. See the synopsis
below, but please rely only upon the actual FCC rules.
http://www.fcc.gov/document/amateur-radio-service-5-mhz

Regards,
Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA

==================================================
USA's Federal Communications Commission
released a REPORT AND ORDER on November 18, 2011
with new 5MHz rules for the Amateur Radio Service.
The effective date: 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

The FCC adopted the use of the name "60 meter band",
to refer to 5MHz amateur radio in the frequency
range 5330.5-5406.4 kHz, but USA hams are still only
allowed to transmit on 5 specific channels in the band.

The FCC changed the rules to allow:
Phone (Upper Sideband), RTTY, Data, and CW;
with specific limitations on the use of these modes.

Amateur radio is a "secondary user" in this band, and
must not cause harmful interference to other services!
Amateur Radio Service must accept interference from
other primary services and other nations services.

Operators transmitting data or RTTY must exercise care
to limit the length of transmission so as to avoid
causing harmful interference to US Government stations.

New 60 meter band 5MHz Channel List:
General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class license only.

Suppressed
Carrier
VFO Dial freq
5330.5 kHz USB (center of channel = 5332.0)
5346.5 kHz USB (center of channel = 5348.0)
5357.0 kHz USB (center of channel = 5358.5) New!
5371.5 kHz USB (center of channel = 5373.0)
5403.5 kHz USB (center of channel = 5405.0)

Note: FCC deleted the channel at 5366.5 USB (center=5368.0)
and "replaced" it with channel 5357.0 kHz USB (center=5358.5)

The maximum allowed power level is now 100Watts PEP (ERP)
effective radiated power referenced to a dipole.
If another type of antenna is used, the station licensee
must maintain a record of either the antenna manufacturer’s
data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain.

Upper SideBand Phone, Data, or RTTY transmissions
may use dial (VFO) USB suppressed carrier frequency
at 1.5kHz below the center of the channel.

Transmissions must not exceed the 2.8kHz bandwidth channel.
RTTY modes such as PSK31 must not exceed 60Hz necessary
bandwidth. Data modes must not exceed 2.8kHz bandwidth.
CW bandwidth must not exceed 150Hz bandwidth and the CW
frequency should be at the center of the channel.

Data stations operating under section § 97.221
automatically controlled digital station, are not
allowed on these 5MHz channels.

dx4win and powersdr integration issue

ik2egl — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:43:05 GMT

GM/GE all

when I pickup a CW alert in DX4win spot window only the CWU mode is selected,

and 600 hz is added in the freq.

So I need to use the vfo to get the original spot freq

does anyone know ho to fix this issue ?
\\tnx
don
ik2egl:)

wave recording path

ik2egl — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:34:53 GMT

ge/gm all

I'd like to record for a long time my radio activity as in a contest

I will have huge file so I'd like to save it in an external disk, not in the APPDATA (which is C: and iti is a smlla disk)

Is it possbile modify the wave folder path ?

tnx
don

ZZOV (Set/Read ATU) Command

KC2FF — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:16:04 GMT

I'm using WSPR Frequency Hopping and would like to auto-tune at each band change. The CAT Command Guide (Oct 2011) lists the "ZZOV" command to read/set/clear the ATU button. PSDR 2.2.3 responds with "?;" to any variation of that command. Is this "broken" or "not yet implemented?

Thanks,

Andy

Equalizer won't switch from Digital to SSB Mode

N4WEQ — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:45:20 GMT

My mic requires that I use the equalizer in PowerSDR (Heil PR-20). When operating digital mode (i.e. SSTV) it's my understanding that by hitting the PPT the VAC will be overridden to phone. This is useful when you want to have a QSO between digital transmissions.

My problem is the the equalizer is not automatically enabled when going from digital to phone via the PPT. In order to operate the equalizer I have to manually select USB or LSB.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Screen captures of my configuration: http://s816.photobucket.com/albums/zz86/dummybig/

Thanks for any help.

Dan/n4weq

Importing skins into Powersdr

KM4VX — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:04:40 GMT

I am running Windows 7 PRO and Powersdr on the Flex 3000. I cannot get the W1AEX skins to import to Powersdr. Typing %APPDATA% in the search box does not bring up the skins, although the instructions say it should. The skin I try to import never shows up in the skins folder of powersdr when enabled, and I do not see a skins folder anywhere under Powersdr in the programs folder. I wonder if anyone else is having this problem or if anyone has a current guide to importing skins. Thanks and 73 de KM4VX

sdr 2 and flex 1500 cw not keying constantly

wb4jji — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:23:34 GMT

Hi
I am trying to figure out how to get the 1500 to work correctly on cw. This is a new setup. I have gotten it to receive nicely but I am having a problem with transmitting. As I am send code either by keyboard or by hand key all is well for a while. At first I have what ever power the drive level is set for. As I begin to send at some point the output power drops to zero no matter what drive level I am at. Tune works perfectly every time. What is interesting is that when the power drop I still have the sidetone and can hear and see it cutting in. Pressing the tune button brings it back. The length of time before it quits is different each time. One keyed it stays at power. By that I means I can hold the key down and it will if started will stay transmitting. Breaking would be nice but even if I don't use it it will eventually not transmit. Suggestions

PSK RTTY Digital mode TX Filter settings

KD8LCD — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:35:22 GMT

When using digital modes like PSK or RTTY, with VAC

What is the proper TX bandwidth or a good starting point ?

currently I have 200-2800 in the TX filter and have unchecked the DE/ Noise Gate option

Thanks

crackling on transmitted and received audio

almarc11 — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:09:59 GMT

[font=Arial][/font]When I started the Flex 5K yesterday on 40M, I noticed all the received signals had a crackling sound on all received audio. I sounded like static. CW signals had the same problem. When I contacted a station, they reported that my transmitted audio also had the crackling with the audio. I thought initially that it was some sort of atmospheric problem until I shifted to my other radio and the problem disappeared. I cured the problem with the Flex by doing nothing more than stopping PSDR by just toggling the start button and the problem went away. I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience. So far it has not re-occurred.

Equiliser

9H1BW — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:52:25 GMT

At my age I now require some sort of equiliser to enable decipher a signal. I have tried to use the SDR equiliser facility and did improve my readabilty. In high static condition it is still difficult. Would i be correct to think that if I had to add in the MFJ-616 or 618 my readability would improve? Has any body tried the MFJ 618?

Using Flex 5000A with Easypal sstv (digital) trandmission

N5BRY — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:37:55 GMT

Lads -If you use Easypal without transmission problems, please let me know how you are set-up.

On transmitting, the signal "spits" and Easypal loses its signal lock. The transmission has intermittant short dropouts.

It does not have this problem with MMSTV or ChromaPix, which are analog signals ?

Please send response to N5BRY@aol.com or w5eqy@aol.com

tnx , Bill N5BRY

PowerSDR VAC problem help!!

iz4beh — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:30:55 GMT

Hello to all
I have problem with VAC in my pc. I use a ITX Asrock A330ION (audio chipset VIA) with Windows XP pro.
I have installed Power SDR 2.2.3 and work but VAC not working. Any suggestion?
I use powerSDR with Flex-1500. I had try to install all in another pc with XP pro and works all very fine.
Many thanks
Roberto iz4beh

64 bit virtual com port

W6MTR — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:41:46 GMT

Can anyone recommend a virtual comport that will run on Windows Vista 64?

Freeware is preferred, but if it's good and reasonably priced, please mention it.

What is the best Digital Software

jimw4wwj — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:11:29 GMT

Hi all been reading lots of info here and another user groups. At present have different brand of radio. I do most of my radio work via the digital mods. But when in QSO never asked the Flex user what software he used. Familiar with Power SDR software because my other radio use if with a Panadapter along with HRD. I plan on buying a Flex and using my Heil Gold Line Mic . But my Question is what is the best software to us when in Digital Mod. Have used virtual com ports. So need your guys input? The Flex I want is the 3K
I see that HRD uses Power SDR sure do like that program because of my logging and the use of Eqsl and LoTW. Help Guys. Jim W4WWJ

New but Old Returning to Radio

G6VMR — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:04:42 GMT

Hi All This is my 1st post.

I was licensed in 1983 when PC's where few and far between and not many mobile phones. I used traditional radios as we know it. I have raised some children and have decided to come back to radio (18 year break). (Never left my mind really but missed).

I started reading and found all these modern radios. I went to the local club and said what do I buy. I got mixed answers but the strongest was SDR. I have been on the internet, google and utubtube all things "Flex-Radio".

I must congratulate you all on what a great item you have produced based on what many seem to say online. Before I plunge into a purchase I have a few questions to start me off.

[i]With the Flex-3000 has the hardware unit changed since initial production. If so how do I identify the latest version (I may find one 2nd hand)[/i]

[i]How many flex user are there world wide?[/i]

[i]Is there a new Flex-3000 in the pipeline. Dont want to buy one then find a new model a week later?[/i].:angry:

Thanks for being patient with my questions they have probarbly been asked before but there are a lot of posts to catch up on in this forum.

[b]BTW If you need a UK tester who is returning to radio with no preconceptions :)

Martin

should i be able to hear the audio with vac?

ab9rn — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:44:28 GMT

I believe i have VAC setup correctly as DM780 can decode psk31 just fine, but i can't seem to hear it on the speakers of my pc. Should i be able to? is there a trick to that?

HRD/DM780 CW ?

KD8LCD — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:15:33 GMT

I am using mini deluxe with the HRD 5.0 version / logging and the DM780 digital program

That works very well.
I am having a problem in getting the flex-3000or DM780 to accept any type configuration for keying the Flex for CW.

When in CW mode I have setup DM760 to use either a comport or the HRD PTT line neither of which I have gotten to work.

I tried using the DIGU or DIGL on powerSDR and also using CWU or CWL and enabling the VAC so it would decode the CW decoding is no issue that works well, I just can't seem to get it to key the radio , a couple times that I did get it too key there was no power output I also checked the slider to make sure I did have an output power level.

I guess I may have to add a serial port card too the computer and makeup a line interface, but would like to use just the firewire cable if at all possible.

using the following
PowerSDR 2.2.3
DDU
MiniDeluxe
VAC
VSPmngr-
HRD logbook and DM780 ver 5.0 build 2893

Anyone have CW working with DM780 on transmit?

Flex-3000 external Keying Line can it operate an FL-2100B

KD8LCD — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:19:14 GMT

The external Keying jack on the back of the Flex-3000 closes to ground via a relay according to the manual.

I have an older FL-2100B Yaesu 80-10 meter amplifier , that has a terminal strip connection that closes its circuit to ground as well to key /place the amp in operating/keyed mode. Across terminals RY and E the FL-2100B in the manual regarding the Relay control :

RY and E terminal on the rear panel are provided for connection to the exciter relay circuit which is normally open and which closes on transmit, E terminal should be connected to ground for exciters whose relay connects to ground on transmit.

I take I can use the Flex-3000 relay connector directly to the terminal strip of the FL-2100B?

I take that the outer side of the RCA jack on the relay connector is ground and connects to the E terminal on the FL-2100B as well ?
And the center goes to RY on the FL-2100B terminal strip ?

I use to in the past use a foot switch to manually key the FL-2100 using the RY and E contacts, thus I am thinking I can now use the Flex-3000’s Keying line instead? and since it uses a real relay I don't need a buffer?

Thanks

KD8LCD

CPU use

MellyFlex — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:01:03 GMT

Since installing PowerSDR 2.2.3 on my newly formatted PC and Flex 3000 that previously ran the previous version at 12-25% it now runs at 80-100% and is stalling and stuttering, has any one experienced this issue. My other PC much lowered spec (Also newly installed), is running at around 45-50% with my Flex 1500 with 2.2.3
System Spec
Flex 3000
Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
4 Gb fast ram
System drive 60 Gb Crucial SSD
Software drive 500 Gb Sata
Onboard firewire
Complete new install Win 7 Ultimate 64
V2.0.19 12-25% cpu use V2.2.3 80-100%

Flex 1500
AMD athlon 64 x2
2 Gb ram
500 Gb HD
USB
Complete new install Win 7 Ultimate 64
V2.0.19 45-50% no problems

Previously with 2.0.19 i ran both radios, tv software, email and web browsing at the same time and never ever got near 80% cpu usage, now with dedicated PC's for both radios the "High Spec" one will not run 2.2.3, the radios even run better on my Samsung N150 550 atom netbook. Any ideas from experienced users?

Regards Simon M6AQL

Logging

VA3WTB — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:20:16 GMT

Wouldn't it be great if Flex software had a good logging program built in. Than we would not have to use 3rd party software for this, Keep it all FLEX

Mirrored Signals on Panadapter

kz2q — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:49:30 GMT

First post so I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere- I am a java/ J2EE developer by trade- .NET 4.0 Entity Framework as well - so I thought I would post my latest user experience with the latest beta build -

Power SDR build 2.1.5.26706

2 items or possible bugs that are starting to nag at me:

1) Particularly on the higher bands I see mirrored signals on the panadapter - for example I am monitoring 28.426 USB I can see the signal calling CQ down at 28.396 (what appears to be a LSB signal) but it rises and falls with the current frequency I am monitoring. If I tune down to 28.396 it disappears. Anybody had similar behavior?

2) Quick record- I find that I can do this once if I record and playback in the Quick mode. Then the buttons become disabled/locked. The only way to record from here is to use the [Wave] menu directly. Anybody see this characteristic?

If there is a better spot to post this let me know - however any insight would be helpful.

Sincerely,

jeremy KZ2Q

F-1500, PowerSDR 2.2.3 and "PA settings" + things you need to know

W4AFK — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:57:57 GMT

I have a FLEX-1500 and I wonder why I don't see any options under "PA Settings"?

Next... after spending a few hours trying to figure out why my F-1500 was not outputting any RF, I discovered that when you switch between RX-Only and TX/RX modes, you MUST power-cycle the radio itself. I was unloading and reloading PowerSDR 2.2.3, double & triple checking every parameter, etc. While all that was REALLY needed was to just power cycle the radio (sigh)

Too bad there is no mention of this in the manual as it could have saved me the anguish over the specter of having a dead FLEX-1500 ;-(

Updated keyboard mapping?

KF5MTW — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:50:12 GMT

I downloaded the spreadsheet that contains keyboard mappings for PowerSDR 1.x. Is there a newer spreadsheet for 2.x? Is there a keyboard mapping for the "START" button? Thanks for any help.

How to transfer stored channel memory information to 2.1.5?

W4AFK — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:45:03 GMT

I really like the added flexibility of the new "memory" form. However, I cannot seem to be able to figure out if and how I can copy the memory contents from 2.0.22 or 2.1.2 RC3 to 2.1.5? I have a lot of channels stored in the memory form and unless I am missing something, it seems like I will need to reenter them manually.

Now I tried "SDRDataTransfer" without success and I assume this is because of the different database structure. Additionally, there is no "export" to CSV or any other means to at least print the channel memory contents of 2.0.22 or 2.1.2 RC3. As I can't have two instances of PowerSDR running at the same time, it's a bit frustrating.

How do you move your stored frequencies to the new database?

I/Q wavfiles for demo mode please

RayP — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:04:45 GMT

I've already been through the demo I/Q files provided here, but they are very short.
Does anyone have or know where I can get some large wav files so I can explore the Flex radio some more?

Thanks
Ray

Using a Flex-3000 with Compaq CQ60-422DX Laptop

n9wx — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:53:09 GMT

Hi Everyone...I am thinking seriously about getting a Flex-3000. I have a new(er) laptop, about 4 months old. The Compaq CQ60-422DX. Just wondering if it can a firewire connection can installed in this Laptop. Anyone have experience with this laptop?

Thanks and 73,

Daniel N9WX