This article will show:
1) How to Create a SmartLink account,
2) How to log in to an existing SmartLink Account, and
3) How to change the password on an existing SmartLink account:
It will not cover: setting up Port Forwarding, or troubleshooting network issues.
(For that information, see: How to Set Up SmartLink – FlexRadio )
Be Certain That Your Computer's Clock is Accurate:
IMPORTANT: Before attempting to create a SmartLink account or register a radio to the SmartLink Authentication Server: be certain that your computer's system clock is accurate. If it is significantly out of sync, your computer may not be able to communicate with the SmartLink Server.
You have two options to accomplish this.
A) Use the Windows Settings Procedure:
Syncing Your Clock on Windows 11
- Open Settings: Click the Start button and select Settings, or press Windows + I on your keyboard.
- Navigate to Time & Language: In the Settings window, click on Time & Language.
- Select Date & Time: Under the Time & Language section, choose Date & Time.
- Enable Automatic Time Sync: Find the switch labeled Set time automatically and toggle it on. This allows Windows to automatically sync your time with internet time servers.
- Set Time Zone Automatically: If you travel frequently, you can also enable Set time zone automatically to adjust your clock based on your location.
- Manual Sync: If you want to sync immediately, scroll down to the Additional settings section and click on Sync now. You should see a confirmation message indicating that the synchronization was successful.
B) Or you can use one of several automated "time-sync" programs to keep your computer clock up to date:
- Meinberg NTP: Meinberg Software Download
- Dimension 4: Software Download – Dimension4
- Time sync tool https://www.timesynctool.com/
How to Create a SmartLink Account:
Use this procedure only if you do not already have a SmartLink account, OR if you wish to create a new or additional account:
A) Open SmartLink for Windows and navigate to the "Radio Chooser" window:
(If SmartSDR is already running and showing a panadapter and slice, you will need to tell SSDR to return to the "Radio Chooser" window by clicking on the "Settings" menu button and selecting "Choose Radio / SmartLink Setup.")
B) When the Radio Chooser screen is displayed, click the "Log-In" button.
(If the "Log-Out" button is displayed, you are already logged in to a SmartLink Account.
Make certain you are using the correct SmartLink account. If it is NOT the account you want,
or you wish to use a different account, click the "Log Out" button. Then click on "Log-In.")
C) Create the Account:
- Click on the "Sign Up" tab.
- Enter the email address you want to use for your SmartLink Account. Then hit the "TAB" button to advance to the Password entry box.
- Make up a password that you want to use for SmartLink, enter it in the "Password" box, and hit the "TAB" key.
- Enter the same password again to confirm it
NOTE: The password is "Case Sensitive." If something is Capitalized, this becomes part of the password.
No Spaces are allowed in the password. You CAN use "Special Characters" such as - + = ( ) ! @ # $ % /.
(Do not use your email account password. If you need to share the password with someone, you do not want to compromise your email account security)
5. To finish creating your SmartLink account, click the "Sign Up" button.
6. Enter your Callsign, First Name, and Last Name into the Account Settings Table: Then Hit "SAVE."
Now your SmartLink Account has been created!
[IMPORTANT!] Write the email and Password down somewhere in case you forget it!
How to Log In to an Existing SmartLink Account:
To log in to an existing SmartLink Account, follow steps A and B above to navigate to your "Radio Chooser" Screen. Then:
1. Click on the "Log In" Tab.
2. Enter the email address you used to create the intended SmartLink account. Hit the "TAB" Key.
3. Enter the Password you used when you created the SmartLink Account.
4. Hit the "Show/Hide" (eyeball) button to see the Password to check for accuracy.
(Many Log-in problems are caused by typos or Capitalization errors.)
5. Click the "Log In" button to log in to your existing SmartLink Account.
Common Errors you may get when trying to log in to your SmartLink Account:
"Email or password is incorrect: "
This usually indicates that the email address you have entered is not on record, or the password you have used is in error.
- Verify you have entered the correct email address. (You DID write it down for safe-keeping, didn't you?)
- Check that you have properly entered the email address.
- Try a different password
- Verify you are using the proper password. (Did you write it down somewhere?)
Common Password Errors include;:
- Spelling/typo errors.
- Capitalization Errors.
- Be sure you have properly entered any "special characters."
- Try another email address. (You may have used a different email to register for SmartLink)
Common email errors include:
- using the wrong email provider: "my.email@yahoo.com" instead of "my.email@gmail.com" etc.
- forgetting a "." in the email name: "myemail@isp.com" instead of "my.email@isp.com"
If all else fails, you can reset your password:
How to Reset your SmartLink Password:
If it becomes necessary to change or reset your SmartLink Password:
Navigate to the "Log In" Window.
1. Enter your SmartLink Account Email Address and hit the "TAB" Key.
2. Click on the "Reset Password" tab
Enter your SmartLink Account Email
Click on the "Reset Password Button"
The SmartLink Log-in will respond with a message like this:
Check your email account.
If you receive the "reset" email. Please follow the instructions in the email to reset your SmartLink password.
Then log back into your SmartLink Account using your new password.
*** You will need to re-enter the SmartLink password on ALL devices that use this account: All PCs, Laptops, Mac, IOS Devices, Maestros, and M-Model Front Panels or they will not be able to log in to SmartLink.
If you do not receive the "Reset Email"
- Check your SPAM or JUNK Folders. The email sometimes gets misdirected by some email clients.
- Be certain that you entered the proper email address in the "Forgot Password" screen. If you entered an email address that is NOT on file with the SmartLink Server, you will NOT receive a "Reset Password" email. This is a security measure.
- Your account may have been temporarily locked due to excessive log-in attempts using the wrong password. Wait about 15-30 Minutes and try again. The server will reset after a time delay.
If the "Reset Password" link does not work?
a) You may have waited too long to use it. The link will time-out to prevent someone from hacking your email account and using an old reset password link to hijack your SmartLink Account.
or
b) Your account may still be blocked from excessive log-in attempts. - (Wait about an hour and try again)
or
c) Your SmartLink Account may have been previously created using either the "FaceBook" or "Google" Authentication, which is no longer supported.
You may need to recreate a new account using the same email account, but using the procedure above in "How to Create a SmartLink Account."
Can I Change the Email for my SmartLink Account?
No: You cannot simply change your email for your SmartLink Account.
But you can easily create a NEW SmartLink Account using your new Email Address and a new password and register your radio(s) to the new account.
Then log in to all your Client Devices with the new account.
Additional Resources:
Here is a good guide to setting up SmartLink on your radio and router:
How to Set Up SmartLink – FlexRadio
Here is a good video about debugging SmartLink:
Debugging SmartLink - For newbies - YouTube
There is also a lot of good information in Section 9 of the SmartSDR Software User Guide:
https://edge.flexradio.com/www/uploads/20200818184951/SmartSDR-Software-User-Guide.pdf
To get SmartLink running you must ensure your radio has an internet connection. You can run this procedure on a computer that is on the same network as the radio to retrieve your radio information to examine network and software status:
Retrieving the Radio Information from a FLEX-6000 – FlexRadio
You can run this test from a computer on the radio side of the network to check for Multiple NAT issues: