SmartLink is a feature introduced with SmartSDR version 2 that allows you to operate your radio remotely via an internet connection. However, to function properly your network and radio must be configured properly.
Note: These instructions assume that you are using SmartSDR for Windows. You can find more information about SmartLink in Section 9 of the SmartSDR Software User Guide:
https://edge.flexradio.com/www/uploads/20200818184951/SmartSDR-Software-User-Guide.pdf
If you use SmartSDR for MacOS, please refer to the SmartSDR for Mac Online Manual for equivalent instructions.
Prerequisites:
To operate your radio remotely via SmartLink, you must have the following conditions in place:
- Your radio must be connected to the Internet.
- Your network must be configured properly and allow access to the radio
- You must have a valid SmartLink Account.
- You must register the radio to the SmartLink Account.
- You must configure the proper Port Forwarding for the radio.
- You must properly log your remote "Client" (PC, Laptop, Maestro, Mac, IOS Device) into the same SmartLink account as the radio.
Test the Radio-Side Network:
Verify Internet Access
Run this procedure on a computer on the same network as the radio to retrieve your radio information and confirm if the radio has access to the internet.
Retrieving the Radio Information from a FLEX-6000 – FlexRadio
The information returned will include these lines of information, among others:
Max License: Must be V2 or V3 to operate SmartLink.
Radio IP: This is the IP Address of your radio. You will use it later in the configuration steps.
Radio Internet: Available or NONE. If it doesn't say "Available," check your radio's network connection.
Radio Firmware: You should be running the latest version of SmartSDR based on the license version installed on your radio.
Verify NAT Configuration
Certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs) utilize a network infrastructure that is not compatible with SmartLink remote operation. We need to test your network configuration to see if it is compatible with SmartLink. Or if you are using multiple routers in your own network, this too can lead to an incompatible network configuration.
To check for Multiple-NAT or CG-NAT issues, run the procedures outlined in the HelpDesk article How to Determine if Your Network is Configured for Multiple NATing
If your TraceRoute test reveals more than one of these "Private IP Addresses" in the list, this indicates your network has either a MULTI-NAT issue or a CG-NAT issue. In this case, you must correct the MULTI-NAT issue before proceeding, because your network configuration is not compatible with SmartLink.
If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) uses CG-NAT Protocol, your Internet Service is not compatible with SmartLink.
Once you have confirmed that the radio's Local Area Network is compatible with SmartLink, you are ready to configure SmartLink on the radio and your local router.
Create a SmartLink Account:
Use the procedure outlined in this HelpDesk article to create and manage your SmartLink Account:
Managing Your SmartLink Account and Password – FlexRadio
Configure the Radio for SmartLink AUTOMATIC Access
Most routers have a feature called UPnP -- Universal Plug and Play -- which automatically creates port forwarding between your router and the radio to allow the radio to be accessed from outside your local network. This is the fastest and easiest option to get SmartLink working.
(NOTE: The computer must be connected to the same network as the radio for this procedure.)
- Log your computer with your desired SmartLink Account.
Enter your SmartLink email address and password into the appropriate boxes and hit "Log In."
- Open SmartSDR, and from the SmartSDR "Radio Chooser" screen, select "SmartLink Setup"
- Hit the "Register" Button in SmartLink Setup.
When the dialogue box asks, assert PTT on your mic or hit the CW Key to confirm that you have physical control over your radio. (This is a security feature to prevent someone from hijacking your radio.)
If this process is successful, the radio will play a chime sound, and a green check mark will appear with the message: "Registered for SmartLink! Your Radio has been registered!"
- Click on the "Network Settings" down arrow. Select AUTOMATIC, and hit SAVE.
- Hit the TEST Button. If everything goes well, the small indicator circle should turn GREEN.
Hover your mouse over the indicator, and a pop-up will appear telling you the SmartLink connectivity test results. The "UPnP Ports" should show PASS.
There are three categories in the test: "UPnP Ports," "Forwarded Ports," and "Hole Punch."
Only one of these three groups needs to show PASS. But the TCP and UDP Ports in a specific group BOTH must show "PASS." If both "UPnP Ports" and "Forwarded Ports" show PASS, this is OK.
If everything looks good, then log your other "Client Device" into your SmartLink Account and try to connect to your radio via SmartLink.
NOTE: Your "Remote Client" MUST be connected to a DIFFERENT network than the Radio's home network. You cannot connect to your radio or test SmartLink from the same network as the radio.
Configure your Router
Some settings on your router may be necessary to enable SmartLink
UPnP Setup
(Instructions for how to do this are usually available by searching the Internet.)
- The UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) function must be enabled in your router's configuration for the AUTOMATIC setting in SmartLink Setup to work properly. UPnP is enabled by default on some routers. Other routers have UPnP disabled by default. And some other routers have UPnP permanently disabled. You may need to check your router's configuration documents.
- Edit your Router's DHCP Table to assign a "RESERVED IP Address" to your radio so that it will always receive the same IP Address every time it powers up on the network.
(This is also called "Local Static" or "Manual" IP Addresses on some brands of routers.)
If UPnP is Not Available or is Not Enabled on Your Router. Configure MANUAL Port Forwarding for the Radio and Router
SmartLink Setup Using Manual Port Forwarding
Some ISPs or router manufacturers have permanently disabled UPnP for security reasons.
If UPnP is not available, is not enabled on your router, or you do not wish to enable UPnP, you will need to configure MANUAL port forwarding rules in your router configuration and in your radio's SmartLink Setup.
Initially, to configure and test MANUAL Port Forwarding, open your router settings and turn UPnP OFF. This will prevent port conflicts with UPnP. (You can turn UPnP back on after you get SmartLink working properly)
- Open SmartLink Setup as in the steps above.
- "Register" the Radio as in the steps above.
- Select the "Network Settings" Pull-down menu.
- Select the MANUAL button.
- Enter numbers for "External" ports into the TCP and UDP Port Boxes.
(This example uses External Ports TCP 54994 and UDP 54993 in order to avoid possible conflicts with UPnP-assigned ports.) - Hit the "TAB" key to set the numbers. Then Hit SAVE.
(Using "External" Port numbers such as these will prevent UPnP from configuring the same ports, and will avoid a possible port conflict. - Just be sure that no other device, or other FlexRadio, is using the same ports.)
Configure Your Router's Port Forwarding Settings:
Open your router's Port Forwarding Configuration tab
Create TWO separate Port Forwarding Rules for your radio.
(Instructions for configuring Port Forwarding on your router are available online.)
* RULE 1: Forward TCP Port 21100 (External) to Port 4994 (Internal) to your Radio's IP Address.
(Shown in the Network Settings, indicated by the Yellow Arrow, above)
* RULE 2: Forward UDP Port 22100 (External) to Port 4993 (Internal) to your Radio's IP Address.
(Shown in the Network Settings, indicated by the Yellow Arrow, above)
NOTE: The "Protocol" used in each of these rules MUST be either TCP or UDP.
You cannot use the setting for "BOTH" or "TCP/UDP" offered on some routers.
Hit APPLY or OK to close the router's configuration page.
NOTE: If you have more than one FlexRadio on the same Local Area Network, you must configure TWO DIFFERENT pairs of Port Forwarding rules for the other radio, using different pairs of "External" ports.
(See below)
Return to SmartLink Setup and hit the TEST button.
- After hitting the TEST Button, the Indicator should turn GREEN after a minute, and hovering over it should reveal "Forwarded Ports: PASS" for both the TCP port and the UDP Port.
- If everything looks good, then log your other "Client Device" into your SmartLink Account and try to connect to your radio via SmartLink.
(NOTE: Your "Remote Client" MUST be connected to a DIFFERENT network than the Radio's home network. You cannot connect to your radio or test SmartLink from the same network as the radio.
This should finish your SmartLink Setup.
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If You Need to Configure A Second Radio on the SAME Network:
Open your router's Port Forwarding Configuration tab
Create TWO NEW DIFFERENT separate Port Forwarding Rules for your radio.
(Instructions for configuring Port Forwarding on your router are available online.)
* RULE 1: Forward TCP Port 21200 (External) to Port 4994 (Internal) to your Radio 2's IP Address.
(Shown in the Network Settings, indicated by the Yellow Arrow, above)
* RULE 2: Forward UDP Port 22200 (External) to Port 4993 (Internal) to your Radio 2's IP Address.
(Shown in the Network Settings, indicated by the Yellow Arrow, above)
NOTE: The "Protocol" used in each of these rules MUST be either TCP or UDP.
You cannot use the setting for "BOTH" or "TCP/UDP" offered on some routers.
Hit APPLY or OK to close the router's configuration page.
Configure the SmartLink Setup "External" Ports for your SECOND Radio
Use the same TCP 21200 and UDP 22200 that you used for the second set of Port Forwarding rules.
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Enjoy your remote operations!
If you still have problems getting SmartLink to run properly, please open a HelpDesk Ticket.