Configuring MMTTY for FLEX-6000/8000/Aurora Radios with DAXv2

This is a quick pictorial description for configuring a single slice/instance of MMTTY for basic RTTY operation with the FLEX-6000/8000 Series Radios using the new DAXv2.

NOTE:  This is for use WITHOUT using SliceMaster6000.  (SliceMaster is currently not compatible with DAXv2)

NOTE:  For a more thorough understanding of the  new DAXv2, please refer to this document:

    DAX Version 2 - Improvements and Updates – FlexRadio
 

This article will not cover the more advanced MMTTY settings for changing the Mark & Space tones, creating MACROS or other configurations, or selecting & editing the various MMTTY receive decoders.  These settings are available in the MMTTY user guide and in other tutorials online.

1) Create a Virtual CAT COM Port in the CAT Program:

• Click on the "ADD" button in the CAT Program.
• Give a descriptive "Name" to the Port  (This picture shows the name as "MMTTY_Slice A")
• Select the "Port Protocol" to "CAT."
• Select the "SERIAL" Button to configure a Cat COM Serial Port
• Select "FlexVSP" 
• The Program should automatically assign an available COM Port. 
  (In this picture, COM 15 has been selected.)
• Select the Slice letter that will match the slice receiver used for digital mode operation. 
  (In this case - Slice A)
• Click to ENABLE for the "Auto Switch TX Slice" option.  (This will cause SmartSDR to automatically select Slice A as the "Active TX Slice" when MMTTY starts to transmit.)
   
• Click on the SAVE Button to finish creating the virtual COM Port

2) Configure MMTTY as follows:

• Download and install MMTTY Version 1.70K, which is a variation modified to work better with FlexRadios.
  MMTTY - HamSoft     
   
• Click on "Option(O) > Setup MMTTY (O)"
• In the "PTT & FSK" Port:  Select "NONE"
• Click the "Radio Command" button to open the "Radio Command" configuration window.
• In the "Port Definition" section, select the same COM Port number that you created in Step 1.
  (For example, in this picture, COM Port 15 has been selected.)
  
  
   
• Click on "SAVE" and give a name to your configuration file.
• Select "OK" in the Radio Command window.

3) Select the "SoundCard" Tab to Configure the MMTTY Sound Card Input and Output settings.:

In the example below, it is assumed that the DAX channel associated with the slice receiver you will be using for RTTY mode operation is the same as the one defined for the CAT port created above.

Be certain that your DAX Program is running before you try to configure the Audio Ports.

NOTE:  DAX Audio Devices will not show in Windows Device Manager and may not be available in the MMTTY Configuration until DAX is running.

• [1] Select the option for "Hide FlexRado Reserved and IQ Audio Devices." 
  (This limits the number of audio devices shown in the window only to those available for MMTTY.)
   
• [2] The SoundCard "Reception" Audio Device should be set to "DAX RX 1."
   
• [3] The SoundCard "Transmission" Audio Device should be set to "DAX TX."

NOTE:  The DAX Audio Devices will not be listed in sequential order. Be careful to select the proper DAX Audio Devices.

• Click on OK to set the devices.

4) Configure Your Radio for RTTY Operation:

• Use the MODE Pull-down menu in the "Slice Flag" to select RTTY as the MODE in the radio.
  
  
   
• Select the Receive Channel from the DAX Pulldown menu in the "Slice Flag" in SmartSDR.
• Most users select DAX Channel 1 for Slice A. 
  (This must match the DAX AUDIO RX channel selected for the Reception Audio INPUT in MMTTY)
• If you wish to use a different RX DAX Channel, you must also change it in the MMTTY "SoundCard" settings tab.
  
  

5) Check your settings in the DAX Control Panel

• Set the TX Stream Slider to about 45-46 (this will send the proper audio drive to the radio, but prevent overdriving the audio input level.)
  Adjust the DAX TX Stream slider so that the SmartSDR LEVEL meter reads just under 0 dB (just out of the RED).  
• Set the RX Stream 1 "Slice A" to 35 (This gives a good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MMTTY's receive section)
• The "Slice A" notation in RX Streaming 1 indicates that DAX Channel 1 has correctly been selected for "Slice A" in SmartSDR for Windows  (see step 4, above.)
• The Small square button for RX Streaming Channel 1 will be BLUE if the DAX Channel 1 has been selected on slice A in SmartSDR for Windows' DAX Pull-down menu. 
• If it is Yellow, it means that you have not selected DAX Channel A in SmartSDR.  Check that DAX Channel 1 has been selected in Slice A of your radio.  (see step  4, above).

• The indicator will turn GREEN when MMTTY has properly "connected" to the audio stream, and data is flowing.

  (NOTE: Slice B & C show BLUE in this example because they are selected in slices B and C of SmartSDR, but are not "connected" to an active program like an instance of WSJT-X, MMTTY, or other digital program that is using the audio feed.)

6) Enable the TX DAX Button in the "Radio Controls" Panel > P/CW Sub-Panel  (See Yellow Arrow)

• You may also wish to enable the MON (Monitor) so you can hear your own transmitted signal.  
  You may not want it very loud, however, for comfort.
• Do NOT select the +ACC Button above it.  It is not needed.

7) Configure your FlexRadio Receive Filters for best Digital Modes operation 

Set the Digital Mode Filter to Low Latency.  (Turn "Auto" OFF in the Digital Line)

Do NOT check the "Low Latency Filters for PACTOR" box if you are using MMTTY Mode. (That setting is primarily for use with PACTOR and other digital modes that require low-latency operation.

8) Additional Consideration:

Always use RTTY Mode when operating with MMTTY.

Always use the "RTTY Default" Mic Profile or create a custom Mic Profile for RTTY mode operation:

• To create a custom RTTY Mic Profile in SmartSDR for Windows: 
  Click on "Profiles > Create Mic Profile."  Be sure the "Mic Profile" tab is selected.
• Click in the Box showing "New Profile Name" and name it "RTTY." 
• Hit "CREATE" and close the menu.
• Now make the appropriate changes to your Mic Profile settings for the RTTY Mode:
• This Mic Profile should have the TX DAX button enabled (see above)
• Set the LOW-CUT = 2010 and HIGH-CUT = 2410

• Select this Mic Profile from the Mic Profile Pull-down menu, and use it whenever you are running the radio in RTTY mode with MMTTY.  Once selected when in RTTY Mode, the radio will remember it the next time you change to RTTY Mode.
   

• If you wish to listen to your transmitted tones, turn on the Monitor (MON) Button and adjust the MON Slider to a comfortable level.  (See the Double-Yellow Arrow, Above)  You won't need much MON Level.

This should finish the configuration of your basic MMTTY Setup.

Have fun with RTTY!