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Using Digital Programs on a Windows computer with slices controlled by another SmartSDR client

Ken Wells
Updated

There are cases when an operator wishes to run digital programs like WSJT-X on a Windows PC while controlling the radio and slices from another client like a Windows PC, Mac, Maestro, or IOS device.  This method works for radios running on the local area network (LAN) or remotely through SmartLink.

Using SmartSDR for Mac:

  • Start SmartSDR for Mac on the Mac computer.  Do not open the Mac Version of DAX or CAT.  They are not needed.
  • On the Mac:  Open a slice at a suitable frequency on the Mac and configure it for digital transmissions (Mode = DIGU).

    Set_Mode_and_Bandwidth_for_WSJT-X.jpg

  • On the Local Windows Computer: Start DAX and CAT.  (It is not necessary to start SSDR for Windows)
  • Start your digital program (like WSJT-X) on the Windows PC.
  • In both DAX and CAT on the Windows PC:  Select the Mac "station" in the "Station:" pull-downs for both DAX and CAT. (see picture)

mceclip1.png

  • In the SSDR for Mac Radio Controls Window:  Select the DAX Receive Pull-Down and select the DAX channel you wish to use.  (I have selected the DAX RX 1 channel.

Select_DAX_RX_Channel.png

  • Enable the DAX TX button in the same Mac Radio Controls window
    (note there is only one DAX TX channel; you do not need to configure more than this for TX)Turn_On_DAX_TX.png
  • In your digital software running on the Windows PC, select the proper configuration for the control ports that you set up in the FlexRadio CAT program (running on the Windows PC)

    For information on configuring CAT Ports, see this document:
    https://www.flexradio.com/wp-content/uploads/assets/SmartSDR-CAT-User-Guide-1.pdf
    The section about creating new ports begins on page 7

  • Select the appropriate Audio Input and Output devices in the Soundcard section of the digital software. - For WSJT-X, using DAX Audio RX 1 and the DAX Audio TX channels, it would look like this:

 

mceclip2.png

  • Set the DAX TX stream level slider (in the SSDR for Windows DAX control panel) for proper audio output levels on the SSDR-Mac LEVEL Meter on the Radio Controls panel.  This can usually be reached with the setting of between 44 and 46 on the DAX TX level slider The Peak indicator should be between -1 and about -3 on the LEVEL meter. 
    This picture shows The Peak Level Meter (The small line) at -3.TX_LEVEL_Meter.png

Applying this Technique to SmartSDR for IOS:

If you are using SmartSDR for IOS, the only changes needed are:

  1. Select the IOS Device as the "Station" in DAX and CAT. (Rather than the Mac)

  2. Enable the DAX TX on the iPad:
    IMG_1616.PNG

  3. Enable the DAX RX Channel on the iPad:
    IMG_1617.PNG
    IMG_1618.PNG

This should get your WSJT-X running with the slice that is controlled by SSDR for IOS on your iPad.

 

Troubleshooting:

If the DAX Streaming indicator in the DAX Control Panel says "BUSY," try toggling the Button OFF and Back ON to initialize the TX Stream to the SSDR-Mac software.

mceclip4.png

 

If you want to change back to using slices controlled by the Local Windows computer (Or another Client Device) select the new Client Device in the Pull-down "Station" list in DAX and CAT to tell DAX and CAT that the new client is to be linked with the digital programs.

Select the Receive Slice DAX Channel in the new client slice and enable the DAX Transmit button in the new Client software.

You may need to toggle the DAX TX Streaming button to initialize the DAX audio connection with the new Client Device.

 

I have used this technique to make FT8 contacts using SmartSDR on my Mac, locally,
and I have made contacts using SmartSDR for IOS on my iPhone connected via SmartLink too.

Good luck!

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