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Dave, we are again configuring our remote station that is using Starlink.? We have smartlink up and running and we are slowing trying to integrate DX Labs back into our home computer.? We are starting with Commander and we have an issue that I will try to explain.? I have configured the General Tab within Commander Configuration with the IP Address of my home computer, and listed the IP Port as 4992.? The Radio setting is SDR-6500 and the Command interval at 200ms with Span Dwell of 10.? I did type in the serial number of the remote 6500 but understand that is not needed.??
When I hit "Reset", the VFO B comes up with a frequency of 14257.20 and the VFO A reads the remote radio.? The problem is it does not appear to be "synced" with the SDR software as when I change the frequency on the radio from my SDR software on the home computer, it does not move the frequency in VFOA.? If I hit reset, it does change the frequency.? It is if it is not updating.? I know this is not right but I have exhausted what other changes I need to make.??
We are slowly working to get DX Labs work so when we work a station, it will automatically log into Keeper.---but got to get past this hurdle first.
Any ideas?
Mark
WC3W
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+ AA6YQ comments belo-w
Dave, we are again configuring our remote station that is using Starlink.? We have smartlink up and running and we are slowing trying to integrate DX Labs back into our home computer.? We are starting with Commander and we have an issue that I will try to explain.? I have configured the General Tab within Commander Configuration with the IP Address of my home computer, and listed the IP Port as 4992.? The Radio setting is SDR-6500 and the Command interval at 200ms with Span Dwell of 10.? I did type in the serial number of the remote 6500 but understand that is not needed.??
When I hit "Reset", the VFO B comes up with a frequency of 14257.20 and the VFO A reads the remote radio.? The problem is it does not appear to be "synced" with the SDR software as when I change the frequency on the radio from my SDR software on the home computer, it does not move the frequency in VFOA.? If I hit reset, it does change the frequency.? It is if it is not updating.? I know this is not right but I have exhausted what other changes I need to make.??
We are slowly working to get DX Labs work so when we work a station, it will automatically log into Keeper.---but got to get past this hurdle first.
Any ideas?
+ My 6500 is directly connected to my PC via an ethernet LAN; Commander controls it correctly. Based on feedback here, everyone else with a Flex Signature directly connected to their PC has the same experience. + I am not familiar with SmartLink; there is no support for it in Commander - if specific support is actually required. Perhaps someone here with SmartLink experience can help you; if not, try Eric KE5DTO at FlexRadio. ? ? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ
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Dave,
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Set WSJTX Radio to? Kenwood TS2000 and Serial Port to COM4.?
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Create new COM5 serial port with SmartSDR CAT.
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Configure DX Commander Radio to KENWOOD and configure Commander ?to connect to? SmartSDR CAT serial COM5 (Commander Ports tab > Primary CAT Serial Port > Port #5).
?
If? SmartSDR CAT ports COM4 or COM5 are? in currently in use by other applications, create new serial port(s) and configure the Commander and WSJTX Port numbers accordingly (for example my setup below).?
?
This works flawlessly for remote ops with my Flex 8600.
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
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+ AA6YQ comments below
Set WSJTX Radio to? Kenwood TS2000 and Serial Port to COM4.?
?
Create new COM5 serial port with SmartSDR CAT.
?
Configure DX Commander Radio to KENWOOD and configure Commander ?to connect to? SmartSDR CAT serial COM5 (Commander Ports tab > Primary CAT Serial Port > Port #5).
?
If? SmartSDR CAT ports COM4 or COM5 are? in currently in use by other applications, create new serial port(s) and configure the Commander and WSJTX Port numbers accordingly (for example my setup below).?
?
This works flawlessly for remote ops with my Flex 8600.
?
+ Are you referring to the configuration you described in this article, Larry? ? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
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Dave,
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This is an alternative method that uses Flex SmartSDR CAT and is therefore more secure.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
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Larry, thanks for your tip…if we cannot get it to work as we had before, this will b a fall back position. ?BTW, SmartLink should have nothing to and should not prevent us from connecting Commander to the Flex 6500. ?
Said differently, Smartlink has nothing to do with any logging or radio control programs.
Smartlink is a network communication tool that connects SmartSDR software to a Flex radio when the radio is in a different location from the SmartSDR software.
Mark
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On Feb 14, 2025, at 8:41?AM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Dave,
?
This is an alternative method that uses Flex SmartSDR CAT and is therefore more secure.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Mark,
?
You said: "I have configured the General Tab within Commander Configuration with the IP Address of my home computer, and listed the IP Port as 4992." ?
?
If you operate remote this won’t work because there is no valid routing information for DX Commander to connect to the radio.? If you want to establish a direct connection to the 6500 without using SmartSDR CAT you need to enable port forwarding on your home router per this article as Dave noted:
?
Also, you need a fixed public IP address for your home router and a fixed IP address for your 6500. With this method you can specify WSJTX Radio to DX Lab Suite Commander or configure to connect to a SmartSDR CAT serial port per my previous post.?
?
Here is yet another method for remote ops:
?
1) Create a new TCP port for SmartSDR CAT (for example port 60000)
2) Configure WSJTX Radio to Flex6xxx
3) Configure WSJTX Network Server to: 127.0.0.1:60000
4) Configure DX Commander Radio to FLEXCAT (essentially the same as KENWOOD) and set Primary CAT Serial Port to a valid SmartSDR CAT port number.
?
Alternatively, I've tried setting DX Commander to a Flex 6600 and the IP address to the localhost IP address: 127.0.0.1 and the IP Port number to a valid SmartSDR CAT TCP port number, but that doesn't work. But,? it doesn't need to work, because other methods work flawlessly.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
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Thanks Larry for taking the time to explain this to me…we will take a look at doing it this way.
Mark
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Show quoted text
On Feb 14, 2025, at 12:25?PM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Mark,
?
You said: "I have configured the General Tab within Commander Configuration with the IP Address of my home computer, and listed the IP Port as 4992." ?
?
If you operate remote this won’t work because there is no valid routing information for DX Commander to connect to the radio.? If you want to establish a direct connection to the 6500 without using SmartSDR CAT you need to enable port forwarding on your home router per this article as Dave noted:
?
Also, you need a fixed public IP address for your home router and a fixed IP address for your 6500. With this method you can specify WSJTX Radio to DX Lab Suite Commander or configure to connect to a SmartSDR CAT serial port per my previous post.?
?
Here is yet another method for remote ops:
?
1) Create a new TCP port for SmartSDR CAT (for example port 60000)
2) Configure WSJTX Radio to Flex6xxx
3) Configure WSJTX Network Server to: 127.0.0.1:60000
4) Configure DX Commander Radio to FLEXCAT (essentially the same as KENWOOD) and set Primary CAT Serial Port to a valid SmartSDR CAT port number.
?
Alternatively, I've tried setting DX Commander to a Flex 6600 and the IP address to the localhost IP address: 127.0.0.1 and the IP Port number to a valid SmartSDR CAT TCP port number, but that doesn't work. But,? it doesn't need to work, because other methods work flawlessly.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Larry, after reading this I think I failed to mention to you that we actually have a VPN in place between home and remote site…so the router does not need any port forwarding. ?
We now have commander working one direction if you can believe that…what that means is that when I change the frequency on the flex, commander changes the frequency and tracks it. ?If I go to spot collector, and click on a spot, the commander window changes to that stations frequency and mode…HOWEVER, what we don’t have is the propogation of that information back to the radio. ?Go figure…so information from commander, or spotter does not flow back to the radio…
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Feb 14, 2025, at 12:25?PM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Mark,
?
You said: "I have configured the General Tab within Commander Configuration with the IP Address of my home computer, and listed the IP Port as 4992." ?
?
If you operate remote this won’t work because there is no valid routing information for DX Commander to connect to the radio.? If you want to establish a direct connection to the 6500 without using SmartSDR CAT you need to enable port forwarding on your home router per this article as Dave noted:
?
Also, you need a fixed public IP address for your home router and a fixed IP address for your 6500. With this method you can specify WSJTX Radio to DX Lab Suite Commander or configure to connect to a SmartSDR CAT serial port per my previous post.?
?
Here is yet another method for remote ops:
?
1) Create a new TCP port for SmartSDR CAT (for example port 60000)
2) Configure WSJTX Radio to Flex6xxx
3) Configure WSJTX Network Server to: 127.0.0.1:60000
4) Configure DX Commander Radio to FLEXCAT (essentially the same as KENWOOD) and set Primary CAT Serial Port to a valid SmartSDR CAT port number.
?
Alternatively, I've tried setting DX Commander to a Flex 6600 and the IP address to the localhost IP address: 127.0.0.1 and the IP Port number to a valid SmartSDR CAT TCP port number, but that doesn't work. But,? it doesn't need to work, because other methods work flawlessly.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Mark,
?
Using SmartSDR CAT to obtain band data is secure via SmartLink? for remote ops, while port forwarding is by default insecure as the open port is not protected. However, you can configure your router's firewall to allow access to a specific port or range of ports only for the specific IP address or subnet assigned to your remote router.?
?
Alternatively, when I've used port forwarding for remote ops, I've usually logged into my home router to enable the external port and then disabled it when done operating.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
?
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+ AA6YQ comments below
This is an alternative method that uses Flex SmartSDR CAT and is therefore more secure.?
+ If Commander is controlling a Flex Signature transceiver via "SmartSDR CAT", it's treating the transceiver functionality as if it were? Kenwood TS-2000. For example, active callsigns reported by SpotCollector or decoded by WSJT-X will not appear on the SmartSDR's spectrum-waterfall display. + I had assumed that SmartLink provides a secure way to connect SmartSDR to a remote Flex Signature transceiver, which would provide full functionality in a secure manner. Is this not the case? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ ? ? ?
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Larry, got it working perfect through CAT connection exactly per Dave’s instructions, duh!
Start?SmartSDR Start?SmartSDR CAT configure it as described in its? - note the virtual serial COM port that it creates?
select an available Flex Signature transceiver, and click the green?Connect?button? in the small?SmartSDR CAT?window that appears, select the entry for the Serial port created in the previous step?
In the?Primary CAT Serial Port?panel on the?Ports?tab of Commander's Commander's Configuration window,? set the?Port?selector to the virtual COM port created by?SmartSDR CAT?in step 2a above? set the?Baud?selector to?57600 set the?Word?selector to?8 set the?Parity?selector to?none set the?Stop?selector to?2 set the?DTR?selector to?Off set the?RTS?selector to?Off
On the?General?tab of Commander's Configuration window,? set the?Radio?panel's?Model?selector to?FlexCAT?(near the bottom of the list of available models)? set the?Command interval?to?50 check the?Interrogation?box?
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Show quoted text
On Feb 14, 2025, at 7:42?PM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Mark,
?
Using SmartSDR CAT to obtain band data is secure via SmartLink? for remote ops, while port forwarding is by default insecure as the open port is not protected. However, you can configure your router's firewall to allow access to a specific port or range of ports only for the specific IP address or subnet assigned to your remote router.?
?
Alternatively, when I've used port forwarding for remote ops, I've usually logged into my home router to enable the external port and then disabled it when done operating.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
?
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PS Similarly, I can not click on spots in SC and it automatically changes the frequency on the Flex and of course the mode. ?Also, I am now able on FT8 to work a station, and click on a pop up to log it, and it is directly logged into DX Keeper! ?Life is good again!
Mark
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On Feb 15, 2025, at 7:41?AM, Mark Wohlschlegel <mvwohlschlegel@...> wrote:
Larry, got it working perfect through CAT connection exactly per Dave’s instructions, duh!
Start?SmartSDR Start?SmartSDR CAT configure it as described in its? - note the virtual serial COM port that it creates?
select an available Flex Signature transceiver, and click the green?Connect?button? in the small?SmartSDR CAT?window that appears, select the entry for the Serial port created in the previous step?
In the?Primary CAT Serial Port?panel on the?Ports?tab of Commander's Commander's Configuration window,? set the?Port?selector to the virtual COM port created by?SmartSDR CAT?in step 2a above? set the?Baud?selector to?57600 set the?Word?selector to?8 set the?Parity?selector to?none set the?Stop?selector to?2 set the?DTR?selector to?Off set the?RTS?selector to?Off
On the?General?tab of Commander's Configuration window,? set the?Radio?panel's?Model?selector to?FlexCAT?(near the bottom of the list of available models)? set the?Command interval?to?50 check the?Interrogation?box?
On Feb 14, 2025, at 7:42?PM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Mark,
?
Using SmartSDR CAT to obtain band data is secure via SmartLink? for remote ops, while port forwarding is by default insecure as the open port is not protected. However, you can configure your router's firewall to allow access to a specific port or range of ports only for the specific IP address or subnet assigned to your remote router.?
?
Alternatively, when I've used port forwarding for remote ops, I've usually logged into my home router to enable the external port and then disabled it when done operating.?
?
Good luck and 73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
?
?
?
?
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It does, that is Smartlink provides a secure way to connect Smart SDR to a remote Flex Signature transceiver….the solution to our problem was to connect DX Commander by CAT and not by IP address and Port….duh, just as the instructions say to do…All is solved. ?TY all for your help...
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Show quoted text
On Feb 14, 2025, at 11:22?PM, Dave AA6YQ via groups.io <aa6yq@...> wrote:
+ AA6YQ comments below
This is an alternative method that uses Flex SmartSDR CAT and is therefore more secure.?
+ If Commander is controlling a Flex Signature transceiver via "SmartSDR CAT", it's treating the transceiver functionality as if it were? Kenwood TS-2000. For example, active callsigns reported by SpotCollector or decoded by WSJT-X will not appear on the SmartSDR's spectrum-waterfall display. + I had assumed that SmartLink provides a secure way to connect SmartSDR to a remote Flex Signature transceiver, which would provide full functionality in a secure manner. Is this not the case? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ ? ? ?
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+ AA6YQ comments below
PS Similarly, I can not click on spots in SC and it automatically changes the frequency on the Flex and of course the mode.
+ Are active callsigns displayed on SmartSDR's Spectrum-Waterfall? ? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
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Negative, I don’t see active callsigns displayed on the Flex waterfall
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On Feb 15, 2025, at 1:05?PM, Dave AA6YQ via groups.io <aa6yq@...> wrote:
+ AA6YQ comments below
PS Similarly, I can not click on spots in SC and it automatically changes the frequency on the Flex and of course the mode.
+ Are active callsigns displayed on SmartSDR's Spectrum-Waterfall? ? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
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+ AA6YQ comments below
Negative, I don’t see active callsigns displayed on the Flex waterfal
+ Correct. This is what you're missing by using SmartSDR CAT: + The remote approach documented by Larry KB1VFU here provides full functionality, but requires a VPN link for security: + It would be nice if Flex would p rovide documentation explaining how to use its??remote access product with the Flex API, which would eliminate the need for a VPN.
? ? ?73,
? ? ? ? ? ? Dave,. AA6YQ
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Mark,
?
I have no experience with simultaneous use of VPN and Smartlink, so I can't share any experience with that dual setup.? ?
?
As Dave observed, the CAT protocol does not support spotting data. If you want to have DXL Spot Collector feed and display spots on the Flex panadapter, the port forwarding method described in this DXL wiki will work:
?
Follow the directions and also set DXL Commander Radio to FLEXSIG. Confirm that the DXL Bandspread configuration is check-boxed to "Display spots on panadapter".? You can continue to use SmartSDR CAT to acquire band data with WSJTX.
?
When you set up port forwarding on your home router, the external port will be insecure by default.? One option to secure the port is to create a rule for the router's firewall to allow only the IP address or at least the subnet of the remote router to access the external port.? I believe this is a satisfactory method, which shouldn't require VPN.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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Thanks Larry, got everything working…..also port forwarding is not necessary as I mentioned earlier…we have a solid VPN link from home to the remote site so port forwarding does nothing. ?Thanks for your help. ?I have everything running now with Smartlink good….once I changed Commander to CAT…all just started working.
Mark
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On Feb 15, 2025, at 8:35?PM, Larry Benoit via groups.io <lbenoit@...> wrote:
Mark,
?
I have no experience with simultaneous use of VPN and Smartlink, so I can't share any experience with that dual setup.? ?
?
As Dave observed, the CAT protocol does not support spotting data. If you want to have DXL Spot Collector feed and display spots on the Flex panadapter, the port forwarding method described in this DXL wiki will work:
?
Follow the directions and also set DXL Commander Radio to FLEXSIG. Confirm that the DXL Bandspread configuration is check-boxed to "Display spots on panadapter".? You can continue to use SmartSDR CAT to acquire band data with WSJTX.
?
When you set up port forwarding on your home router, the external port will be insecure by default.? One option to secure the port is to create a rule for the router's firewall to allow only the IP address or at least the subnet of the remote router to access the external port.? I believe this is a satisfactory method, which shouldn't require VPN.?
?
73,
Larry KB1VFU
?
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wc3w