[Flexradio] Confession
Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU Thanks for speaking up. Ask your questions, be it here or be it on Teamspeak. I can vouch for the fact that you will get answers. I'm a pretty technical guy, but some of this stuff is by me, too. When that happens, I just delete it and go on to the next one. All it means is that one doesn't apply to me. This isn't like a bulletin board on a website where you get to skip to the categories that interest you. Some of this stuff just. . .won't. . .apply. . .to. . .me--or you. I have a lot of successful SDR operation under my belt -- because I asked questions. That's half of the value of this radio. I operate it successfully because I can, have, and more importantly, will get answers. Once you get 'em, you find yourself with a real, serious weapon. I am working DX on 80 meters with as few as 60 watts. Even as recently as six months ago, I'd have thought such an outcome was impossible. But I did that just minutes ago with Sweden, thanks to the morning greyline, with which this group put me in better touch. Oh, and no one ever put that one on a DX spotting net. The panadapter gave it to me as yet another gift. With this group, and this radio, a lot becomes possible that wasn't before. That is, of course, if you take advantage of all the great talent here. Had I not, I would have had nothing to show for owning my SDR. This is not yet an appliance operator's rig. But, neither is it reserved for Ph Ds in Electrical Engineering. Ask, persist, and you will succeed. And, boy will you succeed! Heck, I've got excellent answers to questions that have nothing to do with the SDR itself (like, what kind of vertical to get for 80 meters). It's simple -- start with whatever is bothering you. Be as specific as you can. Then, the next, and the next (and, in my case, the next). Also, if you had success before, go back to that version of the software and move forward from there. That's what I always do. I still use 1.4.1 for some things. Larry WO0Z PS, have you downloaded the latest manual and read it? Odd as it seems, after you've played with the radio a bit, the manual actually makes more sense than it did the first time around. And, if it isn't working for you, this is a great place to get that highlighted so it does.
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Mike, Please don't get discouraged. I understand and feel you pain sometimes. I believe that Larry had some great advice. If the river looks too deep, don't cross it. I have been working in systems integration for almost 20 years. Even did some Windows C programming back a long time ago. I am not an EE and don't plan to play one on TV either. Am I the smartest guy on the block? Not by a long shot. Do I like working with the SDR-1000? You betcha! I'm not clairvoyant but I sure see where the future is taking us to and I'd rather ride the wave than sit on the shore watching. Yea, you get wet sometimes riding the wave, but you're the one getting the girls - not the guys sitting on the beach :-) I can tell you that just about all the Xylo FPGA stuff was waaay over my head. But what I can gather, it is a doohickey that will do whiz bang hardware integration things real easily and some of the current projects might replace the soundcard and the parallel cable interface to the radio. Cool stuff, but it make my brain hurt, so I just delete the stuff when it come across (no offense to the Xylophiles). Even with some C programming background, the technical discussions about the source code is baffling as well. I even downloaded it and looked at it. It is definitely out of my league. Another great candidate for the Deleted Items folder. What I can do, is try to break things (beta testing). There is no advanced degree needed for that! Then I share my observations with the group and hope that some of the information helps make the SDR-1000 a better radio. I really like being part of the process. Riding the wave! Along the way I have picked up a thing or two about the operation of the radio and when I can will share that knowledge with those just getting into the water, which at first is a lot colder and wetter than sitting on the beach (but remember who gets the girls :-) ). The SDR is definitely a user supported radio. Since the computer is the radio (I stole that one from one of Sun's old adverts), there are going to be lots of computer questions as well. Bring em' on! There are a lot of smart folks lurking on this reflector and one of them *knows* the answer and will gladly pass it on. (try that calling Icom tech support with a toll call). And above all theSDR-1000 is a BLAST to use and everyone that knows I am using an SDR is always intrigued. Once they read my brag file on PSK, there is usually a long discussion on what is it really?, How do you run digital modes without a soundcard interface (I love that one) and usually ends up with a statement about how really cool that is. (that is the getting the girls part). I know someone somewhere said to one of their ham friends that he worked a guy on a SDR. I can also bet that he didn't say I worked a guy with a YaWoodCom from NC last night. So please, please don't get discouraged. It is all about having fun and enjoying your hobby. We are here to help make sure that happens. -Tim --- Tim Ellison ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) Integrated Technical Services ( http://www.itsco.com ) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 10:47 PM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Confession Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Mike: In this forum, there are no dumb questions or bad ones. The only dumb questions are the ones you needed to ask and did not. It may appear that this stuff is magical technical jargon, but we came into this putting our underwear on the same we always did before and likely you did as well. We have spent two years on this one project almost to the exclusion of all else and we can get a little deep in our common jargon. Like all of these Gnu style projects, the documentation lags far behind the product. There is an operational document for the last official (non beta) release but there is so much new stuff in the beta releases that you have to have a place to come ask. That is why we are here. There are almost no technical writings about the hardware or software of any significance since Gerald's original articles appeared in QEX. MEA CULPA along with some others. As volunteers, we get to say the work is fun, the documentation of the technical work is lacking and we completely acknowledge this but do not hold your breath until you pass out waiting for it to arrive. 73's Bob, N4HY Mike wrote: Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz -- AMSAT VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats Laziness is the number one inspiration for ingenuity. Guilty as charged!
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Mike, welcome to the club. You are not the only one who only understands a fraction of what is being mailed/said (especially on anything Xylo related). But the great thing is that not understanding the s/w doesn't mean you can't use it. Flex-Radio is very good at that. I have downloaded and run almost every single release since I bought mine. It hasn't broken anything. If I didn't like it, I reverted to a previous release. That's the great thing about this rig. Better still, I can voice what didn't work for me and I get listened to. Larry Loen, especially, is great at that. You are by no means in the minority. Quite the opposite. Given that Flex-Radio has sold (well) over more than a thousand SDRs and that there aren't anywhere near a thousand contributors to either the reflector or teamspeak, you belong to a vast majority. Go ahead, download 1.4.5P8. It won't break anything. As far as I understand, it might not run (that's the bit of the reflector I do understand - user's experiences), but so what. Delete it and just wait for the next version. If it does run, great. You don't want to deal with directx, then don't. I don't - I don't have a whizz bang graphics card and I don't intend to buy one either. My PC's ticking at a lazy 2-6% without, so why should I bother? You don't want to deal with the virtual audio cable, don't. Second sound card works just as well. But the new AGC? Man that's good. Do I understand all the settings for it? Nope. I read VK Phil's document and understand it for a while, but then forget it all a month later. But I'll play with it. In the end your ears (and eyes) are the judge of the end result. Nothing more, nothing less. As for the girls that come with riding the wave? If you don't enjoy the ride, the chicks ain't worth it. So forget them, they just distract. And the ride can be what you want; no need to show off, just have fun. You didn't make a mistake, you got a great rig. In fact you got the only rig that gets better. Thanks for breaking the silence, 73 de Joe - AB1DO Mike K5NU wrote: Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Hi Mike, Nothing to be ashamed of. Most SDR1000 users belong to the silent majority when looking at the amount of posts sent to the forum. There are 690 registered users in the memberlist today and 452 of them have merely submitted 1 post or less. May be those silent 452 members are the real experts who unpacked and run their SDR1000 without need to create topics and to ask questions. It helps to make notes of the technical terms and acro-nyms which do not make sense to you and look up them in an encyclopedia like Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org Here you can find explanations and links and progressively you get an idea of what the wizards are talking about. Anyhow, many of the posts on the reflector show that some users neither have read the manual nor the relase notes and just look for a shortcut to required information. Best 73 Willi - Original Message - From: Mike [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 4:46 AM Subject: [Flexradio] Confession Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Mike Don't ever be afraid to ask about something you don't understand. The only down side of asking the guys on this list is that you will likely get so many replys, it'll take you a week to read them. I'm very much a hardware type, and stand in awe of the Geralds, Bobs, Franks, Phils, et al, but they have never talked down to anyone who has ever asked for help or advise. This radio is not I think any more user unfriendly than the latest offerings from Icom or Yaesu etc. Those thingies have a panel full of knobs and switches each of which has 32 different functions and comes with a manual that makes the flight manual for the Space Shuttle look like Peter Rabbit. But the important thing to get here, is while this radio does take some savvy, the brains behind it are a e-mail away and you sure as heck can't say that about Icom or Yaesu. Don't ever give into the I can't do this syndrome. This radio gives you the opportunity to move onto new ground. All you have to do is speak the reality that you want to have be into existance by telling yourself that you can do this, and then doing what it takes to learn. If you throw up your hands and tell yourself you can't then you are stopped, finished. You don't have to become a DSP guru, these guys have spent years learning this stuff. Yet they are making all these powerful tools available to you and me in a form that us non-gurus can use if we just learn the basic rules. But hey, you have to do that to play poker or basketball. Hang in there bro! Bill AD5OL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 10:47 PM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Confession Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz ___ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] Confession
Mike, Ditto to all the rest of the guys' comments. 'Nuf said. Now about this stuff about owning an SDR and getting girls, if Tim's right there's a whole new advertising campaign I'm gonna suggest to Gerald. ;} Gary W5ZL/V31ZL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim Ellison Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:26 AM To: Mike; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Confession (snip) I'm not clairvoyant but I sure see where the future is taking us to and I'd rather ride the wave than sit on the shore watching. Yea, you get wet sometimes riding the wave, but you're the one getting the girls - not the guys sitting on the beach :-)
[Flexradio] Confession
To all the SDR users that replied to my confessions message, I thank you. I was sure there were more than a few who felt that some of the messages on the reflector were in Chinese or some other foreign language. I have no intention of giving up on the sdr or any other phase of ham radio. I am having more fun now after 46 years than I did when I started. Last night i resusitated an old FT-401B and worked a little DX on 80 with it. I am nearing DXCC with my K2 / bicycle mobile. Ham radio is wayyy too much fun. I am looking forward to a more user friendly CW version of the software as that is my mode of choice. Therefore, be prepared, as I will hold nothing back. Expect many questions that may seem obviously easy to answer. hi I appreciate the responsive users on the reflector just as the Elecraft group has been. A nice fraternity this ham radio hobby is. 73, Mike K5NU
[Flexradio] Confession
Fellow SDR users, I am using version 1.4.4 with my SDR. I have been reading the reflector for several months and I must admit that perhaps I have made a mistake. I am at somewhat of a loss at this point. I am reluctant to try any further versions of the software. It seems that my area of expertise is in areas other than computers and computer programming. Therefore I have very little clue as to the meaning of most of the posted messages on the reflector. Perhaps I am in the minority, or perhaps there may be others who might benefit from a translator of sorts to attempt to put some of the available knowledge into a language which might be understood by a person such as I. At this point in time, I am inclined to revert to my comfortable regular style radios that I have been using for the last 46 years. My onboard computer(brain) is running way over the 100% level trying to comprehend. At any rate, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Flexers. 73, Mike K5NU
