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Version: 26.10.1

FlexRadio

Status

Status: Supported · Applies to: FlexRadio

AetherSDR is a native client for FlexRadio transceivers on Linux, macOS and Windows. It speaks the SmartSDR protocol directly, so it runs alongside SmartSDR and Maestro and shares the radio's own profiles and memories. FlexRadio is AetherSDR's supported target: the rest of this documentation describes FlexRadio operation unless a page says otherwise.

This page is the starting point for Flex owners. It lists the supported models and firmware, the recommended order for getting on the air, and every page with Flex-specific features.

Requirements​

Supported models​

AetherSDR works with any FlexRadio transceiver, including:

  • FLEX-6000 series: FLEX-6300, FLEX-6400, FLEX-6400M, FLEX-6500, FLEX-6600, FLEX-6600M, FLEX-6700
  • FLEX-8000 series: FLEX-8400, FLEX-8400M, FLEX-8600, FLEX-8600M
  • Aurora series: AU-510, AU-510M, AU-520, AU-520M
  • ML-, CL- and RT-series devices

The number of slices and panadapters comes from the radio itself, so AetherSDR offers exactly what your model can do.

Firmware​

  • The active test target is FLEX-8600 firmware 4.2.18 (SmartSDR protocol v1.4.0.0).
  • Earlier 4.x firmware works.
  • v3.x is unsupported.

To update the radio from AetherSDR, see Firmware Update (experimental; updating with SmartSDR for Windows is still the recommended route).

Network​

  • For local operation, the computer and the radio on the same LAN. Discovery uses UDP port 4992.
  • For a routed network or a VPN, the radio's IP address (Manual Connection).
  • For remote operation, SmartLink with port forwarding (SmartLink Setup), or Tailscale on a FLEX-8000 series or Aurora radio (Tailscale Remote Access).

Setup​

Follow these pages in order the first time:

  1. Installation — download and install AetherSDR for your computer (Linux, macOS or Windows).
  2. Your First Session (optional) — learn the window on the built-in demo, with no radio and no risk of transmitting.
  3. First Connection — find the radio under On This Network and connect.
  4. Audio Settings — pick your speakers, headphones and microphone, and the PC Audio path.
  5. Before You Transmit — the checklist to work through before you key up for the first time.

Using AetherSDR with a FlexRadio​

Operating​

Radio configuration​

  • Radio Setup — every settings page, including Transmit, Antennas, GPS and Peripherals
  • Profile Management — Global, TX and Mic profiles, stored on the radio and shared with SmartSDR; import and export .ssdr_cfg packages
  • Memory Channels — an editor for the radio's own memory bank
  • Firmware Update — upload SmartSDR firmware from AetherSDR
  • USB Cable Management — CAT, band decoder, bit, LDPA and passthrough cables on the radio's rear USB ports

Remote operation and sharing​

Digital modes and other programs​

Amplifiers, tuners and station accessories​

Controllers​

Reference​

Features that work only with a FlexRadio, compared with the other radio families (from Supported Radios):

FeatureFlexRadioOther families
DAX virtual audio and IQYesNo
SmartLinkYesNo
Multi-Flex (several clients)YesNo
Firmware update from AetherSDRYesNo
ProfilesStored on the radioNot offered
Memory channelsStored on the radioStored on this computer

Troubleshooting​

The radio does not appear under On This Network​

The radio is on another subnet, or a firewall, VPN or guest Wi-Fi isolation is blocking discovery on UDP port 4992.

  1. Check the radio answers: ping <radio-ip>.
  2. Allow UDP port 4992 through the computer's firewall.
  3. Use Connect by IP with Radio type: FlexRadio. See Manual Connection.
  4. Open Network Diagnostics in the Connect to Radio window helps narrow it down.

The radio refuses the connection​

The radio rejected AetherSDR's client registration, for example with error F3000001. AetherSDR returns to the Connect to Radio window with the radio's error and what to do about it.

  1. Follow the message: typically another client must disconnect first, or the radio needs a restart.
  2. If multiFLEX is off and other clients are connected, use the Connected Stations dialog to disconnect one. See Multi-Flex.

For anything else, see Troubleshooting.

See also​