FreeDV 2.3.0 FlexRadio Integration

FreeDV 2.3.0 has just been released, and with this comes the ability to upload FreeDV to your Flex 8000 or Aurora series radio using the Docker container feature that is new with SmartSDR 4.2.18. This allows you to use FreeDV with your Flex radio in a manner similar to what you would do with regular USB or LSB modes; no need to set up DAX or CAT with the FreeDV application (though you still can do so if you’d like).

To get started, download the Docker container from here and follow the instructions over in the README. (In short, go to Tools->Waveforms in SmartSDR, make sure Docker is selected and install the downloaded file from the first link; after a bit you’ll be able to select FDVU or FDVL modes on your active transmit slice and begin operating.) The FreeDV FlexRadio integration also includes support for FreeDV Reporter, which means you’ll be able to spot FreeDV signals that you receive over the air and get a live view of what’s currently happening in FreeDV.

This is an exciting development that helps propel us closer to our goal of getting FreeDV embedded within radios (which is a big part of the ARDC grant we received). Hope to hear you on the air on FreeDV!

(BTW for those with a 6000 series radio, you can set this up with a spare Raspberry Pi 4 or newer. More information in the README above.)

18 thoughts on “FreeDV 2.3.0 FlexRadio Integration”

  1. Klaus

    Thank you very much for the great option to integrate FREEDV into FlexRadio.
    The only thing I’m still missing is the ability to enter a message text for the reporter.
    73 de DF3RP, Klaus

  2. DENNIS AARON

    Thank you for your efforts nice to have FreeDV integrated with flex. I have the Flex 8400M the only thing I found is that if I set the integrated receiver display to any other mode it disrupts the TX for free DV. I have to change free dv to any other mode and back it starts to transmit again in Smart SDR

    73’s
    Denny
    K4CSD

    1. k6aq Post author

      Hi Denny,

      Glad you’re enjoying the FlexRadio integration! By “integrated receiver display” do you mean the controls in front of the radio, right? Do you have the same issue if you try to control the radio via your computer instead?

      Thanks,

      -Mooneer K6AQ

  3. John Reigler K9FB

    Many thanks to you and to Flex for making this integration possible. It is very convenient to have the digital voice mode on equal footing with the legacy voice modes in my Flex 8600 radio. I have noticed that when compared with the RX audio produced by the latest FreeDV program, the “docker” version’s RX audio sounds very compressed and “rolled off” in frequency response. It sounds like it is subject to a very aggressive and fast-acting digital audio AGC that detracts from the typically higher quality achieved by FreeDV and AetherSDR. I am hopeful that future integrations will minimize this effect and offer the RX audio quality we appreciate in the other implementations. TX audio is fine. I have a full appreciation for the effort and cooperation that have resulted in this exciting integration, and I look forward to future developments. Ham radio is fun again!

    1. k6aq Post author

      Hi John,

      I’m glad you’re enjoying the Flex waveform! We have heard of other similar issues, so we’re going to investigate further and see if a fix can be put in for 2.3.1.

      Thanks,

      -Mooneer K6AQ

  4. Richard Mitchell

    I have a Flex aurora 510 running smartsdr 4.2.18. I’m trying to run freedv natively. I have installed the latest release 2.3 in docker, and i get the fdvu field in the dropdown list, but i can’t get the freedv controls to appear. I’ve tried everything suggested by google ai, removed all old freedv programs, done a cold reboot, resintalled 2.3, completely turned off dax etc. Nothing seems to work.
    Any suggestions?

  5. andrew best

    hi I have the program downloaded and had it running but seem to have lost the program on my computer meaning i cant access the modem to get it running
    would you be able to help? i have anydesk on the computer for remote
    Please let me know
    andrew ve3ria@gmall.com

    1. k6aq Post author

      Hi Andrew,

      By default, FreeDV installs itself in C:\Program Files if you’re on Windows. For 2.3.0, the executable to run is C:\Program Files\FreeDV 2.3.0\bin\freedv.exe. Let me know if that doesn’t work for you and we can troubleshoot further.

      Thanks,

      -Mooneer K6AQ

  6. Anthony A Peiffer

    Hi, is there a way to add a message in the FreeDV reporter with the 2.3.0 Docker install for the FlexRadio 8600? Will this be an option at some point? Thanks!

    1. k6aq Post author

      Hi Anthony,

      This isn’t currently an option but I have heard this request before. Hopefully we’ll eventually be able to offer something that can do this.

      Thanks,

      -Mooneer K6AQ

  7. Yoram Rotbach

    Hi,
    I’m unable to install the docker version of FreeDV in my Flex-8600.
    I’ve followed the instruction. When I press the install button, A file selection window is opened, I’m choosing the tar.gz file and OK. The install button shown some animated dots, but after that, no container is showing.
    SmartSDR version is 4.2.18 and license level is SmartSDR+ (not early access).
    I would appreciate any assistance.

    Thanks
    Yoram

    1. k6aq Post author

      Hi Yoram,

      Do you see the FDVU and FDVL modes in the main SmartSDR window? Restarting the radio may also help clear things out and allow the proper state to appear in the Waveform window.

      Thanks,

      -Mooneer K6AQ

      1. Yoram Rotbach

        Hi Mooneer,
        With the help of FlexRadio support, I’ve done a factory reset to the radio, but the container isn’t showing after the install action. My ticket is now escalated to a higher support team. In the meantime, I’m using the appimage on Linux x64 and FDVU and FDVL are now showing in SmartSDR. I’m also showing on FreeDV reporter.

        Thanks
        Yoram

          1. Yoram Rotbach

            Hi,
            While FlexRadio support was very attentive, ultimately, after several factory resets, they sent me back to the FreeDV community. As this is the first and only waveform in a container, they don’t have a known working container to send me for testing. Can someone confirm that the waveforms file in GitHub is working on a Flex-8600?

    2. Don

      I am experiencing the same issue with my 8600 and SmartSDR v4.2.18. I have not found a solution, but I wanted to let you know you weren’t the only one.

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