FlexRadio FLEX-6400 firmware v4.1.5

Page 1 | Copyright 2025 FlexRadio, Inc. | SmartSDR v4.1.5 Release Notes | SmartSDR+ v4.1.5 Release Notes Version Release Date Release Theme/Title 4.1.5 2025-12-16 SmartSDR v4 Bug Fix Release SmartSDR Basic™ and SmartSDR+™ v4.1.5 is a software and firmware release for Aurora™, FLEX-8000™, and FLEX-6000™ series of software defined radios (SDRs), and the Maestro™.

This version supersedes all previous versions of SmartSDR.

Description of SmartSDR Basic, SmartSDR+, and SmartSDR+ Early Access Feature License Tiers: SmartSDR v4 Basic is available free of charge and includes all bug fixes and select minor feature enhancements for all radio models.

We strongly encourage all customers to upgrade to SmartSDR v4.

If you are currently running SmartSDR v2 and upgrade to SmartSDR v4 Basic, you will receive all prior bug fixes and minor enhancements from all previous versions.

However, please note that multiFlex, the major feature introduced in SmartSDR v3, is not included in SmartSDR v4 Basic for radios licensed for SmartSDR v2.

For radios licensed for SmartSDR v1, the SmartLink feature introduced in SmartSDR v2, along with the multiFlex, is n​ot included in SmartSDR v4 Basic.

SmartSDR+ is an optional one-year new feature license.

When you purchase a SmartSDR+ feature license, you gain or retain access to all prior SmartSDR v2 and v3 major features, as well as all new SmartSDR v4 major features released during your one-year license period.

All new SmartSDR v4 features are only available immediately for SmartSDR+ Early Access feature license radios.

Radios that have a SmartSDR+ feature license will gain access to the new features approximately 30 days later with a follow-up SmartSDR v4 feature access software release.

To get the new SmartSDR v4 features immediately, a SmartSDR+ Early Access license is required (see below).

When your one-year feature license expires, you retain all features received during that period—you never lose them.

To gain access to any new features introduced after your license period ends, simply renew your SmartSDR+ license for an additional year.

SmartSDR+ Early Access is an optional one-year SmartSDR+ feature license that provides all the benefits of SmartSDR+, with the added advantage of early access to new features approximately 30 days before they are available for standard SmartSDR+ feature license holders.

As part of the Early Access Program, participants are invited to share feedback with the software engineering and product management teams based on their experience with the preview software.

This collaboration helps shape and refine future SmartSDR releases.

Important Release Information Before upgrading, please read all sections marked as IMPORTANT for upgrade prerequisites and other important information.

Important Notice: Beginning with SmartSDR v4.0.1, the SmartSDR hardware license installed on your radio must be revalidated or updated after purchasing a SmartSDR+ Feature License by connecting to the SmartSDR License Server.

To complete this process, ensure that your radio is connected to a network with Internet access.

The radio will automatically download any new licenses when it is booted.

Once your SmartSDR license has been successfully validated, the radio will not need to reconnect to the License Server unless you purchase a new SmartSDR+ feature license.

Page 2 | Copyright 2025 FlexRadio, Inc. | SmartSDR v4.1.5 Release Notes | SmartSDR+ v4.1.5 New SmartSDR+ Early Access Features: There are no SmartSDR+ Early Access Features included in this software release.

New SmartSDR+ Features: There are no SmartSDR+ Features included in this software release.

New SmartSDR Bug Fixes: Below are the new minor feature enhancements and bug fixes available to all radios running SmartSDR Basic.

Some bug fixes will be specific to SmartSDR+ features and not available to SmartSDR Basic license holders.

Please refer to the SmartSDR v4 Changelog for a complete listing of all SmartSDR v4 software and firmware changes.

Feature/Defect Description

SMART-11954

Fixed an issue where toggling ESC would peg the S-meter on FLEX-6000 Series Rad​ios

SMART-12099

Fixed DIV ESC slice audio controls to be consistent with the operation intent (SmartSDR-Win)

SMART-12118

Fixed an issue where profiles with DIV access were restored with DIV ESC enabled

SMART-12129

Fixed multiFLEX DVK playback not properly transitioning from transmit back to receive Page 3 | Copyright 2025 FlexRadio, Inc. | SmartSDR v4.1.5 Release Notes | SmartSDR v4 Best Practices Best Practices for Installing SmartSDR Always back up your Global, TX (transmit), and Microphone Profiles.

For detailed instructions on exporting your profiles to a file on your PC, refer to the SmartSDR for Windows Software User’s Guide.

It is recommended to export all profiles before upgrading to v4.1.5.

Maintaining a good set of profile exports as backups is always a best practice.

Moving back and forth between different versions of SmartSDR may result in data loss unless you have a backup (export) of your Profiles.

Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date before installing SmartSDR for Windows.

The proper operation of SmartSDR for Windows and its associated drivers relies on having an up-to-date and supported Windows operating system, including the root security certificates.

It is strongly recommended that you run Windows Update and install all mandatory and optional updates before installing SmartSDR for Windows.

Power cycle the radio before installing a new version of SmartSDR for Windows.

To ensure a seamless upgrade, it is recommended that you power cycle your radio before installing the SmartSDR for Windows software on your PC and updating the radio firmware. “Cold Boot” the radio after upgrading the radio firmware.

Using the power button, shut down the radio, then disconnect it from DC power for approximately 30 seconds.

This procedure “cold boots” the radio and helps ensure proper operation.

Once DC power is restored to the radio, wait 2 minutes to ensure all internal processors have booted up completely before booting your radio.

Managing SmartSDR installed on other devices.

If using Maestro or other PCs running SmartSDR for Windows, update all devices at the same time to ensure a consistent operating experience and to avoid radio firmware upgrade/downgrade delays.

Always perform a Factory Reset of your Radio when Downgrading the Radio Firmware: In general, downgrading to a previous version of SmartSDR is not recommended.

The database in the Aurora, FLEX-8000, and FLEX-6000 is NOT backwards compatible.

This means if you downgrade the firmware in your radio, you must perform a Factory Reset to ensure the internal database is consistent with the version of SmartSDR firmware that is running on the radio.

Important: If the radio is not operating properly immediately after upgrading, please perform a factory reset and refrain from importing any exported profiles.

The database may be inconsistent and require resetting to a default state.

The procedure for performing a Radio Cold Boot and Factory Reset is described below.

In addition to performing a Factory Reset on the radio, you mustn't import a database using a profile export that is greater than the version you are using with your radio.

The profile export file name contains the version of SmartSDR that was running when the export was saved to your PC for easy version identification.

Best Practices for installing SmartSDR for an “M” Model or Maestro The following best practices are applicable only when installing a new version of SmartSDR on a Maestro.

Both the Maestro and “M’ Model radios must have network access that allows connectivity to the Internet to download the new SmartSDR software.

Ensure your Maestro has a reliable power source.

Make certain the supplied AC adapter is used to power the unit.

This prevents the Maestro from losing power during an update.

Ensure your Maestro has a reliable network connection.

The Maestro and radio firmware ar