apache-labs.com

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 1:11 am**

w-u-2-o wrote:
rbduck wrote:LOL! I was about to want/wish a button that could activate another bank of buttons I can include on my second monitor...Not really..
A macro button strip or sub-window has already been on the wish list for some time.

By making them macro buttons, i.e. buttons you can simply type CAT strings into, they become all things to all people. Have as many buttons as you want, make them be whatever you want.

Where this gets fancy is to have

- buttons that display the state of a setting
- buttons that can toggle between two strings
- buttons that can send CAT strings out a serial port

Note that much this can be done in a vast array of existing macro software and other control surface solutions, such as Voicemeeter macros, DDUtil (older versions), Stream Deck, Matric, Bitfocus, and Touch Portal and too many others to list. But it would be nice to have a highly integrated version in Thetis. And to be able to import/export config's for those who are unwilling to learn CAT strings to borrow the work of others.

If you are really adventurous and willing to learn, the Node Red low code IoT programming environment is brilliant for this. But that takes a bit of study and effort.

I have a difficult time keeping up with all the buttons now available. Not a disparagement, but a complement! I love all the new functions and flexibility afforded by the new and existing additions.

And again, I have to take detailed notes to remember all of them.

I am interested in the Stream Deck, but Matric looks extremely good. Thanks for the ideas!

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 2:18 am**

WANTWISH

Add ZZxx command to change display presentation between Collapse and Expand.

Thank you!

Paul, W9AC

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:32 am**

I do like the idea of the macro/button pad that links through to the cat commands, so expect it eventually. I am up to my neck in meters right now. Everything is on hold right now, including sleep :lol:

: greenie.png (29.82 KiB) Viewed 7541 times

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 8:27 am**

That's looking good Richie, where do I send the coffee ?

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 11:50 am**

Richie,

That's looks amazing , what a nice morning coffee surprise, thank you for all you do brother 73's.

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 2:52 pm**

Hi Richie. That's a nice representation of an analog meter, but I don't see how it could work as a practical TX multimeter. There would need to be multiple color-coded scales and multiple corresponding color-coded pointers (or independent pointer segments).

Months ago Erwin posted a great approach to a multimeter that can monitor many quantities simultaneously, here:
https://apache-labs.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3861&p=15284#p15341

and I posted a picture of Icom's bar-graph TX multimeter, here:
https://apache-labs.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3182&p=9625#p9625

I hope you're planning to implement something like one or both of these, as options.

73, John

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 3:08 pm**

I wholeheartedly agree with John.

When monitoring a multiplicity of values simultaneously, the bar graph format is by far the preferred approach, if not the only approach realistically possible.

Overlapping needles are impossible to read once one gets past two values on the meter. This is true for both "analog" style and bar graph style meters. Peak and average pointers on a single meter reflect a practical limit. One only need to look at modern aircraft instrument panel design to gain an appreciation for this.

Please make the multimeter a bar graph format. Ideally it would allow for vertical or horizontal formats, and meters would automatically size to fit the window dimensions. A numeric readout at one end (or bottom for vertical style meters) would also be most welcome.

Cheers!

Scott

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 3:21 pm**

I like all the above pertaining to a bar graph meter config.

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:13 pm**

Yep, the end of the bar is nigh ! They are being removed. Full on 10 needle retro monochrome (even in yellow/red) analogue meters everywhere ! :roll:

Erwin's post is a prototype that I had played with quite a long time ago. You will be able to do that, and so much more and Icom's display will be easily achievable. However, it will be quite a while before you get your hands on it.

It will come with the existing meters, a couple of analogue ones, and perhaps something to design them (eventually). Implementing customised linear and non linear scales is next on the todo list.

Another look : https://youtu.be/LFV0Y4Kr3h8 (wait for the scream !)

73

Posted: **Sat Apr 30, 2022 10:27 pm**

Wow, looks promising!
Reminds me a little of what ke9ns did in PowerSDR for the old Flex.
Hope it will be visible in collapse mode also as I have so for the most part. There is more space there too

Thank you so much Richie and keep up the incredible good work you do for us!

Posted: **Sun May 01, 2022 7:17 am**

Please do not forget that the multi-meter development is in a very early stage. The effort is enormous and not a matter for a week, but rather 6-8 weeks, or more.

If Richie had posted a screenshot of a new bar graph meter then we could certainly have read "Please make a needle instrument, I prefer analogue meters..."
I wonder why no one wrote "I don't like the green meter, make it blue"... ;-)

So please just appreciate Richie's effort and look forward to the result. I am sure it will be fantastic!

73 Ernst

Posted: **Sun May 01, 2022 1:16 pm**

Ernst,
I agree with you and I am very excited to see the next enhancement by Richie.
73 Josef

Posted: **Sun May 01, 2022 6:40 pm**

Is there a problem with saving level calibration values?

I just started with an empty database and did a level calibration.
After restarting Thetis, the calibrated value is gone.
Calibrated again, restarted, calibrated value disappeared again.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 8:39 am**

DH1KLM wrote:Is there a problem with saving level calibration values?

I just started with an empty database and did a level calibration.
After restarting Thetis, the calibrated value is gone.
Calibrated again, restarted, calibrated value disappeared again.

There is an issue with PA level calibrations for the bands, you need to actually be in a ham band. So if you are out of band and try to change a global PA setting in any profile, they will not take. This will be fixed.

I could not find any issue with signal level calibration into a fresh db.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 11:29 am**

WANTWISH

The automatic adjustment of the display floor by background noise ("Adjust Min to Noise Floor") works quite well; I use it a lot.

But when there are static crashes present, which are increasing as summer approaches, the crashes cause the display to constantly try to keep up, adjusting itself every couple of seconds and never settling down.

I don't quite know how this could be fixed. Maybe a longer time constant associated with noise floor determination. (Noise Floor Attack time doesn't affect it.)

As a simple fix, perhaps a right click on the vertical scale (or somewhere else) could toggle on/off the "Adjust Min to Noise Floor" check box, the same way right clicking the AGC Gain toggles its automatic mode. This would at least provide the operator the ability to quickly settle things down if necessary, without having to open up Setup.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 12:50 pm**

ramdor wrote:I could not find any issue with signal level calibration into a fresh db.

I have installed the TAPR version and there the signal level calibration is saved without a problem.
I start both versions via the datapath command. Started both versions with fresh database.

I'm kind of stuck. Any advice?

Made two videos.
v2.9.0.6 https://youtu.be/1oa5Vm84TTg
TAPR https://youtu.be/GdFXeV0ZHiA

Update:
Commit 03175ee just compiled, signal level calibration works as expected.
The problem occurs with e01f37e.
Maybe it is Protcol1 or Red Pitaya related?

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 3:33 pm**

DH1KLM wrote:
ramdor wrote:I could not find any issue with signal level calibration into a fresh db.

I have installed the TAPR version and there the signal level calibration is saved without a problem.
I start both versions via the datapath command. Started both versions with fresh database.

I'm kind of stuck. Any advice?

Made two videos.
v2.9.0.6 https://youtu.be/1oa5Vm84TTg
TAPR https://youtu.be/GdFXeV0ZHiA

Thanks for vids, I see. The S-Meter is different between the two, the spectrum is correct. I have replicated it here, looking into it now.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 3:50 pm**

ok, found the issue. Will PM you with link to exe Sigi.

Thanks for report, the vids helped.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 3:53 pm**

This is great, I was already questioning my sanity. :roll:

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 3:57 pm**

It will effect anyone that has recently run a level calibration. Well, since 2.9.0.6. I will need to get a 2.9.0.7 build out to fix it, sometime over next couple of days. Unfortunately, it will require a re-run of level calibration.

Posted: **Mon May 02, 2022 11:15 pm**

Hey all,

Well, a day of sorting out data to image calibration, so I just had to implement a cross needle meter. The images are thanks to Ernst, OE3IDE. Building all these different meters irons out issues and tests the implementation. They will all come as part of an update sometime down the line.

Loads more to do, but some progress at least.

73

Posted: **Tue May 03, 2022 1:28 am**

Awesome!!

Posted: **Tue May 03, 2022 3:20 am**

Wow! That is a beautiful meter. I'm sure your completed work will be incredible, useful and needed. Thank you guys for the work you accomplish.

I've been using Bob's Meter for the past few months. I like the look of the analog meter. I don't particularly care for the large size, but I can get past that. I know it takes many weeks of work to bring the new meter(s) to fruition. I await the unveiling with great anticipation!

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 2:47 am**

rbduck wrote:Wow! That is a beautiful meter. I'm sure your completed work will be incredible, useful and needed. Thank you guys for the work you accomplish.

I've been using Bob's Meter for the past few months. I like the look of the analog meter. I don't particularly care for the large size, but I can get past that. I know it takes many weeks of work to bring the new meter(s) to fruition. I await the unveiling with great anticipation!

Hi Ruben,

I'm guessing that the large meter size in Richie's post is a screenshot during his development work. The meter looks like it's in a second window and most likely scalable.

73,

George / W7GES

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 3:14 am**

A quick vid showing some progress.

https://youtu.be/EUUl0xpju8o

73

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 9:54 am**

That's very pretty, Richie. Is the next step a bar graph style multimeter?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 11:16 am**

w-u-2-o wrote:That's very pretty, Richie. Is the next step a bar graph style multimeter?

yeah, next on the list to sort out. Fun times implementing all those dynamic scales in directX

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 11:29 am**

By far the most beautiful software meters that can be found around SDR software.
I hope the meters can also be positioned freely on the monitor.
I would like to see it soon on my 7" 800x480 LCD which normally shows FXPad.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 12:22 pm**

DH1KLM wrote:Loading and starting Thetis with RX2 enabled shows a non-working RX2 S-Meter.
S meter remains at -399 dBm.
Changing the mode on RX2 from e.g. LSB to USB ensures that the S-meter works again.

I noticed this in the TAPR release as well as in Richie's current version.

Can anybody confirm this, or is this already known?

s-meter-RX2.JPG

Hi
This error is only in the first protocol.
The second protocol works correctly.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2022 8:04 pm**

WANTWISH

Add spectrum peak-find "Goto" function. VFO A or B switches frequency to the strongest peak signal when: (1) the command is engaged; and (2) at least one peak blob is set within <Setup><Display>. Place function button on the GUI or at a minimum, establish a ZZxx CAT command.

The peak-find function exists with all lab-grade spectrum analyzers. Peak blob values are already computed in Thetis. This feature is similar to request item #1 on the Want/Wish "ToDo" list but adds VFO control.

Paul, W9AC

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Re: Thetis v2.9.0 - Updates and Issues