other digital software¶

DAX (Digital Audio eXchange) creates virtual audio streams between AetherSDR and other software running on the same machine. Enable it when you want WSJT-X, FLDigi, or any other digital mode program to receive audio from a radio slice or send audio back to the radio.

Before you start¶

AetherSDR must be connected to your FLEX-8600 radio. DAX requires an active radio connection.
Each slice you want to route must have a DAX channel assigned in the radio's slice settings. The DAX applet shows which slices are already assigned.
On Linux, PipeWire must be running. On macOS, the system audio subsystem handles routing automatically.

Steps¶

Click the DAX tray button on the right sidebar to open the DAX Audio applet. The applet is hidden by default.
Click Enable. The button turns green when DAX is active. AetherSDR saves this state as AutoStartDAX.
Check the slice-assignment indicators next to each DAX channel label (for example, DAX 1:, DAX 2:). Each indicator shows either — (no slice assigned) or Slice A through Slice H. Confirm the channel you want is showing the correct slice.
In your digital mode software (WSJT-X, FLDigi, etc.), select the corresponding DAX virtual audio device as the input (and output for TX) audio device. See Setting up digital modes (FT8, WSJT-X, fldigi) for per-application steps.
Transmit a test audio tone from your digital software and watch the TX meter in the applet. Adjust the TX gain+meter slider so the level stays below clipping.
Receive a signal and watch the DAX 1–4 gain+meter slider for the channel you assigned. Adjust the slider to set a comfortable level for your software's audio input.

What each control does¶

Control	Description	Default	Range	Setting key
Enable	Master toggle. Starts or stops all DAX audio streams.	Off	On / Off	`AutoStartDAX`
DAX 1 gain+meter	Combined level meter and gain slider for DAX channel 1. Drag to adjust RX gain sent to software on that channel.	0.5	0.0–1.0	`DaxRxGain1`
DAX 2 gain+meter	Same as DAX 1, for channel 2.	0.5	0.0–1.0	`DaxRxGain2`
DAX 3 gain+meter	Same as DAX 1, for channel 3.	0.5	0.0–1.0	`DaxRxGain3`
DAX 4 gain+meter	Same as DAX 1, for channel 4.	0.5	0.0–1.0	`DaxRxGain4`
TX gain+meter	Combined level meter and gain slider for the DAX TX stream (audio from your digital software to the radio).	0.5	0.0–1.0	`DaxTxGain`
Slice-assignment indicator	Read-only. Shows which slice (A–H) is routed to each DAX channel, or `—` if none.	`—`	`—` or `Slice A`–`Slice H`	—

Tips¶

To start DAX automatically every time AetherSDR launches, check Settings > Autostart DAX with AetherSDR in the menu. This writes the same AutoStartDAX setting that the Enable button controls.
The TX indicator next to the TX label shows which slice currently holds TX privileges. If it shows —, no slice is set as the TX slice, and DAX TX audio will not reach the radio.
The gain sliders are post-fader: the meter bar reflects the level after your gain adjustment, so what you see is what the receiving application gets.

Troubleshooting¶

DAX channels show — and no audio passes — No slice has a DAX channel assigned. Assign a DAX channel to the slice using the slice controls on the panadapter, then confirm the indicator in the applet updates to Slice A (or the appropriate letter).
Enable button does not stay checked after restarting AetherSDR — AutoStartDAX was not saved. Enable the setting through Settings > Autostart DAX with AetherSDR so it is applied at launch.
Digital software receives no audio despite DAX being enabled — Confirm the correct DAX virtual device is selected as the audio input in your digital mode software. The device name depends on your operating system and audio subsystem.
TX meter is active but the radio is not transmitting — Confirm the TX slice indicator shows a valid slice. If it shows —, no slice holds TX privileges. See Identify which slice is the TX slice.