What happened?
Persist Audio Output Device When Switching Profiles
What
When switching between radio profiles in AetherSDR, the receive audio output device automatically changes to the local PC speakers.
Users who normally listen through the radio’s hardware speaker/line-out must manually change the audio output back to the radio each time a profile is switched.
This feature request asks that the selected audio output device remain unchanged when switching profiles, or optionally be stored per profile.
Why
Many operators use external speakers connected directly to the radio (for example the rear panel line-out on Flex radios). This is common in shack setups where the radio is driving a dedicated amplified speaker.
Currently:
The operator selects radio speaker output.
The operator switches profiles (for example: changing bands, modes, or operating setups).
Audio immediately switches to PC speakers.
The operator must manually switch the audio output back to the radio.
This interrupts operation and creates unnecessary friction, especially when quickly switching operating profiles.
Desired outcome:
Audio routing should not change unexpectedly when profiles are changed.
Operators should not need to repeatedly reselect their preferred output device.
How Other Clients Do It
Other FlexRadio clients generally preserve the audio destination across profile changes.
For example:
SmartSDR for Windows
Audio routing remains consistent while changing profiles unless the profile explicitly stores audio routing settings.
The previously selected playback device continues to be used.
Typical SDR applications (SDR++, CubicSDR, etc.)
The chosen audio output device is treated as an application preference.
Changing frequency, mode, or profile does not alter the audio destination.
This prevents disruptive audio switching during normal operation.
Suggested Behavior
One of the following behaviors would resolve the issue:
Option A — Global Audio Device
Treat the RX audio device as a global application setting.
Behavior:
User selects an audio output device.
That device remains active regardless of profile changes.
Profiles do not modify audio routing.
Option B — Per-Profile Audio Device
Store the audio device inside the profile.
Behavior:
Each profile can define its own audio destination.
Switching profiles loads that profile’s configured audio device.
Option C — Simple Persistence
Minimum fix:
Do not change the audio device automatically when switching profiles unless explicitly required.
UI Expectations
Audio device selector remains unchanged after profile switches.
No unexpected audio rerouting occurs.
Protocol Hints
Unknown — needs research.
However, the FlexRadio Ethernet API includes commands controlling audio routing between the radio hardware outputs and client streaming audio. The implementation likely involves maintaining the correct setting when a profile change event occurs rather than resetting it.
What did you expect?
No response
Steps to reproduce
No response
Radio model & firmware
No response
Linux distro & Qt version
No response
What happened?
Persist Audio Output Device When Switching Profiles
What
When switching between radio profiles in AetherSDR, the receive audio output device automatically changes to the local PC speakers.
Users who normally listen through the radio’s hardware speaker/line-out must manually change the audio output back to the radio each time a profile is switched.
This feature request asks that the selected audio output device remain unchanged when switching profiles, or optionally be stored per profile.
Why
Many operators use external speakers connected directly to the radio (for example the rear panel line-out on Flex radios). This is common in shack setups where the radio is driving a dedicated amplified speaker.
Currently:
The operator selects radio speaker output.
The operator switches profiles (for example: changing bands, modes, or operating setups).
Audio immediately switches to PC speakers.
The operator must manually switch the audio output back to the radio.
This interrupts operation and creates unnecessary friction, especially when quickly switching operating profiles.
Desired outcome:
Audio routing should not change unexpectedly when profiles are changed.
Operators should not need to repeatedly reselect their preferred output device.
How Other Clients Do It
Other FlexRadio clients generally preserve the audio destination across profile changes.
For example:
SmartSDR for Windows
Audio routing remains consistent while changing profiles unless the profile explicitly stores audio routing settings.
The previously selected playback device continues to be used.
Typical SDR applications (SDR++, CubicSDR, etc.)
The chosen audio output device is treated as an application preference.
Changing frequency, mode, or profile does not alter the audio destination.
This prevents disruptive audio switching during normal operation.
Suggested Behavior
One of the following behaviors would resolve the issue:
Option A — Global Audio Device
Treat the RX audio device as a global application setting.
Behavior:
User selects an audio output device.
That device remains active regardless of profile changes.
Profiles do not modify audio routing.
Option B — Per-Profile Audio Device
Store the audio device inside the profile.
Behavior:
Each profile can define its own audio destination.
Switching profiles loads that profile’s configured audio device.
Option C — Simple Persistence
Minimum fix:
Do not change the audio device automatically when switching profiles unless explicitly required.
UI Expectations
Audio device selector remains unchanged after profile switches.
No unexpected audio rerouting occurs.
Protocol Hints
Unknown — needs research.
However, the FlexRadio Ethernet API includes commands controlling audio routing between the radio hardware outputs and client streaming audio. The implementation likely involves maintaining the correct setting when a profile change event occurs rather than resetting it.
What did you expect?
No response
Steps to reproduce
No response
Radio model & firmware
No response
Linux distro & Qt version
No response