Category Archives: Expert Controller

SPE Expert Controller – Next release update

Over the last few days I’ve been implementing some minor changes to SPE Expert Controller, resolving a minor defect and updating the documentation in readiness for public release in the coming weeks.

This release candidate is now being tested and if all goes well I’m hoping to make it available during late July as version 1.2.1.

Below is a list of Additions/changes as they stand today.

  1. The third-party Network/Serial adapter may now be identified using a FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) in addition to an IP address.
  2. Removed ‘Save’ button from the Settings window. Settings now auto-save when choosing an alternate tab or the window is closed.
  3. Enabled the ‘Edit’ menu bar option to better support cut/copy/paste operations.
  4. Added ‘News’ and ‘Support’ to Help menu. These open corresponding pages on the SPE Expert Controller website.
  5. Resolved issue whereby the Settings | Comms tabview did not re-enable the change of information after closing connection to an amplifier.
  6. The colour of the RF Power, PA Voltage and PA Current gauges on the RF Information window are now Green, Yellow and Blue respectively.
  7. SWR ANT and SWR ATU values swapped to align with observed usage rather than that detailed in the SPE Application Programmer’s Guide. This change impacts the RF Information window and the spoken report.
  8. Minor update to underlying datastore. The datastore is automatically updated when version 1.2.1 is first run. The updated store is not compatible with earlier versions.

Once ready it will be released to the Apple Appstore. Those who have configured their Mac to auto-update will receive the update automatically! Other’s will have to update using their App Store App.

If you have any questions/comments, please drop me a mail via this website.

Andy

SPE Expert Controller – DNS Support

I’ve been adding support for a network/serial adapter to be identified by a Fully Qualified Domain Name or DNS name in addition to its IP address to SPE Expert Controller today.

Using a name makes identification more human friendly; we remember names more easily than IP addresses, especially IPv6 addresses! Perhaps more importantly tho, using a DNS name adds support for deployments where an amplifier / network/serial adapter is deployed in a system using dynamic DNS.

Whilst making changes I’ve also added a Paste button, allowing the endpoint field to be completed using clipboard content. This is most helpful when using an IPv6 address or a long DNS name. Those with a keen eye will also spot the little ‘hand’ graphic; It is thumb-up for valid information and thumb-down when invalid.

As of yet there is no release date for the next version. If you have feature requests please get in touch using the Contact form on this website.

Andy

macOS Tahoe 26.0 and SPE Expert Controller

This week was WWDC 25, the annual Apple developer conference were Apple announce’s their next software. This year, one of the many announcements was a UI redesign which they called ‘Liquid Glass’. It will provide a common ‘look and feel’ across their hardware including the Mac. It looks a little different to recent versions of macOS such as Sonoma and Sequoia with visual effects to provide improved separation between UI controls and content.

The good news is that Apps built for earlier macOS versions will continue look just the same on Tahoe. However, that backwards support will be dropped from whatever follows Tahoe. But that’s not something to worry about for a while.

The other thing to note is that Tahoe will be the last version of macOS that will support Intel processors. So, if you are using an Intel Mac and wish to use whatever macOS follows Tahoe then you are going to need new hardware.

Out of curiosity to take an early peek I downloaded the first developer beta and installed SPE Expert Controller v1.2.0. Sure enough, just as Apple said, it looks and works just the same as it does on Sequoia. That’s pretty reassuring and is an early indication that it should work just fine even if it were not updated.

However, my thinking is that I’ll rebuild SPE Expert Controller for Tahoe later this summer so that a Liquid Glass version is available for the public release of Tahoe, presumably around September / October 2025.

Andy