Maestro C Status & FAQ

All of our accessories are listed on this online page. When ordering, log into the online store and create a new order. In the comments section, make sure you reference your original Maestro order number so that we can easily associate your orders.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/categories/maestro/

Maestro Accessories

RRC2054-2 Battery (MAE-C-BATT)

A battery pack is NOT required to operate your Maestro C, however having a battery pack allows you to operate your Maestro C without being plugged into an AC adapter. The battery will automatically charge when installed in your Maestro using the 24 VDC power supply.

The RRC2054-2 6900 maH battery gives you ~10 hours of operating time.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-c-battery/

Maestro C Single Battery Charger (MAE-C-CHARGE-1)

The single-battery stand-alone charger is not required to charge your battery but is very useful if you have more than one RRC2054-2 battery.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-c-battery-charger-single/

Maestro C Double Battery Charger (MAE-C-CHARGE-2)

The double-battery stand-alone charger is not required to charge your battery but is very useful if you have more than one RRC2054-2 battery.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-c-battery-charger-double/

Hinge Feet for Maestro C (ACC-MAESTRO-HINGE-FEET-C)

The tilt hinge feet option for Maestro is constructed from black anodized NC machined aluminum.

These feet are different from the Maestro A/B feet, however, if you already have the previous version of the tilt-feet they will also work, but the Maestro does sit higher.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/hinge-feet-for-maestro-c/

Protective Cover for Maestro Control Console (ACC-MAESTRO-DC)

This powder-coated acrylic cover form fits to the front of your Maestro A, B, or C to help protect the screen and face of the unit from scratches and dust while not in use or while transporting.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/protective-cover-for-maestro-control-console/

Radiosport PTT Footswitch with RCA plug (ACC-PTT-FS-RCA)

This rugged industrial-grade all-metal PTT foot switch with a 7-foot fiber-reinforced cable and RCA phono plug is truly intended for industrial manufacturing floor use and the construction is there to support this sort of heavy-duty use.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/radiosport-ptt-footswitch-with-rca-plug/

Radiosport 3.5mm (1/8″) to RCA PTT Adapter (ACC-3.5MM-RCA)

This adapter is for the Radiosport RCA Footswitch. It adapts an RCA male to a ⅛” (Mono) TS male.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/radiosport-3-5mm-1-8-to-rca-ptt-adapter/

Radiosport RS55SL SuperLight Travel headset (FHS-RS55SL)

The RS55SL is a light headset that plugs directly into the back of the Maestro C as it has the correct TRRS ⅛” connector on it.

PTT is not included (see: ACC-PTT-FS-RCA + ACC-3.5MM-RCA)

https://www.flexradio.com/products/radiosport-rs55sl-superlight-travel-headset/

PTT and Headset Breakout Kit (MAE-C-Adapter)

If you wish to use the FLEX-6400 or FLEX-6600 FHM-3 Hand Mic or the Inrad desk Mic with a Maestro C, you will need this kit.

The kit includes the RCA to ⅛” TS Mono adapter to connect a Footswitch with an RCA connector such as the Radiosport Footswitch.

It also included a Headset Y adapter that splits the Headset TRRS jack on the Maestro to a ⅛” TRS for the Microphone and a ⅛” TRS for a typical stereo Headset.

When using the FHM-3 and the Y cable:

M-HDST selected on the Maestro C
BIAS turned on in the Phone/CW settings
USB or LSB mode
TX DAX turned off

These 2 items are a must-have with your Maestro C.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-c-y-cable-kit/

Mics with TS (Mono) Microphone connectors

Microphones with a TS ⅛” Microphone connector (such as Heil ProSets) may not work correctly with the Y adapter cable. The Y cable requires a TRS ⅛” connector with the Mic + on Tip and the Mic - (or ground) on the Shield.

Radiosport RS60CF headset with Electret-Condenser Mic (FHS-M10A)

RS60CF headset from Arlan Communications. The FlexRadio-branded Radiosport headset is a high-quality carbon fiber finish stereo headset with cloth-covered deep gel ear muffs that provide 24dB of acoustic noise reduction.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/10th-anniversary-radiosport-rs60cf-headset-with-electret-condenser-mic/

When ordering this headset, you will need to order the CS6-TRRS cable. https://www.flexradio.com/products/cs6-trrs/

TRRS-Mini Din Radiosport Headset Cable (CS6-TRRS)

Use this cable to connect an RS60 headset directly to your Maestro C with the TRRS Mic/Headset connector.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/cs6-trrs/

Maestro Monitor Cable – 90 Degree Adapter Kit (HDMI-KIT)

This 90-degree adapter allows an HDMI cable to exit directly away to the rear of your Maestro C.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-monitor-cable-adapter/

FAQ

Best place to ask questions?

While using email is handy to ask questions, it is hard for us to keep up to email.

It is highly recommended that you ask questions in the FleRadio community at this link: https://community.flexradio.com/categories/maestro

Using the Community allows for others to learn from your question and remember, there is no dumb question.

Can I add accessories to my original order if I didn't include any initially?

Feb 19, 2024 update

Yes, please. Log into the FlexRadio store and complete a new order and pay for it online. In the comments, please mention your current Maestro order number in the comments of the accessory order.

Will the original Tilt Feet (for earlier Maestro models) work?

Originally, the Maestro A, and B tilt feet were not going to fit as we advised some of you.

We have found that with some adjustments these feet can fit, however, they will be a bit taller and not spaced as wide.

Will the FHM-3 from the FLEX-6000 series radio connect to a Maestro C?

No. The Maestro C uses a ⅛” TRRS CTIA model of connector for the Microphone in order to allow TRRS headsets to work with the Maestro C.

FlexRadio plans to market an optional cable that can be connected to the Maestro C and the Microphone Head of a radio hand Microphone.

Can I buy my own HDST Y Cable?

Yes, and they are available worldwide. Make sure you purchase a Y cable that confirms to the CTIA standard. OMTP Y cables will not work as expected.

Will my Mic with an RJ45 connector connect to the Maestro C

No, not at this time.

If you are using an Inrad Desk Mic, you can change the Mic Cord for the FLEX-6000 series radios with the Y Cable Kit.

https://www.flexradio.com/products/inrad-dm-f-3-5mm-rca-cable/

https://www.flexradio.com/products/maestro-c-y-cable-kit/

Does the Maestro C ship with an AC Power Supply?

Yes.

Does the Maestro C ship with a Hand Mic?

No.

Will the battery charge while inserted in the Maestro C?

Yes.

When do I pay for my Maestro C order?

FlexRadio will contact you before shipping your Maestro C. Making your payment earlier will not impact the existing shipping schedule. Do not reorder your Maestro if you currently have an active and open order with a Maestro C.

What Version of SmartSDR is required for Maestro C?

SmartSDR v3.7.x or higher or v2.12.0 or higher. Remote operators will require a PC local to the Radio to update SmartSDR which is part of the normal SmartSDR update procedure.

Will the original screen cover fit a Maestro C?

Yes.

Can I use my Bluetooth audio devices?

Bluetooth will not be enabled on the initial release of the Maestro C.

Why does the Maestro require a 24VDC power supply?

We asked our CTO, Steve Hicks, N5AC

I wanted the Maestro to run on batteries for a longer time than we had before — something in the 6-10h range. To get this capability, we went with the largest battery that RRC builds, the 2054-2. This battery is the largest that you can ship in the postal mail (99Wh) and it provides about 8h of run time on the Maestro.

Since we want the battery to charge relatively quickly, we need to supply it with quite a bit of power. To get an hour charge at 99Wh, we need to supply the charger with 100W of power. The battery is therefore configured to have a charge voltage of 19V.

So there are two options here — we could run off 12V and put a noisy boost converter in the Maestro and it would draw something close to 10A on the 12V supply (requiring heavy gauge wiring, or lots-o-loss, etc) or we could go to the next reasonable voltage up, 24V. At 24V we only need around 4A which allows the wiring and losses to be lower.

This is a compromise. I think if we had gone with a “must be 12V” rule we would have likely used a RRC2057 battery which would have had only a 48Wh capacity, running for about 4h, and we would still have had to supply a minimum of 13V to charge it. So it mostly has to do with battery capacity and charge rate, but there are other factors like lower current and wire gauge on the charging supply.

What connectors are provided on the Maestro C?

HDMI display out - Type A
1920 x 1200 WUXGA Display
RJ45- Ethernet 100/1000 mb/sec
CW Key - ⅛” TRS
Powered Speakers - ⅛” TRS 3 watts
Line Out - ⅛” TRS
Push to talk (PTT) - ⅛” TS
Headphones - ⅛” TRRS CTIA 16 or 32 ohms
24V DC 4 Pin D - PD-40V