I agree with you John 100%, this is a real DOWNER for the 6700 and will not compete with the 5000's Function ability with out a bunch of stuff hanging on the back end of it and is just to bad that the 6700 wasn't planned out better with more Antenna and VHF/UHF functionality.
Maybe in a few years FLEX will build a new Antenna Matrix Board (like they did with the 5000), Put in a VHF and UHF up converter that a NON-Satellite guy can use (like they have done with the 5000) with out hanging transverters on it. I have put my preorder already in to FLEX and have my backup 5000 up for sale but I am really stewing over the lack of the things I use the most on a expensive new radio and don't know if all the hype over all the receivers will do me any good in my operating practices. I Remote my 5000 over the Internet ALL the time and even used my IPAD3 with Wi-Fi from my motel room last weekend when I was out of town but I am sure the 6700 will kick butt over remoting the 5000 but it does work. I am waiting for FLEX to come out with their spread sheet so I can sit down and decide what I would be giving up or adding to what I would be using in my station. SO until then I guess I'll keep on stewing about it. 73's Bret WX7Y -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John Swink Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 8:32 PM To: [email protected] Cc: 'Flexedge Reflector' Subject: Re: [FlexEdge] Flex 6700 Steve, Thanks for the info. With the 5000 I have the 6m ant connected to ANT-3, 160m ant connected to ANT-2 and the quad and vertical ant connected to ANT-1 through an external switch. The 2m ant is connected to the 2m port on the VU and the 70cm ant is connected to the 70cm port on the VU. It would appear that for VHF/UHF operation the 5000 offers more flexibility than the current configuration of the 6700. Perhaps modifications will be made in the future that will make the 6700 more VHF/UHF "friendly". For now at least I will probably stick with the 5000 as it more closely matches my operating requirements. Thanks again for the info. 73, John From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stephen Hicks, N5AC Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 9:35 PM To: John Swink Cc: Flexedge Reflector Subject: Re: [FlexEdge] Flex 6700 Jim, Here are the rules that will determine what you can do on the FLEX-6700 1. You may connect up to 5 antennas 2. Only two of the antennas (ANT1, ANT2) are connected to the PA for 100W out 3. Two antenna ports are receive only (RX A, RX B) 4. The XVTR port can be used as a receive antenna or a T/R antenna, but the output power is only +0dBm nominal 5. All 5 antennas have 144MHz capability, but 144MHz is limited to +0dBm nominal So if you intend to transmit on the PA with 100W on more than two antennas, then you will need an external antenna switch. Your VHF+ antennas will have to go through transverters/amplifiers/preamp and so this will involve switching of course. I assume you are already doing this external to the FLEX-5000? Steve On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, John Swink wrote: After viewing the Flex 6700 at Dayton and following the discussion on the reflector, it appears this is a major advance in technology. I am trying to determine if it fits my operating requirements. I am currently using a 5000+Rx2+ATU+VU. My antennas are: 1 - Shunt fed tower on 160m with remote matching network. 2 - Ground mounted vertical with remote tuner on 80 through 30m (tune one band at a time). 3 - Cubical quad with common feed line on 20 through 10m. 4 - Cubical quad with separate feed line on 6m. 5 - Individual yagi's on 144, 222, 432 & 1296 MHz. With the 6700 I believe I could simultaneously monitor: 1 - Any two of 160m, 80 - 30m (one band) or 6m; or 2 - Five bands on 20 - 10m (common feed) plus one on 160m, 80 -30m (one band) or 6m. With these two options I would need a matrix of external antenna switches to select antennas. For VHF/UHF I could only monitor one band at a time since there is only one transverter port and would require an external switch to select from multiple transverters. While the elimination of Firewire and its latency issues and the optional GPSDO are major pluses, it would appear that for VHF/UHF weak signal operation (70% of my operating) the 5000 with VU provides more flexibility than the 6700 as currently configured. Perhaps as someone on this reflector suggested, another radio designed for VHF/UHF operation with multiple transverter ports would be more appropriate. Is my logic correct or am I missing something? 73, John, N8WNA _______________________________________________ Flexedge mailing list [email protected] <javascript:;> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software development and experimentalist who are using beta versions of the software. -- Steve Stephen Hicks, N5AC, AAR6AM VP Engineering FlexRadio SystemsT 4616 W Howard Ln Ste 1-150 Austin, TX 78728 Phone: 512-535-4713 x205 Email: [email protected] Web: www.flexradio.com <http://www.flexradio.com/> <http://www.flex-radio.com/Data/Image/Vector-Logo.jpg> Tune In ExcitementT PowerSDRT is a trademark of FlexRadio Systems _______________________________________________ Flexedge mailing list [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software development and experimentalist who are using beta versions of the software. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. _______________________________________________ Flexedge mailing list [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software development and experimentalist who are using beta versions of the software.
