Hi Tim, I am afraid I must chime in on this topic because of some misperceptions that may arise from the exam review.
First, the reviewer purchased a used radio with components purchased in kit form and built up by two previous owners over a two year period. We keep a database of every radio and upgrade shipped. That radio's original 3 board set was manufactured in Bulgaria in mid 2003, while current production is in Austin, Texas. The current units also have some differences in the packaging, including a deeper enclosure with the fan moved inside, metal spacers vs. the earlier nylon ones, LED lighted switch, internal wiring improvements, etc. This is in addition to its now being the highest dynamic range receiver on the market. One thing that has been different about this radio is that the purchaser of serial number uno over two years ago has had the opportunity to upgrade to the latest performance. Secondly, I spent quite some time with the reviewer on the phone even though his rig is well out of warranty. I am not aware of any other customer who has experienced similar RF feedback problems to those he described. However, I experienced a similar problem in my shack on a late 1990s, fully shielded, unnamed Japanese made radio at any power level of >50W. I am sure my problem was RF radiation in the shack but I never had time to solve it. Too busy building radios. Finally, we hope that the software will FOREVER be a "work in progress!" If it not, you and we have run out of good ideas. PowerSDR is a work in progress in the same way that Windows, Linux, Quicken, MixW, and you name your favorite application is a work in progress. This is a SOFTWARE radio. The hardware is very stable and is unlikely to change a lot now. It now has top receiver and transmitter performance that can be increased even further through software enhancements. We have plans to do just that. PowerSDR version 1.4.4 is a VERY stable official release. Use it if you are uncomfortable with beta. PowerSDR v1.4.5 is also very stable but it is still beta code. Unlike most software, PowerSDR allows you to keep all previous versions on the computer so you can switch between them. That means that you can try out the latest and greatest beta and switch back instantly to the official release. You can even have multiple versions loaded at the same time so long as only one is running. I will note that we do more frequent beta releases than most companies because we believe that our customers enjoy having access to new features and performance sooner rather than later. The down side is that it creates the PERCEPTION of instability. We have discussed creating a separate discussion board for beta only because of the confusion that may cause new visitors. We would be interested in hearing from you on the reflector as to whether that would be a good idea. In closing, let me state that FlexRadio is unaware of any hardware problems that need to be addressed on current production units. However, older units may require ECOs to bring them up to the latest performance. We appreciate all feedback and ideas, especially the encouragement we have received from so many of you. We want everyone to have a great experience with the radio even back to serial number 1 (VE3CEK) on May 7, 2003. 73, Gerald K5SDR FlexRadio Systems > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tim Ellison > Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 8:23 AM > To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Eham Review > > Bom dia. Oi. > > For me, this was an informative and interesting review. I am > very seriously considering the purchase of an SDR-1000. In > preparation, I have upgraded my computer, purchased the > Delta44 and Eric's ground isolation kit. The only thing that > has prevented me from purchasing one to date is that I had to > leave the country for 2 months on business. > > I am going into my SDR-1000 adventure with my eyes wide open. > I am aware that the software is a work in progress and that > this is not an "appliance operator" type of radio. No > problem. I've lived on the cutting edge before so I know > what to expect. The support and contributions of this group > also has lessened my fears that the ~$1500 will be a well > spent future investment. > > What concerns me is that a core part of my reasoning for > going ahead with the SDR-1000 purchase was based on the > assumption that the hardware component of the radio was, for > the most part solid. I am aware that there have been minor > improvements in the past to correct issues. That is to be expected. > > But the e-ham review brought up some interesting issues. > Mostly about the construction quality, PA oscillations and RF > susceptibility. I realize that one review doesn't properly > describe the true state of things, but along with the other > threads on this forum about problems being attributed to cold > solder joints, I started wondering about my future purchase. > > The rebuttal e-ham review by KD5RD clearly defined the well > known accolades and potential issues of *software* defined > radios but doesn't address any of the hardware construction > issues raised by AA8VL. > > Therefore I am interested in the discussion that this review > will generate in this forum and also on e-ham. Hopefully my > fears will be abated by the responses. > > Até logo > > 73 de W4TME > > -Tim > --- > Integrated Technical Services > > "You can't close the door when the walls cave in" --Robert Hunter > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of VA3MA - Dan > Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 11:16 PM > To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > Subject: [Flexradio] Eham Review > > http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4108#42946 > > Not a nice review - yet is buying another! > > > > _______________________________________________ > FlexRadio mailing list > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz > > _______________________________________________ > FlexRadio mailing list > FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz > >
