(This is a re-broadcast of last week's e-mail for those who may have missed it. There are also a few new updates. Look for the [Update] or the [New Update] prefixes below.)
To all Flexers, There are several major new developments that everyone needs to know about. We have made some changes to the Web site and there are a lot of new announcements regarding new products and the upcoming Hamvention at Dayton. First the web site changes. We have recently implemented a new On-Line Store (OLS) that was specifically designed and built for FlexRadio Systems by Dale (WA8SRA). There are several major improvements that are worth mentioning. First, the OLS is now entirely integrated into the FlexRadio web site running on our own SSL encrypted server. You no longer have to be transferred to a third-party web site to make FlexRadio Systems purchases. Second, you now have multiple payment options. Previously PayPal was the only payment processor available. Now you can use a major credit card for your purchases in addition to PayPal. Third is enhanced security. Your PayPal and credit card information is NOT stored on any of our web servers once you make a on-line purchase. Once the information is verified and the order processed, your pertinent credit card information is purged from the servers to prevent hackers from stealing information that can be used in identity theft. Fourth is the product layouts are more easily navigated from the Product "tree" directory. Items have a "More Info" link that will take you to specific web pages for detailed information about a product and there are "Other Items of Interest" links where you can find accessories for particular products. [New Update] Several requests have been received regarding the new FlexRadio advertisements found in several prominent ham radio periodicals. We have added a "splash page" to the web site for viewing the various FlexRadio print advertisements. The page automatically proceeds to the main web site after a 15 second delay. You can immediately proceed to the main web page using the link in the top right hand corner of the page. The splash page will only be shown one time a session, so you will not see it every time you visit the FlexRadio web site. Now for the good stuff. The FlexRadio Management Team has just posted updated "Dits & Dahs" on the FlexRadio web site (www.flex-radio.com) Please see the web site for details. Some of the announcement are: 1.) The FLEX-5000 Second Receiver (RX2) is now on sale! The base price is $599. Delivery is slated for the end of May. FLEX-5000 owners who prepaid for their FLEX-5000 transceivers are eligible for a discounted price. See the new OLS for ordering details. http://www.flex-radio.com/OnlineOrdering.aspx [Update] - You can see a picture of the RX2 on the Products->Radios & Accessories->FLEX-5000->Upgrades web page http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=F5K_upgrades [Update] - You can see a preliminary screen shot of what PowerSDR is going to look like running the RX2 at the Products->Software->PowerSDR 1.x web page. http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=powersdr1x 2.) New PowerSDR features. Several new software features are available for testing in the SVN Test Branch. Once these features are fully vetted out, they will become part of the next release of PowerSDR which is expected to coincide with the release of the RX2 upgrade. 3.) The Hamvention Banquet at the University of Dayton. FlexRadio Systems will be hosting a dinner and a FlexRadio forum with presentations on the future of FlexRadio Systems products and the "New Software Architecture" along with one-on-one discussion groups and of course the famous Flexi Awards. This event is open to the public. Attending the dinner is not mandatory . You can come just for the social hour, forum and presentations if you like. Frank Brickel will be the keynote speaker discussing the "new architecture", which is the next generation of software that is being developed for software defined radios. [New Update] There are still spaces available for the FlexRadio Hamvention Banquet dinner on Saturday night. You can find more information about the banquet and the other festivities on the following web page: http://www.flex-radio.com/signup.aspx?topic=dayton08 We would love to have you join us for a great meal and some ham radio fellowship before the discussions and festivities begin. 4.) New Staff have been hired. FlexRadio Systems has hired several new staff members. Some of them should be already familiar with you if you have been a Flexer for some time. Frank (AB2KT) has been hired to officially facilitate and design the next generation of SDR software known as the "new architecture". Frank's DSP software work has always been a critical component of PowerSDR and now he comes aboard full time in that capacity. Ken (K5UHF) has been contributing to the design and engineering of all FlexRadio transceiver products from the very beginning. We are please that Ken has joined the FlexRadio team as a full time member to contribute to the creation of new FlexRadio products. Duane (W5DMB) is a very talented electronics engineer that is helping facilitate the production of the FLEX-5000 along with assisting in the hardware design of new products. 5.) The FLEX-5000 2m/70cm full duplex internal transverter is well on its way to becoming a new product and it is expected to be available before the end of the year. 6.) The FLEX-5000 Service Manual is expected to be completed in the next several weeks and will be available as a free download for current FLEX-5000 users after Dayton. 7.) Several new FlexWire modules will start becoming available in the third quarter of 2008. They include the Universal Peripheral Controller (UPC) from FlexRadio Systems and the Universal Controller Board (UCB) from a third party supplier. 8.) Show off your FlexRadio colors! You can now place orders for FlexRadio apparel. This is a limited time offer. The tee shirt and hat cost $10 EACH plus S/H. The shirt will be similar to the FLEX-5000 tee shirt but with an updated picture of the FlexRadio PowerSDR control panel. You can place your order on the new FlexRadio On-Line store. 9.) FlexRadio QSO Party scheduled for September 26-28, 2008. Object: To have fun and earn awards. Details will be forthcoming. Having a FlexRadio transceiver is not required to participate in the FlexRadio QSO Party. 10.) Hamfest Outreach Program. The program has produced some very positive results. We are looking for FLEX-5000 owners to help at this years remaining shows-listed on our home page. If you are interested in helping out please contact John via e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] [New Update] We are going to be at the 59th Annual International DX Convention sponsored by the Southern California DX Club at Visalia this weekend. Please stop by the boot and check out the new RX2. - Tim --------- FRS Internet Systems Administrator W4TME _______________________________________________ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kb.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
