Can you tell me what ..."BB in a barrel"... is ?? 73, Dick, W1KSZ
-----Original Message----- >From: Gerald Youngblood <ger...@flex-radio.com> >Sent: Mar 13, 2010 5:41 PM >To: tpcj1...@crocker.com >Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz >Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Antenna tuners, etc. > >Dear customers, > >First let me acknowledge that we at FlexRadio understand that the ATUs in >both the FLEX-3000 and FLEX-5000 can be improved. All of these improvements >will be in software since the hardware tuning range is more than adequate in >both radios. > >The current tuners use fairly simple "BB in a barrel" tuning algorithms, >which can sometimes miss the optimal tuning point. We are currently working >on software enhancements for both radios, which should significantly improve >both tuning range and reliability. As usual, the radio will improve with a >download from our website. > >While we are not ready to announce when the software will be released, I can >confirm that the work is in process. So stay tuned for radios that keep >getting better. > >73, >Gerald > >Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR >President and CEO >FlexRadio Systems(TM) >13091 Pond Springs Road, #250 >Austin, TX 78729 >Phone: 512-535-4713 Ext. 202 >Email: ger...@flex-radio.com >Web: www.flex-radio.com > >Tune In Excitement (TM) > >PowerSDR(TM) is a trademark of FlexRadio Systems > > >On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 10:08 AM, John Ragle <tpcj1...@crocker.com> wrote: > >> There has been a spate of stuff (I hesitate to call it a "discussion") >> about the ATU in Flex rigs. There are some observations I would like to >> throw into the pot for stirring: >> >> 1. The gentleman who got nonsense readings from his Flex when it was >> connected to a dummy load is not confused. If the Flex (nominal output >> impedance 50 ohms) connects to a good quality 50 + 0j ohm dummy load with a >> short, good quality piece of 50 ohm coax with proper fittings and gets an >> apparent SWR of much different from 1:1, he has a right to be somewhat >> puzzled. >> >> 2. I have examined my several antennas with a good-quality network analyzer >> at the end seen by the Flex rig and know that the Flex is sometimes quite >> mistaken. >> >> 3. The L and C steps in the Flex ATU are so coarse that it is difficult for >> the circuitry to reach any sort of balance at 6 meters. >> >> 4. If the Flex rig measures this (or similar situations) to have an >> excessive SWR & SHUTS DOWN the transmitter then it was probably manufactured >> by Toyota. My Flex 3K does exactly that, and it is pretty annoying. >> Actually, the proper tense is "was" since I no longer use the ATU in the >> Flex and have replaced it with a good-quality commercial tuner of the >> Armstrong variety, adding several hundred dollars to the investment. >> >> 5. I have used several ATUs of different manufacture and they do not have >> difficulties like the ones reported here. >> >> 6. I think that Flex needs to give some attention to the ATU design or >> alternatively leave it off the unit and out of the advertisements (and >> price!) entirely. >> >> John Ragle -- W1ZI >> >> _______________________________________________ >> FlexRadio Systems Mailing List >> FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz >> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz >> Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ >> Knowledge Base: http://kc.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flex-radio.com/ >> >_______________________________________________ >FlexRadio Systems Mailing List >FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz >http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz >Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ >Knowledge Base: http://kc.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ _______________________________________________ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
