First off, my background. I have a high school education. I served in the
Air Force as a radio repairman. I got my Ham license in 1963. I worked as a
computer repairman doing hardware, not much software for eight years before
retirement, an instrument specialist before that. I retired in May 1995. I
am 74 years young. I used to build most all my radio equipment back when you
could still read the labels on the parts you could still pick up with your
fingers and see them without glasses.
I bought my Flex-5000 some months ago. I have not used it in the transmit
mode, CW and SSB, except for a few times. I have spent most of my time using
it in the receive modes which still facinates me. The panadaptor function is
the best I have seen yet. So far it has worked just fine and what I would
like to know is; When will I start having all these troubles with it which I
have been reading about lately? I have a dedicated computer, an E-Machines
D-5234, which had Windows Vista installed originally which my Son replaced
with Windows XP because Vista, well it sucked. It has a giga byte or so of
memory. The only thing the computer does is operate the Flex-5000. This
saves time when using the other similar computer to run digital and other
programs using its own screen.
I have learned a lot from this site, particularly about what to have and
what not to have installed in the computer. I live in a restricted location
where I was told no towers, so I get along with a 26 foot wire antenna with
an automatic tuner which is operated by an Icom IC 756 Pro III for the tune
function. Then I switch the now tuned 26 foot wire antenna over to the
Flex-5000 for operation. Clumsey, but it works even with the Flex-5000
internal antenna tuner.
I finally got around to printing the 200 page manual for the Flex-5000, but
I havent gotten around to reading yet. Like most Hams I used the set up
sheet that came with it and experimented with the radio first. I don't think
that a university degree in anything is necessary to be able to operate one
of these SDR type radios. A little patience, a little tinkering and finally
reading the manual should suffice. If all fails, well there is the Flex
radio people who seem to be very helpful. Thanks!
Russ Hughes
WA7ACO
Pasco Wa.
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