In my humble opinion, what I think is a shame is that with all of the engineering knowledge of Flex, that they did engineer a resolution to the issue and then bite the bullet repairing the issues with either a retrofit or replacement. The bad press will potentially hurt the reputation of the company long-term and some potential future sales. I know that they "other" issues. They engineered other solutions and even though it cost them money, they did the right thing and made it right with their customers. I support Flex 100%. As far as the customer service of the company, I think that they are world-class. More businesses should take notice and provide the level of customer service that Flex does. In my personal opinion, I believe that in this case, this was a bad business decision. It is a balance between the short-term financials versus the potential loss in reputation and future revenues. I believe that Gerald and his staff are great business people and engineers. I just think that this decision not to fix the V/U problems was a big bump in the road and not to engineer a replacement so that people could enjoy a mult-mode radio that covers 160-70cm in one box. It is their company.....they run it as they see fit.
________________________________ From: Mike Valentine <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 7:15 PM Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex 5000 VU module Why not work around the problem by making an attenuator to knock the 52 watts down to the 20 watts you need? A cheap piece of RG-58 or smaller (lossier) coax of the right length attached to the input of your amp is a guaranteed way to make it work right. You want a 50/20 = 2.5:1 attenuator which is darn near exactly 4 dB. Wind off 4-dB-loss of coax and put it between the T/R relay and the input of your amplifier. You can use your watt meter to prove you've done it right and test the power output before you hook it up. One caution, make sure the coax can handle 50 watts @ the frequency of interest. Bonus advantage: The 4 dB pad will make the amplifier think it's in a pure 50 ohm system instead of looking askance at the output impedance of the VU5K. Potential instability problems from things popping outside the Smith Chart circle are magically pulled back inside ;-) I just love pads! 73, Mike - W8MM On Aug 12, 2012, at 5:32 PM, Lyle Fisher wrote: > I am trying to drive an amp with 20 watts with my VU5K. I can not get a > steady ouput from it. It will start out at 20 watts for a few seconds and > then it will slowly drop to 14-15 watts after 30 seconds. At full output I > am getting 52 watts and it will remain steady within 2 watts. But at the > lower wattages it will not. > > The case gets very hot also after about 10 minutes of running. If I run a > fan on the Flex 5K case, that l helps the output drifting. I took the bottom > cover off and the fan is working. It doesn't seem like it does much. > > I sure would like a solution to this problem > > Lyle N0LWF > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 12:00 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: FlexRadio Digest, Vol 88, Issue 12 > > Send FlexRadio mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > [email protected] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [email protected] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than > "Re: Contents of FlexRadio digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Flex 5000 VU module (Jerry Coufal) > 2. Re: Flex 5000 VU module (Terry Maurice) > 3. CWDecoder transmit problem (John Vandenberg) > 4. LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (Steve Tripp (K1IIG)) > 5. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M ( Robert Costa, KB6QXM ) > 6. Using FLEX-3000 above 30 MHz with transverter (Ronald G. Parsons) > 7. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (David Painter) > 8. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (Brian Lloyd) > 9. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (Steve Tripp (K1IIG)) > 10. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (David Painter) > 11. Re: LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M (Brian Lloyd) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 13:08:11 -0600 > From: "Jerry Coufal" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: [Flexradio] Flex 5000 VU module > Message-ID: <006a01cd77f4$a7498030$f5dc8090$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > I have the same problem. As I understand the low RF power output of the Flex > 5000A VU module is a known defect associated with trouble ticket DE725 / SW > Defect #703. > > > > Jerry > > _____ > > > > > > [Flexradio] Flex 5000 VU module > > toddp12 > Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:18:12 -0700 > > > > I just purchased a 5000a with VU module, on 144 mhz FM output is 42watts > this > > is into a dummy load with Bird Meter, on SSB output only 15-20 watts. Anyone > > > else had this problem? Thanks Todd > > > > N4QWZ > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:02:19 -0400 > From: Terry Maurice <[email protected]> > To: Jerry Coufal <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Flex 5000 VU module > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Given the power output of the Flex 5000A with the VU5K option the only thing > it is capable of doing is driving a linear amp. Even at that, it is not all > that stable at very low power output levels, so be careful just what kind of > linear you might choose to drive with the Flex. > > Don't make the mistake that I did and try to operate the Flex 5000A with > VU5K installed to drive a 2m or a 70cm transverter. Having been quite > unhappy with the 2m performance of my Flex with the VU5K installed, I > purchased a German Kuhne 2m transverter to connect to my Flex 5000. > With the way the VU5K is configured into the Flex 5000, it cannot be done, > as the VU5K implementation does not allow either an additional 2m or 70cm > transverter to be operational with the Flex. If you do not have the VU5K > option then you could use the Flex with any number of 2m or 70cm > transverters. This to me is a very serious design flaw and along with the > low power output and noisy fan are some of the many reasons they are no > longer offering the VU5K option. > > Terry > > > On 11/08/2012 15:08, Jerry Coufal wrote: >> I have the same problem. As I understand the low RF power output of >> the Flex 5000A VU module is a known defect associated with trouble >> ticket DE725 / SW Defect #703. >> >> >> >> Jerry >> >> _____ >> >> >> >> >> >> [Flexradio] Flex 5000 VU module >> >> toddp12 >> Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:18:12 -0700 >> >> >> >> I just purchased a 5000a with VU module, on 144 mhz FM output is >> 42watts this >> >> is into a dummy load with Bird Meter, on SSB output only 15-20 watts. >> Anyone >> >> >> else had this problem? Thanks Todd >> >> >> >> N4QWZ >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flexradio.com/ >> > > -- > *VE3XTM* EN93un > > "May the propagation be with you." > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 17:59:53 -0400 > From: John Vandenberg <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Flexradio] CWDecoder transmit problem > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > I installed CWDecoder and it receives code fine via VAC2 > > How do you set it up for transmiT? > > John, ve3dvv > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 08:23:05 -0400 > From: "Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\)" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: <AA312C048EFA42119345CA3D03D9BDBC@PSDRPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Todd, Assuming you have the bird connected via a good short cable close to > the back of the Flex, 42w is a bit low on 2m. Flex rates the output at 60w > but admits few make that power. Apparently the power modules on both v/u > bands are consistently low with output power. I get a little over 50w out on > 2m and around 45w on 70cm also into a bird wattmeter. As far a your SSB > reading goes, you should be using a peak reading meter which bird has an > add-on board for the model 43 you can purchase to read peak power. If you > are using that, then I suspect your audio levels are not setup up correctly. > Another test you can perform should you have the equipment to do so is to go > into the "transverter" menu and check the box to disable the amp on 2m. At > the 2m antenna port you will now read the "drive power" that is used to > drive the internal amplifier. Using an HP435 power meter I am getting 96mw > of drive power. If you noticed that the drive slider on PwrSdr menu reads > 0-100 (watts) which is accurate on HF but on v/u is only relative power out. > I discovered on v/u the 0-100 accurately reads in millwatts which I believe > is the drive power to the internal amplifier modules. This low level can but > used to drive transverters that require 2m as an IF. Unfortunately, you have > to go in and out of the transverter to enable the amplifier check box to go > back to high power on 2m but first switch out the transverter. I have > requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access that via a UCB > function. I do not expect this will happen with the 5000 now discontinued > along with the v/u add on. > 73's Steve K1IIG > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 08:06:14 -0700 > From: " Robert Costa, KB6QXM " <[email protected]> > To: " Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\) " <[email protected]>, > [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Steve, > > The v/u maybe discontinued, but unless you heard something I have not heard, > the 5000a has not been discontinued. > > 73, > Robert > KB6QXM > "Ham Radio Open Conversation" > Yahoo group owner/moderator > > > ----- Reply message ----- > From: "Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\)" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Date: Sun, Aug 12, 2012 5:23 am > > > Todd, Assuming you have the bird connected via a good short cable close to > the back of the Flex, 42w is a bit low on 2m. Flex rates the output at 60w > but admits few make that power. Apparently the power modules on both v/u > bands are consistently low with output power. I get a little over 50w out on > 2m and around 45w on 70cm also into a bird wattmeter. As far a your SSB > reading goes, you should be using a peak reading meter which bird has an > add-on board for the model 43 you can purchase to read peak power. If you > are using that, then I suspect your audio levels are not setup up correctly. > Another test you can perform should you have the equipment to do so is to go > into the "transverter" menu and check the box to disable the amp on 2m. At > the 2m antenna port you will now read the "drive power" that is used to > drive the internal amplifier. Using an HP435 power meter I am getting 96mw > of drive power. If you noticed that the drive slider on PwrSdr menu reads > 0-100 (watts) which is accurate on HF but on v/u is only relative power out. > I discovered on v/u the 0-100 accurately reads in millwatts which I believe > is the drive power to the internal amplifier modules. This low level can but > used to drive transverters that require 2m as an IF. Unfortunately, you have > to go in and out of the transverter to enable the amplifier check box to go > back to high power on 2m but first switch out the transverter. I have > requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access that via a UCB > function. I do not expect this will happen with the 5000 now discontinued > along with the v/u add on. > 73's Steve K1IIG > _______________________________________________ > 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 10:38:09 -0500 > From: "Ronald G. Parsons" <[email protected]> > To: "FlexRadio Reflector" <[email protected]> > Subject: [Flexradio] Using FLEX-3000 above 30 MHz with transverter > Message-ID: <FF8D020AA3274F7297A3129B8310B8F9@Ron8300PC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > I got the following from ?tekboy? at DEMI. > > ?No problem with the transverter operating in the satellite range. You just > need to decide how you want to do it. The RF range of the transverter is > about 430-440 MHz. The problem, since it is a converter, is the IF frequency > range. So simply, if you have a transceiver or receiver that will operate > above 30 MHz, just dial it up! Many are doing this with the Flex Radios. 436 > Mhz would equal 32 Mhz in the IF range.? > > Can the FLEX-3000/PSDR be ?adjusted? to function as a transceiver (receive > and transmit) in the 28-38 MHz range to drive a transverter in the 430-440 > MHz range with the IF in the 28-38 MHz range? > > Ron W5RKN > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:38:25 +0100 > From: "David Painter" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>> > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: <38C7A5722B0B466995FBCBE6F045DEF0@FLEX> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > In a message dated today Steve K1IIG stated: > > ' I have requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access that > via a UCB function. I do not expect this will happen with the 5000 now > discontinued along with the v/u add on. ' > > When and where did FRS announce that the 5000 was/is discontinued? > > David - G4PNX > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 09:18:11 -0700 > From: Brian Lloyd <[email protected]> > To: David Painter <[email protected]> > Cc: ">" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: > <cae3hgtdg5uz7wfwreafkrtk-oh1cmyb4aadryq1ro_rgrqo...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On Sun, Aug 12, 2012 at 8:38 AM, David Painter > <[email protected]>wrote: > >> In a message dated today Steve K1IIG stated: >> >> ' I have requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access >> that via a UCB function. I do not expect this will happen with the >> 5000 now discontinued along with the v/u add on. ' >> >> When and where did FRS announce that the 5000 was/is discontinued? >> > > The 5000a is not discontinued. If you aren't sure, go to the Flex website > store and you will see that you can still buy a Flex 5000a. It is right > there on the front of the web site with a "Buy Now" button still prominently > displayed. > > -- > Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL > 3191 Western Dr. > Cameron Park, CA 95682 > [email protected] > +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) > +1.916.877.5067 (USA) > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 12:20:01 -0400 > From: "Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\)" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>, "Robert Costa, KB6QXM" > <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: <92FA03B9FD314E0E80180AC3CB64A2F1@PSDRPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > HI BOB, > > I assumed the v/u was discontinued because they told us they were having > problems getting filters and maybe other parts. I should have been more > specific. > > Steve > > > Steve, > > The v/u maybe discontinued, but unless you heard something I have not heard, > the 5000a has not been discontinued. > > 73, > Robert > KB6QXM > "Ham Radio Open Conversation" > Yahoo group owner/moderator > > > ----- Reply message ----- > From: "Steve Tripp \(K1IIG\)" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Subject: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Date: Sun, Aug 12, 2012 5:23 am > > > Todd, Assuming you have the bird connected via a good short cable close to > the back of the Flex, 42w is a bit low on 2m. Flex rates the output at 60w > but admits few make that power. Apparently the power modules on both v/u > bands are consistently low with output power. I get a little over 50w out on > 2m and around 45w on 70cm also into a bird wattmeter. As far a your SSB > reading goes, you should be using a peak reading meter which bird has an > add-on board for the model 43 you can purchase to read peak power. If you > are using that, then I suspect your audio levels are not setup up correctly. > Another test you can perform should you have the equipment to do so is to go > into the "transverter" menu and check the box to disable the amp on 2m. At > the 2m antenna port you will now read the "drive power" that is used to > drive the internal amplifier. Using an HP435 power meter I am getting 96mw > of drive power. If you noticed that the drive slider on PwrSdr menu reads > 0-100 (watts) which is accurate on HF but on v/u is only relative power out. > I discovered on v/u the 0-100 accurately reads in millwatts which I believe > is the drive power to the internal amplifier modules. This low level can but > used to drive transverters that require 2m as an IF. Unfortunately, you have > to go in and out of the transverter to enable the amplifier check box to go > back to high power on 2m but first switch out the transverter. I have > requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access that via a UCB > function. I do not expect this will happen with the 5000 now discontinued > along with the v/u add on. > 73's Steve K1IIG > _______________________________________________ > 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:25:03 +0100 > From: "David Painter" <[email protected]> > To: "Brian Lloyd" <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: <ACF0BAE29DA04B8AB428EA7050226EE0@FLEX> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > That doesn't mean it isn't discontinued. > > Given the appalling history of this company I will wait for a denial from > someone who is actually employed by them and can speak with some > authority/accountability. > > David > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Brian Lloyd > To: David Painter > Cc: > > Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 5:18 PM > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > > > > > > On Sun, Aug 12, 2012 at 8:38 AM, David Painter > <[email protected]> wrote: > > In a message dated today Steve K1IIG stated: > > ' I have requested Flex to rewrite the code to allow users to access > that via a UCB function. I do not expect this will happen with the 5000 now > discontinued along with the v/u add on. ' > > When and where did FRS announce that the 5000 was/is discontinued? > > > > The 5000a is not discontinued. If you aren't sure, go to the Flex website > store and you will see that you can still buy a Flex 5000a. It is right > there on the front of the web site with a "Buy Now" button still prominently > displayed. > > > -- > Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL > 3191 Western Dr. > Cameron Park, CA 95682 > [email protected] > +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) > +1.916.877.5067 (USA) > > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5194 - Release Date: 08/11/12 > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2012 09:48:20 -0700 > From: Brian Lloyd <[email protected]> > To: David Painter <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] LOW POWER OUTPUT ON 2M > Message-ID: > <CAE3hgTcS1180o4j57a+nvMQ_Gh_-5zWrFe4c0k=014p4nM=7...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > On Sun, Aug 12, 2012 at 9:25 AM, David Painter > <[email protected]>wrote: > >> ** >> That doesn't mean it isn't discontinued. >> >> Given the appalling history of this company I will wait for a denial >> from someone who is actually employed by them and can speak with some >> authority/accountability. >> > > I actually asked the question and was clearly told that they are no > immediate plans to discontinue the 5000a. > > But think about it, why should they? They have no product to replace the > 5000a. > > -- > Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL > 3191 Western Dr. > Cameron Park, CA 95682 > [email protected] > +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) > +1.916.877.5067 (USA) > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > FlexRadio mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz > Archive Link: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ > FlexRadio Knowledge Base: > http://kb.flex-radio.com/ > FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ > > End of FlexRadio Digest, Vol 88, Issue 12 > ***************************************** > > > _______________________________________________ > 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ > _______________________________________________ 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ _______________________________________________ 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://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
