I'm currently using a Heil HM-5 Mic with my Flex 3K. I'm thinking about upgrading and looking for recommendations on what has worked well for other 3K owners. I had a QSO the other day with someone who recommended to just use a basic computer MIC as in $9.95 Electret. What I really want is to have great sounding audio and would consider a preamp box I've heard people use ...or would a high quality mic make that unnecessary? Thanks
Jim NX3Z -----Original Message----- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of flexradio-requ...@flex-radio.biz Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 1:00 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: FlexRadio Digest, Vol 105, Issue 6 Send FlexRadio mailing list submissions to flexradio@flex-radio.biz 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 flexradio-requ...@flex-radio.biz You can reach the person managing the list at flexradio-ow...@flex-radio.biz When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of FlexRadio digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue (Simon Brown) 2. Re: Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue (Phil Cragg) 3. Re: Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue (Steve Conklin) 4. Re: Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue (William H. Fite) 5. Re: Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue (William H. Fite) 6. SFI is 215! (vtnn...@comcast.net) 7. FlexKnob Tuning Lag (Peter West) 8. Re: Important Flex SDR Performance Factors (Patrick Greenlee) 9. Re: Important Flex SDR Performance Factors (William H. Fite) 10. Re: Important Flex SDR Performance Factors (Greg Jurrens) 11. S Meter minimum (Bill Feldkamp) 12. Re: Multiple PowerSDR Sessions (Tim Ellison, W4TME) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 19:39:26 +0100 From: "Simon Brown" <si...@sdr-radio.com> To: "'William H. Fite'" <omni...@gmail.com>, "'Keith Goobie'" <ke...@goobie.org> Cc: 'FlexRadio Reflector' <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue Message-ID: <01ef01cf0a45$7642bc60$62c83520$@sdr-radio.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Seconded, Samsung 840 series are excellent. Simon Brown (G4ELI/HB9DRV) http://v2.sdr-radio.com -----Original Message----- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of William H. Fite The Samsung 840 Pro line of SSD drives has an excellent reputation. Between my spouse and I, we are running six of them and have never had a hiccough or a burp. ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 18:45:00 -0000 From: "Phil Cragg" <p...@headstartpets.co.uk> To: "'William H. Fite'" <omni...@gmail.com> Cc: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue Message-ID: <002201cf0a46$3e1ab580$ba502080$@headstartpets.co.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Collins English dictionary spells it hiccup. Phil G3UGK -----Original Message----- From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of William H. Fite Sent: 05 January 2014 17:59 To: Keith Goobie Cc: FlexRadio Reflector Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue The Samsung 840 Pro line of SSD drives has an excellent reputation. Between my spouse and I, we are running six of them and have never had a hiccough or a burp. (Why is hiccup spelled that way? One of nature's mysteries, I guess.) Happy New Year to all. Bill KJ4SLP On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:15 PM, Keith Goobie <ke...@goobie.org> wrote: > > There are known / reported issues with Crucial SSD, made even worse > when Crucial tried to dump a large number of these units on the > markets for very attractive too good to be true prices. It forced us > to rebuild a DSTAR site twice, before we uncovered the problem / deception. > > Moved to a new drive and all sorted. > > CRUCIAL SSD = CRAP > > Keith > > > > >> --- Original message --- >> Subject: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue >> From: TM <tm.st...@verizon.net> >> To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> >> Date: Friday, 03/01/2014 6:42 PM >> >> Just thought I would let the list know about a recent problem I had >> with the Crucial (Micron) 128 GB SSD on my machine. The machine is >> about 2 years old (HP i7-2600, 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Win 7 64 Pro) and >> has been very solid until a few weeks ago. Started getting lots of >> weird freezes that progressively became worse until the box would >> only run for about 30 minutes until crashing into a BSOD. Crash was >> so bad that windows did not even do a dump to help in debugging. >> Really had me stumped trying to find cause. >> >> Long story short - Crucial had a bug in the SSD firmware that >> resulted in the drive becoming unstable after reaching 5184 hours of >> total use. The problem is well documented on their website, and their >> technical support folks are some of the very best I have found. >> Downloaded the new firmware which totally fixed the issue. >> >> This really has nothing to do with Flex, but there seem to be several >> on the list with SSDs. Just a word to the wise. Hope it may save >> you some time fixing if you have similar problem. >> >> 73, Tom >> K1FR >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > -- I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. _______________________________________________ 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 13:06:27 -0600 From: Steve Conklin <st...@conklinhouse.com> To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue Message-ID: <caljxbtuszvq2p387r5a0hh+bme+frdg3njmxbo-mogc4jtq...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Here are some recently published test results which specifically looked at SSD reliability during power outages: http://lkcl.net/reports/ssd_analysis.html summary: Crucial failed. Intel won. On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:45 PM, Phil Cragg <p...@headstartpets.co.uk>wrote: > Collins English dictionary spells it hiccup. > > Phil > G3UGK > > -----Original Message----- > From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of > William H. Fite > Sent: 05 January 2014 17:59 > To: Keith Goobie > Cc: FlexRadio Reflector > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue > > The Samsung 840 Pro line of SSD drives has an excellent reputation. > Between my spouse and I, we are running six of them and have never > had a hiccough or a burp. > > (Why is hiccup spelled that way? One of nature's mysteries, I guess.) > > Happy New Year to all. > > Bill > KJ4SLP > > > On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:15 PM, Keith Goobie <ke...@goobie.org> wrote: > > > > > There are known / reported issues with Crucial SSD, made even worse > > when Crucial tried to dump a large number of these units on the > > markets for very attractive too good to be true prices. It forced > > us to rebuild a DSTAR site twice, before we uncovered the problem / > deception. > > > > Moved to a new drive and all sorted. > > > > CRUCIAL SSD = CRAP > > > > Keith > > > > > > > > > >> --- Original message --- > >> Subject: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue > >> From: TM <tm.st...@verizon.net> > >> To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> > >> Date: Friday, 03/01/2014 6:42 PM > >> > >> Just thought I would let the list know about a recent problem I had > >> with the Crucial (Micron) 128 GB SSD on my machine. The machine is > >> about 2 years old (HP i7-2600, 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Win 7 64 Pro) > >> and has been very solid until a few weeks ago. Started getting > >> lots of weird freezes that progressively became worse until the box > >> would only run for about 30 minutes until crashing into a BSOD. > >> Crash was so bad that windows did not even do a dump to help in debugging. > >> Really had me stumped trying to find cause. > >> > >> Long story short - Crucial had a bug in the SSD firmware that > >> resulted in the drive becoming unstable after reaching 5184 hours > >> of total use. The problem is well documented on their website, and > >> their technical support folks are some of the very best I have found. > >> Downloaded the new firmware which totally fixed the issue. > >> > >> This really has nothing to do with Flex, but there seem to be > >> several on the list with SSDs. Just a word to the wise. Hope it > >> may save you some time fixing if you have similar problem. > >> > >> 73, Tom > >> K1FR > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> FlexRadio Systems Mailing List > >> FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > >> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.bi > >> z > >> 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 > > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > > http://www.flexradio.com/ > > > > > > -- > I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. > _______________________________________________ > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 16:14:11 -0500 From: "William H. Fite" <omni...@gmail.com> To: Phil Cragg <p...@headstartpets.co.uk> Cc: FlexRadio Reflector <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue Message-ID: <cany2ixquoy4i+_bgnodsbge8e8kqu4vpkstphbc43zqb91c...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 OED says either is correct. :) On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 1:45 PM, Phil Cragg <p...@headstartpets.co.uk> wrote: > Collins English dictionary spells it hiccup. > > Phil > G3UGK > > -----Original Message----- > From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of > William H. Fite > Sent: 05 January 2014 17:59 > To: Keith Goobie > Cc: FlexRadio Reflector > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue > > The Samsung 840 Pro line of SSD drives has an excellent reputation. > Between my spouse and I, we are running six of them and have never > had a hiccough or a burp. > > (Why is hiccup spelled that way? One of nature's mysteries, I guess.) > > Happy New Year to all. > > Bill > KJ4SLP > > > On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:15 PM, Keith Goobie <ke...@goobie.org> wrote: > > > > > There are known / reported issues with Crucial SSD, made even worse > > when Crucial tried to dump a large number of these units on the > > markets for very attractive too good to be true prices. It forced > > us to rebuild a DSTAR site twice, before we uncovered the problem / > deception. > > > > Moved to a new drive and all sorted. > > > > CRUCIAL SSD = CRAP > > > > Keith > > > > > > > > > >> --- Original message --- > >> Subject: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue > >> From: TM <tm.st...@verizon.net> > >> To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> > >> Date: Friday, 03/01/2014 6:42 PM > >> > >> Just thought I would let the list know about a recent problem I had > >> with the Crucial (Micron) 128 GB SSD on my machine. The machine is > >> about 2 years old (HP i7-2600, 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Win 7 64 Pro) > >> and has been very solid until a few weeks ago. Started getting > >> lots of weird freezes that progressively became worse until the box > >> would only run for about 30 minutes until crashing into a BSOD. > >> Crash was so bad that windows did not even do a dump to help in debugging. > >> Really had me stumped trying to find cause. > >> > >> Long story short - Crucial had a bug in the SSD firmware that > >> resulted in the drive becoming unstable after reaching 5184 hours > >> of total use. The problem is well documented on their website, and > >> their technical support folks are some of the very best I have found. > >> Downloaded the new firmware which totally fixed the issue. > >> > >> This really has nothing to do with Flex, but there seem to be > >> several on the list with SSDs. Just a word to the wise. Hope it > >> may save you some time fixing if you have similar problem. > >> > >> 73, Tom > >> K1FR > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> FlexRadio Systems Mailing List > >> FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz > >> http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.bi > >> z > >> 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 > > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > > http://www.flexradio.com/ > > > > > > -- > I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. > _______________________________________________ > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > > -- I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2014 16:15:49 -0500 From: "William H. Fite" <omni...@gmail.com> To: Phil Cragg <p...@headstartpets.co.uk> Cc: FlexRadio Reflector <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue Message-ID: <cany2ixr0nbgb2wazb8r850yed7v38wvynwcf83yhj+vfcey...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Samsung 840 uses MLC, 840 Pro uses SLC. Otherwise identical. On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 4:14 PM, William H. Fite <omni...@gmail.com> wrote: > OED says either is correct. :) > > > On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 1:45 PM, Phil Cragg <p...@headstartpets.co.uk>wrote: > >> Collins English dictionary spells it hiccup. >> >> Phil >> G3UGK >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: FlexRadio [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of >> William H. Fite >> Sent: 05 January 2014 17:59 >> To: Keith Goobie >> Cc: FlexRadio Reflector >> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue >> >> The Samsung 840 Pro line of SSD drives has an excellent reputation. >> Between my spouse and I, we are running six of them and have never had a >> hiccough or a burp. >> >> (Why is hiccup spelled that way? One of nature's mysteries, I guess.) >> >> Happy New Year to all. >> >> Bill >> KJ4SLP >> >> >> On Sun, Jan 5, 2014 at 12:15 PM, Keith Goobie <ke...@goobie.org> wrote: >> >> > >> > There are known / reported issues with Crucial SSD, made even worse >> > when Crucial tried to dump a large number of these units on the >> > markets for very attractive too good to be true prices. It forced us >> > to rebuild a DSTAR site twice, before we uncovered the problem / >> deception. >> > >> > Moved to a new drive and all sorted. >> > >> > CRUCIAL SSD = CRAP >> > >> > Keith >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >> --- Original message --- >> >> Subject: [Flexradio] Heads Up re SSD Drive Issue >> >> From: TM <tm.st...@verizon.net> >> >> To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> >> >> Date: Friday, 03/01/2014 6:42 PM >> >> >> >> Just thought I would let the list know about a recent problem I had >> >> with the Crucial (Micron) 128 GB SSD on my machine. The machine is >> >> about 2 years old (HP i7-2600, 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Win 7 64 Pro) and >> >> has been very solid until a few weeks ago. Started getting lots of >> >> weird freezes that progressively became worse until the box would >> >> only run for about 30 minutes until crashing into a BSOD. Crash was >> >> so bad that windows did not even do a dump to help in debugging. >> >> Really had me stumped trying to find cause. >> >> >> >> Long story short - Crucial had a bug in the SSD firmware that >> >> resulted in the drive becoming unstable after reaching 5184 hours of >> >> total use. The problem is well documented on their website, and their >> >> technical support folks are some of the very best I have found. >> >> Downloaded the new firmware which totally fixed the issue. >> >> >> >> This really has nothing to do with Flex, but there seem to be several >> >> on the list with SSDs. Just a word to the wise. Hope it may save >> >> you some time fixing if you have similar problem. >> >> >> >> 73, Tom >> >> K1FR >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> >> http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> > http://www.flexradio.com/ >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flexradio.com/ >> >> > > > -- > I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. > -- I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 13:02:24 +0000 (UTC) From: vtnn...@comcast.net To: Flex Radio <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: [Flexradio] SFI is 215! Message-ID: <185003355.11211983.1389013344920.javamail.r...@comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 As far as?I can tell the SFI is at it's highest point right now for this entire solar cycle. I think that the highest point prior to this is 179 Hopefully?good DX will follow! Zack N8FNR ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 08:34:27 -0500 From: Peter West <ve...@cogeco.ca> To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Cc: Harry Kosterman <harry.koster...@gmail.com> Subject: [Flexradio] FlexKnob Tuning Lag Message-ID: <a09a43bd-1d2a-4b5c-b1ec-4ae40bccf...@cogeco.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Both Harry, VA3EC, and myself are running Flex 3000s with decent PCs (mine?s a fairly new I7 quad core running the Flex at 2% CPU using Windows 7) and we?re both experiencing significant and obvious lag when tuning with a mouse or especially the FlexKnob. We are using the latest edition of vspMgr and the latest edition of SDR. Device Manager shows no port conflicts or extraneous ports and the situation continues regardless of port assignment on the Knob. I?ve gone into Task Manager and ended all background tasks to no effect. I?ve also closed down all my Internet security (F-Secure) and Microsoft security software to no effect. Weirdly the issue is lessened significantly when the spur reduction button is activated. The FlexKnob works perfectly on my Flex 1500 using the same computer and software setup so thinking the issue might be with the FireWire setup? Bought the FireWire card from our Flex retailer (RadioWorld in Toronto) when I bought the 3000. Normally tuning very slowly minimizes the issue but having a rubbery effect when tuning made the RTTY contest this weekend tough to tune and this is an issue that likely has a solution. Any thoughts much appreciated. Best regards, Peter - VE3HG VE3HG Blog Follow VE3HG On Twitter ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 08:02:51 -0600 From: "Patrick Greenlee" <patric...@windstream.net> To: "Craig Schroeder" <cra...@neb.rr.com>, <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors Message-ID: <11FF119CA8094E9BB83689FF1F1D2089@PatrickLaptop> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Knobs? Get over it. Knobs or no knobs is not the issue. Performance, ergonomics (other than knobs) cost/performance, support after sales, active, knowledgeable, and helpful user group(s), and so forth, these are criteria by which a reasoned decision is made. Besides if you want a super nifty programmable multi-function button to end all buttons, you can get one from Flex or buy a virtually unused one from someone like me who bought it because we had a hard time weaning ourselves off of the mental aberration of the unreasoned dependence on buttons/knobs. I don't use mine (having ascended to a higher plane of man-machine symbiosis.) I'm sure others use them to great positive effect. I keep mine around like the AA types and their unopened bottle of booze. Who knows, some day I may feel the need for additional capability (enlightenment?) and plug in the knob. Eventually you will want to run something like 100 watts (mainstream hamdom is not QRP limited.) You can turn a "standard" radio down but you can't turn a QRP rig up. Back pack, bicycle mobile, or whatever, these are the pickles and onions not the meat and potatoes. And then you might want to run 500-600Watts. Do it cleanly with one linear. Some of us favor buying American... oh travesty... I have the Flex 5000A. My backup is a Drake 7. Previous HF rig was Atlas 350XL. Wanna buy off shore SDR... take a look at Apache from India. I have a personal friend with one he loves. He has been ham for 42 years and then got the SDR bug. Knobs? We don't need no stinkin' knobs! Patrick NJ5G -----Original Message----- From: Craig Schroeder Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 12:27 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors Dear Flex Users Group Members, I have some Christmas money to invest in my first SDR radio. I am very interested in the hobby aspects of SDR, but I must admit that there is a certain appeal to "old school" knobs. Therefore, the Elecraft KX3 has a certain appeal, but being a newbie, I am not clear if the Flex 1500 or 3000 offer SDR performance advantages that are more important considerations. I do understand both systems use the same SDR software from Flex Radio. What advice do you have for me on the most important factors that I should consider in purchasing my first SDR radio? Thank you, Craig KD0TXL _______________________________________________ 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 09:52:46 -0500 From: "William H. Fite" <omni...@gmail.com> To: Patrick Greenlee <patric...@windstream.net> Cc: FlexRadio Reflector <flexradio@flex-radio.biz>, Craig Schroeder <cra...@neb.rr.com> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors Message-ID: <CANy2iXoreWFoaffu0f28T-EuanY65NNuCB=l7fg_0ydnkoe...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Craig, it does not take long to leave the knobs and switches behind, at least for most of us. In my case, it was good riddance. When I use my backup rig, an FTDX3000, I think, "Sheesh, I'm glad I don't have to put up with this every day." That being said, there are plenty of SDR owners who will tell you that the lack of knobs and switches is a hindrance. They sometimes buy little DJ controllers and reprogram their controls. They perceive that using a mouse slows them down when contesting and maybe it does; I'm not a contester. I suspect it is mostly habit and custom but that is not for me to say. Different strokes... The more comfortable you are with computers, the easier the transition will be. All Patrick's advice is sound, read it again. And good luck. Bill On Mon, Jan 6, 2014 at 9:02 AM, Patrick Greenlee <patric...@windstream.net>wrote: > Knobs? Get over it. Knobs or no knobs is not the issue. Performance, > ergonomics (other than knobs) cost/performance, support after sales, > active, knowledgeable, and helpful user group(s), and so forth, these are > criteria by which a reasoned decision is made. Besides if you want a > super nifty programmable multi-function button to end all buttons, you can > get one from Flex or buy a virtually unused one from someone like me who > bought it because we had a hard time weaning ourselves off of the mental > aberration of the unreasoned dependence on buttons/knobs. I don't use mine > (having ascended to a higher plane of man-machine symbiosis.) I'm sure > others use them to great positive effect. I keep mine around like the AA > types and their unopened bottle of booze. Who knows, some day I may feel > the need for additional capability (enlightenment?) and plug in the knob. > > Eventually you will want to run something like 100 watts (mainstream > hamdom is not QRP limited.) You can turn a "standard" radio down but you > can't turn a QRP rig up. Back pack, bicycle mobile, or whatever, these are > the pickles and onions not the meat and potatoes. And then you might want > to run 500-600Watts. Do it cleanly with one linear. > > Some of us favor buying American... oh travesty... I have the Flex 5000A. > My backup is a Drake 7. Previous HF rig was Atlas 350XL. Wanna buy off > shore SDR... take a look at Apache from India. I have a personal friend > with one he loves. He has been ham for 42 years and then got the SDR bug. > > Knobs? We don't need no stinkin' knobs! > > Patrick NJ5G > > > > > -----Original Message----- From: Craig Schroeder > Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 12:27 PM > To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz > Subject: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors > > Dear Flex Users Group Members, > > I have some Christmas money to invest in my first SDR radio. I am very > interested in the hobby aspects of SDR, but I must admit that there is a > certain appeal to "old school" knobs. > > Therefore, the Elecraft KX3 has a certain appeal, but being a newbie, I am > not clear if the Flex 1500 or 3000 offer SDR performance advantages that > are more important considerations. I do understand both systems use the > same SDR software from Flex Radio. > > What advice do you have for me on the most important factors that I should > consider in purchasing my first SDR radio? > > Thank you, > > Craig > KD0TXL > _______________________________________________ > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > -- I can explain it for you, but I can't comprehend it for you. ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 09:59:06 -0600 From: Greg Jurrens <g...@flexradio.com> To: Robert Costa <kb6...@yahoo.com> Cc: "flexradio@flex-radio.biz" <flexradio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors Message-ID: <cafstuva0ah89hmd52enhb2xpmn3kz5rqcchoekrked9tn_q...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Robert: I know we don't have a PR40 specific but as mentioned the 781 is very close as far as the audio is concerned. When you do get it set up just go to the /SETUP/TRANSMIT page and "SAVE" a new setting called PR40. I actually have many saved profiles: Greg-VHF, Greg-DX, Karla-MARS, etc. The best part is that with the new Transfer utility in PowerSDR v2.7.2, you will be able to quickly bring all your favorites forward to new releases. Good luck, Greg - K5GJ On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 10:11 PM, Robert Costa <kb6...@yahoo.com> wrote: > The only issue I have is that PSDR does not have a PR40 only profile. They > have a PR40 and a W2IHY EQ profile. I have a PR40 with my 5000a and I have > been told to just use the 781 profile, but the PR40 is not a 781. I would > like to hear from Flex on why there is not a PR40 only profile. > > 73 > > > > > > > On Saturday, December 28, 2013 11:43 AM, Jack Haverty <j...@3kitty.org> > wrote: > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: <flexradio-ow...@flex-radio.biz> > Date: Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 10:11 AM > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors > To: k3...@arrl.net > > > You are not allowed to post to this mailing list, and your message has > been automatically rejected. If you think that your messages are > being rejected in error, contact the mailing list owner at > flexradio-ow...@flex-radio.biz. > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jack Haverty <k3...@arrl.net> > To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz > Cc: > Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 10:11:29 -0800 > Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Important Flex SDR Performance Factors > On 12/27/2013 10:27 AM, Craig Schroeder wrote: > > What advice do you have for me on the most important factors that I > should consider in purchasing my first SDR radio? > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- > > Hi Craig, > > I've had my Flex-3000 for 4+ years and I've had a lot of fun with it. > There's a lot to learn about the SDR world...and it's changing fast > too. > > To me, the most important > factor in selecting a Software Defined Radio > is ... The Software. The Software determines not only the > traditional performance of the radio (sensitivity, selectivity, > functionality, etc.) but more importantly it determines how you will > interact with the radio, i.e., the "User Interface". > > Traditional "knobby radios" of course have knobs, switches, sliders, > etc., and you're stuck with using them for whatever activity you're > doing with your radio. With Software, things change. You can select > a different piece of software for different activities, and change at > will by loading different software. > > For example, when I'm DXing, I use DXLab software, and interact > primarily with the logging, spotting, and information windows. When > contesting, I use N1MM, and interact with it's band map, QSO window, > etc. When doing RTTY, I use MMTTY (sometimes several at the same > time). All > of this is with the Flex-3000. I don't need knobs at > all, and in fact it's hard to imagine how someone could design a > comparable "radio" with the same functionality but only using > knobs/switches. > > Since SDRs don't have knobs, you sometimes need some kind of basic > software that provides those generic functions that you'd otherwise > have on knobs. The mouse/keyboard interface isn't as natural (for me > at least) when using such "virtual knobs and switches" but it does > give you a basic ability to use the radio. However, I've found that > when I'm doing "serious work", I interact primarily with software that > is designed for that activity. So, with my Flex-3000, I interact with > DXLab and N1MM (the task-oriented software) much more than I interact > with PowerSDR (the virtual knobs software). > > The exception to this is the Panadapter, which essentially provides a > visual display of what's going > on. I look at it a lot, even though I > manipulate the radio through N1MM or DXLab. I yearn for the day when > the Panadapter display is integrated with the N1MM bandmap...so > everything I need to watch is in one place. Most SDR software > provides some kind of similar visual display, but some (e.g., > "Skimmers")are more suited for certain activities than others. > > So, bottom line -- I suggest you figure out what software you'd like > to use to do whatever kinds of radio activities you enjoy. Then > figure out which of the SDR hardware works well in the overall system > configuration where you'll use that software. > > PowerSDR forms the base for using the Flex hardware. As far as I can > tell, it's the only available option for Flex hardware. But there > are many other software choices available too for other hardware - > variants of PowerSDR (e.g., PowerSDR HDSDR), SDR-Radio, cuSDR, > etc.), > and many choices for hardware that they support. Instead of > comparing Flex-1500, Flex-3000, and Elecraft KX-3, you would compare > PowerSDR (or other base software) and whatever other software you > would like to use, and evaluate how it works with the various hardware > choices. > > There's lots of activity in the SDR world. Fortunately there's also > a lot of information available about all that activity too, and people > talking about their experiences. Here's an example: > http://n8msa.blogspot.com/2013/11/ddc-sdrs-status-report.html > There's also websites with lots of info, e.g., https://sdrzone.com/ > > Another thing to consider is the possibility of splitting RX and TX, > like hams used to do back in the 60s before transceivers dominated. > Much of the > advantage of SDRs is in the receiver, where the DSP > algorithms can do amazing things and provide powerful tools like > panadapters. Splitting the RX and TX functions isn't much of a hassle > these days, since the software does a good job of providing the > integrated "transceiver" interface. You may choose to have a separate > SDR receiver, and simply use your existing transmitter. > > If you're not sure where you want to go, you can get started without > spending a lot of money, especially if you already have a decent > transmitter. For example, the "Funcube Dongle" is a pretty > inexpensive way to get an SDR receiver with panadapter et al to use > with your existing transmitter, so you can learn more about SDR before > making a big investment. Here's an example of how one particular SDR > software package (Simon/HB9DRV's SDR-Radio) uses a Funcube Dongle - > > http://www.sdr-radio.com/Specification/FUNcubeDongle/tabid/475/language/en -US/Default.aspx > > So, ... there's lots of possibilities and no easy answers as to which > is best - for you. I'd suggest looking at the various websites, > blogs, etc., and joining groups like the SDR-Users group on yahoo, so > you can learn enough about what's possible to pick what's best for > you. > > Welcome to the SDR world. Most of what you know about radio is now > changed... Enjoy and 73! > > /Jack de K3FIV > _______________________________________________ > 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: > http://www.flexradio.com/ > -- Greg Jurrens - K5GJ VP, Sales and Business Development FlexRadio Systems 4616 W Howard Lane Ste 1-150 Austin, TX 78728 T: 512-535-4713 x203 E: g...@flexradio.com ?Tune in Excitement? ? PowerSDR(TM) and SmartSDR(TM) are trademarks of FlexRadio Systems(R) Web: www.flexradio.com <http://www.flex-radio.com/> ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 10:06:00 -0600 From: "Bill Feldkamp" <k...@twc.com> To: <FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz> Subject: [Flexradio] S Meter minimum Message-ID: <E53B413E9DEE41139484844E21E87DE6@BC910PC> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hi Matthew and Steve, KJ4TN?s message about the S3 noise level minimum on the Flex 3K describes my experience as well. While it varies from band to band a bit, my S Meter never approaches zero, including when the antennas are disconnected or when I am connected directly to the dummy load. Noise level runs around 100. Preamps have a small effect. Sent back to the factory last year for new preamps plus complete checkout and was given assurances every thing was A-OK at that time. Everything else runs perfect! Using PowerSDR v2.7.2. Maybe a calibration or adjustment issue?? Not overly concerned but curious just the same. Thanks! Bill, KI4B ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:42:43 -0500 From: "Tim Ellison, W4TME" <t...@flex-radio.com> To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Multiple PowerSDR Sessions Message-ID: <52cadd03.2000...@flex-radio.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed It is also in the Release Notes too. Tim Ellison, W4TME Customer Experience Manager FlexRadio Systems? 4616 W Howard Ln, Suite 1-150 Austin, TX 78728 Phone: 512-535-4713 Ext. 223 Email: t...@flexradio.com <mailto:t...@flexradio.com> Web: www.flexradio.com <http://www.flexradio.com> logo On 1/4/2014 2:03 PM, Ken Akin wrote: > Dave - > > Exactly what Ray said. This was announced within a few days (or perhaps at > the same time) of availability of the chooser. > > 73 > > Ken AC0HO > > > On Sat, Jan 4, 2014 at 12:44 PM, Ray, K9DUR <k9...@rnacs.com> wrote: > >> Dave, >> >> That is not a problem -- it is working as expected. This has been true >> since shortly after the FLEX-1500 was introduced. Flex has always stated >> that to run 2 instances of PowerSDR, you must start the 1500 first. >> >> 73, Ray, K9DUR >> http://k9dur.info >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: >> http://www.flexradio.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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz 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 105, Issue 6 ***************************************** _______________________________________________ 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
