[Flexradio] Flex-1500 TBD Specifications
I find that the Systems Product Comparison Matrix still lists the Third-order Intercept Point, Second-order Intercept Point and Transmit third-order IMD Products, still listed as TBD. I understand that we are using beta software and maybe they will change, but the 3000 and 5000 specs are listed and of course are using the same software. Is it a matter of not updating the Product Comparison Matrix or have they still not been determined. Since I am unable to test these things for myself (I can only compare performance against other rigs I have), I am most curious about the tested performance. My comparisons to other rigs I have, shows the 1500 to be an excellent performer. ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 TBD Specifications
It is a matter of getting independent test results from a random radio pulled off the production line rather than using what FlexRadio measures in their lab. This makes the data presented unbiased and without fear of using tweaked performance numbers. To that end, since PowerSDR is beta, testing it by someone like the ARRL would be detrimental, since they test other things that are not 100% complete in the software, so yes in one regard beta software is indirectly holding up the publication of those numbers. But your ear is not deceiving you. I did a side-by-side, same antenna, same RX filter width, no preamp comparison with my 756 Pro II and the 1500 definitely hears better on crowded bands (contest situations) and was able to pull in and make weak signals more intelligible. For less than $700 it performs way above its price class. -Tim -Original Message- From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Ron McKean Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 8:52 AM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Flex-1500 TBD Specifications I find that the Systems Product Comparison Matrix still lists the Third-order Intercept Point, Second-order Intercept Point and Transmit third-order IMD Products, still listed as TBD. I understand that we are using beta software and maybe they will change, but the 3000 and 5000 specs are listed and of course are using the same software. Is it a matter of not updating the Product Comparison Matrix or have they still not been determined. Since I am unable to test these things for myself (I can only compare performance against other rigs I have), I am most curious about the tested performance. My comparisons to other rigs I have, shows the 1500 to be an excellent performer. ___ 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/
[Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. Rick W2JAZ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 10:46 AM, Richard Lawn rjl...@gmail.com wrote: I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. I am not familiar with the AmpKeyer but I suspect it is designed to take a low-voltage, low-current PTT signal (open collector to ground) and operate a relay. If so, then it should work just fine as the specs for the Stby line (open collector, pull-to-ground to key) on the Yaesu FT-847 are virtually identical to the PTT line for the Flex. -- Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL 3191 Western Dr. Cameron Park, CA 95682 br...@lloyd.com +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) +1.931.492.6776 (USA) (+1.931.4.WB6RQN) ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
Gents Just to be sure, use an ohm meter to check the open circuit voltage on the amp keying line. It is likely 12vdc. Then, use your multimeter to see how much current the keying circuit draws. You do this by putting your meter into current mode, and then shorting out the same ptt line through the meter. You can do this without the amp connected to the radio or antenna (if you are worried, connect the amp to a dummy load). You will like read about 10ma or so. You want to make sure that both those values are less then the specs on the amp keying line specified by the radio. Mike va3mw On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 2:04 PM, Brian Lloyd brian-wb6...@lloyd.com wrote: On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 10:46 AM, Richard Lawn rjl...@gmail.com wrote: I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. I am not familiar with the AmpKeyer but I suspect it is designed to take a low-voltage, low-current PTT signal (open collector to ground) and operate a relay. If so, then it should work just fine as the specs for the Stby line (open collector, pull-to-ground to key) on the Yaesu FT-847 are virtually identical to the PTT line for the Flex. -- Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL 3191 Western Dr. Cameron Park, CA 95682 br...@lloyd.com +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) +1.931.492.6776 (USA) (+1.931.4.WB6RQN) ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 12:00 PM, Michael Walker va...@portcredit.netwrote: Gents Just to be sure, use an ohm meter to check the open circuit voltage on the amp keying line. It is likely 12vdc. Then, use your multimeter to see how much current the keying circuit draws. You do this by putting your meter into current mode, and then shorting out the same ptt line through the meter. You can do this without the amp connected to the radio or antenna (if you are worried, connect the amp to a dummy load). You will like read about 10ma or so. You want to make sure that both those values are less then the specs on the amp keying line specified by the radio. All good points. Better to be safe than sorry. Still, the Flex 5000 keying lines are rated at 50V (open circuit -- key-up) and 400mA (key-down). The FT-847's keying line is rated at +24V and 100mA respectively, much lower ratings than the Flex 5000. Since his relay adaptor works for the Yaesu with its lower ratings on its keying line, it should work safely with the Flex. Oh, and I think I located the AmpKeyer he is talking about. It appears to be designed for just this application. See: http://www.theheathkitshop.com/page13/page13.html -- Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL 3191 Western Dr. Cameron Park, CA 95682 br...@lloyd.com +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica) +1.931.492.6776 (USA) (+1.931.4.WB6RQN) ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
Rick, Just lash it to the RCA jack of choice! 73, Ray, K9DUR http://k9dur.info -Original Message- From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Richard Lawn Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 1:47 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. Rick W2JAZ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
Rick - FWIW, I use the ARB-704 (Ameritron) as the interface for my f3k to the AL-811H. I have done so without issue for some time now... _dan, wy0o *** On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 2:41 PM, Ray - K9DUR k9...@rnacs.com wrote: Rick, Just lash it to the RCA jack of choice! 73, Ray, K9DUR http://k9dur.info -Original Message- From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Richard Lawn Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 1:47 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. Rick W2JAZ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] Pauses in cw character transmission
Update: I have downloaded PowerSDR 2.0.16, removed McAfee antivirus, loaded ESET Nod32 antivirus (much kinder in terms of system overhead), and am trying to trim my unneeded Windows 7 services. So far it has made a favorable difference in cw transmission, however my computer is still doing some unnecessary background processing which I need to eliminate. I can send a string of dits and everything sounds great, but then suddenly I hear the hard drive working and I note pauses in the dits. I would love to upgrade to a monster CPU, but for now I intend to use the services of Abroham Neal Software to perform a remote 'tune-up' of my system and see if I can't get it behaving properly. Once again, I must thank everyone who has provided me with very valuable suggestions and insight. You are all a great group of amateur radio operators and are very generous with your assistance! 73, Craig AE7I ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A
TNX everyone! Always good to play it safe but it seems what I have is more than compatible with the 5K. Probably will give it a try in the next day or so. Happy holidays! RIck On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 3:48 PM, Dan Garrett garrett.d...@gmail.com wrote: Rick - FWIW, I use the ARB-704 (Ameritron) as the interface for my f3k to the AL-811H. I have done so without issue for some time now... _dan, wy0o *** On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 2:41 PM, Ray - K9DUR k9...@rnacs.com wrote: Rick, Just lash it to the RCA jack of choice! 73, Ray, K9DUR http://k9dur.info -Original Message- From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of Richard Lawn Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 1:47 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] External Amp w/5000A I have a AL811H amplifier and AmpKeyer interface that I've used with my FT-847. I'd like to try it with my 5000A. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for or do I just lash the Flex to the AmpKeyer using the appropriate RCA jacks? Any advice would be appreciated. Rick W2JAZ ___ 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] Waterfall and powerline noise
As a noob to SDR and a returning ham after 28 years QRT, I bought a new 5000a (at my wife's insistence, no less) at the Huntsville hamfest. I got on 75 Meters and I thought the band was in terrible shape . While there were no static crashes, the overall noise level was awful. It was not what I rtemembered for the 80-75 meter band in the winter. I think I have a severe power line noise problem near me. My question is about the waterfall display. The background color is hot pink. The background will go to blue-green with some black, if I disconnect the antenna. I infer that I have a terrific powerline radiator nearby. Is this correct. Oh, I might add that when I took out my truck and tuned the AM radio to 1.5 MHz, a clear area, I got almost deafening noise near two poles about 100 ft from my house. Brad A. Steffler KE4XJ ___ 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] Flex+PC all in one
I saw someplace an SDR that was built into a rack mount PC as an all-in-one solution - just add monitor and KB/mouse. Has Flex considered this? A locked operation system (LINUX?) would prevent issues, and they could control the hardware and OS. Seems like a next step so dealers can sell them off the shelf. Thoughts? On Dec 18, 2010, at 9:10 PM, Brad A. Steffler wrote: As a noob to SDR and a returning ham after 28 years QRT, I bought a new 5000a (at my wife's insistence, no less) at the Huntsville hamfest. I got on 75 Meters and I thought the band was in terrible shape . While there were no static crashes, the overall noise level was awful. It was not what I rtemembered for the 80-75 meter band in the winter. I think I have a severe power line noise problem near me. My question is about the waterfall display. The background color is hot pink. The background will go to blue-green with some black, if I disconnect the antenna. I infer that I have a terrific powerline radiator nearby. Is this correct. Oh, I might add that when I took out my truck and tuned the AM radio to 1.5 MHz, a clear area, I got almost deafening noise near two poles about 100 ft from my house. Brad A. Steffler KE4XJ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] Flex+PC all in one
Hi Justin They not only thought of it, they sold it for quite a while! It was called the 5000C and had an inbuilt mini-ITX Core 2 Duo computer with dual video ports, firewire ports, etc. It ran Windows XP since that was the OS at the time it was released. You can probably find one on the used equipment boards if you look long and hard enough! 73 Neal Campbell Abroham Neal Software www.abrohamnealsoftware.com (540) 645 5394 On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 9:17 PM, Justin M. Mayrand jmayr...@metrocast.netwrote: I saw someplace an SDR that was built into a rack mount PC as an all-in-one solution - just add monitor and KB/mouse. Has Flex considered this? A locked operation system (LINUX?) would prevent issues, and they could control the hardware and OS. Seems like a next step so dealers can sell them off the shelf. Thoughts? On Dec 18, 2010, at 9:10 PM, Brad A. Steffler wrote: As a noob to SDR and a returning ham after 28 years QRT, I bought a new 5000a (at my wife's insistence, no less) at the Huntsville hamfest. I got on 75 Meters and I thought the band was in terrible shape . While there were no static crashes, the overall noise level was awful. It was not what I rtemembered for the 80-75 meter band in the winter. I think I have a severe power line noise problem near me. My question is about the waterfall display. The background color is hot pink. The background will go to blue-green with some black, if I disconnect the antenna. I infer that I have a terrific powerline radiator nearby. Is this correct. Oh, I might add that when I took out my truck and tuned the AM radio to 1.5 MHz, a clear area, I got almost deafening noise near two poles about 100 ft from my house. Brad A. Steffler KE4XJ ___ 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/ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] Waterfall and powerline noise
Switch your Flex to AM to hear if the sound is the same as what you hear on your AM radio. I get some really strong powerline noise here and yes, the waterfall display is pink when it happens!! Edwin Marzan AB2VW Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:10:47 -0600 From: bst...@comcast.net To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Waterfall and powerline noise As a noob to SDR and a returning ham after 28 years QRT, I bought a new 5000a (at my wife's insistence, no less) at the Huntsville hamfest. I got on 75 Meters and I thought the band was in terrible shape . While there were no static crashes, the overall noise level was awful. It was not what I rtemembered for the 80-75 meter band in the winter. I think I have a severe power line noise problem near me. My question is about the waterfall display. The background color is hot pink. The background will go to blue-green with some black, if I disconnect the antenna. I infer that I have a terrific powerline radiator nearby. Is this correct. Oh, I might add that when I took out my truck and tuned the AM radio to 1.5 MHz, a clear area, I got almost deafening noise near two poles about 100 ft from my house. Brad A. Steffler KE4XJ ___ 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/
Re: [Flexradio] Waterfall and powerline noise
After 28 years QRT, the other thing you will discover, besides powerline, is how much RF trash is generated from all the gizmos most people have. --A lot of computers are quite noisy RF wise not all, but many. --Our microwave oven just trashes 80 M --Most of the internet modems provided by the cable DSL companies, wireless routers, little network switches all put out terrible noises --Plasma TVs-- at least the one my neighbors have-- I can always here that when they are watching-- 20db waving undulations that show on the Flex displays --Those touch-on lamps-- my wife had 3 of those going in the house-- just terrible-- open squarewave oscillators drifting around I am on the constant hunt. I find one thing, a day or two later, someone brings home something else On 12/18/2010 6:10 PM, Brad A. Steffler wrote: As a noob to SDR and a returning ham after 28 years QRT, I bought a new 5000a (at my wife's insistence, no less) at the Huntsville hamfest. I got on 75 Meters and I thought the band was in terrible shape . While there were no static crashes, the overall noise level was awful. It was not what I rtemembered for the 80-75 meter band in the winter. I think I have a severe power line noise problem near me. My question is about the waterfall display. The background color is hot pink. The background will go to blue-green with some black, if I disconnect the antenna. I infer that I have a terrific powerline radiator nearby. Is this correct. Oh, I might add that when I took out my truck and tuned the AM radio to 1.5 MHz, a clear area, I got almost deafening noise near two poles about 100 ft from my house. Brad A. Steffler KE4XJ ___ 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/
