[Flexradio] Trouble with full power out with Flex5K on SSB

[Paul M]

Hi Jack,

I had to send my Flex5K back in to Austin for service because of a similar 
problem several months ago. I was seeing low drive power out to my amplifier on 
most bands.

My F5K with ATU & RX2 (SN 5210-3025) has had a problem with the VSWR sensor not 
calibrated properly for a 50 ohm non-inductive load. The problem has been 
characterized in ATU bypass mode. Engaging the ATU does help, but should not be 
necessary, if all is working properly into a non-reactive 50 dummy load with 
short high quality coaxial cables.

Using an Bird 43 meter with 50H and 100H slugs and very short coaxial jumpers 
into a Bird 100 watt dummy load, the meter on the F5K showed VSWR readings 
between 1.5 on up to above 3 on various bands, while the Bird showed no 
reflected energy returning to the xcvr.  Because of the false VSWR inside the 
F5K, the fold-back protection circuit cut back the power output of the 
transmitter. I have a ICOM 756 Pro II right next to the Flex radio. Switching 
radios showed a perfect match into the Bird dummy load with 100 watts on all 
bands. Using the Flex 5 K with same setup, power output varied between 50 to 90 
watts depending on how bad the misreading of the VSWR inside the F5K was. It 
cost me $80.00 to ship by ground to Austin from Seattle on a radio much less 
than a year old. Flex had the radio in their possession for a full month. I had 
to call to inquire about the repair status, as Flex did not provide repair 
status feedback. I was told it was an engineering problem that was being 
addressed by an hardware upgrade. This is the first commercial transceiver I 
have owned in my 30 years as a ham that did not exhibit perfectly flat VSWR 
performance into a quality 50 ohm dummy load on all amateur bands. Considering 
the cost of this radio, this type of engineering issue should never have seen 
the light of day in a amateur radio transceiver in commercial production.

Upon return of the radio, I checked the VSWR accuracy again using the same type 
of setup. It was better, but still far from perfect. The transmitter is NOT set 
up for a true 50 ohm non-reactive impedance. This may possibly be due to an 
impedance swing on a toroidal transformer in the power amp going into 
saturation. Hell, it could be a bad component in the Wheatstone bridge circuit, 
for all I know! The receiver performance is so darn good that I am loath to 
spend another $80 to send the radio back to Austin ***again*** for a problem 
that, IMHO, should have been nailed the first time they had it back on their 
bench. Now I just use the Icom radio whenever conditions are poor on 160 meters 
and I need to drive my 3CX1200A7 homebrew amp to full power. 

This is actually the second time this radio has been back to the factory, as 
the transmitter was not operational when the unit was first shipped to me brand 
new (someone forget to calibrate the PA before shipping the new F5K to me). 
There are manufacturing quality control and quality assurance issues that Flex 
Radio needs to address in a much more aggressive manner. I would also suggest 
setting up an online repair status web page that customers could use to check 
on the repair status of their radios. Finally, when my radio was returned from 
the month long "repair", only an extremely brief and cryptic service invoice 
was included with the radio. If I send a radio into a company for repair, I 
expect a detailed accounting of what was repaired to bring the radio back into 
service. ICOM has does an outstanding job of documenting radio repairs for me 
in the past.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul WN7T  
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Re: [Flexradio] IQ data files

[Leif Asbrink]

Hi Patrick,

You might use sim2powersdr.exe from here:
http://www.sm5bsz.com/lir/sim2/sim2.htm

This program converts other 96 kHz .wav files to the PowerSDR
format. Maybe it will not convert all possible 96 kHz .wav
files, but it is a simpåle program available as source code.

73

Leif / SM5BSZ


> I am looking for a source of downloadable IQ data files to play back with 
> PSDR pending my back order being filled for the F5K unit.  I would have sworn 
> I saw a source but cannot locate it now. I would like to exercise and test my 
> PSDR install in advance. Getting a little experience with operation in 
> advance wouldn’t hurt and could make for a smooth transition into “The 
> Future”, not only for me but plenty of others.  This might be a way to 
> attract potential owners and boost sales for FlexRsdio.  If Flex supplied 
> download files for people to use they could test drive the FlexRadio, become 
> addicted and want to buy.
> 
> Some sort of incentive program would encourage Flex owners to “spread the 
> word” with even greater enthusiasm than now and downloadable files to 
> exercise PSDR would be a useful sales tool. Some of the signals in USB, LSB, 
> and AM could be audio sales pitches.  There are other obvious positive 
> reinforcing  ideas to numerous to list but I think I have made my point.
> 
> Now for my reward... I need some downloadsable !Q files for playback with 
> PSDR.
> 
> TIA for any consideration from any source (hint hint)
> 
> 146 ( a couple 73) Patrick AF5CK
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Re: [Flexradio] IQ data files

[Lee Mushel]

Patrick,

If the 5000A is going to be your first real exposure to SDR I respectfully 
suggest that before worrying about playing back files you read every page in 
the manual.   If you've already done that I suggest you go back and re-read 
every page in the manual.  Then, finally, go back and read it a third time 
but this time stop at every unfamiliar word and go to the Flex knowledge 
base and read that!   And then give some thought about exactly where you are 
going to place the greatest radio in the world.   If you are one of the more 
fortunate whose hearing has not been affected by qualification for  the 
"U.S. Rifle, Caliber 30, M1, Sir" I suggest you not put it in exactly the 
same position as your existing knob and button radio.   Several feet off to 
the side and up or down will do just fine.


If you get 10% of the satisfaction I feel from owning that fascinating 
electrical machine, your on the air comments will attract plenty of 
potential owners and Gerald will be pleased!


73

Lee  K9WRU
- Original Message - 
From: "Patrick Greenlee" 

To: 
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 12:45 PM
Subject: [Flexradio] IQ data files


I am looking for a source of downloadable IQ data files to play back with 
PSDR pending my back order being filled for the F5K unit.  I would have 
sworn I saw a source but cannot locate it now. I would like to exercise and 
test my PSDR install in advance. Getting a little experience with operation 
in advance wouldn’t hurt and could make for a smooth transition into “The 
Future”, not only for me but plenty of others.  This might be a way to 
attract potential owners and boost sales for FlexRsdio.  If Flex supplied 
download files for people to use they could test drive the FlexRadio, 
become addicted and want to buy.


Some sort of incentive program would encourage Flex owners to “spread the 
word” with even greater enthusiasm than now and downloadable files to 
exercise PSDR would be a useful sales tool. Some of the signals in USB, 
LSB, and AM could be audio sales pitches.  There are other obvious 
positive reinforcing  ideas to numerous to list but I think I have made my 
point.


Now for my reward... I need some downloadsable !Q files for playback with 
PSDR.


TIA for any consideration from any source (hint hint)

146 ( a couple 73) Patrick AF5CK
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http://www.flexradio.com/







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[Flexradio] IQ data files

[Patrick Greenlee]

I am looking for a source of downloadable IQ data files to play back with PSDR 
pending my back order being filled for the F5K unit.  I would have sworn I saw 
a source but cannot locate it now. I would like to exercise and test my PSDR 
install in advance. Getting a little experience with operation in advance 
wouldn’t hurt and could make for a smooth transition into “The Future”, not 
only for me but plenty of others.  This might be a way to attract potential 
owners and boost sales for FlexRsdio.  If Flex supplied download files for 
people to use they could test drive the FlexRadio, become addicted and want to 
buy.

Some sort of incentive program would encourage Flex owners to “spread the word” 
with even greater enthusiasm than now and downloadable files to exercise PSDR 
would be a useful sales tool. Some of the signals in USB, LSB, and AM could be 
audio sales pitches.  There are other obvious positive reinforcing  ideas to 
numerous to list but I think I have made my point.

Now for my reward... I need some downloadsable !Q files for playback with PSDR.

TIA for any consideration from any source (hint hint)

146 ( a couple 73) Patrick AF5CK
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[Flexradio] ***SPAM*** fwd:

[Don Ginter]

wow this is pretty crazy you should check it out 
http://www.pa15news.net/biz/?employment=2712929 



~*Advertisement

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[Flexradio] Peak reading output power meter?

[David Land]

All this talk about output power reminds me of a question I wanted to ask,
is there a peak reading output power meter available in PowerSDR? I
couldn't find one if there is.
73, Dave KD5FX
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[Flexradio] Dayton Hamvention 2012 FlexRadio Banquet

[Tim Ellison, W4TME]

Registration is now open for the FlexRadio Systems Banquet to be held 
during Dayton Hamvention on May 19th, 2012.  Come out and spend an 
evening meeting with fellow FlexRadio owners and learn what's new on the 
SDR front.   For more information and to order your tickets, please go 
to http://cart.flexradio.com/Dayton-Banquet-Ticket_p_831.html


-Tim
--
Tim Ellison, W4TME
Product Management, Sales & Support
FlexRadio Systems^(TM)
4616 W Howard Ln, Suite 1-150
Austin, TX 78728
Phone: 512-535-4713 Ext. 223
Email: t...@flexradio.com 
Web: www.flexradio.com 

logo

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[Flexradio] 3000 on RTTY?

[Eric Lowell]

Do I need to reduce power output to run RTTY on my Flex 3000?

Thanks, Eric (W1EL)

--
Eric Lowell
48 Loon Road
Wesley, ME 04686


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