Hi Folks,
This post originally went to the qrp reflector, with the intention of
posting here obviously as well. Medical issues got in the way, and the post
was never sent to this list. I've done a lot of research and got a
tremendous response from folks using FlexRadios on the qrp list, but I'd
like to hear the experience of folks on this specific FlexRadio list as
well. Please feel free to respond on or offline, whatever you feel is most
appropriate and thanks in advance for any advice/information:
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a note requesting input from members of this
list about which FlexRadio would be best for a newbie to SDR to buy. I did
not want to commit to one of the newest radios, due to cost and
unfamiliarity with SDR at this point, although I am somewhat conversant with
computers, computer interfacing with radios, and not adverse to
"experimentation" and playing around with a system to get it working.
I subsequently ran into a significant medical issue that has kept me offline
for a couple of weeks since. First:
1. I want to thank all of you who replied to my original post, both online
and offline. I received a significant number of responses that gave me
great information on various perspectives of where I should start and what
radios to consider. Included were several individuals who had 5000s, and
were looking to sell them. Again, my apologies for not replying sooner, but
I have not been able to until now- but thanks so much for your
thoughts/philosophy and information on specific radios.
2. I feel that after doing my "homework" and from the information provided
in response to my initial query, I think that I have settled on looking for
a 5000 radio as a place to start. Most importantly from the responses, it
sounds as if Flex Radio is committed to continued service and firmware
updates of these radios for the foreseeable future- a veryt important issue
for me.
3. It does appear that there are individuals on this list, as well as on E
Bay, and various radio stores that still have 5000s new. I am not adverse
to purchasing a used radio that is in excellent condition and has the
features that I'm looking for (second receiver, transporter options, etc.).
4. My additional questions/requests:
A. Do you have a reason for strongly suggesting trying to find a new 5000
with appropriate options or finding the same radio used. Small cosmetic
defects are not an issue- large gashes or missing power transistors probably
not cool;-).
B. If you do have a 5000 with the options that I'm looking for and the
radio is in excellent working order, I'd be very interested in talking with
you (email offline, etc.). Please contact me at: dge...@gmail.com or
da...@getzy.org at your convenience.
C. Any other suggestions as to necessary (or just helpful) accessories to
consider with the radio, such as: Specific antennas that seem to work well
(I am in a relatively restricted/stealth type area, and so as much as I find
huge antennas aesthetically pleasing, I don't think that a tower is an
option;-), tuners, wattmeters/radio monitoring equipment, microphone or
other audio amplifier components, preamps, anything else?
D. Does anyone have experience running the 5000 series with a 500 watt
linear amp? I am currently using the Elecraft KAP500 and would like to try
and drive it with the 5000 if possible.
E. Any considerations for RFI issues- either produced by the radio or
interference to the radio- and suggestions for ferrite beads or any other
solutions if needed (I realize this is something that is fairly dependent on
my particular set up and will require me getting the radio on the air and
seeing if there are any problems that crop up).
F. I have a fairly decent desktop computer (PC/Windows based) that I put
together, and seems to have all of the requisites that are listed on the
FlexRadio site for computer systems that work well with Flex Radios.
Besides the general recommendations given, are there any other
considerations for components/accessories or anything else on the hardware
side of things to consider?
G. Anything else to consider relative to purchase and use of the 5000
series that I haven't covered (again, I realize I'll probably be able to be
more specific when I get things going in my own shack).
Thanks so much to all of you on this very knowledgeable and civil
reflector/list. Best regards to all.
Very 73s,
Dave, WS0D
Dr. David Getzy
Fort Collins, CO
Dr. David Getzy
Fort Collins, CO
___
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/
