Re: [Flexradio] Flex 5000A
That's odd. I can find it in the Download Center at: http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?id=322 Mike - AA8K On 03/15/2011 07:10 AM, Gwyn Williams wrote: Dear Sirs, I own a Flex-5000A and would like to go back to software version 1.18.6, I notice that it is no longer available on your web site. Can you point me to where I can get a hold of that version, the FireWire driver and the Firmware please. For me CW works better with the older version and I only use CW here. The main problem is the monitored outgoing CW, it sounds jerky, i.e. not all the characters (dits and dots) are completed correctly. I cannot comment upon the actual output yet. Rgds, Gwyn Williams - G4FKH ___ 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] How do you keep the house alarm from chirping
Those alarm wires are excellent antennas. It's hard to make those radio waves stop at the house walls. For my house alarm system, I ran shielded wire to each sensor and have ferrite on each cable where it enters the alarm panel. No RFI problems with the house alarm yet. I also have shielded cable and ferrite for all my interior telephone wiring and my LAN cables. Mike - AA8K On 02/16/2011 01:16 PM, Gary Warner wrote: To all, I know that this is a bit off the Flex Radio prime topic, but I just added an amplifier to my Flex 3000. Everything works wonderfully, except now my house alarm keeps chirping like it is going from electric company power to battery backup when I transmit above about 500 watts. In fact, I suspect that is what the chirping really indicates. I have tried a surge protector to no avail. Would a battery backup to the main power connection to the alarm make it stop chirping? Other ideas? Gary WG1I ___ 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] How do you keep the house alarm from chirping
Clamp-on ferrite can help a lot. If there is slack in the cable, you might get two or three turns through the core. On 02/16/2011 02:05 PM, Gary Warner wrote: Mike, Too bad I was not into amateur radio when the house was built. That is going to be a bit difficult to do now. Gary WG1I ___ 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] John Basilotto, W5GI
John was a wonderful person. His individual help to me taught me much. He was an incredible source of information and shared it freely. What a terrific person for me to look up to. Mike - AA8K On 01/13/2011 08:07 AM, Ray - K9DUR wrote: It is with a heavy heart that I report that I just learned that John Basilotto, W5GI, became a silent key last evening. Arrangements are pending, but I was informed that there will be a mass in Lakeway, TX, with eventual interment in Arlington National Cemetery. 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] Flex-Radio SDR-1000 for sale
I am trying to get a Flex-5000A under the Christmas tree, but I have to sell my SDR-1000 first. SDR-1000 (original owner from 2005) RFE RF Expansion board SDR-100WPA 100 Watt HF power amplifier Automatic Antenna Tuner (Flex-LDG special board) Demi 144-28 FRS low power 144MHz transverter (factory installed) K3TUF UCB Universal Control Board (unassembled) M0ZAZ Poor Man's UCB (assembled) Factory ECO-020 and ECO-025 (greater dynamic range) Factory Enhanced 200mhz oscillator stability (thermistor) User modification to lighted power switch; green -- $873 to USA only Free shipping FedEx Home Delivery Note: The SDR-1000 is NOT supported on 64 bit Windows. One of the open source drivers needed for the SDR-1000, porttalk, comes only in a 32-bit version. Your PC will need a sound card that has full duplex like the M-Audio Delta 44, Presonus Firebox, Edirol FA-66, or OpenHPSDR Atlas-Ozy-Janus. These sound cards are high-performance and have four analog inputs and four analog outputs with high dynamic range. The performance of the SDR-1000 depends on the quality of the sound card used. Your PC controls the SDR-1000 by a genuine parallel port (original Flex-Radio parallel cable included) or via the official Flex-Radio USB-to-Parallel adapter (not included). OpenHPSDR's Ozy board can also control the SDR-1000. The SDR-1000 is discontinued by Flex-Radio Systems, but is still supported on their web site. PowerSDR 1 is the official version supporting the SDR-1000, but Gerald has said that the SDR-1000 will be supported in PowerSDR 2. Some are trying the latest PowerSDR 2 beta versions with the SDR-1000. Always use caution with beta software. The 100 Watt Power Amplifier is not capable of 6 meter operation. I've made a QSO on 6, but it really needs a receiver pre-amp and transmitter power amp for 6 meters. The 144 MHz Demi transverter is not designed for use on the 2 meter band, but for higher frequency operation with transverters. Your 13.6 volt DC power supply should furnish about 25 amperes for full transmit power. I had my supply set to limit at 20 amps and the power supply would go into limiting. The SDR-1000 is good against RFI; your PC will probably be susceptible to RF in your shack. I use lots of ferrite and intelligent grounding. I had an RFI echo on 15 meters until I discovered my antenna problem. I never run a linear amplifier, just the 100 Watts. My SDR-1000 did very well in the ARRL November 15, 2007 frequency measurement test. I used it to receive the 2008 lunar echoes from the HAARP transmissions. I do not want to sell individual pieces at this time. Buy the whole package and part it out yourself, if you wish. I just ran it on PowerSDR 1.14.0 (I like the old screen) and it received fine, I did a Tune with the antenna tuner and it optimized fine. I ran some CW from the CWX keyer and it was putting out about 100 Watts. Please contact me directly to my e-mail for photos and details. Mike - AA8K ___ 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] Problem with a Flex 5000
How do you handle the differences in calibration between the two Flex 5000s? Do you have a separate database for each rig? On 10/11/2010 12:50 PM, J D Lambright wrote: Dear Paim G0UUT: Thank you for your comment (see below) regarding the problem with one of two identical Flex 5000's. I tried to be clear in my note that everything was kept identical - including the firewire cable - when we were experimenting using my F5000 and my friend KC5PD's F5000. My rig operates with no problems and his has the problems noted below when we simply replace my rig with his in my shack. ___ 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] My Rookie Performance in the Recent FMT
Hi Jeff, For about $150 you can get a used Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO that will give you a precision 10 MHz reference signal to put into your Flex Radio. Tune in WWV and watch the Phase display. The rotation is from Doppler. After parking the rig at a convenient frequency a couple of hundred Hertz below the signal of interest, I use PowerSDR to record a receive post-processing USB wave file while the test is going on. I run the free Spectrum Lab software while playing back the wave file and watch the signal on the Spectrum Lab waterfall. You can see it wander in frequency when the propagation changes. Add that audio frequency to the frequency displayed in PowerSDR. I make my best guess for the middle of the Doppler swings and send it in. My PC is nothing special, just an AMD Athlon 64 2 GHz and Windows XP. Oh, and download the free Lady Heather software for monitoring your Thunderbolt. An awesome program. The ARRL FMT is on November 10th. Join the fun. It's not about reading to the milli-Hertz; it's about developing your skills in frequency measurement. Mike - AA8K On 10/09/2010 06:14 PM, Jeff Singer wrote: Thanks for the alert on the K5CM Frequency Measuring Test a few nights ago. That test uses two stations to send a CW carrier on 160, 80 (twice) and 40 meters. A FMT is something totally new to me. My only preparation was to calibrate the radio carefully against WWV using its built-in scope. My receiver was in the DSB mode. I used the scope to guess-timate the frequency to an additional decimal point. Few entrants use a radio alone. Many have costly GPS based frequency calibration sources or the like and complex schemes to interpret the frequency. Experience counts. So does speed, since you only have three minutes to come to a conclusion. In other words, my entry wouldn't threaten the experts who come within one or two MILLI-hertz. But my stock Flex did very well. Three of my four readings were within 1/2 Hz. On 40 meters I was off by .96 Hz. QRN on 40 made the weak signal difficult to read on the scope. Still, accuracy was better than .25 PPM on each reading, well within Flex specs. Anyone else participate? Jeff K0OD ___ 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] Blog Update on Debugging Unco-operative Systems
Thanks Neal. You are an excellent resource, as always. Mike - AA8K On 08/18/2010 12:51 PM, Neal Campbell wrote: I just posted a blog that details the steps I take in debugging those obstinate computers that do not play nicely with your new radio. Please read and if you have suggestions, let me know! ___ 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] headset
Now that I am over 60 years old and I can't hear above 10 KHz, all headsets sound good. 8) Bill Winkis wrote: *Goes to show Father Age is creeping in .. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Expanded Frequency Descriptors
Here is the old 2006 region 2 one from KA1EGU: http://www.hamsdr.com/dnld.aspx?id=471 Mike - AA8K Brian C wrote: A few years ago I downloaded an enhanced frequency database for the SDR-1000. The file inserted a description Maritime RTTY for example, instead of Out of Band in the descriptor field. Does anyone know where to find that file today? Tnx, Brian ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] RFI WEAKNESS
Is it the Flex-Radio, or is it the computer? I suspect the Flex-5000 is well-designed against RFI. The cable connecting the Flex-Radio to the computer (and the microphone cable) can act as a great antenna to put unwanted RF into the PC. Mike - AA8K Richard M. Emerson wrote: I have been monitoring the Flex reflectors for more than a year now and discovered that almost 80% of the issues deal with RF getting into the system. This was also my own experience with my 5000A. It took me more than a year to diagnose and tame the RF demons interfering with the Flex, in a shack that runs four other radios without RF problems. Are you listening Flex? You need to address the issue of Flex RF vulnerability. New users should not have to be RF engineers to set up and use their radios. And PLEASE don't give me that old saw about an inadequate ground in the shack, because my shack was grounded to a far-thee-well and I still had problems because the Flex was so sensitive to the issue. Regards, Dick (KE7XU) ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Going to Dayton
I still have some hand-cranked radios that I play with when I get nostalgic. :) Neal Campbell wrote: How many of us will be at Dayton this year? It would be great to get a I don't have no stinkin' knob t shirt we could all wear one day! Neal Campbell ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] (Rant follow-up)
Hi Mark, Mark Lunday wrote: 1. This is NOT your father's/grandfather's/elmer's radio. This is a highly advanced, state of the art machine. Not leading edge, but more like bleeding edge. Users are permitted to evaluate beta software and improve it! Hardware improvements and developments are happening in real time. It is only bleeding edge if you want it to be. The stable versions work quite well. 3. It does not take a CS degree, but it can require a LOT of patience and experimentation, your mileage may vary. If you don't like stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing some investigation and tinkering work on computers, this may not be for you. If you don't like to spend time on computers, then this may not be for you. Flex-Radio offers a turn-key radio (Flex-5000C) for those who want plug-and-play. 4. You may discover that your PC at home does not work with your Flex Radio. You can either (a) buy a PC that works with the radio and has been verified and tested, (b) go try and get a machine on your own, which many have done with great results, (c) take a chance that the machine you have will do the job, which many have done with great results. The user experience is all over the map, just like the variations in computers today. Putting SDR processing on your PC exposes problems that might be on your PC. It is like buying a TV tuner card for your PC and finding that your video is breaking up because your PC is busy doing other things. Is it the fault of the tuner card? I had much frustration trouble shooting another real-time software and finally discovered that my PC was subtly doing something else. I removed the other software and my PC had no problem handing the real-time application. I won't use that anti-virus software again. 73, Mike - AA8K ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] old radios
I can still use the Knight Space Spanner that I built in 1958, but I'm not sure how much longer before the AM broadcast band goes digital. :) Burt wrote: A question to ponder, you can still use the Knight Ocean Hopper today, in 55 years will you still be able to use the Flex? --- On Fri, 4/2/10, w4...@aol.com w4...@aol.com wrote: I would have never believed that ham radio would move me from a Knight Ocean Hopper to SDR. All in only 55 years. And, with getting my ticket in 1961, I can transmit too. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexEdge] A word of caution to all FlexEdgers
Elaborate documentation is a unnecessary use of time... when you are coding. :) Tim Ellison wrote: Good question. Unfortunately, there is a gene that most programmers have which predisposes them to making cryptic developer's notes :-) ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Which PowerSDR version to use
An old supervisor of mine used to demand estimates on our software projects. We quickly learned that these estimates became drop-dead dates. At that point we wound up padding our estimates with six months, a year, two years. Pretty soon the estimates were a joke. She left and then went to a local bank, which is now about to be FDICed. I would prefer to have Gerald's projected estimates, then to insist on him padding for a deadline, or not projecting for fear of criticism. I've seen Flex-Radio Systems getting delayed for the new version by all these change requests and new features. I understand the difficulty of determining a software project completion date and certainly don't mind when the delivery date changes due to unexpected factors. Mike - AA8K If estimates were perfect, I would have taken my savings out of the stock market in the first half of 2001. Burt wrote: I would suggest, like you have done here, you make no promise before its time. To promise January 2010 and not deliver does not help credibility. So if you think you will have it ready by June, promise for September ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Thanks, Gerald, for expanding my hobby
Welcome to the group Mark. And a lot of hams won't use one because it doesn't have a bunch of knobs and buttons. Flex-Radio; one of the best-kept secrets in ham radio. :) Mark Lunday, WD4ELG wrote: ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Contest recording
Here are some 48 KHz wave files I recorded (about 30 seconds) with my SDR-1000 during the 2007 Field Day: 40 meter CW http://www.hamsdr.com/personaldirectory.aspx?id=1044 20 meter CW http://www.hamsdr.com/personaldirectory.aspx?id=1043 If the above links do not work for you, you can find them at http://hamsdr.com/dnld.aspx Mike - AA8K marc...@alternex.com.br wrote: Hello Is there a I/Q recording of a big CW contest (CQWW, ARRL DX) available somewhere? I´d like too see the PowerSDR in a really crowded band. Thanks Marcelo, PY1KN ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Motherboards that work
Thank you Neal for continuing to share your research with the group and for providing plug and play hardware for the Flex-Radio SDRs. Mike - AA8K Neal Campbell wrote: Hi guys Its hard to believe that the marketing life of a motherboard is less than 8 months but it seems to be true! So if you have gotten a parts list for a system in the past year, the motherboard on the list is possibly not available anymore. The current motherboards I use are ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A ECHO OR REVERB
Hi Richard, How much power are you running when you have the reverberation? What type of antenna does it occur on? What is your feedline and how do you isolate any RF near your operating position? I have had success with clamping ferrite at the antenna/feedline point and feedline/home point. I still have some RF in the shack with my long wire antenna, but that one has lots of feedline radiation and the tower is right outside my shack, so it's tough to be out of the RF field. Mike - AA8K Richard M. Emerson wrote: I have been plagued from day one with intermittent reverberation or echoing on the transmitted signal from my 5000a. Despite hundreds of software adjustment experiments and putting ferrite snap beads both ends of every cable attached to the 5000a I continue to be plagued and embarrassed by this problem on the air and ridiculed by my ham friends. I also searched the knowledge base for a solution but the only related article is based on the SDR-1000, and I'm not sure it applies. Are any other 5000A owners experiencing this? What did they do to slay this demon? ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 12V In Computer Power Supply?
I was just thinking about that yesterday Frank. The Power Stream series is probably too light for my old desk tops. The mini-box.com M4-ATX seems promising. I think that I want low-voltage disconnect built into the power supply. I have two six-volt golf cart batteries in series for shack/house emergency lighting power. I'm using an IOTA recreational vehicle type of charger/power supply. Wind is not consistent here and at latitude 42 and lots of clouds, solar is marginal. It's a hefty current to run the PC. Has anyone done this yet? Mike - AA8K Frank Karnauskas N1UW wrote: In an attempt to build a battery run station independent of power mains (and trying to avoid the power inverter/UPS route) I would appreciate any suggestions on a 12VDC input ATX power supply...if such an animal even exists. I did a search engine query and got technical result I couldn't understand, but I am sure of you would. I am sure there is a way to do this without ponying-up the $2,600 premium for a 5000C. Thanks in advance. Frank N1UW ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] Drop Outs!!
How do your DPCs look? http://kc.flex-radio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50058.aspx?Keywords=DPC mike - k6zsr wrote: I recently had to reformat the hardrive and re-install Windows XP Professional. I then installed PowerSDR 1.18.3 along with the 3.5.0.7171 firewire driver. Firmware is 1.3.0.8. I also installed .NET 3.5. All was installed per instructions in the Knowledge Base. I have re-installed all twice and started with a new database each time. I am using a dual core computer that was working fine with an older version of PowerSDR before the re-install of the operating system. The problem I am having is that even with a CPU usage of only around 20%, I constantly get audio drop outs and freezing. I have tried multiple settings of the sample rate and buffers and I still get the drop out/freeze up problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly!! Mike, K6ZSR ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] question sdr-1000
You must have had the power set too high and saw the corona discharge Dale. :) The optional ATU has two LEDs that flash a code for the SWR measurement, but you can't see that with the cover on. The original SDR-1000 did not have a pilot light, just the rocker switch for power. I think Flex-Radio added the lighted switch to later SDR-1000s. I went to Autozone and bought a lighted automotive rocker switch that fit perfectly in the cutout for the original switch. Your choice of color. Mike - AA8K y...@aol.com wrote: This may sound dumb,but just took the sdr-1000 out of storage from a year or so ago. Set it up with the latest power sdr,works just fine. I sit here looking at the black box cover ,I swear there was a blue pilot light or a inside blue light somewhere, in the rig. Maybe I just been watching my 5000 too long and its blue light. Just curious. 73's dale wt4t ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] SR button
Spur Reduction: Adds the use of a software oscillator to avoid DDS frequencies known to have a higher phase truncation related spurious response. In short, rather than tuning each frequency using the DDS (this is what happens when this option is turned off), the software tunes the DDS in 3kHz steps and does fine-tuning in software. Tuning in 3kHz steps also has the advantage of having to send fewer command signals to the hardware. -From the manual, page 84 CW Skimmer is not intelligent enough to dodge the spurs and won't follow the Flex-3000's algorithm. Michael Jones wrote: I know the SR button stands for Spur Reduction, but I'm not certain what that means in practical terms. Is a spur like an image signal? What got me thinking about this is the fact that CW Skimmer wants this to be turned off. I can see that Skimmer sees things differently with it on or off, but I don't know why that is. Also - is this something that has to do with receive only? What's really on my mind is - when I stop using Skimmer is it very important that I turn SR back on? Flex 3K, 1.19.3 svn 3495, Win7-64 Best regards, Michael Jones W0STB ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] Fully Automated, robotic?
My SteppIR vertical can do that automatically with frequency changes. I always laugh when a contester or DXer brags about being unassisted while using his memory keyer / voice keyer, automatic ATU, DSP radio with ANL and ANF and ALC, electronic frequency read out, antenna pointing software and rotor, electronic logbook, and spotting systems. A half-century ago I was making contacts with a crystal-controlled, manually-tuned transmitter with a separate receiver, mechanical dial, and a straight key. Now, that's unassisted. Mike - AA8K Jim McLester wrote: I've been watching this thread for a few days now as it brings to mind an article , QST I think(?), that I believe was printed in an April issue (natch!) some time in the mid to late fifties. However, I have been unable to find it. It was, I believe about a ham tech guru who did what we have been seeing here. The ending was precious as expected from April articles, and discussed an antenna in a restricted neighborhood that reeled in and out, vertically, when transmitting. There were comments about this helping eliminate key clicks. Also, with tongue in cheek (even for April) discussed the potential encounter with a game warden if the antenna should happen to spear a goose out of season. Jim - W4YXU ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] virtual serial cable
com0com or VSP Manager? Steven L Hess wrote: What is the name of the latest virtual serial cable we are supposed to be using? I can't remember it and my search of the KB and google show my search skill are weak. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexRadio] 3-pin xlr microphone flex-5000
Not to mention 120 year old CW. My model 15 Teletype machine was designed in 1935. My first SSB rig was my Central Electronics 10-A, a half-century ago. Hey, have you seen the work of VK5DGR on his Codec2 open source low bit rate speech codec? We may finally get a true amateur radio digital voice and wave goodbye to Icom-only D-Star. Brian Lloyd wrote: Such modes are about the advancement of the hobby. Well, I see SDR and various digital modes as advancement of the hobby. Replicating 75-year-old AM broadcast radio, uh, not so much. But after all, it is a hobby. -- 73 de Brian, WB6RQN/J79BPL ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] [FlexRadio] Re: Panadapter Freeze
Dave, you might want to try Firefox instead of IE8. It's at Mozilla.com. I especially like the Add-ons of: NoScript (selectively blocks Java scripts on web sites) Flashblock (stops Flash ads) Web Of Trust (warns you about dangerous sites) Google Surf Canyon (helps with Google searching) Mike - AA8K davefr84 wrote: Hi Tim, Thanks for the reply - fairly new so this is all a learning curve. I turned on the DPC and when running all the programs I mentioned without IE8 my Normal DPC was around 134 with a Max about 264. I then tried IE8 and it spiked to around 5855. Navigating took it to around 15000. I am using Windows XP. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] New pictures of the FLEX-1500
Impressive! ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] (no subject)
Jim, while I prefer the classic look of PowerSDR, I can certainly understand and respect the appeal to those who prefer the different user interface of Pretty Betty. Deep Impact is the beginning of even more flexibility in the user interface. Decoupling the UI from the signal processing will make it less formidable to customize your own screen appearance. Imagine when the panafall portion becomes a separate window, and you can have different control panels with different options for mode or band. Flex-Radio has put the excitement back into ham radio. I am also thankful to be in a country that celebrates its diversity and tolerance. 73, Mike - AA8K AB2CD wrote: I found the use of the term clinical a good description of the control ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] is this possible please /to add on new update
Remember that time spent changing PowerSDR 1 is time taken away from working on Deep Impact. That is the version that I am eagerly awaiting. K9DUR wrote: Elan, This should be a feature request. I agree, an option to remember the state of the Temp/Voltage window so you do not have to turn it on every time would be a nice addition. Should not be difficult to code, but undoubtedly low on the priority list. 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] Fw: Re: block out of band transmissions
TEXANS sending their jobs to Asia? That will be a last resort. They aren't overbearing about it, but their products are made in the USA. FlexRadio Systems success is due to more than just the hardware. Ian Wade G3NRW wrote: This is true. But I'm sure Flex is (or should be) looking beyond the United States if it is to survive. Sooner or later they will have to offshore their production to the Far East to reduce manufacturing costs and remain competitive with KenYaeCom, who will undoubtedly bring out SDRs of their own in due course. This means that Flex has to think international and satisfy customers' demands worldwide. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] FLEX-5000 Transmit Spur Response
Hmmm. I wonder if I could ask my local AM broadcast station to reduce their second harmonic that is strong where I want to listen. :) The FlexRadio panadapter sure lets you see a lot. Like a high-power ham station with opposite sideband only 30 or 40 dB down. I'm tempted to let the guy know, but I suspect that he has heard it before. Bill Tippett wrote: W5ZN: Thanks for emphasizing this is not just a local problem! Definitely not. In the example below, a -58 dB spur (like you measured) from my -32 dBm TX signal would be -90 dBm...which would be ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] FlexRadio SDR-1000, 1500 and 3000.
Hi Don, I have owned my SDR-1000 since 2005. Here are some disadvantages of the SDR-1000: Probably the biggest concern is that the performance depends on the sound card that you use in your PC. There are only a few supported. I use the M-Audio Delta 44 alternating with the HPSDR Ozy/Janus. I am in a suburban setting so I can't say much about weak signal performance (I sure miss my folks 80 acre farm), but the closest broadcast station is less than one mile away and two hams are less than a block away. I love the SDR-1000 performance. The I and Q signals are connected to the SDR-1000 through 3.5 mm miniature stereo phone jacks. These often are scratchy and that's the first thing I check when diagnosing a problem. Some hams have gone to far as to bypass the jacks and wire directly to the circuit board. I'm also using 1:1 audio isolation transformers in the I and Q lines to reduce any RFI and get rid of the sound card DC hump in the panadapter display. The PC to SDR-1000 control is through a PC printer connection. Some PC cables don't carry all the wires that the SDR-1000 uses and some types of PC printer ports don't work. The SDR-1000 uses a DC-to-DC switching converter that generates a low-level signal that wanders in frequency. It doesn't bother me, but some hams have added filtering or used a different voltage source. The SDR-1000 is a stack of boards. Some hams have reported board-board connector problems, but I have not had any. The original SDR-1000 was a three board stack. The RFE (R F Expansion) board was added for a low-noise pre-amplifier and ham band filters. FlexRadio no longer can supply the RFE boards. Another option is the 100 Watt Power Amplifier. Works just fine. I think that the ATU is an LDG Z-100 tuner that was specially-built to interface to the SDR-1000. It's not going to do bedspring matching, but it is integrated and fast. A downside is that you can't see the board LEDs to count the flashes for results. I tried a fiber to light pipe the LED to the front panel, but without good results yet. QSK: I don't really need to hear between my dits, so I am not concerned about any QSK limitations. The SDR-1000 has had engineering revisions. You might be able to have FlexRadio Systems upgrade you on the ECOs. The oscillator stabilizer really reduced warm-up time for me. I used to leave the SDR-1000 on all day to warm up for a frequency- measuring test. The SDR-1000 likes a good supply voltage. I discovered that my 25 Amp DC supply did not really provide 25 Amps without voltage sag. Some hams have done the PTC Voltage Stabilization high stability mod for frequency-critical work. Knob: I was originally determined to get the accessory tuning knob when I bought my SDR-1000, but deferred buying it until I had some more money. After I started using mouse or keyboard tuning, I had no desire to buy the knob; I just didn't need it. I still like my hand-cranked radios, but do not need a knob to enjoy my FlexRadio. For six meter operation, the SDR-1000 needs a receive preamplifier added and a transmit power amplifier. I think the 6 meter power output is 1/2 Watt. I've made a barefoot 6 meter contact across town. Lots of DDS spurs on 6 and 10 meters. The DEMI 144 option is designed for transverter operation. You would need a receive preamp and transmit PA (5 to 10 mWatt output) for direct operation. The frequency coverage is 144 to 146 MHz. As I am selling rigs for our move, I have no desire to sell the SDR-1000. It is the best receiver that I have ever used. (I have not had access to a Flex-5000) Other stations tell me the transmit audio is exceptionally good. The SDR-1000 is one of those radios that substantially changed amateur radio. Mike - AA8K Don wrote: I am interested in purchasing a SDR radio. Lately I have noticed several sdr-1000 radios that have come up for sale. So I'm trying to weigh the advantages primarily between the 1000 3000 and ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] Ordered a 5000a!
You're going to love the quality of the AM signal Brett. I put mine on the air on a regional net and didn't tell them that I was using my FlexRadio Systems. They kept asking me what kind of transmitter I was using because it sounded so good. These guys are serious; several run AM broadcast transmitters. I had to fess up on the third transmission. Just keep RF out of the shack with good antenna design and grounding. The synchronous AM reception is truly awesome as well. With Auto Notch Filter on, the way you can tell there is another carrier is by looking at the panadapter. You can see the frequency response of others. I have it connected to an old Marantz amplifier and huge speakers and it sounds great! Mike - AA8K Brett Gazdzinski wrote: Winter is coming, and its time to put the motorcycle away and get ready for radio. I sold the pro3 and was in the market to get something, and decided on the flex. I hope it works with my inexpensive Sony laptop. I have an odd use for it, as a receiver and rf (carrier) exciter for my home brew AM transmitters mostly. I don't get on ssb much at all, and although I like CW, I am very rusty. But I like to listen. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] splatter
Yep, I've seen some truly awful signals. At first I wondered if it was my Flex-Radio, but then I realized that there were other, equally-strong stations that were clean. Be sure not to mention it on the air. I'd send them a copy and phrase it something like, I know that I would want to know when my signal was having difficulty, so I want to share this info with you... Remember that on strong stations, your receiver can see sidebands that are within the legal limit, so use caution. Sure is a fun rig, isn't it? Mike - AA8K Michael Jones wrote: It sure is enlightening to see the signals on the band using PanaFall.Some signals are beautiful, nice clean edges, taking up just exactly the spectrum that they should. OTOH - seeing a SSB signal - not an ESSB on either! - that has 2-3K worth of splatter on both side is sure interesting. I see some CW signals that have the same horrible splatter, as visible as the day is long. I think my casual investigation is showing that the worst offenders always seem to be the Big DX Guns - probably driving an amp until is screams. I always try to listen to these stations to hear what their rig is - so I'll know to be sure to never get one of them- LOL! Really, I feel like taking screen-shots of some of these signals and emailing them to their owners. Best Regards Michael Jones W0STB ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] Interesting eham article
Maybe we shouldn't try to tell them what they are missing; keep the advantages to ourselves. :) Tim Ellison wrote: It already has. Maybe is several hundred Flexers respond the SDR shouts would be louder than the nay sayers. :-) -Tim ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] I wish PowerSDR tuning/display worked like this...
Hi Mike, Good video, describes the enhancement that you want. Be sure to enter your idea into the Flex-Radio Feature Request List so that the developers will see it: http://support.flex-radio.com/BugList.aspx?it=f You do understand that the receiver has a finite bandwidth don't you? If the frequency display of the panafall stayed the same when you clicked on a signal at the left edge, the right half of the panafall would be outside of the receiver's bandwidth and would be blank. The only way that you were able to demonstrate your idea was to use a second receiver to hear the station at the lower edge while the first receiver was creating the information for the full panafall. Perhaps your enhancement could be to have the second receiver control the panafall while the first receiver hops around. When I first got my Flex-Radio I found it disorienting that the band perspective changed when I changed frequency, but got used to it and prefer it now. It's not like the scales on the traditional radios. 73, Mike - AA8K Mike Walsh wrote: Hi, I've always wished that the PowerSDR display would hold the display frequency limits fixed and move the passband indication around while tuning. I've talked with the Flex guys about this in the past but I'm not sure I was able to get across what I meant very well. The other day it occurred to me that I could demonstrate what I meant in a video, so I made one and put it up on my YouTube account. If you're interested, please take a look and let me know what you think. You'll find the video at: http://www.youtube.com/ke5akl. I know the Flex developers are pretty busy, but the video is short so, if Eric or some of the other developers could take a quick look, I'd appreciate it. I suspect there are some issues related to IF offset with the display/tuning operating this way, but, for me, it sure is handy in most circumstances. Thanks, Mike - ke5akl ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Flexradio] Venting about VAC 4 with SDR 1.18.1 (but I know I am somehow the problem)
That's interesting Dudley. I bought a Belkin SOHO F1DS104J four-way K V M last year and I haven't noticed problems. The only thing I do is make sure that when I'm booting a PC, that it is selected. If I don't, sometimes the video resolution or aspect will be different from power down. I'm presently using it with two Windows XP, a Windows 7 RC, and an Ubuntu. I haven't tried it with my eMac yet. I was skeptical at first, but I can be renaming a file in XP, click off to a different PC, then click back and continue in my rename edit mode, as if I hadn't left. I was reluctant to spend so much for what I thought was a simple switch in a box, but I found a new one on eBay for $119, so I splurged. This one is not just a mechanical switch. I wish the cables were about two feet longer, as I have my PCs behind me. I can switch with a keyboard sequence, but the big buttons are more convenient to reach over and touch. One feature I thought was of marginal use is the ability to switch audio separately. Once I started using that, I found it very desirable. An example is I can be playing a recorded TV show audio on one PC and have the keyboard, video, and mouse going through my e-mail on another PC. I find flitting between the PCs with the buttons easier than Remote Desk Top. And it sure beats having four keyboards, displays, and mice. Now, if it was just a six-way... Mike - AA8K Dudley Hurry wrote: Mark, KWM switches can be big problems and none of the HW manufacturers will guarantee PC operation through a KWM switch, (unless you are running Server HW) the switching of the keyboard and mouse will throw the OS into a tailspin at times.. ___ 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.flex-radio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com/ Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
