[600MRG] Flex-5000A or Flex-1500

Mon Jan 21 18:02:09 CST 2013

Hi Ed!

Please note that:

"I own a Flex 5000A and I love it. I would like to use it for TX/RX at 
630/600M and 2200M, but the BCB transmitters sub-images block its 
receiver, in spite of utilizing a Clifton Labs very efficient BCB filter 
that provides me a quiet band below 530 KHz for the Kenwood and for 
SDR-IQ (the best receiver I use at these frequencies). My current setup 
is TS-2000 for TX/RX each night using modified G3XBM transverter for 
630M WSPR work ANT: based loaded 40' vertical w/3 40' top hats, 
receiving on 79' diamond shaped tuned shield loop oriented N/S." ERP 58mW.

I started with SDR-1000 eight years ago, and acquired the 5000A 4 years 
ago, being a very happy Flex-Radio customer. But, like Dudley told me 
this afternoon, the 5000A, just was not designed to be used below 
1800KHz. He suggested that I try inserting attenuator pads between the 
BCB filter and the 5000A.

I am beginning, for the first time, to consider other DDC/DUC SDR 
transceiver options, at much lower cost than the newer Flex's...

Regards and 73

Juan /K4LCD - WF2XXQ

On 01/21/2013 9:38 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Lee,
>
> Interesting that both the flex 1500 and 5000 will work down there.  We 
> were hoping that the new KX3 would but now it has been stated it will 
> not.  The K3 stops at 490 KHz, unfortunately.
>
> So I will build a special transverter to run from 10.470 to 0.470 
> MHz.  This allows me to use my station OCXO 10-MHz standard as the 
> LO.  Using the K3 with < 1-Hz error at 10-MHz will make an 
> exceptionally stable 630m rig.  Mixing will all be a mw level and then 
> amplified either by my NDB 100w transmitter or by adding a 25w MosFet 
> PA stage.  I will also look at using a 3.1 MHz LO for 80m transceivers 
> to translate down from 3570 KHz.  If there is interest, I may try 
> selling them perhaps as a partial kit.
> http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm
>
> I have my six-band HF LP filter board from PCBExpress and it came out 
> nice.  I will be installing the components and testing the next couple 
> weeks.  This is for my 300w HF amp (kit sold by CCI).
>
> So next will be designing up the 630m transverter pc board once I have 
> settled on circuitry.  I would love to have a prototype to show off at 
> Dayton (we will see?).
>
> 73, Ed
> PS: repaired inverted-L so I can begin testing and receiving, again.  
> May set up for WSPR receive-only until I am sure of match at antenna.
>
> At 07:38 PM 1/21/2013, Lee Mushel wrote:
>
>
>> It was unfortunate for me that the Flex5000A (now fully "upgraded") 
>> was the first radio I used for initial experiments on 600 meters.
>>
>> After some extended discussion with Flex and additional testing with 
>> Rob Sherwood it was concluded that the 5000A would not be a first 
>> choice for such work.     I am leaving out a lot of details and 
>> covering about a year of time in the previous sentence.   Of course, 
>> there is no reason why "up-converting" can't be used and several 
>> routes can be followed to do that. Those who still prefer "knob and 
>> button" radios over those whose operator interface is a video display 
>> might find my preference a bit strange.   If you would like a photo 
>> that will illustrate my thinking  about software defined radio you 
>> can ask off the reflector.  And at the moment I am modifying a 
>> BC453-B to provide SDR performance.
>>
>> I have only recently acquired the Flex 1500 but at present I have 
>> some reason to believe that it will be quite suitable for use on the 
>> lower frequencies of the new band.   My own experimentation on this 
>> continues.....
>>
>> I must add that I absolutely marvel at the general capabilities of 
>> the 5000A and it is, without question, the "premier rig" at K9WRU!
>>
>>
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>
>
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