Thanks, Tommy! So, a barefoot 400w transceiver will be 100w for each slot & mode. That would work out well. On the same band with all four modes in your example means you theoretically could use a PA. But likely not as the TX sequences vary with the modes (FT8, FT4 etc). A PA would work only with x4 with the same digital mode AND, as with FT8, all four set to the exact same TX & RX sequence (even or odd). If I understand this correctly, we would not be able to use a PA if on more than one band. On the same band, however, you could use 2 slots: 1 for FT8 and one for SSB. F.ex. WSJT is up with FT8 and N1MM-logger with SSB. That would be possible on the same screen I guess, although with the challenge of mouse-clicking in both software and writing in the SSB QSOs in the N1MM-log. Some would probably choose to go full auto-mode on FT8 (MSHV) in order to put the major focus on SSB. Fixed RX & TX sequences on FT8 would be problematic though. An SO2R setup would ensure that the PA could be used on only one band at a time in TX mode. Could be a real challenge to be on SSB with the FT8 running in fixed sequences. Much "easier" then with the regular SO2R: 2 bands x 2 SSB (or x2 CW, or 1xSSB & 1xCW). I say this because SO2R is not at all that easy to do well. For DX-Expeditions with many callers, however, the option with 4 slots x 4 TX-frequencies each in Fox mode would mean an optimal of 16 QSOs simultaneously on the same band. Would be non-stop clicking, but with Flex 6600 @ 100wts it would likely require a PA for your signals to be heard/read. Well, maybe not on 6m and 10m if good propagations & antennas with some good +dB gains. - Your comments, Tommy?
Good video. Can you transmit on more than one slice with the 6600 or 6400? I'm going to order a Flex this week and want to be able to work SSB Phone while making FT8 contacts. I will order which ever Flex that can. Thanks in advance 73 NM3J
It's strange this video hasn't had many comments or likes. It is so superior to the Flex offering about using multiple instances of digi-mode s/w and attributing them to each Slice. Thank you, Tommy de Erik EI4KF.
I have 2 SDR radios, the Yaesu 101MP ($5,000) & the Icom 7300 ($1200). What can this radio do that they can't? My understanding is that the Flex radios tie in with the Internet somehow to make possible hundreds of thousands of contacts. Will they work with my Palstar linear amp? (I am intrigued, & will be calling them for further clarification.)
@Tommy Teague: I have three questions, if you would be so kind... 1. Have you used the synchronous detector, and if yes, how would rate its performance in terms of fading distortion elimination and loss of lock. 2. I do not like or have use for the waterfall function. Can the waterfall be completely disabled so that only the spectrum display is visible? 3. How is the build quality, say, as compared to the high-quality build of ICOM products? Is the feel of the main tuning knob pleasantly free-spinning? Or is it stiff? Thanks so much for taking some time out to answer my questions. Your video is quite informative! Thank you so much
Thanks for the overview. Do you plan on reviewing the radio in terms of overall performance? I am on the fence about buying a 6400M until I read more user reviews. A couple of questions, If I may kindly ask: In rx only, does the cooling fan run? Have your tried the synchronous detector on AM signals? (For example, MW broadcast/SW broadcast or AM Hams) Tx so much!
ADKforever I will only be able to say why I picked Flex and other than having to wait so long for the radio it is a good fit for me. Cloud you tell me what you are looking to do in the hobby? Do you like DXing, rag chewing, Digital?
I enjoy shortwave/mediumwave/longwave listening (0-30 MHZ) which include hams, broadcast stations/utilities/maritime/aircraft/beacons. So, knowing this, I ask: In rx only, does the cooling fan run? Or does it only run when you key the transmitter? Have your tried the synchronous detector on AM signals? (For example, MW broadcast/SW broadcast or AM Hams) Thx so much for responding!!!
Q: About the "Synchronous detector on AM signals"? A: I think you are asking about what FLEX calls SAM or Synchronous AM mode. I selected AM and then SAM on a nearby station and then again on a station that was fading in and out. My findings were that SAM did help provide some with the fading conditions. What surprised me the most was how well it worked on a nearby station with no fading. Set at 20K and using my EQ on both types of signals I could hear a notable difference from the standard AM and SAM. In the SAM mode, it almost has a stable High Fidelity quality about it. Q: Does the cooling fan run in receive mode? A: For the most part, I never hear it. With all the other fans in the room, from my amp to my desk top PC, I cannot hear them. But yes, a fan is always moving air. FLEX uses a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) fan. It is a smart fan that gives you both Energy saving and a very quiet operation. This FPGA-based speed controller design allows the fan or fans to change speeds evenly. The only time I have ever heard the fan is when I did my first update. I read in the manual that this happens as a safety precaution. Both of the radio's fans will run at full speed until the update is finished.
What's with the yellow/green tint over the left half of the waterfall and monochrome tint over right half of the waterfall? The waterfall color shading just doesn't look right at all.
Sorry, I knew that would not be understood. Bottom line is the way I have my display set, is the stronger the signal the more colors I see on the screen. The white or monochrome part that you are seeing is my cell phone camera is not adjusting to the colors very well and they are not as strong. If you look to the right edge you can see another signal that is strong that my camera is picking up the colors better. I wish I could explain my self better. Anyway I hope that helps.
thanks for trying to explain Tommy. If I freeze the video at 1:08, I see strong signals right across the spectrum display but the right half of the waterfall looks white over blue with no other color/green/yellow. Then there's suddenly a strip of green waterfall over dark blue background on the right edge of the screen.
Yes my phone can not pick up the 4K it looks great in person. You would have to come to my shack for me to show you :-) Also there was a storm that night about 200 miles away so don't know if that is the line you are seeing... Please do not go off this video for what it looks like in person.
Tommy. Thanks for the video. Looking forward to seeing more operational details. I will be buying one of these in the future once the bugs are worked out. Looks like a very nice rig.
jgalicic The radio is very nice and yes there have been some small software problems that need to be ironed out, this can be expected with SDR and can be sent in an update so not a show stopper for me. I'm new to doing videos so thank you for your patience. I will try to get another one out this weekend. I like your RU-vid channel! Thanks 73
No not right now. I owned the 6300 and sold it wanting a box radio instead. I have the 6400M on order. I'm currently using a Icom 7000. It's a nice little radio.
The only two radios I have in my shack now are the FLEX 6600m and the FLEX 5000A I enjoyed the others like the ICOM IC-756PRO III, IC-746PRO, IC-7300, KENWOOD TS-2000... But this is the first high dollar radio I have owned and so far the best but it was $4,999. The best low price radio I have owned was the IC-7300 it has a lot of bang for the buck. I wish I could buy more radios to test. I hope this answered your question.
I will look at transmitting on another video. I try to keep the videos short and to the point and to make a contact could take a few minutes more. As it was with my slow upload speed here it took most of the night to upload this one and it is only 5 minutes long. If you would like to hear me on the air with the 6600M I am on 80m 3.605 every morning from about 5:am to 6:am MO. time. What is your call I will look for you. 73
