Dear FLEX and FLEXEDGE Reflectors: Today I sent an update to all those that have placed pre-orders for the FLEX-5000 VU-Module. I thought it would be good to post this information on the reflectors in case I have some incorrect email addresses. Please let me know if you ordered a VU-Module but didn't get a separate email from me today. I'm sure there are others that are watching our progress and would be interested.
Thanks for the bandwidth and have a good weekend. 73, Greg Dear VU-Module customer: You are receiving this email because you currently have a FLEX-5000 VU-Module on order. We would like to update you on the status of the VU project: The initial design, development, and prototyping stages of the VHF/UHF module have gone as expected with very good results. We've had the typical issues that most challenging designs face but we've worked through them. When we began final integration of the VU-module into the FLEX-5000 for the Alpha stage, we discovered that the UHF noise figure performance degraded below our standards. The root cause turned out to be the switching matrix we believed was required to integrate both VHF and UHF onto the existing RFIO interface board. The FLEX-5000 was originally designed to support only a single low power VHF transverter. UHF operation was never contemplated in the design. This is a case where FlexRadio was trying to be "All things to all operators" and the design crashed headlong into reality. The good news is that the solution is straightforward: We've made the decision this week to bypass the complex switching and dedicate the existing connector for VHF only. We then will add a new connector for UHF. This drastically simplifies the switching matrix routing path from your antenna to the VU-Module receiver pre-amplifiers. It also removes the need for an external "Antenna Switching Box" to split out VHF and UHF connectors for duplex work such as satellite operations. Going with separate RF paths for VHF and UHF is a win-win for performance and flexibility. Just to review some of the final features: VHF Range: 144MHz - 148MHz UHF Range - 430MHz - 450Mhz TX Power: Low - 50mW. High - Variable 6W to 60W (60w version) Low Noise Preamplifier-based (<1dB NF) receiver front end Switchable IF amplifier gain (Useful when using remote pre-amplifiers) Full Duplex modes Simultaneous VHF, UHF, or HF operation with optional second receiver FM Operation including CTCSS Very sophisticated transverter interface software Plus.. all the great features that our PowerSDR software has to offer! The change we've made to the VU-Module architecture has forced us to do a redesign of the VU-Base board. This will impact our already delayed schedule. Our current production planning process now shows that we should begin accepting early customer radios into FlexRadio Systems for the VU-Module upgarde in March. Our plan is to schedule radios in on a weekly basis for upgrade. To expedite this process, we have already added support staff to focus on this work. Please note that we must issue you a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number BEFORE you ship your radio to FlexRadio Systems. You will receive an email with your RMA and shipping instructions when we are ready for your radio. We're happy to work with you for special handling or to add other upgrades. Please contact [email protected] for assistance. We understand many people placed orders for the VU-Module several months ago expecting delivery at the end of the year and we apologize for the additional delay. FlexRadio Systems is a customer and technology driven organization and we know as a current FLEX-5000 owner, you demand the highest performance. The design change we've made to the VU-Module will deliver the performance and features you expected when you placed your VU-Module order. Please be assured that we haven't charged your credit card and will not until we are ready to ship your upgraded unit back to you. If you have any specific concerns or questions, please contact us at [email protected] or via telephone at 512-535-5266. Thank you for your patience and your continued business with FlexRadio Systems. We are just as anxious and excited as you to get the VU-Module "on the air" very soon. Watch for updates and more pictures on our website at http://www.flex-radio.com . Thanks and 73, Greg -- Greg Jurrens - K5GJ VP, Sales and Marketing FlexRadio Systems Inc. Phone: 512-535-5266 SKYPE: WD0ACD “Tune in Excitement” ™ _______________________________________________ Flexedge mailing list [email protected] http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexedge_flex-radio.biz This is the FlexRadio Systems e-mail Reflector called FlexEdge. It is used for posting topics related to SDR software development and experimentalist who are using alpha and beta versions of the software.
