Re: [Flexradio] Eham Review

[W5gi]

Here's the post that I plan to put on Eham   I’ve had my SDR1000 since the beginning of the year. It is my 3,018 radio-yes I’ve owned over 3000 rigs during 45 plus years of hamming. The only rig I’ve not used is the Yaesu FT9000.   In the beginning, pre-Delta 44 sound card, I had to deal with a few problems. I expected the problems because, at the time of purchase, the SDR was still in development. And, although, at times I got frustrated, I really enjoyed the challenge of working with a radio on the cutting edge of technology.   Today, the radio is not a work in progress but a fully capable radio that exceeds all my expectations. In short, it ranks number 1 on my list of all time favorite radios.  Here are just a few reasons why I like my SDR1000.   The best receiver that I’ve ever owned-any filter combination I desire! The best sounding transmitter I’ve ever owned-any transmitter width I desire up to 20 KHz! The most versatile radio I’ve ever owned-I can save all operating parameters by just storing them in a data base file! The best and easiest to use display panel of any radio I’ve ever owned! Unique and/or superior features like a lab grade spectrum scope, noise gate, 31 band EQ on receive and transmit, sweep generator, absolute control of receiver sensitivity and power output and much, much more The simplest computer controlled radio I’ve ever used! The most fun radio I’ve ever used! And, because software updates are issued several times a month, I feel like I have a new radio every time new software is released.   To put it simply, I have a radio that performs like a radio costing over $10 grand but costing well under $2K and it will only get better!   As for RF, until recently, I ran a  Henry 4K amp without a single bit of RF in my audio. To ensure the SDR1000 was RFI proof I ran tests by increasing the RF in my shack to the point where all five of my rigs had RFI. The solution to eliminating all RFI was the same on all rigs-I put snap-on beads on the microphone cables. [The ultimate solution is to have an RF shielded shack.] The SDR had no more or less RFI than the other radios.  [Note: users of the early SDRs reported RFI, which was really audio distortion from improper bias settings. This has been corrected.]   With regard to the SDR1000 not being for the faint of heart, this might have been true in the early days, but the Flex Radio’s turn key system is as finished a product as any other radio on the market. The biggest difference is the Flex Radio gets significantly better every time you download new software.   If you want PERFORMANCE and EXCITEMENT and LOW COST get a FLEX RADIO SDR1000! In a message dated 10/6/2005 8:24:33 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Bom dia. Oi. For me, this was an informative and interesting review.  I am very seriously considering the purchase of an SDR-1000.  In preparation, I have upgraded my computer, purchased the Delta44 and Eric's ground isolation kit.  The only thing that has prevented me from purchasing one to date is that I had to leave the country for 2 months on business. I am going into my SDR-1000 adventure with my eyes wide open.  I am aware that the software is a work in progress and that this is not an "appliance operator" type of radio.  No problem.  I've lived on the cutting edge before so I know what to expect.  The support and contributions of this group also has lessened my fears that the ~$1500 will be a well spent future investment. What concerns me is that a core part of my reasoning for going ahead with the SDR-1000 purchase was based on the assumption that the hardware component of the radio was, for the most part solid.  I am aware that there have been minor improvements in the past to correct issues.  That is to be  expected. But the e-ham review brought up some interesting issues.  Mostly about the construction quality, PA oscillations and RF susceptibility.  I realize that one review doesn't properly describe the true state of things, but along with the other threads on this forum about problems being attributed to cold solder joints, I started wondering about my future purchase. The rebuttal e-ham review by KD5RD clearly defined the well known accolades and potential issues of *software* defined radios but doesn't address any of the hardware construction issues raised by AA8VL. Therefore I am interested in the discussion that this review will generate in this forum and also on e-ham.  Hopefully my fears will be abated by the responses. Até logo 73 de W4TME -Tim --- Integrated Technical Services "You can't close the door when the walls cave in" --Robert Hunter -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of VA3MA - Dan Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 11:16 PM To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz Subject: [Flexradio] Eham Review http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4108#42946 Not a nice review - yet is buying another! _______________________________________________ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz _______________________________________________ FlexRadio mailing list FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz