I have to disagree a bit ... an 8877 on VHF needs way more than 25W drive ... 60 Watts will do OK and could eliminate the need for an intermediate amp. So now you do know someone who wants a 60W version.
-----Original Message----- From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz [mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of lloydb...@charter.net Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 3:14 PM To: flexradio@flex-radio.biz Subject: Re: [Flexradio] V/U module is now available for ordering from the OLS Hey, I’ve had a day to think about things… FLEX is making a giant mistake making the 60 watt the standard! Also it is way NOT competitively priced – not even close. I don’t know anybody that wants a 60 watt factory installed VHF-UHF version! Maybe that should be a "high poweroptional upgrade". Also the very low power version is ridiculous – would take two monolithic amplifiers to get it up to customary power levels. Specifically: Serious VHF & UHF folks want about 25-30 watts to drive our KW linear amplifiers. Other folks want 10 to 25 watts to drive their Mirage or TE “brick” amplifiers. Also, don’t suggest simply turning down the output power. It makes no sense to put a high power 3 db pad on the output of the FLEX. Also, simply “turning down the power output” is not a good solution for four reasons: 1. It is an immediate waste of hundreds of dollars 2. It is an ongoing waste of power and doubles the generated heat 3. If the power output gets miss-adjusted you could very possibly burn out $1000 worth of MOSFET transistors in the outboard amp ( or possibly damage the tube for you tube guys ). 4. 60 watt version requires returning the unit to the factory – I’m a skilled tech and am prepared to install the 30 or 60 watt version at home. I don’t want to give up my transceiver for a few weeks or a month while waiting for my turn for bench time at the FLEX shop. I’ve been waiting since May for the 30 watt VHF-UHF module to become available. I’m very disappointed that things have changed so much. I’d like to have the VHF-UHF set up and ready for the January ARRL VHF-UHF contest. With shipping and turn-around time, that probably won’t be possible. Sorry if I come off “Hot” but this is a big big disappointment. Again, please bring these concerns to the FLEX strategic planners ASAP! Maybe FLEX will rethink this offering. 73 Lloyd N9LB _______________________________________________ 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 ve...@cogeco.ca No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.36/2465 - Release Date: 10/29/09 07:38:00 _______________________________________________ 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