Hi Folks, This post originally went to the qrp reflector, with the intention of posting here obviously as well. Medical issues got in the way, and the post was never sent to this list. I've done a lot of research and got a tremendous response from folks using FlexRadios on the qrp list, but I'd like to hear the experience of folks on this specific FlexRadio list as well. Please feel free to respond on or offline, whatever you feel is most appropriate and thanks in advance for any advice/information:
A couple of weeks ago, I posted a note requesting input from members of this list about which FlexRadio would be best for a newbie to SDR to buy. I did not want to commit to one of the newest radios, due to cost and unfamiliarity with SDR at this point, although I am somewhat conversant with computers, computer interfacing with radios, and not adverse to "experimentation" and playing around with a system to get it working. I subsequently ran into a significant medical issue that has kept me offline for a couple of weeks since. First: 1. I want to thank all of you who replied to my original post, both online and offline. I received a significant number of responses that gave me great information on various perspectives of where I should start and what radios to consider. Included were several individuals who had 5000s, and were looking to sell them. Again, my apologies for not replying sooner, but I have not been able to until now- but thanks so much for your thoughts/philosophy and information on specific radios. 2. I feel that after doing my "homework" and from the information provided in response to my initial query, I think that I have settled on looking for a 5000 radio as a place to start. Most importantly from the responses, it sounds as if Flex Radio is committed to continued service and firmware updates of these radios for the foreseeable future- a veryt important issue for me. 3. It does appear that there are individuals on this list, as well as on E Bay, and various radio stores that still have 5000s new. I am not adverse to purchasing a used radio that is in excellent condition and has the features that I'm looking for (second receiver, transporter options, etc.). 4. My additional questions/requests: A. Do you have a reason for strongly suggesting trying to find a new 5000 with appropriate options or finding the same radio used. Small cosmetic defects are not an issue- large gashes or missing power transistors probably not cool;-). B. If you do have a 5000 with the options that I'm looking for and the radio is in excellent working order, I'd be very interested in talking with you (email offline, etc.). Please contact me at: [email protected] or [email protected] at your convenience. C. Any other suggestions as to necessary (or just helpful) accessories to consider with the radio, such as: Specific antennas that seem to work well (I am in a relatively restricted/stealth type area, and so as much as I find huge antennas aesthetically pleasing, I don't think that a tower is an option;-), tuners, wattmeters/radio monitoring equipment, microphone or other audio amplifier components, preamps, anything else? D. Does anyone have experience running the 5000 series with a 500 watt linear amp? I am currently using the Elecraft KAP500 and would like to try and drive it with the 5000 if possible. E. Any considerations for RFI issues- either produced by the radio or interference to the radio- and suggestions for ferrite beads or any other solutions if needed (I realize this is something that is fairly dependent on my particular set up and will require me getting the radio on the air and seeing if there are any problems that crop up). F. I have a fairly decent desktop computer (PC/Windows based) that I put together, and seems to have all of the requisites that are listed on the FlexRadio site for computer systems that work well with Flex Radios. Besides the general recommendations given, are there any other considerations for components/accessories or anything else on the hardware side of things to consider? G. Anything else to consider relative to purchase and use of the 5000 series that I haven't covered (again, I realize I'll probably be able to be more specific when I get things going in my own shack). Thanks so much to all of you on this very knowledgeable and civil reflector/list. Best regards to all. Very 73s, Dave, WS0D Dr. David Getzy Fort Collins, CO Dr. David Getzy Fort Collins, CO _______________________________________________ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List [email protected] 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.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
