FlexRadio Systems Forums / FLEX-5000 Discussions & Operating Techniques / General

Putting amp in line with 5000

quick3425 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:26:16 GMT

Hello all. Very interested in this new radio. Question is do I hook up amp like on my HF radio or is there special attention needed.

I have not seen any posts where users are running amps with this radio. I have a very expensive and nice amp I love to run and need info if Ill still be able to use it with this type of radio... Also run an external atu. thanks everyone....

FLEX-VU5K Module

n0yk — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:34:02 GMT

Hi Group,

Wondering if anyone has done any side by side comparisons with the Flex 5000 on VHF/UHF with say a Icom 910H or 9100 or transverter on weak signals? Just curious to what kind of receive reports people are giving on the receive side.

Thanks,
Chad
N0YK

Flex 5K w/Two PCs?

K6HOM — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:37:24 GMT

In reading the archives, there was a suggestion from a user to dedicate a PC to operating the Flex 5000A and to use a separate PC for running logging programs, internet, etc. I believe that the idea was to have the Flex/PSDR PC isolated from the internet and applications that could degrade the radio's performance.

This sounds interesting to me, but I have what probably is a really dumb question. How would one go about connecting the second PC to the Flex for logging, CW Skimmer, etc? I thought that a Flex 5000A can only be connected to a single PC? The second Firewire port is for daisy-chaining Firewire devices, I believe, so there must be another method of connecting a second PC? Or perhaps the intent was that the second PC would not be interfaced to the Flex and that the logging application would be used with manual entries?

Any help on this subject will be greatly appreciated!

Best Wishes & 73,

Rick, K6HOM

VU5K Harmonics Questions

w6mdd — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:56 GMT

Hi,

I am new to ham radio and bought a Flex 5000 with the VU5K 2m/70m module.

I am hearing lots of transmissions from police, ambulance, taxi dispatch, FM broadcast and the NOAA weather radio. For example, I hear San Francisco taxi dispatch on 145.265 very loudly. I hear KCBS broadcast radio on 147.450 very loudly. I can't find the frequency right now but I hear the NOAA weather broadcast within the ham 2m band very strongly most of the time.

Are these harmonics of frequencies outside of the 2M band that the VU5K is picking up, or is there are problem with my unit?

Thanks,
Mark

Macbook Pro to FLEC-5000A firewire cable

John-N2NQ — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:12:11 GMT

I've ordered a FLEX-5000A to be used with a MacBook Pro (15-inch, late 2008, 2.4 GHz) running Win7.

Can anyone recommend a specific 6-to-9 pin firewire cable?

I've looked at the Granite Digital website and see several different cables that appear to be the same except for the length.

I'd like to know (1) if there are other recommended cable manufacturers, and (2) should longer length firewire cables be avoided?

UPDATE:
Please disregard this post... FLEX helped me determine the correct cable for my application is the Granite Digital 1096.

FLEX 5000A and HRD DM 780 Operation

W4EY — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:15:36 GMT

I have been successful in running the Flex Radio 5000A and HRD Logging software. I am using the DM 780 with COMoCOM serial ports and Virtual Audio cables. HRD and the DM 780 operate with selectable connections to the Flex and Kenwood. I can select either radio with excellent operations from both.

My Issue is the F5K shifts the Channel frequency on the DM 780 Waterfall. It seems to move the Digital Channel markers very slightly in either direction after selecting a Digital signal. I can watch it slightly shift off the selected Digital signal when receiving and also shifting the frequency when transmitting.

Has enyone experienced this issue?? It could be my computer which is a Gateway SX2800 running Windows 7 (64 Bit), 8 GB RAM and internal PCI-E FireWire card. Recently purchased the Flex special gold connector shielded firewire cable to see it this was causing the problem. It can not be RF getting into the computer or F5K because this is happening on RECEIVE of the Digitl signal.

Bill

W4EY

PreAmp on HF

W1MSG — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:38:56 GMT

Is anyone using a wide band pre amp for HF on the RX1 out and in connectors. I have been toying with the idea just because the radio is capable of doing this. I have AR2 Preamps on my Satellite antennas and love them, just wondering if its worth playing with on a radio that already has an awesome RX ..:)

Flex 3000 v 5000

W9KRD — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:30:28 GMT

I am going to buy a Flex 3K or 5K but am having a terrible internal debate with myself on how to justify the additional cost of the 5K.

Can someone give me 3 reasons that would cause me to want to buy the 5K over the 3K. :w00t:

Thanks

Ken

W9KRD

PowerSDR v2.2.3 shutdown results in Blue Screen of Death

n8mdp — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:13:04 GMT

I just uploaded and installed PowerSDR v2.2.3 for my Flex-3000. It appears to run but when I close the program, it crashes my computer and forces a reboot everytime.

I never had this problem v2.1.2.

I hope someone can tell me what to do or if anyone else had this same problem and was able to correct the problem.

In the mean time, I am going to revert back to v.2.1.2.

Thanks
John
N8MDP

Firewire from PC montherboard ??

VE2XK Michel — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:28:15 GMT

Hello,

Before i want to buy a Flex 5000A i want to know if the FirewIre capability or compatibility of any computer motherboard where this connector available is will work with my future Flex or i need another card??
The mother board i improve to buy is the MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) were is suposing to have a
1 x IEEE1394 connector .
Thanks in advance for help
Michel VE2XK

AM broadcast interference

TARDUS — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:33:54 GMT

On my flex 5000A I can hear transmission of radio Ljubljana, transmitting on 918 MHz AM.
The identified frequencies with this interference are: 5222, 7062 (ham band) and 25439.7 MHz.
The 300 kW AM transmitter (night) is appr. 20 km from my location.
My antenna is 20 m end-feed random wire.
I do not hear this intf. on my other analog receivers. Any explanation?.

73 Jurij, S56FC

fire wire card

WA3FKZ — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:57:17 GMT

Hello,

I am running a Flex 5000a and I have a 400 and 800 firewire card installed and wondered if the is any advantage to using the 800. Thanks

Harry

AH6FF:)

Has anybody received their VU5K upgrade yet??

ve2xx — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:19:15 GMT

Hi Im looking for feedback from VU5K users , impressions ect. I ordered a complete 5000 unit with the module installed , just wondering if there are others out there who have received theirs??

Tks

stu/ve2xx

Flexwire jack

w4vpi — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:18:33 GMT

I am wiring up my external modem and planned to use the flexwire port on the back of the flex 5k for my interconnection. I noticed there is no provision for PTT line within the flexwire port, what is up with that? Seems the flex wire port should have some way to key the radio. (Vox is not an option because of need for fast switching.)

Cw Skimmer and SDR 2.0.22

n0age — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:29:10 GMT

Hi all

I am trying to get CW Skimmer to work with the extended band with a Flex 5000A running 2.0.22 and CW Skimmer 1.7. I have tried to use the direct I/Q setting that i have found on the web but I get an error from SDR saying I need to check my audio settings. I can get it to work at 3Khz but would like the extended view if I am going to purchase the product. Can I get a run down of the setting for the newer SDr? I have seen other posts in here reference to the same question but they have gone unanswered.

Just need a little help, been working in it for 2 days and ready to quit.

Thanks

Doug
N0AGE

Firewire card

WA3FKZ — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:58:40 GMT

I have a licie 800 mb fire wire card in my computer will that work with a flex 5000

Extending firewire distance

VE3NRT — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 10:56:21 GMT

Has anyone managed to extend the distance from the computer to the flex 5000 to say 100'. My preferred operating position is on the opposite side of the house from the antennas. Preferred cabling is cat5e or 75 ohm coax but not strictly needed. There seem to be a number of extender solutions on the market so I wonder if any have been tried.

then again, maybe this is not the right question. The presence of audio inputs and outputs on the back makes me think that complete remote operation isn't possible through just the firewire. I suppose I should read the manual.

Powered speaker

n9iz — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:50:03 GMT

From what I can tell after searching the archives of the flex reflector most people are pretty happy with Bose Companion 2 series II speakers. People are saying that they reject rf pretty well. Nice that they offer dual inputs, too. Just curious if there are any others that people like in the same price range as the Bose that do a good job of handling rf and sound half decent? I know West Mountain advertises rf-proof computer speakers but I don't know anyone who owns them or if they sound any good. Looking for some suggestions or other alternatives. Thanks.

Jeff

RF feedback in 5000A

VK1JY — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:41:28 GMT

Hi to all,

I'm a new owner - 5000A, Windows 7 32, Heil headset. Old Yaesu FL 7000 solid state linear. Excellent ground connection.

Everything worked straight from the box, and the linear loaded up better than any exciter used before.

But got this amazing feedback at any SSB setting above 20 watt output. Others have commented on this before in the forum, with several solutions suggested. I tried them all including ferrites everywhere - no good.

But then I pulled out the PTT jack from the microphone plug connection, and the motorboating went away! Now I have my PTT in the separate jack on the back panel, and it works like a charm up to full output.

A simple story - fairly obvious I guess, but it might help others in the same situation.

Ian Sykes VK1JY

SO2V/SO2R - ANTENNA SELECTION

I2DMI — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:57:41 GMT

Hello,

Please, I need help on Antenna selection for SO2V (or SO2R) Flex 5KA + 2 Amplifiers + 2 antennas operations.

I want VFOA transmitting with amplifier A into antenna A and VFOB trasmitting with amplifier B into antenna B (regardless of band selection: both antennas are multiband). It seems easy but I'm confused. :-(

Any help please ?

thank you 73 Frank i2dmi

Newbie Question about Digital Modes

KE5MMT — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:22:32 GMT

I'm new to digital modes on the Flex. I did a little bit of RTTY a few years ago with an Icom 756 Pro III and a Rigblaster Pro.

I've just set-up VAC & DM780 and all seems to be working well. I can read RTTY, PSK31 signals just fine. My question has to do with transmit on my Flex 5000. Is it necessary in any way to adjust the default transmit bandwidth? My guess is "no" as I've experimented with it into a dummy and doing so seems to create more problems than it solves.

If it is necessary to do so, what settings have you found that give the best results?

Thanks.

Everett

Memory in VHF

Luiz Carlos Rodrigues — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:19:28 GMT

I add 10 memories in VHF and i don't have conditions to change them in the list. I click in the memory number 3 - 147.360 and the soft 2.2.3 don't change to another memory.

Headphones - 'mono' adapter causes clicking

KC4RAN — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:17:30 GMT

All,

When I first unboxed my new Flex 5000A and got everything hooked up, I was looking forward to an evening of exploring the user inteface, checking everything out that the software could do as a receiver, bathing myself in the warm glow of a 192KHz bandscope.. So I grabbed my nearest set of PC headphones, put on a 1/4" adapter, slid it in the slot, and pressed the power button.

I heard my computer do the 'connection' ding, everything looked good, blue light on. Started PowerSDR and I started hearing a faint clicking sound, about two per second, in my headphones. Over the next few seconds, it grew louder and louder. I pressed START on the software, and I heard 'pulses' from the receiver, along with the clicking.

My heart sank and over the next few hours, I did standard troubleshooting, checking my computer, firewire card, changing to another system... and was just about to give up when I decided to pull out my headphones and plug in a PC speaker in the back. Then as I slid out the 1/4" plug... Continuous audio!!

Turns out that due to something internal to the radio, if you use a 1/4" mono adapter, the audio amp cycles or something (or at least it does on my unit). Has anyone seen this? I have never encountered a problem like this. Every other time, I would just get audio on one side, but never this.

Goodbye Ham Radio Deluxe

K3ROJ — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:56:08 GMT

Just when I have everything working so well using Simons Ham Radio Deluxe, I just heard on the air that he is selling his software rights. Luckily I already have MixW software but HRD worked so well with my digital modes since he worked with Flex Radio to get it right. I was always generous when giving him donations each year. Whoever he sold it to will surely become wealthy selling it in small packages such as "digital" and other modes.

F5K cannot control SteppIr in one band part

monfried — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:31:15 GMT

This is one weird problem. Cannot figure out the logic of it or even if it's a Flex Radio or SteppIr issue.

Using the F5K to control my 3 el. SteppIr (via DDUTIL). Works flawlessly except for a small part of 15m...between 21.005 - 21.008 the SteppIr will not respond to the Flex. That is, if I'm on, say, 21.275, or even any other band, and QSY to anywhere between 21.005 and 21.008, the SteppIr does not respond; it just stays on the former frequency.

Any ideas/advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Dave, W2PK

How to save TNF's with the latest Power SDR

daveanna — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:57:06 GMT

I have not found a way to save the filters (Tunable Notch Filters) so that after the filters are created on one band and shut down, the filters return on power-up. The filters themselves work great. I need several TNF's on 20M in my setup and would like to avoid entering them everytime I power up my Flex 5000 and launch Power SDR. What is the correct proceedure to save the TNF's so they return on powerup?

2.2.3 +TNF

wa3qpx — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:37:57 GMT

ONCE AN ADDITIONAL TUNABLE NOTCH FILTER IS ADDED HOW DO I GET RID OF IT

PowerSDR on Windows 8 appears to Work so far.

Saluda — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:24:28 GMT

I just installed PowerSDR on (developer version) windows 8. It appears to work good in the Demo mode. It is only using 11.5% CPU and 48.9 MB of memory. This is an old dual core AMD computer.... :)......

Windows 8 did need .net framework 3.5 sp1 to install. I guess Flex is still using 3.5 sp1 for Windows XP, not sure if XP can take 4.0. Windows 8 comes with the new 4.5 framework (beta).

I might try the 1500 later this week, not sure if I want to use the 5000 on a developers preview yet.

Controlling the radio from both DX Cluster and Skimmer

G3UGK — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:56:37 GMT

I'm running the CW Skimmer using VAC and Com0Com. I want to add control from the HRD DX Cluster. Can someone advise on how to do this. I suspect I need additional virtual serial ports etc., but I'm not sure of the detail.

Thanks

Wave file recording and playback

monfried — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:20:17 GMT

Trying to record and play back my own voice through PSDR 2.1.5 prior to importing the file into Audacity for editing.

The small issue I'm having is that in order to hear what I've recorded, I have to select "Post-Processed Audio" (for Transmit) rather than the preferred "Pre-Processed Audio" in Wave/Wave Record Options. Cannot understand how this can happen.

With the "incorrect" "Post-Processed" selection, all works perfectly.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Running Win 7, using Windows Media Player for playback.

Thanks and 73,

No SSB output

K2ldk — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:25:27 GMT

The 5000A has been operating flawlessly from software upload. Today, the SSB output disappeared.

I changed microphones...no help. I checked the Mixer and the Mic input was checked. I put the rig into AM and got normal output. Tried DSB...got normal output.

On SSB upper and lower I have no output. The microphone indicator is normal running up to a few positive DB on peaks as expected.

The Pan does something funky. The baseline goes to below -150 and only peaks are visible on the screen...with 0 watts output. Figuring that the meter was wrong I measured the output on a separate device...alas no output.

Before I reload the soft...have I missed something?

Flex 5000-C Newbie

w7xtz — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:31:07 GMT

Hello, all. I've purchased a 5000-C with 2X receiver & built in ATU (don't have it yet) after studying all the reviews, talking to people and looking at the Flex website. I think this will fit my needs (wants?) for now and the future. In fact, SDR is the future.

I have a few questions and also am wondering what to expect.

What monitor & size do you suggest?

Does the built in ATU work well?

What microphone should I use or should I use a certain headphone with built in mic?

I think using a separate computer for logging, etc. would be better than trying to use the onboard comuter (to avoid bugs, viruses & clutter), what do you think?

Can I use my Ameritron AL-811H amp with this?

I open for any words of wisdom & suggestions. Thanks for your time.

73, Mike, w7xtz

Test Posting

w7xtz — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:21:51 GMT

Test posting, Mike

New Beta v2.2.2 and a Audio card question

Saluda — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:24:40 GMT

First the new Beta is outstanding with the new TNF, and no problems installing it. Thank you very for the new Beta.

I am trying to get 192K display. I read somewhere someone stated the soundcard is in the Flex, which I don't is right, could be wrong.

I was wondering if I buy one of those new ASUS sounds card with 192 Khz sampling rate with 124 db Signal to noise ratio will I be able to do 192K, and will the nice SNR improve my overall experience in receive? The card also has EMI sheilding on it too.

Intermittent raspy audio in VU-5K

WA4SCA — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:04:48 GMT

The raspy audio I am referencing is the same as you sometimes hear the first time you install a new PowerSDR version and run it for the first time. If you cycle the start button, it goes away. In my case, it occurs very erratically afterwards. I used an old XP machine, and found that if I ran the Firewire at Safe Mode Level 2 it did not happen. The latency numbers sometimes spiked badly, so I didn't worry about it.

However, I now have a new machine with far better performance. Typical latency in around 70 us, and the absolute max recorded is 301 us. Yesterday I was surprised to have this happen again. It was also on the TX audio as well. The person I was talking with said I started "splattering like crazy." It was set at Safe Mode Level 1, using the RC3. As before, cycling the PowerSDR cleared the problem. It has not happened again, but I would like to fix the problem. I sometimes run modes like WSPR where you don't necessarily have the audio up, and it would make a real mess if it happened again. I have not dropped back to the production version of PowerSDR, but when I was using my old machine I did, and there was no improvement. It was much easier to duplicate there.

There is a lot of info in the KB on dropouts, but I didn't see anything on raspy audio. Before I start fiddling around with buffers, etc, is this a form of audio dropout, or should I be looking at something else?

Alan
WA4SCA

Flex 5000 Accessories

N8AG — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:39:49 GMT

I'm thinking about purchasing either the PowerMate or the ShuttlePro V2 for use with my 5000A. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has used either of these devices. Primarily, I like the idea of a knob for tuning. It seems that that would favor the PowerMate. However, the ShuttlePro V2 also has the ability to change frequency via the Jog Wheel or Shuttle Knob/Ring, correct?????? How big is the Shuttle Knob/Ring?

Can both of these devices be used with the 5000 at the same time? Or could you have say, two PowerMates running at the same time on the Radio/SW?

Any insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tnx es 73,

Dave N8AG

VSPE installaton help

W1JCW — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:30:07 GMT

Is there anyone familiar with VSPE that can phone me to walk me through configuration ??

Contact me off line W1JCW@hotmail.com

Thanks
John

T_Mate Setup help

W1JCW — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:54:28 GMT

I am trying to get a T_Mate setup with VSPE and I could use some help.

If someone is familiar with how to set this product up please contact me.
W1JCW@hotmail.com

73-
W1JCW
John

Panadapter Flight Mode

sdl3 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:00:16 GMT

Has anyone tried the SpaceNavigator that is mentioned in the 5000's manual?

If so does it have any advantages over any of the other controllers that are supported?

Steve

Audio playback on the Flex 5000C

K3AFR — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:58:34 GMT

I am an Air Force MARS operator and net control and we sometimes broadcast mini training clips on the air on the MARS frequencies. On my Yaesu I do this through a SignaLink USB interface, and by setting the sound card settings in the computer to the SignaLink. It controls PTT and plays the recorded .mp3 files from the computer. How can I get the Flex 5000C to do this. I have been experimenting with the VACs and the internal compter's audio settings but cant quite seem to get it to work. Any ideas out there..? I have a file of pre-recorded mp3 clips loaded on the 5000Cs computer, and I want to broadcast them over the air on the MARS freqs. I already have the Flex unlocked to use the MARS freqs. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks & 73...

Butch...K3AFR
k3afr@arrl.net