FlexRadio Systems Forums / FLEX-5000 Software Defined Radio (A and C models) / Hardware

VAC intermittent Distortion - Win7 - Flex5000A

NQ4A — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:34:05 GMT

HELP

I am running a flex5000A, quad core processor, windows7/8 GB Ram on an Intel mother board.

When running the program, all of a sudden the audo goes raspy and distorted. All kinds of wierd traces and signal duplications show up on the super browser and or waterfall. Momentarily bumping VAC off and on will clear things up. It may not last long before re occurance. This occurs when running HRD's DM780 or FLdigi. Same problem exist.

I have shut down all the back ground programs, changed drivers and settings till I am blue in the face. I have a neighbor that is having the same problem with XP PRO. I am not sure it is a windows driver issue, maybe a VAC Issue, interrupts, drivers Power SDR or what. I have even changed VAC programs in desperation. All I know is that must be resolved. I am to the point of doing away with the VAC use and go back to my trusty Signalink USB. Certainally I am not the only person with this problem driving us nuts!

The kind of money I have spent I am very disappointed the problems and issues I am encountering.

Any help or suggestions very much appreciated.

nq4a@verizon.net

Regards and 73

Jon - Richmond VA:(

5000A SWR Meter issue

w4gov — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:27:07 GMT

Hello,

I have a 5000A and am experiencing an issue with the SWR meter is PSDR. I do not have the internal ATU on the 5000A. I have the F5K hooked to an Ameritron AL-80B AMP and an LDG AT-1000Pro Autotuner. The system all works fine, however I am noticing that the PSDR SWR reading on TX during TUNE is NOT correct. Both the LDG Tuner and the LP-100A digital meter show the same SWR but PSDR shows the SWR much higher. Since it is reading higher SWR, the RF output is being reduced and therefor not able to produce 100W.

I have the system hooked up as follows:
Flex-5000A>AL-80B AMP>LP-100A Meter>AP-1000Pro Tuner>Antenna

I am using the following software:
Windows 7 x64
Flex Firewire Driver 3.5.2.8028
PAL version 3.5.2.8028
PowerSDR 2.0.16
Firmware 2.0.7.0

I saw previous posts for other similar issues that state the user should rebuild the DB. Is this a good idea? Will I lose all my settings?

Any thoughts?

Adam
W4GOV

Different Output Power and SWR on ANT 1 and 2

dl4rck — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:35:57 GMT

Hello,

This issue is fixed, sorry.

Admin, please delete this msg. thanks.

73 de Walter, DL4RCK

ATU - Flex Internal or external tuner?

SR-71 — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:36:28 GMT

I am about ready to order a Flex 5000A and was wondering if I'd be better off buying the Flex Internal ATU, or a high-end auto tuner such as a Pal-Star AT-Auto, or something similar? (This question was asked in 2009 - hoping to get some updated information from those that have tried both alternatives.)

Rack Mount Kit for 5000

w6hmh — Sun, 27 May 2007 10:44:27 GMT

How about making the 5000 as a standard rack mount or providing a kit?

73,

W6HMH

Flex 5000A V/U unit

K3ROJ — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:41:37 GMT

Has been a while since my V/U install and wondering what is going to happen as far as being able to utilize it? Have only heard perhaps 2 other operators mention their unit is doing the same as mine, only running maybe 20 watts with the fan running high speed whenever keyed in any mode. There has been a few great openings on 144 MHz, not to mention some Aurora and to take advantage of it, I had to pull out my old FT847. Is it possible they are working on a new version of software such as 2.0.30 ?

Pilot light on flex radios

NQ4A — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 12:01:13 GMT

RED = FAULT

GREEN= OK

DARK= OFF

The software should provide a setting choice of OFF-HIGH-LOW Intennsity.

The blue light is visable through the bottom air grille in the front anyway!

Red Versus Blue Pilot Light

K3ROJ — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:31:47 GMT

I bought my 5000A in early March this year 2009 and it came with a red pilot light. Are all the new ones coming out with red? No big deal but when I see photos of 5000A rigs, I beleive the blue stands out better?

SO2R - RX1 stops receiving when transmitting with VFOB

I2DMI — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:33:05 GMT

Hi to all.

I have this setup:

RX1=ANT2 (receiving good signals on 3.5)

TX=ANT1 (dummy load for tests)

RX2=ANT1

If I select the VFOB as transmitting frequency (inti the dummy load) and I start the transmission on it, I should be able to receive the VFOA (RX1) signals. This does not happen! I got a strong carrier on VFOA frequency. After have stopped the transmission the RX1 restarts receiving.

Perhaps I forget to set something ? It looks like an antenna switching problem... I have the HRFIO board (RFIO 2110-0069 34C).

Any help please ?

73 Frank i2dmi

Flex-5000A For Sale

WB2FYF — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:18:32 GMT

Flex-5000A radio with ATU for Sale. MINT CONDITION - Less than 2 years old. Will consider all reasonable offers. Contact Marty, WB2FYF at comcolor@optonline.net
I am posting here before placing on e-Bay.

FLEX-5000A ALC

W4EY — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:57:45 GMT

The ALS-600 solid state Amplifier depends on ALC from the Driving Transmitter. How does the FLEX-5000A provide the ALC interface for the AMP?

I have been told by Ameritron tech support not to run the ALS-600 Solid State Amp without ALC from the Transceiver.

Any one using this Amplifier on the Flex-5000??

Bill
:blush:

Upload failed Firmware

UR4IX — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:16:01 GMT

During recording Firmware accidentally turn the power off Flex-5000A. Now the transceiver is not turn on using the front panel led power switch!

Flex 5000A Antenna Tuner

N6RV — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:47:11 GMT

I purchased the internal antenna tuner with the 5000A. I have been through several Power SDR upgrades. Today the tuner does not pull in even a 50 ohm antenna to 1.0:1. The best it does is 1.3:1 even when the threshold is set at 1.1:1. The tuner shuts off and says the tune was successful. I sometimes run through tuning several times to get it even below 2.0:1. On antennas with 3.0:1 VSWR it often can not pull it in or stops at 2.6:1 VSWR. Am I doing something wrong or is the algorithm messed up?

Also the tuner is extremely noisy. My wife hears it over the TV in a room 30 feet away.

Bill

Firmwarre Versions - Loading

GW4DVB — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:50:49 GMT

Hi

I have just downloaded the latest Firmware Version for the Flex 5000A (2.0.2.2)

It loads OK but when I try and run it from the PowerSDR (v 1.18.5) it does not initial giving me an error saying that it is looking from Firmware v1.3.0.8 ad found 2.0.2.2.

How do I run the Radio with the new Firmware?... is there a version of PowerSDR I need to be using?

Cheers

Brian

Flex 5000A RTTY with MMTTY Interface

N6RV — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:38:01 GMT

I had a problem with the Flex 5000A and MMTTY. When I configured the interface I used the audio I/O screen in MMTTY. I set it up for the sound card. It worked great except every so often it would jump to the Flex Audio input. This produced a very dangerous configuration. The transmitter would run up to 170 watts and the T/R switch would remain switched to the receiver. In other words I was transmitting 170 watts into an open. This bit me once. It burned up the input inductor to the 20 meter transmit filter. The solution is to configure not with the Audio I/o tab rather by putting -1 and -1 in two boxes under another tab... not intuitive. The Flex 5000A is actually the control thread for the whole radio. I do not know why it is available on a user interface.

Since the radio returned from repair I have used it on CW, phone and RTTY. I works fine on CW. On phone I can get around 150 watts out on peaks. On RTTY I can still run the power up to 170 watts. I never checked this before. Has anyone seen peaks on SSB above about 105 watts say. Has anyone experimented on RTTY and gotten 170 watts output when the Drive is at 100 and the TX gain is cranked up? Is it my box or every box?

Controlling the Flex 5000A in SO2R

N6RV — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:29:19 GMT

I have had a Flex 5000A since 2008. I was wondering if anyone has been successful at setting up the second receiver with Writelog. I would like to put it on the B Side so I can flop between it and the primary side. I guess it may not be possible and then the only way to realize this is to change focus to the radio and flip receiver and transmitter.

Opening the 5000a cabinet

Etutor — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:44:50 GMT

Hello from Wisconsin,

I'm a new user and not sure how to open the 5000a cabinet.

Searched through the manuals, forums and Flex website and found nothing on opening the cabinet.

Do I need to remove all the screws front and back? or are some of the panels snap fit?

Thought I'd check before prying...

I want to check for lose parts before firing it up. (Ordered and electronic device awhile ago that had an IC come lose during transit):w00t:

Thanks,

Dave

VAC settings

wa9kpz — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:40:07 GMT

Iam a Newby. I have a F5Ka, and don't understand the function of the VAC, and what should the settings be.
Thanks,
Andy

Flex 5000 ATU

cfsimm2004 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:34:15 GMT

I was wondering about anyone knowledge on the built in Antenna Tuner (Optional) for the Flex 5000A? A friend of mine has an LDG 100Pro automatic tuner and was really happy with it until he got an New Ic-756ProIII (Comes with a built in ATU) He has shown me that the built in tuner in his Pro will tune a greater range of antennas than his LDG 100Pro. So I was wondering what experience anyone has had that has the Built in tuner for the Flex 5000A or has added it later, how it compares with other tuners! At the cost, LDG on paper has several models that seem to have better tuning ability and cost less.:w00t:

VHF/UHF Module for 5000A

K3ROJ — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:12:38 GMT

I am rather confused with the new V/U module which can be ordered now which I just did. I would rather not send my 5000A in for the 60 watt module installation which could take many days without having a radio. My question is will there be external amplifiers available where I can utilize my low 50 Millwatts output? I would think a 20 watt module would be ideal for todays amplifiers whereas 60 watts is too much.

pl tones

kf4tjy — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:16:50 GMT

Can anyone tell me if the flex 5000A can output PL Tones? There is a local 6 meter FM repeater that I would like to use. I take it that you can use split and work a repeater with 1mhz shift. I`m new to the flex and any info would be great.

Kf4tjy

Internal v.s. External audio processing

K0ATC — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:21:53 GMT

I'm not a Flex owner yet, but am very interested in them and hope to own one in the future. My question is related to the internal audio processing, "10 band and 3 band EQ". From what I have read the internal EQ's are all you need to make your signal sound beautiful. What are the advantages of using external processing equipment. Is there latency using the software based EQ? Also, is there any need to use the balanced input with your mic if you plan on using only the internal software based EQ, or would you just use the front mic jack? Thanks for your time guys, I hope I can find someone local with a flex so I can get a good look at one.

RX2 Filters Test failures

W2QO-Jamie — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:35:41 GMT

I added an RX2 to my Flex 5000a unit and successfully performed the calibrations. Tried the tests and all was well except the filter test fails consistently on 17M, 15M, 10M and 6M

What does that mean and what should I do about it?

Driver is 3.2.0 build 1556
Firmware is 1.3.0.0
PowerSDR is 1.16.1

--Jamie, W2QO

F5K IF Spurs ??

K0VM — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:34:52 GMT

(Flex5000a, trunk SVN, WinXP sp3, sample rate 48k)

on several bands with low noise levels, (i.e. 6 m ) I can see some spurs on the panadapter that never move as the receiver frequency is changed.. In addition to the zero hz hump (9 khz below dial frequency), at 50.125 on SSB/Digi I see a small spur at 40 hz above the dial freq. In AM or FMN I see larger spurs at +-1 khz , +3 khz, +5 khz and +7kz reference the dial frequency. If SR is off, these spurs are fixed on the panadapter as the dial frequency is changed.

Why would spurs come and go as you toggled between SBB and AM ??

Is it just my radio ??

AL, K0VM

CW -- Something wierd

K0VM — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:15:47 GMT

(PSDR 1.13.0 svn 2343, F5K, no atu, no rx2, win xp sp2, keyer primary - 5000, secondary none)

First let me say I am not a CW op, but out of curiosity, I plugged in my 20 year old Benchers into the back of the F5K.. At first, every thing appeared normal except I could not vary the keyer speed for the paddles.

I have followed the preceeding cw discussions on missed element etc. Looking at the schematic in the service manual, it looks to my like the 75468 inputs might be starved for current in the dash/dot input state. Anyway I started to try some things related when I stumbled into this...
If I momentarily touch a 1K resistor from the bencher DOT or DASH terminal to ground, I can sometimes cause the keyer to go into a continuouse string of DOTs or DASHs state even after the resistor is removed. (RF drive a zero, no RF out ) Touching the appropriate paddle kills the string.

I measure a key-up voltage of 2.31 volts and a key down current of 1.1 ma. With a 1K resistor DOT to ground, I measure 1.0 volts across the resistor and with the resistor removed I measure 2.31 volts while the DOTs are running!

I don't know if any one can reproduce this or what it might imply for the other CW problems,
but is sure seems like It could be related. It seems like the time constants of R7A/B C545/546 could take the inputs though the region of strangeness.

AL, K0VM

Icom AH-3 Autotuner interface ...

N5WRX — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:00:13 GMT

Is there some interface available that will allow me to use the Icom AH-3 autotuner with the Flex 5000?

William Lee

F 5k 2nd Rx

w4vpi — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:15:14 GMT

Any news on the 2nd rx for the flex5k ?

Flexwire I/O

K4EAR — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:04:29 GMT

No QRM lately on any developments...

S/PDIF input for audio

K4EAR — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:58:25 GMT

Digi mic preamp, DEQ2496, digi into the Flex!