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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: Sunday, July 19, 2009 12:56 AM
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| 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....
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Forum Member
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well, I was hoping someone would answer your question.
I do not own a Flex (not yet).
The owners manual for the Flex 5000 insists that one must build a relay circuit to protect the radio - even if you are using a modern amplifier. This is needed to protect the darlington PTT/SEND circuit Flex made inside their radio.
So, if this darlington circuit inside the radio ever fails - flex won't fix it under warranty, since the owners manual says the owner must protect it with a relay circuit. If the relay circuit they show in the owner's manual does not protect it, then it's the owners fault for incorrectly making the circuit. Certainly a win-situation for Flex.
I think a relay circuit is a bad idea - because relays are slow. There are faster cheap off the shelf products to do this function using transistors instead of relays - thus no moving parts. I have noticed the Ameritron ARB-704 on the internet as a likely candidate - but Flex is not mentioned in the Ameritron owner's manual - not sure it's the right choice for the Flex.
Hope this helps, but you really need FLEX or an experienced FLEX owner to advise you. Since they seem to be reluctant to help you here - I'd call Flex on the telephone.
If they still won't help you, even on the telephone, then I wouldn't buy a Flex. You don't really need a Flex. You only want a better receiver right? So, go buy a Perseus and an Eldad T/R switch and use the transmitter in your existing radio. Flex, Perseus, K3 - they all make the top of the list at Sherwood's web site - not much difference in their specs - people just have preferences guide their selection. You know your existing radio's transmitter can run your amplifier? right? So I wouldn't buy a potential Flex amplifier problem.
My 2 cents,
Howard
Howard
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Forum Newbie
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I'm awfully sorry that you got no reply.
My Setup:
Flex 5000a, ACOM 2000A, Heathkit SA-2060 Tuner etc.
Worked also whith an DAIWA Automatic tuner.
HIH - hope it helps,
DF5HL
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Supreme Being
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The amplifier I use with the Flex 5000A is an Ameritron 811 which was given to me from an estate. Iv'e found 400 to 500 watts from this amplifier is ideal for CW and SSB operations. To solve the problem of protecting the darlington output transistors in the 5000A's amplifier keying line, I bought the Ameritron ARB-704 interface buffer for $59 from AES. It prevents drawing too much current fron the keying output on the 5000A and also prevents any dangerous spikes. Another device I use for noiseless operations (amplifier relay is bypassed) and fast QSK on CW is the Ameritron QSK-5 high power Pin Diode switcher. It can be purchased as a circuit board to be mounted inside the amplifier or in a box if desired. It should work with just about any amplifer up to 1KW or more but requires some manipulation of the amplifiers output/input RF lines. Running high speed CW especially during contests is now fun with no relay noises.
We suffer from kleptomania and sometimes have to take something for it.
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Forum Newbie
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| I have a Heathkit HL2200 (same guts as the Heathkit SB 220). It now works with my 5000a, after I modified the amp switching with the SK-220 Soft-Key kit available here: http://www.harbachelectronics.com Tom Blackwell, N5GAR www.n5gar.org
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Forum Newbie
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Greetings from Florida:
I am a brand new F5K owner. I do a fair amount of 75 meter SSB operating and an amp is essentially a requirement to be heard well. I use a Heathkit SB-221 amp which I too modified with the Harbach Electronics SK-220 mod. Unfortunately, in my case, the Flex 5000A would not key the amp with the mod in place.
The mod puts NO VOLTAGE on the keying line. Instead, the mod looks for a short circuit on its input in order to key the amp. The Flex 5000A uses an open collector Darlington which also puts no voltage on its output/keying line. Yet in order for the Darlington to bring the keying line to ground, some voltage must be present.
Thus in the manual for the Flex 5K a simple relay circuit is suggested that takes 12 V and runs it through a small relay coil to the pin of the Flex 5K keying line which is connected to the Darlington's open collector. With the 12V present on the keying line, the Darlington is able to function and will take the keying line to ground as needed. This fires the relay which then provides the closure required to key the amp.
If I didn't already have the SK-220 mod already in place, I would have used a relay on the output of the Flex 5K that had contacts big enough to handle the SB-221's 120 VDC keying line voltage. But the mod was already in there and, frankly, I don't like 120 VDC floating around behind the gear if it's not needed. So I left the mod in place and put a small relay in a project box with connectors to allow the 12V to connect to the small relay and make the connections to the amp and the rig.
So I have 2 keying interfaces operating my amp. It's overly complex perhaps but it works and works well.
Bottom line: You can key old style big bottle (big tube) amps with the Flex 5K with a minimum of effort and expense.
Good luck!
73,
Frank N. Haas KB4T
Florida
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Junior Member
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I would buy a factory-approved relay circuit - I have a couple of amps, but can't go QSK without a relay. Currently using a footswitch (how archaic!). Yes, I could build something, but too many other pressures in my day to day life, including 2 jobs (one for food and house, second for toys).
Is any entrepreneur willing to concoct something?
Marvin VE6MRV
Edmonton
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Forum Member
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| Ok, Now I have a flex 5000a and am using the Ameritron ARB-704 between the Flex and a SGC 500 watt amplifier. The ARB-704 has its dip switches in the factory supplied default settings. Will the amplifier work without the ARB-704? probably, but I am not planning to try because Flex requires some buffer device/circuit. Howard
Howard
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Junior Member
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| I am running a Flex-5000a with a Tokyo High Power 1.2kfx with direct connection to the radio, no issues. It was my understanding that the THP line of amplifiers did not require the buffer unit, based on conversations with Flex tech support. I would like to know if anyone has or has seen a list of amplifiers that are recommended to work seamlessly wit hthe Flex series radios? If not, maybe we should start a forum dedicated to Flex Radios and associated amplifier hookups? Thanks Adam
W4GOV
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Forum Newbie
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I run my Flex 5K to an ACOM 2000A with no issues. It is a direct connect.
VE2EWQ
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