just upgraded to a flex3000

John

I have just purchased a used flex 3000 and have just ordered a IEEE card for my computer. I can now use the 1500 for portable work and with my transverter.

Ernest

They are both great radios.Never had any issues with either.  
I tried the 1500 mobile without having to worry if it someone stole it; which never happened.
Easily passed TSA inspection at the airports.
Fantastic report with the 5 watts and a screwdriver antenna.
Modes of operations: SSB,CW,Digital (mainly) JT65/9 and some RTTY/PSK.

John

So far, I think the flex 3000 is better than the 1500 and I am having fun despite the poor band condx during the day. Just a question, is the tx setup the same as for the 1500? I have set it up as per the instruction shhet and the reports are good.

Tim - W4TME

Yes, the audio setup procedure is the same for both.  You can actually use the same settings for both with the exception of the Mixer gain and the mic gain settings, as they are different due to different codec hardware in the two models.

Marty Gibson

tsa inspections at airport.. tell me more. looking at a cruise near end of year and want to activate vanuatu.. heard radio gear being confiscated and locked up at bag scan and check in before boarding the boat...collectable at the end of journey. any ideas to get them thru.

Tim - W4TME

I have traveled with a FLEX-6000 as carry-on luggage many times with no problems.  I always carry my ham license and a printed brochure for the 6000 so I can prove that (a) I am licensed by a federal agency to have said equipment and (b) have documentation that proves the 6000 is amateur radio equipment.  Also, it helps to have gone through a TSA Precheck and have a KTN number.

For use of ham radio equipment on a ship, that is at the discretion of the captain and the cruise lines.  I would make plans way in advance with the cruise lines to have permission to operate and have said documentation handy.

Ernest

TSA was not the problem. However, that was more than 6 years ago; when I had PDSR gear.

The routine I used when I entered the inspection line, I inform the agent that in my computer case I had a laptop and a portable transceiver (Flex-1500) etc... They would pull me aside after their X-ray and carry out their routine questioning and physical inspection.

No batteries except for the one in the laptop, antenna, and other miscellaneous items. The SSD power supply was in my personal carry-on bag. In case the carry-on bag was misplaced, delay or stolen.

The ship situation is a different. In the past, it was rather easy. Today there are no radiomen or CW necessary.