Bit the bullet and purchased a used 6500 a 2013 model

Cliff

Just bit the bullet and puchased a used 6500 from a retired guy.

Has there been any hardware updates from the early 6500s to the present day ?

Says Limited Edition on the front Panel

Looking forward to setting it up , may be adding a Maestro at a later time.

Now to learn the ins and outs had a 1500 but this is a big step up.

73
Cliff VK2NP

Wayne VK4ACN

Cliff, I just saw one advertised on VKClassifieds, from Qld.  Was that the one?  Im sure youll be very happy with the 6500, as I am.  Maestro, is a great addition as well.

Cheers
Wayne

Cliff

Hi Wayne,

Yes it was me, couldn't resist seemed a fair price , been looking for ages at a 6700 but just too expensive. 
A Maestro will be a future purchase looks great.

Now to sell something maybe my other SDR

Cheers
Cliff VK2NP

Wayne VK4ACN

It did look a good price, my 6500 cost about $6300 after exchange rate, customs and delivery

Cliff

Should have it next week so will see if I made the right decision.

Wish I'd kept the Flex Control knob I had 

Tony C kc2dis

I am sure you will love it. Congratulations!

Andrew VK5CV

Well done Cliff,
I would have been tempted to get a second.
Maestro due soon after a long wait.
Andrew de VK5CV

Cliff

Thanks Andrew and Tony

Does anyone know if the Griffin Powermate knob will work with the Flex SmartSDR s/ware ?

What leadtime currently on the Maestro ?

What do people use for speakers for the Flex Radios ?

Cliff VK2NP

VK7WH Winston

Well done Cliff. I'm sure you will be very pleased with it. I've had my 6700 for almost two years now and, although I loved my PROIII, and will probably never sell it, it has hardly ever been turned on since my 6700 arrived. Im having a lot of fun with the Maestro at the moment and can't wait to get the VPN up and running. I'm sure you will have a lot of enjoyment from your purchase. Regards and 73 Winston VK7WH

VK7WH Winston

Ps Cliff, I am using a Bose Companion II series III I purchased second hand on Gumtree. Works very well Winston

Tom Porada

I use the Bose Companion II because it has dual inputs (computer & 6500). I do I get a little RF coming thru even with a few  snap on ferrites but it isn't very noticeable. About $100.

Ken - NM9P

Get a simple ground loop filter, which is about $10US, and put it in line between the computer and the Bose speakers. It solved the problem for me. It is a simple pair of audio transformers that breaks a ground loop when you have both rig and computer connected to the Bose.

Ken - NM9P

I use them, too. I like them a lot.

Ken - NM9P

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HJ35F2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

George KF2T

Congrats and welcome. No hardware changes for the 6500. I have the same unit and have been delighted since day one.

Norm - W7CK

Congratulations on you 6500.  Your going to love it.  I've had my 6700 for well over 2 years and I have a real difficult time going back and using a conventional rig.  While there are still numerous bugs and shortcomings with the software, SmartSDR just keeps getting better with each release. A little patience and you'll be fine.

I've have and I've tried lots of different speakers.  Believe it or not, I'm currently running a really old set of Altec speakers and they work great.  No rfi, plenty of volume and they are very clear and easy to understand peoples voices.  If you don't want to spend the money, use what you have and see how they work.  You may be surprised.  The Bose work well too but they are somewhere else right now.

There was a hardware update a while back.  I can't remember if it was only for the 6700 or all of the 6000 series.  Everyone sent their rigs in (Flex paid shipping both ways) and got the updates for free.  I'd contact the Helpdesk, give them your serial number and see if they can tell you if the update had been done and if there were any other hardware changes since your Signature series unit had been produced.

I have a FlexControl and while I don't want to get rid of it, I really don't use it very much.  I started out without the FlexControl and just got so use to using the mouse that once it arrive, I couldn't break the habit of grabbing the mouse for control.  I usually have several panadapters and slices open at any given time and using the mouse just seems much easier and quicker to me.  They aren't too expensive and you may find someone on here who has one they'd be willing to sell at a discount.

Take care and enjoy one of the best rigs on the market.

KY6LA_Howard

There were NO HARDWARE UPDATES for the 6500

Tim - W4TME

There have been no required updates for the FLEX-6500 since it's release.

Burt Fisher

To "bite the bullet" is to endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation that is seen as unavoidable. The phrase was first recorded by Rudyard Kipling in his 1891 novel The Light that Failed
Buying a Flex is painful?

Jim Jerzycke

Only the "pain" of paying for it!

:-)

KC9NRN

I think you're being a bit literal Burt.

KY6LA_Howard

@BUrr BIte the bullet refers to the biting of a paper cartridge containing paper,,gunpowder and a bullet to load a rifle. The technology and the phrase was used from the early 1700's of not even earlier.

KC9NRN

I think the OP doesn't care where the term came from and is excited to own a Flex 6500.

Jay Nation

Cliff

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement ,

I just had a brainwave thinking about speakers my old Sony Monitor MFM-HT95 has built in ones, might try them first. Not sure how RF isolated they are.

Can't wait to try it out next week when the Flex arrives,

73
Cliff VK2NP

Cliff

Thanks Winston,

I also have Legacy Radios along with another small SDR trx and a rx.
Looked at the Flex 6000 lineup for sometime ,like the development of IOS and Mac software along with smartsdr. Running it from the iPad sounds cool.

Probably a long waiting list for the Maestro I am guessing.

73
Cliff VK2NP

Cliff

Will look out for some, AudioEngine look good but not cheap.

Cliff

Thanks George good to know

Cliff

Thanks Tim

Cliff

Interesting where the term came from, I don't think getting the Flex is a painfull experience but yes I am excited to finally get one.

KY6LA_Howard

@CLiff. Your usage of the term Implies you loaded the gun and fired the shot. Not implying pain at all as Burt incorrectly assumed Congratulations and welcome to the Excitement