New 6500 owner

John VK3XM

As a very new owner of a new Flex 6500 I have a number of questions,  1: What is the purpose of the buttons on the front of the rig?
2: I have a Pixel loop antenna separate from my TX ant. Is it possible to safety set this up for a general  RX Ant for a second panadaptor.
Thank for any help.  I don't have any other Flex users locally that I can ask.

NX6D Dave

The up/down/left/right buttons are for future use.  They don't do anything right now.

The "OK" button is used to force a "factory reset".  Turn the radio off, press and hold down OK while pressing the power button to start the radio.  Continue to hold the OK button as a countdown is displayed on the front panel.  The radio will then reset all internal parameters to their default values.  All ATU settings, persistence data and profiles will be erased,

I'm no expert on the Pixel loop, but as I recall, the issue is that the antenna has a preamp located at the antenna, powered over the coax.  That preamp needs to be switched off during transmission to keep from frying it.  That's what I think I know, but again, it's outside my personal experience.

Cliff

HI John,

I use a Pixel as a seperate RX antenna to the RX ant connection with my 6500 just set to RX ant and connect the TX control RCA on the back of the Flex to the Pixel so it switches off during TX. 

You might have to check if the TX outputs are enabled. I think they are by default

I don't know if that is clear enough let me know if I can help,
Cliff VK2NP

John VK3XM

Thanks guys fro the prompt replies.  I am sure that I will have more questions as I explore this Rig.
JohnVK3XM

Jerry WA9UKB

your Correct on the pixel loop  I run two pixel loops with a NCC-1 to help get rid of plasma tv noise and power lines and they are switched off on power during transmit.

Jerry, WA9UKB

Andrew VK5CV

John,
I have a 6500 and a 1500 and a Pixel loop. Loop is switched out on TX to  protect the preamp.
I have it on RXA and it is perfect for general RX. It is robust however and unaffected by accidental TX so far. You will find a few VK5 flexers around 3.6MHz and on 160m from time to time.
Andrew de VK5CV

Mark_WS7M

Hi John,

Welcome to the FlexRadio!   All the above answers are 100% correct but I feel I should mention that the 6500 only has one spectral capture unit SCU.  I say this because of your statement about "separate slice".

This may not be an issue or a concern but since you are new to Flex do understand that if you have two slices open... or better yet, two pans open, each with a slice.  

Lets say pan1 is monitoring 40m and you have a slice at 7.050.  Pan 2 is monitoring 20m and you have a slice at 14.050.   If you attempt to change the RX antenna on EITHER slice the RX antenna will change for the other slice too.

This is simply due to having only 1 SCU.  the 6700 which is far more expensive does have two SCUs and is capable of diversity receive and simply put the ability to have once slice on one RX antenna and another slice on a difference RX antenna.

John VK3XM

Thank you to all who responded to my questions.  I do however have a couple more on the same Pixel subject. What I am hoping to do is use my Ultrabeam on RF1 for general ham operation and use the Pixel for general SW listening.
In all solutions, I note that I need to connect the PTT signal to the loop controller.
1: If I connect the loop to the RF 2 in is there setting to insure that the rig cannot TX out that port?
2: If I connect the Loop to the RXA port how do I select this on the rig?
3: Is there any other or better way I can achieve the result I am looking for?
Thanks and Merry Christmas from VK
John Vk3XM

Wayne VK4ACN

From what I figure John, you would connect the loop to the RXA in, so you dont accidentally transmit to it.  To select this, on the slice up the top, it says in blue, ANT1, ANT2, RXA and XVTR.  Select RXA.  The Antenna selections in red are for the transmit antenna, there is no RXA in that list.
Others with more knowledge will chime in Im sure.
Enjoy your 6500.  Ive had mine just over 2 years now, its been on everyday that im in the shack, and I will tell you its the best radio Ive owned.  You will prob never to back to a knob radio.  They also keep improving it with the software releases.

Cheers
Wayne
VK4ACN