Hardware revision to Flex 6500

Paul M

I have been looking at the used 6500's that have been on the market lately and would like to know if there has been a significant hardware revision since it was first shipped.  Most of the units I have seen are early 2014 to  late 2014.  Is there a reason to buy a newer unit or is the hardware the same as being shipped today?

VE7ATJ_Don

Not an expert by any stretch, but my understanding is that the actual hardware has remained the same -- only the firmware has changed significantly :-)

k3Tim

Adding to Donald's comments that the h/w seems to be close to the early release. In the official response to similar question:

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/bit-the-bullet-and-purchased-a-used-6500-a-2013-mod...

Tim said there are "no required updates" to the h/w. My interpretation is the firmware/software runs "the same or substantially the same" on the complete 6500 line. In the s/w release notes there have been no exceptions as to h/w vintage.

A slightly different twist, the h/w is fixed without an upgrade path:
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/hardware_upgrade_capability_for_6000_series


Not unexpected, as the firmware IS the update.  After using a 6500 for a year now it seems the h/w problems are nonexistent and it's up to the s/w and firmware for new features or bug fixes. 
 
HNY  

Tim  -  k3Tim/6

Gary

There was a hardware change I believe mid 2014 ... something called the PIN or something like that. It required the unit be returned. The unit I bought recently was made in early 2014 (week 11) but didn't ship to the first owner until August and it had the PIN mod done before it shipped.

 

Al_NN4ZZ

Hi Gary,
If you are referring to the PEN update, it only applied to 6700s and then only some of them.  I have the details on my web page:

http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm

Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 -  V 1.10.8
Win10

Marc Lalonde

as far i knot PEN update on 6700  was adding 2 tantalum capacitor on PCB

Ken - NM9P

There was a small update on some early 6300's that dealt with Audio grounding/balance issues at the 8-pin foster mike connector. There was a small hardware update on the 6700 to provide additional cooling and performance for future high processing applications. There were some early changes to some early-run Maestro's. Those are the only hardware updates I remember for the past four years. I don't recall any changes done on the 6500, which is what I own. The only hardware problems I have had with it were self-inflicted... lightning damage because I foolishly left the antenna connected on the wrong day!