VE3NEA Faros NCDXF Beacon Software with Flex 6300

Andy F5VAI

This post is slightly off topic perhaps but I felt it might be of interest to some, especially with the down turn in the sunspot cycle.  I have recently set up my 6300 with VE3NEA's Faros NCDXF Beacon software.

Yes, I know we have many tools at our disposal these days to check conditions such as the RBN Network and many very sophisticated web sites.  However, I wanted something relatively simple and visual that would work from my QTH and show me the actual band conditions in real time to the NCDXF Beacons worldwide.  You just need Faros connected with Omni-Rig to the 6300.  I use my second slice to Faros all the time, apart from when I need a split.  The whole process is then automated.

I am in SW France and one thing for example that it has shown me is how often the ZL6B beacon on 20m is audible here, really quite surprising, both on the short and long paths.  

Can I take this opportunity of thanking the Flex team for all their hard work; I had been off the air for some 20 years and I am really enjoying my Flex and cannot imagine going back to an old steam radio!  I use Windows 10 and have had no problems at all over the past 18 months.  

If anybody needs help setting Faros up just drop me a line direct.  

73 Andy F5VAI  (G3HCU)