V2 & Improved Dynamic Range for FLEX-6300

KS0CW

Any one know the details related to the IMD dynamic range performance improvement the 6300 gets in SmartSDR V2?

John AE5X

I'd like to know too...

K5CG

Mee too!

Tim - W4TME

The details of what we did to improve the dynamic range w/o modifying the hardware is being treated as company IP (intellectual property), so we are not divulging the details.  Sorry.  I suspect our competitors would like to know how we did it also ;-)

Gerald-K5SDR

While I agree with Tim that we won't divulge what we did, I will say that on the radios I measured the new settings improved IMD DR3 typically by 7-8 dB and as high as 16 dB on certain bands and preamp settings.  This was comparing the before vs. after on the same radios.  We also improved the ADC overload conditions so that there is no distortion on the in-band audio when the ADC is fully overloaded at +20 dBm.  Above this the reverse power protection kicks in.  I tested this myself.

KS0CW

I think my question was misunderstood, not after how or what was done. As i didn't realize it was broke---:) Gerald, I'm trying to understand what this improved IMD will get me over what it was, sounds like it will give me better ears... Will what you did in v2 be included in the 1.11 maintenance release?

Tim - W4TME

Yes, you will hear weak signals better with adjacent strong signals (improved IMD DR3) and the strong signal handling capabilities (overload level) have improved, minimizing distortion at high signal levels.  It got better all around.

KS0CW

Thanks Tim, Gerald broke down what the "improved IMD" gets me over what i have today... will this fix be included in the 1.11 maintenance release?

W9OY

Improved IMD may get you nothing or it may get you everything, it just depends on how harsh the RF environment  in which you find yourself.  I think the improved ADC overload may be as important as the IMD number I think both are impressive.  I have a 6300 and was considering a 6400 upgrade but since I almost never use the radio I may just go with a V 2 upgrade on the 6300 

73  W9OY

Bill -VA3WTB

What is intersting is why something has improved on my 6500. I saw Dave W2OX on air a few days ago and his IMD or transmition went way down through the noise floor. Now today I was on 40M and many said I looked the same,  something changed for the better.

KS0CW

I'm inclined to wait for the fix to be ported to 1.11 maintenance release as i'm not after any of the new features in v2.

Ria

Yes it will be in 1.11.

Scott N8UMW

Good to know. Well this improvement be noticeable while running nb and wnb?

KC8P

Does it apply to 6300 only? 

Gerald-K5SDR

That applies to the 6300 only because of its lower sampling rate.

Gerald-K5SDR

You probably would not notice a thing unless you had the lab equipment to measure it. It's the difference between your car being able to top at at 140 vs 150 mph.

KC8P

Thanks!

KS0CW

Thanks Ria...

Gerald-K5SDR

Bill, I believe you are observing the improved high pass filter cutoff on the digital transmitter filter passband.

Ria

You *might* notice it in a contest weekend, on a crowded band with many strong signals. Or you may not. However being a contest op myself, I'd say that being able to use your radio is far more important than what it's capable of...