FLEX-6400(M) & FLEX-6600(M) Update Email

Rich McCabe

First of all, thanks for the update Gerald. Greatly appreciated.

Looks like September is going to be a busy month for Flex !

Alan C

Agreed. Thanks for the update, Gerald.I was just hoping my 6400 delivery before Christmas. Looks like that is promising.

Steve K9ZW

If there was a mass email, I may have been missed or the email caught in a filter.  None found though.

??

73

Steve  K9ZW

Rich McCabe

Dear valued customer,

The excitement is building here at FlexRadio as production preparation for the new FLEX-6400/6400M and FLEX-6600/6600M models are well under way! I want to take a moment to provide you an update on our progress.

Since the announcement of these radios we have made a few changes in hardware and software that we are pleased to share with you. Based on customer feedback we added a dedicated 1⁄4 inch TRS balanced microphone input to the back panel of the FLEX-6600/6600M. We also incorporated a blue backlight for the FlexRadio front panel logo on the 6400/6600 base models. In July we released SmartSDRTM version 2.0 of which includes the exciting new SmartLinkTM Remote feature allowing you to access your radio from anywhere you have a broadband connection (included with all new radios). We believe all of these things will add to the overall experience of the radio.

The last components for the FLEX-6400M and FLEX-6600M models are currently scheduled to arrive in the factory during the second half of September.  Also, the final plastic front panel components for the FLEX-6400 and FLEX-6600 models are expected in late October. This currently places production start up approximately one month behind where we originally estimated.  SmartSDR integration is nearing completion and the new models will enter beta testing soon.

Across all electronic industry segments, lead times on components are stretching; in some cases to between 24 and 52 weeks. This is due to increasing economic growth in the US along with the beginnings of a worldwide economic recovery.  This fact is providing a more challenging supply chain situation that we, along with everyone else in the electronics industry, will have to manage very carefully.  Unfortunately, when demand exceeds supply, speculators step in to buy up inventory and resell it at a high profit exacerbating the problem until the supply/demand balance returns.  Fortunately, we placed component orders early this year so we believe we have solidified sufficient supply through the end of 2017, assuming the vendors meet their promise dates. We are working with our suppliers to forecast and bond production requirements beyond 6 months to hopefully mitigate this situation.  Our suppliers expect this condition to continue for at least a year.

Regarding delivery estimates, we are going to use a different method for communication. We always try to provide our best estimate for delivery but in reality, it is more about the probability of delivery than a given date. Here is our best estimate for first customer ship date based on the supply chain information we have at this moment:

FLEX-6400M/6600M: September: 25%

FLEX-6400/6600: October 25%

FLEX-6400M/6600M: October: 90%

FLEX-6400/6400M/6600/6600M: November: 99%

From initial customer shipment, we will ramp production to have a daily flow of product over a period of weeks. Given the sheer size of the backlog we expect that it will take us through the end of the year to fulfill all open orders. As we approach your place in the backlog queue, we will reach out to you with an opportunity to adjust your order and finalize payment.

Thank you so much for supporting FlexRadio with your pre-order. We are as eager as you are to get your new state of the art radio into your hands!

73,

Gerald K5SDR

Jim Runge

I believe it only went out to those that have orders  in place.

Tim - W4TME

This is correct.

Reggie-k6xr

!!!!  I never received any, emails on the subject!!! maybe my order is in limbo?

Tim - W4TME

Standby Reggie...

Steve K9ZW

Tim, could someone check my reservation status as well, as I was also missed. Thanks and 73, Steve K9ZW

Tim - W4TME

If you did not receive the Constant Contact (CC) notice, you have a FLEX-6400 or FLEX-6600 radio reserved and you have not opted out of previous CC notices from FLexRadio, check your spam/junk folder first.  If it is not there, then contact Sales (sales@flexradio.com) to ensure your correct e-mail is associated with your order and you are on the CC mailing list.

James Whiteway

For any doubters about component shortages, read this article:https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/news/what-2017s-potential-component-shortage-means-for-design-engineers/

Rich McCabe

I am definitely not doubting it.

It has to be frustrating for manufacturers (including Flex) trying to anticipate what parts you are going to need when you don't have a final design 100% locked in. I would have to think manufacturers end up with parts they cant use because of this.

I am sure it compromises the design too. They have to make a choice of trying to satisfy hundreds of crying customers or wait 6 weeks on a part that might work slightly better.

Neil D Friedman N3DF

The email above (I didn't receive it, either) does not mention the addition of a hand mic.  That will still be included?

HCampbell WB4IVF

“Based on continued constructive user feedback, we are officially announcing that all of the FLEX-6600 and the FLEX-6400 Signature Series SDRs, including the "M" models, will ship with a FlexRadio FHM-2 condenser hand mic. The mic will connect to the back of the radio, using the 1/8' mic connector for audio and the RCA PTT connector for keying the radio.  The mic cable will be long enough to allow for convenient operation with the radio on a desktop.  We will be updating the New Product FAQ shortly to reflect this change. Thank you for your continued positive feedback.”

 

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/fmh-2-microphone-now-included-with-the-flex-6000-m-...

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Yes, all of the previously-announced upgrades other than the inclusion of a hand mic were included in the recent email.  I was inquiring as to whether this was an inadvertent or deliberate omission.

Steve K9ZW

@FRS - any idea how some of us got left off the communication(s) distribution? 

Reconfirmed my order with sales, so that wasn't in limbo.

Probably the most important part is that I get called when it time to pay up in full!

73

Steve K9ZW

Cal N3CAL

Tim,

I did not receive the email either!  I'm concerned Flex has overlooked me as well!  I took advantage of the Trade-Up Program and shipped my Flex 6500 back to Flex on June 8th and an order was placed for a Flex 6600.  Flex should have issued a credit for my 6500 and that credit was supposed to cover my 6600 order.  I need to ensure everything is in order.  

Cal /N3CAL  

Clay N9IO

Cal, for peace of mind I would give Matt in sales a call tomorrow and confirm all is in order.
I received confirmation that my 6300 trade had been credited a couple of days ago but the process took a few weeks in total because of the service backlog.  The most difficult thing I find in the process is distinguishing the emails directed to me from Flex concerning the trade and some of emails regurgitated from the community forum with the same headers.  I will survive but I'd bet working for FRS right now would be enough to drive one to drink, ha!  These guys have got to have a little pressure on them right now so I'd bet they won't mind if you confirm where they are at with your transactions in a phone call.

Tim - W4TME

Yes, a hand mic will be included with the FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M) radios (all 4 of them)

Cedric HB9HFN

Any updates?

Tim - W4TME

Working **** getting it ready for release later this fall.

Rich McCabe

My Telepost LP-500 arrives tomorrow.  My buddies on 160 have been betting which will arrive first. The LP-500 or the 6600m.  Looks like the Telepost wins

[Deleted User]

I've got an LP 500 . . . Awesome unit.

Rich McCabe

Hoping Flex is not delayed as much as Telepost was.  My original estimate of "as much as six months" turned out to be 2 weeks short of one year !

Rich McCabe

Well looks like the new official release date is July August September October

7:30 mark in video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDsC8P01qiY&list=TLGGZeFb387F2mEwMTEwMjAxNw

James Whiteway

I was told "unoffically" today, "in the next six weeks or so". Looks like middle to end of November to me. Oh well....... James

Jim K4JAF

Your probably optimistic about end of November, I have estimated first of the year for several months.  Take Flex's first estimate of delivery and add 6-8 months to it.. 

James Skala

Getting Excited and ready for my 6400 to arrive this month.

KC2QMA_John

ME TOOOOO!!

James Whiteway

Well, just got an official update from FRS,,, looks like late October or early November for the M models. Good thing my Social Security shows up about then! James

Rich McCabe

For those that did not get the email.

 

 

 

Dear Valued Customer,

 

October is going to be a landmark month for FlexRadio. We are gearing up manufacturing now to get the next generation, industry leading, FLEX-6600M and FLEX-6400M units out the door as well as the PowerGenius XL amplifiers. We expect the first units to come off the line around the end of the month. To top it all off, we are back in stock on Maestro! 

 

Full volume manufacturing ramp up of the new models will occur in the November timeframe with the first of the FLEX-6400 and FLEX-6600 models beginning shipments later in the month. We expect to begin deliveries to the European Union in December after the completion of CE certification.

 

Due to the overwhelming success of the new radios our backlog has grown well into the second production run. Therefore an order placed today will ship sometime in the January/February timeframe.

 

Thank you so much for your continued support and for sharing with us in this exciting time! You are the reason for our success. 

73,

Gerald

K5SDR