Have any 6400M radios actually shipped yet?

Tim, VK6EI

Wondering if anyone can confirm if any 6400M radios have actually shipped out yet? If not are we any closer to them being shipped? Being AUD$5000 in the hole with nothing to show for it is getting rather frustrating. Tim, VK6EI.

Tim - W4TME

We have shipped a limited number of FLEX-6400(M) and FLEX-6600(M) radios to beta testers for finalizing the software and testing multiple operating use cases.  Volume shipments should start shortly.

Every day we are closer to volume shipments.

K7QDX

Okay what is a difference between Alpha and Beta testers? I do know what Alpha Beta super markets were..  

KC2QMA_John

Any chance that Pre-Order customers can get a Free coffee mug, Shirt or Hat with their new radio as a nice gesture for having put money up front and waited so long?

I mean after all all the other big radio co's give free swag at the Hamfests.

Just Sayin'
 

KY6LA_Howard

Alpha testers get things well before they are close to being ready for General Availability..  They are willing to live with things getting broken because of bugs in new software and sometimes even having to ship back bricked radios to the factory because of software or hardware issues.

Beta Tester get products pretty close to being General Availability.  So the radios work close to 100% They try different use cases to see if they can break the radios as opposed to the new software breaking the radios,

K7QDX

Thanks Howard, I was just thinking they were the same but I guess not. Just like you say, Pop or Soda or Coke etc... Glad to see its stilling inching closer to the end.

Tim, VK6EI

Thanks Tim, I meant had Flex commenced shipping to the average Joe. I know the beta testers had them at the start of December . Having already been invoiced for the full purchase amount and handed over the full amount I do not think it an unreasonable expectation that the goods were going to be shipped shortly thereafter. Appears my expectation is set a little too high. Can you tell us with any degree of certainty if the units are going to ship within the next fortnight? Thanks again Tim, VK6EI..

FRED W9TB

They are saying first week of February. When did U order Tim ? 

Steve K9ZW

Did you get an invoice to pay from FRS or was your prepayment because how your importer works? Curious as some of the overseas folks come across as frustrated at FRS when there are other folks involved. I know I’ve prepaid international purchases to lock in my effective exchange rate, to use up money in other currencies, or because it was the only way I could get the seller to sell to me. And every order I’ve placed internationally has an adventure, either arriving too quick or more likely taking several times longer than expected. Hard to even predict what happens. In the end I know I had to play the game, keep the faith, have patience and trust my gut feel if things got sideways. Life is an adventure when spare parts come quicker from Canada if you send them to the UK first, then stateside. Or when your entire household goods shipment is held up for six months by a series of events. 73 Steve K9ZW

Tim - W4TME

Tim.  If you have concerns regarding your order, I recommend that you contact Sales to discuss them.

Jim K4JAF

I guess "shortly" is better than "soon" ????

Tim VE6SH

For most big ticket items I tend us a freight forwarder. Despite my recent experience over the Christmas seasons with delays, the goods are usually quickly processed and the GST can be pre-paid. After that shipping is usually painless.

Tim VE6SH

mike /k6mgk

for all who is waiting for the radios to ship, the first real sign will be on the home page, once FRS announces that SmartSDR v 2.1 has been released then the shipments will begin :-)

Tim - W4TME

True dat.

FRED W9TB

John, I already tried that and didn't work.

Marc Lalonde

KC2QMA_John

Funny Marc, 

Tim - W4TME

That is misspelled.  It should read "Sipping Soon" ;-)

KC2QMA_John

I guess FRS are still in “Beta” with the coffee mugs working out the bugs with fluid dynamics and thermal transfer.

Marc Lalonde

this that is now close to final design and general release now  
but still need to fix typo before ship ;-)

k0eoo

Great comment Tim, glad you haven't lost your sense of humor....

K3SF

From this viewing angle i cant tell if the cup is half full or half empty ;-)

paul k3sf

Dave VE3VSM

Either way, there's room for more coffee.

David Ford

Hi Tim (VK6EI), 

     This is not in direct response to your original question about whether they've started shipping but it may help with expectations - I know I've been planning the arrival of my radio for sometime.

I'm in the queue for a 6400. When I asked about timelines the Australian rep in VK6 was quite helpful. I was advised that, subject to unforeseen circumstances, the new radios should start arriving on Australian shores sometime in March and that the 6400's are shipping with the 6600's as well as the M models.

You might be much further up the queue than me as I've only been asked for the deposit. 

Cheers, 
Dave.
VK4MZ.

dr Depressor

As I said several weeks ago they will be shipping quickly before Hamcation. I don't think it would look right at their booth with these new radios on display with no deliveries to show forr it. Wouldn't that be more upsetting for all of us waiting for this new radio. Here you are you just bought a radio more than seven months ago and can only see the prototype. It's like trying to get that full cup of coffee and getting your hand slapped.