Change over to New Radio - Easy Peasy

Gary Wise

Dear Friends,

I received my new Flex 6600 on Thursday, February 1st, and took it up to the shack the next day.  I paid full price for the radio, and will send Flex my 6500 for a trade-in credit (actually, it has already been shipped). I did not want to be without a radio (for Bouvet, etc).  Hence I was able to take this photo:



Out with the old and in with the new!

I downloaded the new Version 2 software and installed it on my shack PC. The only issue was that the Version 2 CAT software came up looking for my old 6500 radio (it said "Radio Not Connected").  Clicking on the "Radio Not Connected" prompt enabled CAT to find the new radio and all was well.  SmartSDR connected and the radio was working.



Here is a Front Panel View:



Next was to setup my Maestro. It found the new radio and noted that it needed to be upgraded to V2 Maestro software.  The update was uneventful and soon my Maestro was alive:



Here is an overall view of the Hamshack operating position.  Note that I have DDUTIL installed to control my Elecraft KAT-500 and KPA-500.  DDUTIL had no problem interfacing to the new radio.  I use DX Lab Suite Logging software - and it too found the new radio with no problem.



Not shown here is my Remote Station using Team Viewer to access my shack PC and SmartSDR V2 to access the new 6600.  It setup without a hitch.  No more Raspberry Pi running a Softether VPN server.  It just works!

A BIG Thank You to the Flex team for a job well done!

Now I just need to figure out all these new features!  Bouvet here I come!

73,

Gary - W4EEY

DH2ID

Congrats for your new station, Gary!

John - K3MA

Thanks for taking the time to share the pictures.

I would keep the R-Pi Softether VPN server running.  It is a good backup solution that takes next to no resources.  It also provides the ability to use DAX for digital programs remotely which SmartLink currently does not support.

Jd Dupuy

Bouvet has been cancelled by ship Captain. Ship headed back to port. Bad weather and mechanical failures. At least you have a nice radio.