New Flex radios at Dayton this year

W2PP

It’s not 2kw

N8FNR

The post that I was replying to was talking about a 600w amp that he would like Flex to sell.

Bill -VA3WTB

I know the KP500 is there, but if Flex made a smaller amp I would buy that over an KP500,  Zack when I suggested a small Flex amp, I considered there were others around as well.

Ria

What does the KPA500 not do that you need. I use DDUTIL and it tracks the bands. You can also preset the power with DDUTIL.

Sometimes you want the ability  to not to have to use DDUtil. Controlling DDUtil is also kind of hard when you're on a smartphone. Compare that to the PGXL experience on iOS. I have an "amp" panel where I can turn the amp on/off and monitor SWR, power, temp from in one window. 

Mike VE3CKO

My understanding is that the PG tuner will be able to be located at the base of the tower. Some other huge features and like Ria pointed out you won't have to use DDUtil. Haven't researched the Elecraft amp enough to comment any further.

Bill -VA3WTB

While it is true you can use almost any amp on the Flex, there is no getting away from the fact that having a Flex amp made for a Flex radio has many advantages you won't have with anything else.

W2PP

Could you expand on that?

Bill -VA3WTB

As I think of it, maybe there are no reasons to buy a Flex amp, perhaps others that know the amp better then I could chime in.

Ken - NM9P

Yes, Bill, .... a "PGXL Jr."  ... same integration and ease of interface, but with half the power.  That would interest a lot of people.  I would LOVE a PGXL but I would need to take a loan against my car to do it at the moment !

[Deleted User]

Like . . .

Ria

"Power Genius Mini"

1KW out (single LDMOS). No SO2R, but all of the other goodies - MEffA, ethernet, etc.

Light like the SPE 1.3K-FA for travel.

That would interest some people.

ctate243

I have a KPA500 (currently sitting on the floor), a 2Kfa  and a PGXL in test.  Here are some thoughts (or reasons to buy)  the Flex PGXL

1. Its a natural fit for the flex 6600-6700.  it fully supports the same SO2R functions, in one box.  Rather than 2 transceivers and 2 amplifiers, one of each does the job, and very well.  It fully tracks band and mode data for 2 slices simultaneously, and is instantly ready for use.  

2.  Full power -  the 2kfa peels back power to mid level at RTTY/keydown duty cycle.  this includes FT8.  the PGXL handles these modes as full power, no problem.

3. Cable reduction and simplification.  The PGXL only requires a lan cable on the same network to interface with a flex 6000 series radio.  this includes keying the amp and band mode tracking.  This significantly reduces the cabling needed for the KPA500 and E2KFA.

4. lightweight full power.  Its weight is similar to a KPA500, but it puts out full legal limit.

I have basically fully retired my KPA500 and relpaced it with the PGXL.  it is now my backup amp.  If I want lower power I reduce the drive.    Any low power flex/4o3a amp would have the most value if it supported the same dual band so2r functions IMO.  Im not sure a lower power would be significantly cheaper for that reason.

Bill -VA3WTB

Not to mention all the future echo system features that would leave all other amps out of the picture.

W2PP

What is echo?  Sorry new to some of this.
Peter

Bill -VA3WTB

Sorry, it is the Flex system connectivity. Ecosystem...

Ria

Peter - keep your eyes on the newsletters for the latest updates. 

Ken - NM9P

eco-system = ecosystem (from ecology system) = the total environment in which a lifeform lives.

I think echo was a typo....

Technology designers are now drawing from biological terms to describe the complex interactions between parts of their engineering systems.

They are also using theological terms to describe marketing systems - e.g. someone may be a technology "evangelist" - i.e. someone whose job it is to help other people understand and adopt the new technology.  

It is kind of interesting how the different disciplines are adopting each other's terminology.  It reminds us of how interconnected everything actually is...

====end of sermon =====  LOL

Ken - NM9P

W2PP

I signed up for them and never get them. 

W2PP

I did chuckle Ken well done.  As a retired physician I appreciate that!

KB4OIF

Would love a PGXL Jr/Mini.  600 to  1 kw.  My budget can't take the price of the current one.  

Roland

I would vote for a 2 meter transverter!

Steve G1XOW

With every new hardware invention the software looks more and more underfunded and unloved. The Flex 63/6500 is now obsolete hardware yet the software hasn't come close to maturity yet.

I like Flex The company, I love Flex The hardware, However, The software leaves me cold.

So much more can be done to make it sing from the rooftops, and in doing so it would beat the best at pretty much everything we could ask of it. Let's hope SSDR doesn't become the achilles heel of Flex.

Tony WV2C

How great would that be!

KF3F

Agreed. That would be awesome.

[Deleted User]

It is going to be the new Flex X

Stan VA7NF

I am surprised with the FRS 2M talk.  I went looking for an antenna direct SDR replacement for our repeater with no success.  A (good, low noise) FM repeater would be nice but there doesn't appear to be a large market.
Here's hoping.