PowerGenius & Smart SDR integration

Matt (K0KB)

I received my PGXL yesterday and set it up last night.  The implementation was VERY quick, so props to the crews on that.  So far it seems awesome.  A few things I'd like to see:

1.) How about fans that ramp up from 0.  What if I forget to turn this thing to standby after I last use it and don't log back in for a week or two or a month... the fans will just spin continuously the entire time?  I am leery of that after the 3 radios I've returned for fan problems.

2.) User settable maximum power out instead of drive power.  Not an ALC so much as the radio and amp talking back and forth to reduce drive power automatically.  I realize this is a bit tricky, but it would be nice.  That way it doesn't matter what band or part of the band you're in, you just get the approximate max power you specify.

3.) Power meter with a white line showing the maximum power out over the last 1-2 seconds.  This would be similar to the S Meter so that if the max power is missed during the 100ms updates (it will be) you get an idea of your average maximum power.

KF4HR

Good to hear PG-XL's are shipping.

Brad A. Steffler

What was your order number? Just out of curiosity...

I wrote Mike  a shocking Email to the effect that I did not need my PG XL until about or after labor day. I just had major surgery and after recovery, I will be doing  required antenna work for about a month. I bet that one caused some head scratching in Austin (and Canada). Hi Hi.

Brad
KE4XJ

Rick N4RZ

Item 2 above could be set up similar to the way the SPE amps work with the Flex 6000 series radios today.   They have High/Med/Low power settings.  The operator can then set them up for different purposes and toggle the desired value in when needed.   I have my 2K-FA set up for around 375/750/1500 watts.  Giving me a 3 to 6 db boost when I need it.  This is the one advantage of the SPE amps I don't want to lose when I get my PGXL later this year.   

Matt (K0KB)

AB-11623

Matt (K0KB)

Not only are they shipping, but they're awesome

KF4HR

Unless PG-XL recipients are just not posting their delivery on this Forum, very few must have been shipped so far.  Alpha Team members aside, has any one else received their PG-XL yet?

HCampbell WB4IVF

Just got mine, and will set it up when I have time in-between holiday activities.  Hope to see some more feedback from others who have received and are using theirs.

Howard

Jim Runge

Got mine last week. I also have the SPE 2K. After a 10 minute install all is working great. I agree that the SSDR amp power output meter should either be a peak reading meter or both. The fans in the Genius move lots of air and therefore make more noise than the 2K. You will probably want to locate the Genius a good distance away from you and your microphone. I also like the lighter weight of the Genius, much easier to move than the 2K. Two thumbs up so far. Looking forward to the antenna tuner.

HCampbell WB4IVF

The new SmartSDR v2.3.7 Release notes state:

“Power Genius XL Support – SmartSDR v2.3.7 supports comprehensive integrated Power Genius XL control and operating state from within the SMARTSDR software.”

Anyone had a chance to try 2.3.7 out with PG XL?  Comments?

Just unpacked mine and set it on the desk:

 

Howard

Jim Runge

Yep, running 2.3.7 with mine. Works great but I can't get the max output in the radio setup to work. I have it set at 50 but the radio slider still will go to 100. It appears that it is cutting the power back to 50 watts but the slider still will go to 100. Maybe that was a function of my SPE 2K to make the slider stop and not go above the max power setting. It would be nice if the genius would do that. Dont know what happened but now the slider stops at 50 watts like it should. Fixed itself. Smart little ****.

HCampbell WB4IVF

Glad its working for you now Jim.  On Friday I got the notice to return my 6600M for the PEN updates.  What timing!  But I'm sure Flex will let me delay returning the radio a while so I can finally enjoy the PG XL after waiting all these months! 


Howard