How to modify your FlexRadio 6700 for a Boat Anchor

N4VGE

I am thinking of adding a YouTube video with my FlexRadio 6700 connected to my laptop with SDR, CAT, and DAX images on the screen.  The images will show I need a license from Flex.  Then I will take a extra large sledge hammer or a 200 ton press and completely destroy the FlexRadio 6700.  Then I will shape the 6700 case so it will hold a section of chain.  The video will then cut to my duck boat dropping the 6700 in the water and me sitting back with a **** and talking on a hand held DMR radio. 

Backstory.  I bought my 6700 in the Spring of 2017.  In May 2019 I decided to upgrade from 2.4.9 to 3.2.27 although I can't imagine doing remote operating.  My radio is set up in my 38' Fleetwood motorhome and I do not have any hard-wired internet connection.  I have 4 hotspots in the coach and have had no problems with any of my other electronics or software.   Firstly I was told it was child's play to connect the new software, then I was ****, that I could do it with a switch? then a mini wifi router, and finally internet sharing.  I did ask Flex to hold for a month or so because I was not available but the bottom line, eight weeks are on Flex. 

Do not contact me to purchase my Flex.  I do not sell my ham equipment, I either give it away or throw it away.

Does anyone think that I will get a response from someone that knows how to fix this?   I don't think so.

Bill -VA3WTB

Your not interested in remote, what do you need the radio connected to the internet for?

Ted VE3TRQ

To license the radio for v3 ?:-)

Bill -VA3WTB

Because your other devices have internet as you said, does your computer for the Flex have internet? If so then downloading the V3 software should not be a problem.

Pat N6PAT

James Charlton

Bill -VA3WTB

I would too, that would be different. But I think giving the radio away to the less fortunate is best...lol

Jay -- N0FB

Hello! I’m not sure, based on the posting if this an operational issue or that you are having issues with the upgrade process itself. If you could specify then I think I or some other smart people on here can help you. Each having its own specific path to the promise land.

Andy W3LI

I like!

RFord

Steve K9ZW

Huskerbobe

Eric-K0ELB

I'll take it! I sure can't afford one right now!

WA5YOM

I know someone who can’t afford a radio....so if you want to give away...

W2NER

Me too!!  I want to see that!

k0eoo

W2NER

I could use it for a car ramp..  Get a Expert Electronics MB1 and you will be happy. 

N4VGE

KI4P

Mike VE3CKO

George KF2T

Ted VE3TRQ

Not only all of that, but multiple WiFi networks will interfere with each other unless they are specifically designed to work together I.e a mesh.

Mike-VA3MW

N4VGE

Well, firstly I am guessing that upgrading is always good even if I am not interested in remote.  Secondly I have solid hi-speed internet to my laptops and tablets in my motorhome but my hotspots are not routers and have no Cat 5 cable connection (see Verizon Hotspots).  Lastly, Flex does have a travel router that should work.

N4VGE

I am going to try the travel router and if that doesn't work I think I will do the video with the hydraulic press while the radio is on and hope for some fireworks. 

N9VC

Go ahead

Ted VE3TRQ

“I am guessing that upgrading is always good even if I am not interested in remote” You should always review release notes and current users’ experience before updating. There certainly are things in v3 that you might like (or not!). I won’t try to list the pluses and minuses, but do look for v3-related comments and release notes before deciding to go that route. Of course you can always go back - once the licensing and downloading is done using an Internet connection, going back and forth between versions is relatively trivial and does not require the Internet. Just remember that going back from v3 to v2 (or v2.5 to v2.4) requires a radio reset - apparently the internal database format is not backwards compatible, although it is forwards compatible.

Jerry W2TXB

Pics and video or it didn't happen.

Back when I did the upgrade to v2, I attempted to do the download at home (RoadRunner connection to Internet); it crashed every time I tried, so I checked my connection speeds and they were (at best) dismal. So, while waiting at my wife's doc appointment, I used their wi-fi to my ThinkPad, and easily (and completely) did the download. On the way home, I stopped by the TimeWiener office and spoke with them; they handed me a new cable modem, which helped my speeds considerably. My next step was temporarily hard-wiring my "Flex" PC (a very fast home built unit with some serious horsepower) and the 6700 to my router across the hallway... used an ethernet switch and a long cable. That also worked perfectly, and I returned to using that PC via wi-fi, connected via ethernet cable to the Flex.

Can v3 be loaded to the PC and radio without a hard wired connection? If so, that is a major improvement. Then, can it be operated remotely without any hard wired connections? If so, that would be another huge improvement.

Bill -VA3WTB

Jerry, as we know wifi is more flacky then a hard wired connection, that being said a Wifi connection most often works very well, if it's solid.

As long as your wifi is good you can download V3 when you purchase it, then simply install.
If your radio is connected to a good working wifi router then working remote can be very sucssesful.

Ted VE3TRQ

And when possible, use 5.4 GHz.

dlwarnberg

I have a perfectly good working 6500 with V3 already loaded I'll trade you for...