Flex6400 6600 reliability questions

Johan Van De Velde

I subscribed to the community as I had the intention to buy a flex6600m and wanted to have some more info. So after reading this forum, and cutting through the roadies, I was left with questions about the reliability and Stability of the flex. I have read that a small number of people reported hardware and software issues. I got the impression the software issues are often minimized by the cheerleaders, and that some weird issues pop up for a number (small number) of users. So now hesitating to go for a flex. Mayby the users with issues could contact me of list to inform me how the issue they experienced was handled and resolved. 73 ON4IQ

KL4QG

All my issues where me not understanding how to operate my Flex I’m using 6400M I have no internet connect so far using a stand alone radio - staying that way all computers and internet does is create a Sewer Blockage of problems

Mark NS9N

I have owned radios from almost every manufacturer in the community. Some have been perfect and others from the same manufacturer have not. My two Flex radios have been perfect so far. Yes, I did send one back for an upgrade and did another upgrade my self. But neither for an urgent issue. But let’s be real. Electronic devices do fail no matter who makes them and at what price you pay. And yes there are those who have had issues with their Flex Radios. But for the numbers that are out there and the fantastic service Flex offers, I have to put them at the top of the list of radios to buy on the market today. But the real question has to be, if the Flex Radios give you what you want in a radio, then buy it. In my case, my 6400 brought me back into the hobby and my 6600 is keeping me here. For me, there is no finer and easy to operate radio on the market. And yes, as others have said, all of my issues have been user not wanting to spend the time to read but just go for it and experiment. This is also not always a bad strategy but when I take this path, I don’t **** about it on the forums. SDRs are the future and Flex is by far leading the way. The great news is that they really care about the community regardless of what you read on the internet. And just so it is said, no I don’t work for Flex but I do spend my hard earned money on the best I can buy.

Bill -VA3WTB

Tim N9PUZ

Neil D Friedman N3DF

George KF2T

Homer1952

Neal Pollack, N6YFM

K9SO

BL7IB

I am using 6400, here is my comment slower bootup time than I expect 1.5A RX current Some dust inside after 3month use (dunno if it fan speed is variable or not) Not recommended for mobile installation Stable Easy software upgrade Value for the price User friendly but prepare 2 hours for RTFM

Ron WD5FUN

I don't often read the Flex Community because it is mostly an outlet for user frustrations.  Most are due to two things, new users don't read the manual and most post their frustrations before asking Flex for help.  I have found Flex hardware to be of the highest quality (My 3rd Flex) and software to be innovative and mostly free of bugs.  All of the problems I have had have been self inflicted and I too have complained on the Community before truly find the root of my complaint.  Unfortunately I have had over 40 HF radios in my 42 years as a ham and I must say none of them were as good as my Flex 6400M.  Don't be afraid of Flex quality, it is outstanding.

KL4QG

I have agree with you 100%

KL4QG

The ANAN-7000DLE MKII monoblock SDR transceiver incorporates an Intel 8th Generation i5/i7 core computer, the SDR client software is preloaded and calibrated making the unit completely Plug & Play They say plug play it’s not !!Where Built in VFO dial ??? 6400M and 6600M plug and play my book I don’t use my Flex 6400M with computer or internet 6600M and 6400M plug play but than again I’m different than most Hams lol

Joe Herreweyers

Michael T Lieberman

Johan Van De Velde

Wow, I really got a lot of feedback. I could summarize it as no real hardware issues, however the software side is prone to quircks, some of them introduced by Windows updates, other by the flex software and/or updates. General feedback was that customer service is good so that these issues are taken care of. But it sucks big time when this software radio stops working . Ând its happens. Used to run regular radio's ic7800 ftdx5000 K3, had none of these software glitches, ï m still not convinced the flex 6400 6600 is the way to go. But I was able to narrow down my options to 3 rigs, flex6600 K4 ftdx101d. The K4, yet to be released has the edge given the feedback I got and the fact elecraft has a 100% burnin test on all the radio's they ship.

Bill -VA3WTB

Eddie Jennings

Steve K9ZW

@ON4IQ Looking at this forum and then making reliability judgements is paramount to picking a car by reading the troubleshooting section of the user manual. FlexRadio Systems (FRS) doesn’t hide problems, rather they work to fix them. I’ve had a Flex-6700 since 2013 - but more important since Pre-Release software. That radio has been “rebuilt” perhaps 30-40 times by software releases. Problems found went away. I usually have several Flex-6000s on 24/7 and others I’ve dragged about with rough handling at times. But more importantly I’ve had a blast making contacts with them, learning the software/hardware, and exploring what they could do for me. I did pick up a spare 6000, a 6300, from a ham who couldn’t get the hang of the radio & software. Really a personal thing for them as they needed things more tactile. So be certain there is room for other radios in the shacks of hams. I have Collins S-Line set up at my homes, and a contemporary transceiver as a backup. I realized that the backup transceivers hadn’t even been turned on for three years, so I’m checking them out. And the Collins stations come on the air a couple times a year. If it wasn’t such a blast learning about the tube radios I really shouldn’t use up so much space with them in the shacks. As for personal observations of reliability I’ve had very minor issues with one 6300 (fans) and the other radios (several 6700s and a 6600M) have only been back for any updates (PEN). One had a field installed PEN. The repair rate and costs have been a non issue. Did I mention that usually at least two are on 24/7? And that I get to use them remote when traveling or from my work desk? Or that I can sit outside with a Maestro and enjoy the day? Or that I can run an FT8 instance while I’m working in my workshop, and make dozens of contacts in the process? Perhaps go see a Flex in action. Or maybe a friend will let you log into theirs? If a person is a cup half full sort of operator it is hard not to enjoy a Flex-6000. 73 Steve K9ZW Blog: http://k9zw.wordpress.com

Neal Pollack, N6YFM

Mark_WS7M

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Johan

I have had a 6300, now a 6600 running remotely since 2014 or so.  I have never gone offline due to a radio failure.  DAX or CAT have never once been an issue for me, other than a few restarts now in then.  Something I can live with given the radio performance.  

I did this video last week that helps show why I went this route.   Today, I could not imagine working with only 1 RS232 PORT. 

Mike va3mw

https://youtu.be/YhgpWuW7h14

Mark NS9N

Thank you now let’s get this forum back to technical issues!

Rick WN2C

Johan _ SE3X

Joe N3HEE

Pat N6PAT

John KB4DU

Harold Rosee

Johan,

If you still don't feel good about buying a Flex then by all means but one of the other radio you mention.

Just make sure they have exactly what you want to live with for as long as you have the radio.  Don't expect any other features to be added in the future.  It just won't happen.

While the Flex software has it's growing pains like any software you get new features with each release.  It may take a couple of fixes to get it perfect but none will stop you from using the radio.

The new things that come with each release are what makes the Flex a fun radio to operate.  A lot of the hams today don't want to play with new technology or software.  If that describes you then get a something else.

All that aside I doubt you will find a easier radio to interface with the outside world or a receiver as good. 

In the end it's you decision and the Flex is not for everyone.

Harold
W5ZZT

Joseph