Aurora Question for Flex

Russ Ravella

What is the transmitted signal purity of the Aurora at 500W without APD ?

Thanks Russ KR6W

(by the way, there is no "Aurora" question option provided in the "Category" list here yet)

David Decoons, wo2x

I’ll answer the question. The Aurora is still under development so too early to know performance with or without APD. In my testing of the AU520, I am running it with APD enabled. I would recommend running APD on, even with the 8000 series. Why not have a cleaner signal?

73 Dave wo2x

Trucker

Russ, I believe if you look at the video again and also the Polar Explorer website, you will find that this design depends on predistortion in order to have a clean signal. On the Polar Explorer website there is a link to a video from a interview at Dayton in 2016 where the designer says that the transmitted signal would not be very clean without predistortion. That's why Steve Hicks mentions that Aurora comes with predistortion. It has to have it in order to be efficient and have a clean signal.

James

WD5GWY

Russ Ravella

Hi James,

Yeah, I picked up on that which is why I asked the question. Steve didn't say ADP is required, just that it's provided. Also, he said they've done a ton of work on the design and have a Flex-unique design. So that made me wonder what the performance is without APD. Presumably they've developed the design sufficiently to meet FCC minimum requirements or they'd state that it's actually required.

Hopefully someone technical from Flex will respond.

73 Russ KR6W

Trucker

Check out the video interview Michael Walker just posted above. I believe you will find your answers directly from the original developer.

James

WD5GWY

Russ Ravella

Hi James,

Yeah thanks, just saw that. Pretty interesting. He didn't answer the question though.

Still hoping to hear from someone technical (not marketing) at Flex.

73 Russ KR6W

Russ Ravella

Understand. Thanks as always Dave.

73 Russ KR6W