Back Panel Flex 6600

johnn1jm

Was the back panel on a 6600 changed in later models? I have an opportunity to buy a 6600 (4723) with the back panel looks like an 8600 back panel.

John N1JM

VE7ATJ_Don

Hi John… here's the diagram from the Flex 6600/6800 hardware manual.

The only difference I see is the 10Mhz in/out jack holes which on yours have been blanked. Is that what you are referring to?

VE7FM

That certainly appears to be a 8xxx style back panel. The radio likely also has the newer FPGA which was used in the last few years of the 6600. While it is more powerful I don't think it has any new features/performance vs the original 6600 hardware.

johnn1jm

Don, VE7ATJ, as you might see the holes for the GPS stuff are in different location compared to your diagram

Mike-VA3MW

I checked with Operations, and that is a valid radio and backplate.

johnn1jm

A precursor to the 8600? 😊

Trucker

The 6800 is a secret spy radio used by the CIA . Full DC to Daylight operation, all mode andruns off of two coin cell batteries all day, key down at 100 watts. Best of all, it looks exactly like a large cellphone and fits in your shirt pocket. Built-in auto tuner that can get a 1:1 match on any band using a short length of thin wire cleverly hidden in the lining of your Flex Radio baseball cap. Unfortunately, not available to the public.

James

WD5GWY

johnn1jm

They must have run out of 6600 back panels and used an 8600 back panel (in development ). A good theory, huh? Radio arrives Thursday. I hope I can fit my GPSDO from 6400 into it.

John N1JM

Trucker

The GPSDO from your 6400 should work just fine with the 6600. If you were moving to a 8000 radio it would not work.

James

WD5GWY