Should a FlexRadio 8400 Be Powered 24/7?

AndreNL

Good evening,

I have a FlexRadio 8400 that I’m very happy with.
After recent contact with FlexRadio support, I found out their support is excellent as well; a small issue was resolved quickly after some testing and review.
I have a question, though. I often read that many people keep their FlexRadio powered 24/7. My hobby room is set up with home automation so that everything powers down when I’m not there, and vice versa.
Ideally, I would like to do the same with the FlexRadio.

I shut the radio down using the power button, and once it is fully off, I switch off the PowerWorx power supply.
At that moment, the button flashes red once, and as far as I can tell the radio is then completely without power.

I’d like to hear your thoughts. Is it advisable to keep the radio powered continuously, or is the procedure I described perfectly fine?

Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Andre

KD0RC

Hi Andre, what you are doing is great. I don't think that it makes much difference whether you leave it on 24/7 or turn it on and off as you use it.

I usually start mine in the morning, then shut it off before I go to bed. Even though I am typically not operating it continuously all day, I don't power it on and off on a per use basis.

Mike-VA3MW

I have radios that have been online since 2013 with a bit of power off time. Just like my computers, I never turn them off.

Tim Adams

I also leave my Flex 8600 powered on 24/7 as I did with my 6600. I run it via a power supply connected to a UPS so small power fluctuations don't cause issues. It has been working fine for years that way.

Flexed

I power on my Flex early in the morning and power it off at night. I never press the power button; instead, I try to limit physical touch to the 8600. With the RemoteOn accessory, I can power on and off the Flex from my phone, or even schedule power on and off. This is just my way of using it. Fans have a lifespan, so I prefer to use the scheduled RemoteOn to avoid dust accumulation from air circulation.