Powering down the integral -M on a 6600M

ai4uc

Rather than reactivating a thread from 2017-2019 [*] I'm hoping to get an answer here with a very specific question.

I routinely run a 6600M without the front panel integral Maestro connected in order to preserve both Multiflex connections. So it's just sitting there at the gray startup screen. Back in October Mike-VA3MW clued me in [**] that this is how people at Flex do it all the time.

I'd like to just power off the front panel except for the power switch obviously, though I'd trade for remote-on if that makes it easier to bodge in a power switch, disconnected cable, or whatever.

My reasoning is that I'd like to preserve the rarely-used-front-panel against future parts unavailability, and leaving the screen on all the time (this radio is on 24/7). My concern about this is partly driven by owning a 2016 vintage Maestro A for which I have a self-spared replacement tablet/display should that become necessary.

Any thoughts? "Trade for a non-M" seems suboptimal because I'd like to preserve that option. Thanks!

* https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/7538082/6400m-turning-off-the-front-display
** https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8032444/new-to-me-6600m-and-multiflex-sharing-with-myself

Trucker

From everything I have read and from personal experience, the front panel display on the M model radios is much more robust than what was in the Maestro A. I honestly don't think you will have a problem with it in the long run. The 6600M I had was from the very first run . I received it in 2018 ( February) and early this year I traded it in on a 8600M. The display was just as bright as the day I received it. You would have to physically modify the M model radio to disable power to the front panel. Personally, I don't think it would be worth the effort. I did do an experiment once and disconnected the front panel's computer module from the internal ethernet port. The radio powered up just like a non-M model radio. But, the front panel booted up anyway. And showed no connection to the radio. I could operate the radio just fine from SmartSDR on my pc. I didn't go any further as the only reason I did this experiment was to see if I could still use the radio if the front panel failed for some reason and I couldn't get a replacement from Flex Radio or another source.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about the display going bad.

James

WD5GWY

Neil D Friedman N3DF

Ran my 6600M daily for seven years with no display problems.

ai4uc

Thanks @wd5gwy and @n3df - I'll try to set aside my concerns. :blush: