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Hardware revision to Flex 6500
Paul M
Member ✭✭
I have been looking at the used 6500's that have been on the market lately and would like to know if there has been a significant hardware revision since it was first shipped. Most of the units I have seen are early 2014 to late 2014. Is there a reason to buy a newer unit or is the hardware the same as being shipped today?
1
Answers
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Not an expert by any stretch, but my understanding is that the actual hardware has remained the same -- only the firmware has changed significantly :-)
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Adding to Donald's comments that the h/w seems to be close to the early release. In the official response to similar question:
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/bit-the-bullet-and-purchased-a-used-6500-a-2013-mod...
Tim said there are "no required updates" to the h/w. My interpretation is the firmware/software runs "the same or substantially the same" on the complete 6500 line. In the s/w release notes there have been no exceptions as to h/w vintage.
A slightly different twist, the h/w is fixed without an upgrade path:
https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/hardware_upgrade_capability_for_6000_series
Not unexpected, as the firmware IS the update. After using a 6500 for a year now it seems the h/w problems are nonexistent and it's up to the s/w and firmware for new features or bug fixes.
HNY
Tim - k3Tim/6
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There was a hardware change I believe mid 2014 ... something called the PIN or something like that. It required the unit be returned. The unit I bought recently was made in early 2014 (week 11) but didn't ship to the first owner until August and it had the PIN mod done before it shipped.
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Hi Gary,
If you are referring to the PEN update, it only applied to 6700s and then only some of them. I have the details on my web page:
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 - V 1.10.8
Win10
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as far i knot PEN update on 6700 was adding 2 tantalum capacitor on PCB
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There was a small update on some early 6300's that dealt with Audio grounding/balance issues at the 8-pin foster mike connector. There was a small hardware update on the 6700 to provide additional cooling and performance for future high processing applications. There were some early changes to some early-run Maestro's. Those are the only hardware updates I remember for the past four years. I don't recall any changes done on the 6500, which is what I own. The only hardware problems I have had with it were self-inflicted... lightning damage because I foolishly left the antenna connected on the wrong day!0
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