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CARrier control on Flex-6300

Gust2
Gust2 Member ✭✭
edited May 2020 in SmartSDR for Windows
Hi everyone,
I'm playing with my 6300 only since a few weeks and like it a lot. There's 1 item however that makes we wondering.

The Flex-6300 goes up to 95 Watt out on some bands but only to 85-90 on some others. Isn't there a button or slider somewhere to make sure the finals can produce the 100 Watt out they are supposed to?
I found nothing in the documentation. We OT's are used to having a carrier button on our transceivers.

73, good DX
Gust ON6KE

 

Answers

  • Steve G1XOW
    Steve G1XOW Member ✭✭
    edited May 2020
    Hi Gust,

    You might need to give 14.5 - 14.8v PSU input to get 100W out on all bands. There is a big volt drop on the power cable, connectors and internal fuses (even with the standard factory cable).

    Also, check 100% power out can be achieved in to a good dummy load, using a quality external power meter...just to make sure you don't have antenna problem as the F6k high SWR back-off is a little too sensitive in my opinion.

    73 de Steve G1XOW
  • Gust2
    Gust2 Member ✭✭
    edited May 2020
    Hi Steve,
    I hooked the 6300 to a 1kW wet dummy load, with and without the ATU in the circuit, I makes no difference power wise on any of the bands.

    Next I measured the input Voltage before (13.70 V) and after (13.58 V) the fuse. That is a significant difference coming from an of course stabilised 13.8V source.

    I can raise voltage to 14.5V or slightly higher but won't give it a try just now, got a lot hooked up to that power supply now. That extra half a Volt might very well make it a full 100 Watt transceiver.  :-)

    Cheers
    Gust ON6KE


  • Gust2
    Gust2 Member ✭✭
    edited May 2017
    I forgot, so I understand there's is no such thing as a CARrier control on the 6300. Of course you don't need it if the end stages are sufficiently broad-banded impedance wise.

    73
    PS
    They take just about everything away from you these SDR's..

  • Steve G1XOW
    Steve G1XOW Member ✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Gust,

    There is another fuse internally as well. This means that when you add the series drop of the power-pole connectors, the cable, the external fuse, and internal fuse 13.8v only results in about 13.1-13.2V at the PA. You could also shorten the factory cable but that really should not have been necessary.

    I run my PSU at 15Vdc (output at the PSU terminals) and all is fine for over 2 years now. The fan does get a little louder though.

    73 de Steve G1XOW
  • Ross - K9COX
    Ross - K9COX Member ✭✭
    edited June 2017
    Just so there is no confusion SmartSDR does have sliders for RF power, Tune power, and AM carrier levels.
  • Gust2
    Gust2 Member ✭✭
    edited May 2017
    Yes that I know Ross.

    Thanks
    73, good DX (in these difficult miserable conditions lately)

    Gust ON6KE
  • HCampbell  WB4IVF
    HCampbell WB4IVF Member ✭✭
    edited June 2019

    Gust -

    Your question comes up repeatedly for Flex and other manufacturers’ radios (I’ve seen it in Icom’s and ANAN’s FAQs).   

    Check out this thread, and Flex’s official reply:

    https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/6500-power

    Howard



  • Gust2
    Gust2 Member ✭✭
    edited May 2017
    Thank you very much Howard, your input is much appreciated.
    Interesting URL.

    73, good DX
    Gust ON6KE

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