Schematic Request for Flex 6400 & Power Supply Issue (Not)

Mark - N4MKA · October 2020

Is there a good schematic available for the Flex 6400?

I am asking because what I thought was an issue with my Astron 35M power supply it appears to now be Flex related. I was only able to get a few volts out of my power supply, then through the process of elimination, I determined when I disconnected the Flex 6400 from my Rigrunner power distribution unit, I got my 13.8 volts. This worked fine for years. I checked the power cable and it was fine. There is continuity between the power connectors on the back of the radio.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any recommendations.

Mark
N4MKA

KD0RC · October 2020

Hi Mark, There are no publicly available schematics for the Flex radios. The three likely culprits are the wiring/rRigRunner, the Astron PS and the Flex radio. I would start by eliminating the wiring and connectors first. Can you plug the Flex into the power supply with a different cable and without the RigRunner? If that does not solve it, the next thing is to try the Flex on another power supply, then plug something else into the Astron. The idea is to see if the power supply is able to source enough current to run something. Seeing the 13.8 volts with no load is only half the story. Going the other way by plugging the Flex into a different supply eliminates or confirms the Flex as having an issue.

73,

Len, KD0RC

bahillen · October 2020

Mark

i recently had the same symptoms with my Flex 6600. When I confirmed it was not the power supply I sent it in for repair. I started the process with a help desk ticket and got very quick response from Ike that confirmed with engineering that it was probably a hardware problem. The failure was a capacitor on the PA board. Obviously shorted. It cost $35 to ship to Flex and $178 for repair, complete test, an update to all Flex issues that in my case was a new SIM card and return shipping. Flex turned it around in 3 days. Shipping UPS was 3 days in and return each way.

I was happy to get a complete verification of the radios as new performance. It was worth the money and very happy with the results. I would be concerned if I did the repair myself I would create another issue inadvertently.

73

Bill W9JJB

Mark - N4MKA · October 2020

I appreciate the feedback. I will eliminate the cables and rigrunner and see where the issue is. I an not one to reach for a solder gun. As a last resort, I will have to box it up and let Flex do their magic. I am glad you included the price and that they did a good job for you Bill. I will post the final resolution once it is determined.

73

Mark N4MKA

John KB4DU · October 2020

I had a significant voltage loss on transmit as measured by FR stack and the K9DUR meter. Removing the distribution block eliminate most of the loss.

drjbrand · September 2021

Same happened to me. Short between power and ground. Had to send to Flex to get repaired. They said it was a capacitor. It just happened again a couple days ago. Same problem.

Pete K6TJ · November 2021

Still would be handy to have a schematic.

Patrick · November 2021

They are afraid us mer mortals would actually fix something on our own. This is the trend these days with all ham equipment and other producers to not provide schematics or parts lists. Long time ago when I was in the navy, I bought a quality cassette player, but it failed on me. But a schematic was included in my manual for it. I had all the rest equipment I needed since I worked in the avionics Intermediate shop. Traced it down to a common transistor. Had one and fixed it. But even if we could not fully fix it, as devices are mostly complex surface mounted and flow soldered. We could give insight into a problem. And if it power problems, which these days are the majority of problems, in my current experience. Then we could repair the item. Just fixed an FM tuner that suddenly became power intermittent. Found 30 year old bad solder joint on power transformer to PC board. Re-soldered it now all happy. Had schematics for this also. Glad I did not have to dispose of it, great tuner. They should at least issue schematics on request.

Schematic Request for Flex 6400 & Power Supply Issue (Not)

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