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FLEX-6600 video overview of a FDX Satellite Setup with SATpc32

Mike-VA3MW
Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

An overview and operation of the FLEX-6600 for AMSAT satellite work. In this example, we go over the highlights of a 2 transverter setup and use SATpc32 for the software control. The focus is on FlexRadio integration using SmartSDR CAT for radio control.

What is key is that the FLEX-6600 operates like 2 unique radios (VHF and UHF) and SatPC32 is controlling both VHF and UHF independently.

My station is a FLEX-6600, G5400 AZ/EL Rotator, ERC-M rotator controller, 13EL 13B2 on VHF, and Directed Systems 24 EL UHF antenna on a fiberglass boom.


Comments

  • Don AI6RE
    Don AI6RE Member ✭✭
    edited May 2023

    Very nice description of setting up for Satelite operation.

    If you adjust the waterfall rate to show at least 10 minutes you can see the overall shift across the entire satelite pass. Shown below.


  • BSharp66
    BSharp66 Member
    Just ordered my Q5 Signal 144 transporter and will be purchasing a 440 in the future. Does HRD integrate with Flex for the doppler shift?
  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    HRD will easily communicate with the FlexRadio. You can now use SliceMaster to make the connection.

    However, I tried to use HRD for satellite tracking and it didn't go so well. I found SatPC32 to actually work better. I might give HRD another shot.

    73

  • AA1SS
    AA1SS Member ✭✭

    What options do you order it with

    Available Options

    IF Configuration

    Common IF

    Split IF

    RF Configuration

    Common RF HP (+$35.00)

    Split RF

    IF Drive Level

    -20dBm to 0dBm

    0dBm to +20dBm

    1W to 10W

    PTT Polarity

    Low (GND)

    High (>1.7V)

    Local Oscillator Stability

    Standard

    High Stability 0.28ppm (+$45.00)

    Custom IF

    Standard IF - 28MHz

    Custom IF - Please Specify at Checkout (+$35.00)

    Additional Options

    Sequencer Enabled / AUX Port Installed (+$35.00)

    LNA Bias on RF Coax (+$50.00)

    PTT-H on IF Coax (+$25.00)

    Switch-Selectable LO Freq (+$50.00)

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    This is how I ordered mine. The other features are something you will have to decide if you require.

    This will give you a Common IF Transverter with PTT by grounding the PTT lead and a 28Mhz IF.

    The rest depends on what you may or may not do with preamps, etc. You can discuss this with Cory at Q5. He answers emails pretty quickly.

    73



  • AA1SS
    AA1SS Member ✭✭

    Just wanted something basic and that will work

  • KM4CQG
    KM4CQG Member ✭✭

    Thanks Mike U have me wondering about adding all this.

  • AA1SS
    AA1SS Member ✭✭

    So if I want to use 2 transverters wit a 6500 would I get split IF or common if transverters and do I get the 25w 75w or 150w output unit.

  • AA1SS
    AA1SS Member ✭✭

    I got it figured out . . . Gonna order that multiband unit . . . EXPENSIVE . . . MORE ANTENNA'S

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    If you want to do Satellite work, you will need 2 transverters since you do run in Full Duplex so you can hear your downlink. You can't do that with the MultiBand one. And, yes, expensive but very well made.

  • AA1SS
    AA1SS Member ✭✭

    Ok Thanks

  • ka9ees
    ka9ees Member ✭✭✭

    @Mike-VA3MW I have used SatPC32 before. With success... I have been using an S.A.T. unit with my 9700 for the last few months. Works VERY well. But I miss the panadapter of the Flex 6600M. I have created the profiles for Mode-B and Mode-J. For the life of me I can't get it to work... Sometimes I get output sometimes I don't. I have watched your video till my eyes bleed. I am not new to this and I thought I could figure it out for myself. I am stumped.

  • ka9ees
    ka9ees Member ✭✭✭

    @Mike-VA3MW

    Well I got SO-50 to work!

  • ka9ees
    ka9ees Member ✭✭✭

    @Mike-VA3MW

    Well... Alright... RS-44 works too. Guess I fixed it. Thanks for the help Mike!

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