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flex 8600M

ea5iwt
ea5iwt Member ✭✭
in The Flea Market

Hi everyone,

Is there anyone here who owns the Flex 8600M?
I have a few questions:

  • How is the CW performance on the 8600M?
  • Is it better than the 6600?
  • Is there any latency or delay in CW operation?
  • Has PureSignal been implemented yet on the 8600M?

Overall, how is the radio performing?
Any comments or feedback would be appreciated!

vy 73 ELAN EA5QB

Comments

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

    We haven’t had any negative reports regarding CW performance — and even the FLEX-6600 has been excellent in that area. Of course, it really depends on which aspects of CW performance are most important to you. (See point #1. 🙂). Most of our latency issues where resolved back about SmartSDR 3.4 I think. We are currently at SSDR 3.8 and 3.9 will be coming out shortly.

    Andy, VA3CW is a serious CW operator and he uses it every day at 30+ wpm.

    If you're asking about whether it’s better than the 6600, again, I would say refer back to point #1. Are you planning to operate remotely? If so, that’s where you might notice some differences in feel or latency, depending on your network. Today, both the FLEX-8600 and the FLEX-6600 work equally well.

    Also, just to clarify — PureSignal isn’t actually a FlexRadio term. What you’re asking about is called SmartSignal (Adaptive Predistortion), and it’s included starting with v3.9. Our Alpha Team has been using it on the air for about a month now with very good results.

    Many of our Alpha testers are heavy CW operators. While they’ve found a few issues in the current build overall, nobody has raised concerns about CW performance specifically.

    BTW, if you are thinking a FLEX-8600M I would recommend a FLEX-8600 + Maestro as it gives you a bit more flexibility. But, it depends on your operating requirements.

    Hope that helps — happy to answer more if you need it! And, I am sure others might share their experience. Or, email us at hams@flex.radio.

    73, mike va3mw

  • Bill NE1B
    Bill NE1B Member ✭✭✭

    Mike,

    Does that mean that 3.9 with SmartSignal (Adaptive Predistortion) will resolve "Thumping" (DPC noise) on the TX?

    73, Bill, NE1B

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

    I have no idea what the DPC thumbing is.

  • Bill NE1B
    Bill NE1B Member ✭✭✭

    DPC Thumping:

    https://community.flexradio.com/discussion/8031487/dpc-thumping

  • Ken Wells
    Ken Wells Community Manager admin

    Bill,

    That is a DAX/computer Issue and is not addressed by SmartSignal APD, as far as I know.

  • Bill NE1B
    Bill NE1B Member ✭✭✭

    Ken,

    Yes. That is where it starts. BUT, it produces sideband noise artifacts on the Flex RF carrier causing interference. I would hope that the Smart Signal APD would "clean it up"! It really is an embarrassment. I can also identify other Flex transmitters exhibiting the same noise on various bands that I monitor.

  • jacksharp
    jacksharp Member ✭
    On another note, has anyone used the '8600 with ALE in scan mode? Is there a way to eliminate the filters therefore eliminating the relay chatter?

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