separate conversation to my headset.

budr@rjrpiping.com · August 27

I want to listen to an SDR when the RF is weak in one side of my headset, and RF in the other when RF is strong. Can this be accomplished via my 6500? Also, can the volume be controlled this way? Or will I need to use external audio equipment to split the signals and control the volume for either! If external equipment is required, what RCA ports, or ports are used to connect to the audio equipment. The audio equipment uses a 1/4' Stereo connection.

Bud,

N4RJR

KD0RC · August 27

Hi Bud, the 6500 is a one SCU radio, so all active receivers in it must use the same antenna at any given time. So if it is Diversity reception that you are after, you need a 6600, 6700 or 8600. Those rigs have two SCUs and will let you have a different antenna on each SCU.

As far as independent stereo reception goes, yes your 6500 will allow you to set the volume independently for each ear as well as each receiver (slice).

You can use the pan control (highlighted, below) to move the receiver volume from one ear to the other. If you have two slices open, you can set one to be in the left ear and the other in the right. Each slice's volume is independently adjustable.

VE7ATJ_Don · August 27

Hi Bud… just for clarification, what do you mean by 'SDR' in one ear and 'RF' in the other? The Flex is an SDR…. or do you mean a separate SDR external to the Flex. And, by 'RF', I'm assuming you mean you want to hear the 'on air signal' (i.e. the Flex receiver), right?

So, if I understand correctly and you want to have two separate receivers (the SDR and the Flex) feeding your headphones, then yes, you'll need some external equipment. An audio mixer would be best suited I think, with the headphones connected to the output of the mixer, and the outputs from the two receivers connected to the inputs of two separate channels on the mixer board. Then, use the mixer to select which sound you want in which ear.

budr@rjrpiping.com · August 28

Hi Don, Thanks for the reply and yes on both. The Northern Utah WebSDR boost signals from west to east helping you hear weaker stations. After further investigation I agree it will take an audio mixer to make it happen. Now the question is which connections do I use on the back of my flex 6500 do I use to connect to the audio mixer.

Bud, N4RJR

VE7ATJ_Don · August 28

You have 3 options on the 6500:

a) Phones jack on the front panel of the radio — this is essentially low impedance output for direct connection to speakers. Some mixers' input are able to handle this.

b) Ext. Spkr jack on the back of the radio — line out (-10dbV) audio which may be more compatible with mixers; OR

c) Pins 2 and 3 on the Accessory jack on the back of the radio — 'buffered' version of what's at the Ext Spkr jack. (Sorry, I have no idea what 'buffered' means. It's what the hardware manual says :-))

By the way, the 6500 Hardware Manual is available online here at the Flex site. Really handy reference for this kind of stuff.

In all 3 cases, you'll probably need to build a custom cable since all three use different plugs (1/4" on the front panel, 1/8" and DB-9 respectively on the back panel). And remember, the output is stereo (L+R) so you'll need to account for that in the mixer as well.

Ken Wells · August 28

FYI: Do NOT simply use a MONO plug into the Stereo Outputs on the PWR SPKR or Headphone Jacks.

This can short out the audio output IC, which can be costly to repair. (Experience talking — I had to pay the "**** Tax" on my FLEX-1500 when my hastily soldered adapter had a solder bridge across two pins on the Accessory Plug.)

separate conversation to my headset.

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