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FLEX-1500 successor?

How about developing a successor to the successful FLEX1500? A small QRP radio?

73 Richard IS0JHQ

3 votes

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Comments

  • Russ Ravella
    Russ Ravella Member ✭✭✭

    Hi Richard,

    You know, when the Aurora was announced there was a YouTube interview with Steve Hicks where he described it and its underlying technology. It's probably around here somewhere. And during that interview someone commented that it's polar modulation technique would be perfect for a small portable radio. Steve's response was something like, "Oh gee. I never thought of that." and I swear there was a slight tinge of humor/sarcasm in his voice when he said it. I remember thinking "I'll bet there's a small portable battery powered Flex in the works that can be used for QRP but will have the added capability for higher power if desired". Who knows … ?

    73 Russ KR6W

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    The QRP Labs QMX+ uses Polar Modulation. 5 watts or slightly less on 160 to 10 meters. Available in kit form or pre-built. ( I bought pre-built as my hands aren't steady enough to soldering some of the small components) The kits ship fairly quickly. The pre-built radios have a pretty big backlog. I waited 5 months for mine. Power requirements are either 9 volts or 12 volts. ( you build or order for one or the other) There isn't a large margin of voltage that the radios will tolerate. ( no using a 13.8 volt supply) I use a 12 volt Tallent rechargeable battery pack and have a single diode in plus lead to it to the radio that drops the voltage down to 11.6 volts. For a QRP radio, the SSB audio is quite good. I use a small microphone built and sold by a ham on the QRP Labs groups.io mailing list. It works great

    I don't think Flex Radio would want to compete with QRP Labs as the radios are priced pretty cheap pre-built and even cheaper if you build it yourself.

    James

    WD5GWY

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