Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR or 4O3A Genius Product Software?
SmartSDR v4.1.5 | SmartSDR v4.1.5 Release Notes
SmartSDR v3.10.15 | SmartSDR v3.10.15 Release Notes
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.

FLEX-1500 successor?

Richard Gasparik
Richard Gasparik Member ✭✭
in New Ideas

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

73 Richard IS0JHQ

1
Up Down
5 votes

Active · Last Updated

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

  • Nick KB9UAE
    Nick KB9UAE Member ✭
    I can't believe people downvoted this. Apache Labs just brought back the ANAN-10E, and there are other rigs like the Square SDR, and Brick SDR that have a market. My first Flex was a 1500, not because I necessarily wanted QRP, but because it was a way to own a Flex on a limited budget. Why not have an entry level rig - especially at a sub $1000 price point to get people in to Flex. It worked for me, I went from a 1500 to a 6400, and now an 8400. I'll probably end up with an Aurora eventually. I'd love a rig using polar modulation. Anything in the 20-50W range that could be used for POTA/off-grid, or anywhere where size, efficiency, and budget is a concern.

Leave a Comment

Rich Text Editor. To edit a paragraph's style, hit tab to get to the paragraph menu. From there you will be able to pick one style. Nothing defaults to paragraph. An inline formatting menu will show up when you select text. Hit tab to get into that menu. Some elements, such as rich link embeds, images, loading indicators, and error messages may get inserted into the editor. You may navigate to these using the arrow keys inside of the editor and delete them with the delete or backspace key.

Comment As ...

Categories