Possible blown LDG tuner

Ruarto · February 22

I am a newbie. Im 83 and love the hobby but memory is rough. First a ham in 1957. I have been in the hospital a few days and all I could think about was getting out and using the flex !

I Have yet to make a single contact with my new 8600M. I put it in service after a surge blew out the tuner section of my trusty old IC-7300. Now Im trying to setup the Flex 8600M. The darned LDG tuner wont tune. Several have advised me on connecting it and Im sure I have it right. Im worried that the surge took out my autotuner as well.

Setup overall has been tough for me but Im getting closer. A couple of things some of you experienced guys could advise me on:

My son in law is going to take the LDG AT-1000Pro and test it in his setup. While he has it Im thinking perhaps I could try going straight to the antenna from the flex, or from the amp. I have a N1JEK Cobra Jr with its recommended Balun. Is there a chance the internal flex tuner would tune this up well enough to make a few contacts?
AND I cant find the volume control on the Flex. The sound is coming out the radio speaker, and I dont find where to make it use the pc speakers instead.

Many thanks….

KE7RG

Ruarto · February 22

Any one got any thoughts? Im pretty sure the Autotuner is shot. Cost about $500 4 yrs ago.

I cant afford a expensive tuner right now, what would be a decent tuner to find?

VE7ATJ_Don · February 22

Hi Ruarto.. The 8600M has it's own ATU (tuner) installed (if I remember correctly) which will tune most anteannae with a SWR of 3 to 1 or less, so why not try the Flex on its own without the LDG tuner in the circuit? Just check out the section in the SmartSDR manual on how to initiate/use the ATU.

As far as the volume control is concerned, there are actually two. There's one on the flag for each of the slices. Then there's another on the PC Audio at the top right of the SmartSDR screen — one for the powered speaker output and one for the headphones. Once you selectr PC Audio (the button beside these controls, then they should adjust the volume. Also, if you are using audio through your laptop/computer, make sure you have the right audio source selected on the laptop as well and that its volume is set appropriately.

I don't have an M model, so I'm not sure if they show up in the same places on the front screen, but maybe someone with a Maestro or an M model can chime in as well.

Ruarto · February 22

I was going to try it bare like that today, wasnt sure if I should also bypass the amp.

With parkinsons I shake so bad its hard to type anymore and cabling tough too. Probably once get running config will likely leave it that way pretty much.

I found the vol for pc but havent figured how to reddirect sound fromradio to the pc.

Ihavent figured out slices yet and have not found any manual so you have given me lots to work on today.

thanks !! with luck I might be on 20m 3905ccn today.

David Decoons, wo2x · February 22

if using the front panel of the radio, you cannot have audio out of the PC only front speaker of pair of computer amplified speakers into speaker jack in back of radio.

You cannot run Smart Control mode with SmartSDR on PC and select PC audio in upper right of SmartSDR then run front panel in SmartControl which allows buttons and knobs of front panel to control SmartSDR displayed on PC.

Page 50 of this guide explains Smart Control.

https://edge.flexradio.com/www/uploads/20200818185014/FLEX-6400M-and-FLEX-6600M-User-Guide-v3.x.pdf

Dave wo2x

Ruarto · February 23

There dont seem to be any users guides for the 8600;s. How different is the 6600? Likewise software.

Trucker · February 23

There isn't any difference as far as the software and how to operate/use, the radios. The difference between the 6000 radios and the 8000 radios is the internal hardware in the 8000 radios is newer. The 8000 radios do not have a SD card in them like the 6000 radios do. Also, the 8000 radios have a faster processor and more memory to work with. Operationally, there's no difference. The 8000 radios do have one thing that the 6000 radios didn't have. That is a built-in GNSS receiver as a reference for the radio. Both the 8400/M and the 8600/M, come with the GNSS receiver and the external antenna. If you can operate a 6000 radio, you can operate a 8000 radio.

James

WD5GWY

KD0RC · February 23

The 8600 and 6600 behave almost the same. The 8600 just has some more powerful compute power internally. There are a few new items (additional filter selections, etc.) on the 8600, but the 6600 manual will get you by.

Ruarto · February 23

thanks. How can I find a current drawing of the knobs, controls and connections front and back panels?

Ruarto · February 23

And what do you think is the most common or best tuner to use. I need to replace my dead ldg . (Non Flex)

KD0RC · February 23

There is an excellent 8000 series hardware manual available in the Documentation section of the Flex website. I think everything you are looking for is in there.

VE7ATJ_Don · February 23

Ruarto… LDG do make some of the best 'auto' antenna tuners around. Depending upon your power requirements, they make a variety of models.

Another option might be to look at the Tuner Genius which is specifically built to be integrated with the Flex Radio. It might be a simpler overall solution for you, once it's set up.

Ruarto · 3:57AM

I just bit the bullet and ordered a Tuner Genius. Tx

Possible blown LDG tuner

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