Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
The latest SmartSDR Software:
SmartSDR v4.2.18 | SmartSDR v4.2.18 Release Notes
SmartSDR v3.10.15 | SmartSDR v3.10.15 Release Notes

The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software:
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
How to Receive Technical Support::
If you are needing assistance with FlexRadio products, 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.

8600 Diversity Reception

KD0RC
KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
in FLEX-8000 Signature Series

All I can say is WOW!! I didn't expect the diversity reception to be as good as it is. I am on the Western Kansas 160 Meter Net as I write this. My main low-band antenna is a 205 ft. end-fed wire and my RX-only antenna is a loop on ground (LOG).

Tonight, I can hear all stations without the usual deep QSB (it's there, but totally mitigated using diversity). Some stations come in almost exclusively on the end-fed and some mostly on the LOG. Most stations are centered or slightly to one side or the other. It is wild to hear stations slowly moving back and forth between ears (antennas). It makes copy extremely easy compared to operating without diversity.

Now I need to make the TeensyMaestro diversity-friendly. I need to add the ability to easily change the volume and AGC-T controls for slices A and D. At some point, I will look at a way to specify any pair of slices to display. For starters, it will just be A and D when DIV is active. At the moment, it only controls slices A and B - not something that I viewed as a limit until now!

Tagged:

Comments

  • Arnold Goldman
    Arnold Goldman Member ✭✭

    how do you adjust/utilize diversity reception on the 8600M tnx

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Hi Arnold, you start with having two antennas connected.

    I use different antenna pairs, depending on the band. In my case on 20 I use my beam on ANT1 and my 205 ft end-fed on ANT2. Next I click DIV, then re-adjust volume and AGC-T on the diversity slice so that I get a good "stereo" effect.

    Now, if I get a call off the side of the beam, I will hear it in my right ear using the end-fed.

    I use diversity in a couple of situations:

    1. Net operations where I point the beam at net control. I can then hear other stations without constantly swinging the beam. On my weekly 160 meter net, stations are S9 on the main ant one minute and S4 the next while being S2 moving to S7 on the loop. This has the effect of the signal moving from ear to ear, maintaining readability.
    2. Working really weak stations. On the lower bands, I set the end-fed to be ANT1 and my loop-on-ground on RXB. On 160 - 30, this often gives me 100% copy. Signals fade or flutter between left and right ears, not into and out of existence.
    image.png

    Notice that when you select DIV, it automatically sets the audio pan to full left and full right on the two slices. I occasionally use it this way with my speakers, but normally I use the headphones for best effect.

    I would suggest giving it a try. Experiment with it to see what works best for your particular situation.

  • Arnold Goldman
    Arnold Goldman Member ✭✭

    tnx !! will give it a try can this also be done on a maestro??

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    It sure can, but not having a Maestro, I am not sure how.

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