I’ve had a number of emails lately inquiring as to fan availability. If we can get enough takers, I’ll order another 100 fans.
Maybe if everyone committed to a minimum of 4 each, we could make it happen quickly. If you have interest, contact me directly at k2cb at comcast dot net. Give me an idea of how many you want. Min of two, preferably four. Hopefully I can get the mfg to honor the same pricing as last time.
I’ll report back as to whether or not we have enough participants to make another group buy work.
Eric
K2CB
Maybe if everyone committed to a minimum of 4 each, we could make it happen quickly. If you have interest, contact me directly at k2cb at comcast dot net. Give me an idea of how many you want. Min of two, preferably four. Hopefully I can get the mfg to honor the same pricing as last time.
I’ll report back as to whether or not we have enough participants to make another group buy work.
Eric
K2CB
Posted 3 months ago
Hello Eric-
I will take 4; I hope the QA will be a little better as one of the fans from the last batch lasted only 3 months.
Thanks;
Bill
I will take 4; I hope the QA will be a little better as one of the fans from the last batch lasted only 3 months.
Thanks;
Bill
I would hope so. Unfortunately there really isn’t much choice as to suitable direct replacements.
Dudley - WA5QPZ, Elmer
Guys, becareful changing these, they are held on by industrial glue , that may make the fans difficult to remove and can damage the chip they are attached to, which can be very costly to replace. Just a word to the wise.
Dudley
WA5QPZ
Dudley
WA5QPZ
Dudley- the fan comes off the heat sink with removal of 4 screws. So removal of the heat sink is unnecessary.
Guys, please be sure to email your requests direct, so I can be sure to add you to the list. It will also allow me to follow up once we are ready to proceed.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Hello Eric K2CB,
What is your direct email address, I need to order 4 - FPGA / CPU 50MM fans I have the other fan's.
Please let me know at
wx7y at arrl.net
What is your direct email address, I need to order 4 - FPGA / CPU 50MM fans I have the other fan's.
Please let me know at
wx7y at arrl.net
(Edited)
k2cb at comcast dot net
I will take 6 fans please I have a 6300 and a 6700
Dave ...Per Eric's request above.. Send the fan requests direct to him at
k2cb at comcast dot net
k2cb at comcast dot net
I did that but he does not reply!!
I must have missed a message or two but why do you all order fans? Is there an issue with the fans used in the radios and does Flex not honor warranty (assuming one still has warranty)? would it not mess up the warranty if one opens the radio themselves?
73
Andy
KU7T
73
Andy
KU7T
Andy - the warranty would indeed cover the fans, and Flex will replace them should they fail within the warranty period.
People are ordering these fans as they either have had, or suspect they may have, a fan fail outside the warranty.
Both of mine have failed after about 2.5 years.
The advantage of these particular fans, which Eric is hopefully going to be able to source, is that they are the same as the originals and so you can unscrew the fan itself from the heat-sink and replace that part only. The heat-sink is glued onto the component and is difficult to remove without danger of damage.
Hope that helps.
Steve
People are ordering these fans as they either have had, or suspect they may have, a fan fail outside the warranty.
Both of mine have failed after about 2.5 years.
The advantage of these particular fans, which Eric is hopefully going to be able to source, is that they are the same as the originals and so you can unscrew the fan itself from the heat-sink and replace that part only. The heat-sink is glued onto the component and is difficult to remove without danger of damage.
Hope that helps.
Steve
I second Andy's question. Do these fans reduce the ridiculously loud fan noise on the 6300? My office is totally silent until the darn Flex gets turned on. The only thing I don't like about Flex!
The replacement fans are the same fans that the radio comes with, how can they cool the radio without fans?
I dunno, maybe use fans like the three in my computer that are totally silent? This is not hard. My previous HF rigs made zero noise on receive. I realize these rigs are doing more, but it is still annoying.
Maybe you're talking about a different issue? My 6300 was virtually silent until the fans started to fail. Had they not failed, I would certainly not have seen them as a problem.
Paul,
I share your pain...the fans in my 6300 have always been noisy.
Bill,
Who said anything about running the radio without any fans?
I share your pain...the fans in my 6300 have always been noisy.
Bill,
Who said anything about running the radio without any fans?
Just wait until you hear the fans in the new amplifier. It sounds like a hovercraft getting ready to launch.
If your not running an M model, consider placing your radio under a desk or some place similar to reduce the noise at your operating position, after all they are considered radio servers and they do not need to be in front of you to operate. I started operating remote in my house, all radio gear is in a back room while I operate in the den.
I appreciate your attempt to help, but: Many of us replaced a radio with the flex. Meaning all the coax feeds, power, etc are in the same spot in the shack. I also use a regular headset, which plugs into the front. Its a ton of work to do this another way. I have no desire to run "remote" when I am home. So much easier with a footswitch. I thinking of a soundproof case, maybe just under the desk. I hate to keep harping on it, but the difference in noise level in the shack with it off vs on is dramatic, and has been that way since day one. I would not care on transmit, but just sitting on receive, its annoying. 73
I have received confirmation from the manufacturer that I will be able to obtain another production run. Since they are being sourced from the factory in China, they are estimating a 10-12 week lead time. Once again, the fans will include the same oem connector preinstalled, and will be plug and play. Or should I say, screw and plug and play, if you do not wish to disturb the heatsink on the chips themselves.
Since I am doing this as a favor to the community, I am asking that everyone pre-pay at this time. I need to prepay when I place the order, as it is a special production run and non-returnable. I don't want to bankroll a few thousand dollars worth of fans, only to sit on them! I'm sure you can understand!
The process is simple -
I will accept prepaid orders up until 12/3/18. I will then place the order based on this quantity, rounded to the nearest lot size, as dictated by the manufacturer. The remaining units will be available afterwards on a first-come first-served basis, similar to the last time around. Based on the estimated demand, I expect to have fewer than 20 fans left over.
The manufacturer has raised the price 10% from last year due to the new tariffs imposed on Chinese importations. However, due to the volume of interest, and the amount I will be purchasing this time around, I was able to negotiate with the manufacturer and lower the net increase to 5%. Therefore, the pricing is $21 per fan. US shipping will be a flat rate of $10 per shipment, up to 8 fans. Over 8 fans, shipping will be quoted as necessary. For orders outside the US, please send me your exact shipping address, and I will provide you with an exact shipping cost, for both standard and priority delivery.
Please send your PayPal pre-payment to hamcables@gmail.com . I will confirm receipt within 24 hours, usually faster, depending on the time of day you send payment. I do work, so please keep that fact in mind.
I will keep everyone updated as to the progress, but please be patient. 10-12 weeks means we will not see the fans until at least the first week of February. Upon arrival from the manufacturer, I will get them out within a day or two.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly at k2cb@comcast.net .
Thank you for your participation.
Eric
K2CB
I will send payment...... WAIT!!!!! What about the PayPal fees. I am paying for goods and they will charge you a fee ( IS THAT FIGURED IN?????? )
Yes. It is figured in, but F&F is appreciated, when and where possible. Thank you to those who have done so.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Hi Eric,
I'm still on my original fans ( 6700 and 5+ years ) but got 2 of them when you offered than initially. Thanks again for providing them! I've been lucky so far but glad to have them if/when they are needed.
You are definitely providing a valuable service to those of us with the original 6300, 6500 and 6700 radios. I'm sure it is a lot more effort than it seems and we really appreciate it.
Here are my notes on your fans with pictures, video, error codes and information on the case fans as well. I hope they help answer some questions for others not as familiar with the fan replacement.
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
Al / NN4ZZ
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
6700 & SSDR-W V 2.4.9
Win10
I'm still on my original fans ( 6700 and 5+ years ) but got 2 of them when you offered than initially. Thanks again for providing them! I've been lucky so far but glad to have them if/when they are needed.
You are definitely providing a valuable service to those of us with the original 6300, 6500 and 6700 radios. I'm sure it is a lot more effort than it seems and we really appreciate it.
Here are my notes on your fans with pictures, video, error codes and information on the case fans as well. I hope they help answer some questions for others not as familiar with the fan replacement.
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
Al / NN4ZZ
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
6700 & SSDR-W V 2.4.9
Win10
"Here are my notes on your fans with pictures, video, error codes and information on the case fans as well. I hope they help answer some questions for others not as familiar with the fan replacement. "
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
If I had those radios with those fan; that are in your notes above.
I hire a cleaning person!
That is more than a little bit of dust that's "dirt" on those fans pictured.
No wonder the fans are failing.
A Flex-6700LE fan and loving it!
http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
If I had those radios with those fan; that are in your notes above.
I hire a cleaning person!
That is more than a little bit of dust that's "dirt" on those fans pictured.
No wonder the fans are failing.
A Flex-6700LE fan and loving it!
I have put air filters in my 6500 case on each side, the filters are black and I can see dust collecting on them through the breathing holes. I change them out 2 times a year. Looking at the inside of the radio my fans look brand new.
Flex informed me that the last fan replacement they did used a newer type of fan, which required a heat sink replacement on the chips, so I do not think the fans you have will work with them. Please take my name/call off the list. Thanks. Keith W7ZAC
Do you have a picture of this new fan/heat sink? I’d be curious to see what they’ve switched to. When I asked directly, they refused to answer.
Sorry Eric. I hope you do not get left holding the bag on this withdrawal. Seems to me it is bad form to express you want in on a group buy and then later back out. No one wins when that happens. You get stuck with losing your time and potentially $'s. The group get stuck because less people will be willing to organize and run group buys because of fear the same will happen to them. And even the person backing out loses because now everyone knows the value of their word and commitment.
Looking at the previous demand (I believe that this is the third order that Eric has organised), I doubt that they will be laying around unwanted for long!
I appreciate, however, that Eric is putting his money up for any that are not pre-ordered. If that turns into an issue, I am quite willing to stump up some cash to nominally "own" a couple more until someone comes along and needs them. I feel that we all owe Eric a debt of gratitude and I would like to think that we could all pull together to ensure that he isn't disadvantaged by his generosity.
I appreciate, however, that Eric is putting his money up for any that are not pre-ordered. If that turns into an issue, I am quite willing to stump up some cash to nominally "own" a couple more until someone comes along and needs them. I feel that we all owe Eric a debt of gratitude and I would like to think that we could all pull together to ensure that he isn't disadvantaged by his generosity.
It’s not about commitment, it’s about compatibility.
W7zac
W7zac
No worries, Keith.
Like Steve stated, I don't expect to have many left, if any, by the time they arrive.
I'm just more curious, than anything, as to what FRS has switched to as their replacement.
Like Steve stated, I don't expect to have many left, if any, by the time they arrive.
I'm just more curious, than anything, as to what FRS has switched to as their replacement.
I am glad in this case Eric feels he will be fine in the end. My point was more generic in that I believe if you put you name on a list you should follow thru. If you need to convince yourself about the details or compatibility you do so before putting you name on the list. If you find out different afterwards then you go thru with the deal and complete the purchase and then you resell the items. It does not seem fair that you want to get on the list first and thereby guaranteeing a place but later feel you can drop off and leave someone else dealing with the ramification of your lack of proper research. Maybe they will and maybe they won't. When I was growing up they called that "wanting your cake and eating it too". Maybe until you run a group buy and experience for yourself all the things that can and do go wrong you will not understand fully what I am saying here.
Of course another alternative would have been to have asked Eric in private if he would be OK with you dropping off the list. Then if he agrees all is fine.
I cannot and will not buy anything that I know might not work, for my ham radios, or anything else
Keith, of course no one wants to buy something that does not work for their radio. The fans that Eric is getting are now in many Flex radios and are tested to work just fine.
Well, that is not what Flex support told me, so I will wait for them to comment on the fans, but thanks for the input.
Well then, what exactly DID they tell you?
We still don’t know yet the actual manufacturer and part number of this supposed “new replacement fan assembly” FRS is utilizing. I’ve asked directly, but they refuse to answer. Thus my earlier request, for someone who has had this done, to please post a photo of the new part.
If your radio has not been back to Flex to have the fans changed, you can rest assured these fans are an exact match and fit. Right down to the heat sink and wiring harness. And if they did change your fans, who knows what you actually received. Some have reported receiving their radio back with the same style fan.
The fact is, the original fan was discontinued, but an exact replacement, from the same OEM, with slightly improved bearing technology, is what I have been providing. Thus the reason you can simply change the fan itself without disturbing the heatsink-to-chip bond. If you look at the original thread from last year, there is a post showing pictures of both the “old (original)” and “new (group purchase)” fan assemblies. Other than the color of the part number label, they look identical.
For the record, the last time around, FRS had Tim contact me to ask where I was getting the fans from. I wouldn’t be surprised if their “new” part is the same as my “replacement” part.......
Eric
K2CB
We still don’t know yet the actual manufacturer and part number of this supposed “new replacement fan assembly” FRS is utilizing. I’ve asked directly, but they refuse to answer. Thus my earlier request, for someone who has had this done, to please post a photo of the new part.
If your radio has not been back to Flex to have the fans changed, you can rest assured these fans are an exact match and fit. Right down to the heat sink and wiring harness. And if they did change your fans, who knows what you actually received. Some have reported receiving their radio back with the same style fan.
The fact is, the original fan was discontinued, but an exact replacement, from the same OEM, with slightly improved bearing technology, is what I have been providing. Thus the reason you can simply change the fan itself without disturbing the heatsink-to-chip bond. If you look at the original thread from last year, there is a post showing pictures of both the “old (original)” and “new (group purchase)” fan assemblies. Other than the color of the part number label, they look identical.
For the record, the last time around, FRS had Tim contact me to ask where I was getting the fans from. I wouldn’t be surprised if their “new” part is the same as my “replacement” part.......
Eric
K2CB
(Edited)
I have a 6700 and a 6300 and I do not know the fan revision. Now I am concerned that the fans I have paid for are a waste of time. ERIC Please clarify!
Have the fans in your radios been replaced by FRS in the last year or less? If not, then you are ok, and these fans are correct for your radios.
If FRS has replaced your fans in the past 12 months or less, open the radio and post a picture of this supposed “new” assembly. A picture is worth a thousand words. I have yet to see this “new” fan/heat sink combo. FRS refused to comment when asked about the specifics of this “new” part.
If FRS has replaced your fans in the past 12 months or less, open the radio and post a picture of this supposed “new” assembly. A picture is worth a thousand words. I have yet to see this “new” fan/heat sink combo. FRS refused to comment when asked about the specifics of this “new” part.
(Edited)
Me too
I will send pics from both radios. As time allows
That would be great. No rush.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hi David,
If it’s okay I’ll post your pictures on my web page also. And add some notes to illustrate the differences between the original fans and the newer ones.
The original model (along with the replacement fans Eric supplies) should be fine for the long run. My original fans are still fine after 5 years and with 2 on hand I expect many more years.
http://nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
If it’s okay I’ll post your pictures on my web page also. And add some notes to illustrate the differences between the original fans and the newer ones.
The original model (along with the replacement fans Eric supplies) should be fine for the long run. My original fans are still fine after 5 years and with 2 on hand I expect many more years.
http://nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm#FANs_
Regards, Al / NN4ZZ
I hope to post the 6300 tonight and the 6700 before monday.
Hi David,
Did you get a chance to take the fan pics? Not a rush but just checking to make sure I didn't miss them.
Al / NN4ZZ
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
6700 & SSDR-W V 2.4.9
Win10
Did you get a chance to take the fan pics? Not a rush but just checking to make sure I didn't miss them.
Al / NN4ZZ
al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
6700 & SSDR-W V 2.4.9
Win10
It would be nice to see the pics if possible.
K2CB Eric Dobrowansky
Jerry WA9UKB