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 v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
SmartSDR v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 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.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
flexcontrol rf issue
Options
Jeff Griffin
Member ✭✭
Recently I've been having an RF issue with my Flex VU5K. When I'm running FT8 with my K3 that is near my FlexControl I lose the connection between the Flex radio and FlexControl. The only way I can get it back is to reboot my PC.
This only happens when I use the K3 on 20m. I know it's an RF issue, but it doesn't effect anything else in the shack. It happens on 20m mostly FT8 with 70 watts or more. The only way that I know how to pick up the FlexControl is to reboot the PC. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this without a reboot.
Here's what I've done so far....
Re-did ground system, including a new ground rod.
Moved the FlexControl and cabeling as far away from the K3 as possible.
Added some Ferrites to FC cable
Tried to unplug the FlexControl USB and re connect
Powered cycled the Flex Radio and re loaded the software
Any ideas to try?
73 Jeff kb2m
This only happens when I use the K3 on 20m. I know it's an RF issue, but it doesn't effect anything else in the shack. It happens on 20m mostly FT8 with 70 watts or more. The only way that I know how to pick up the FlexControl is to reboot the PC. Does anyone have any ideas on how to do this without a reboot.
Here's what I've done so far....
Re-did ground system, including a new ground rod.
Moved the FlexControl and cabeling as far away from the K3 as possible.
Added some Ferrites to FC cable
Tried to unplug the FlexControl USB and re connect
Powered cycled the Flex Radio and re loaded the software
Any ideas to try?
73 Jeff kb2m
0
Answers
-
Jeff,
Is your computer tied to the same common point ground as the K3? Windows is flagging that port with a non-functional device and disabling the port, which is the reason the computer needs to be rebooted.. Unless the antenna is close, many times it is common mode RFI from that antenna, common mode choke can help on the outside of the shack .. Just a few thoughts.
-Dudley
0 -
Hi Dudley. This doesn't make any sense but this all started when I upgraded the K3 from a serial interface to a USB. When it was serial it was going to a 232 to USB dongle anyway, so what's the difference. I had some other issues in the shack from RF but was able to fix all but this by reworking the ground system. Should I try grounding the computer chassis directly to the radio ground system?
Before this started I had zero RF issues on any frequency. And now the only device connected to the computer that has any issues is the FlexControl, other devices are an az-el sat rotor controller, remoterig, IC-9100, etc. All other USB connected devices are not failing....
73 Jeff kb2m0 -
Your serial port most likely did not have a direct chassis ground as the USB cable does, pull the USB cable from the computer end, to see if the issue goes away .. I would check with a voltmeter between the USB ground and the computer chassis, your radio is grounded better than the AC safety ground.. Just my thought..
-Dudley
0 -
Issue resolved. I moved the FlexControl cable rerouting it to make the trip as short as possible. I also tightly coiled up the extra cable in a tight loop. It is now RF proof. I must say the FlexControl is the most RF sensitive device I have connected in my shack. There are 5 other USB devices connected to the same computer that have/had no issues. If I haven't been using it for over two years without any issues in two places, I would of sent it back for being defective....
73 Jeff kb2m0
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 328 Community Topics
- 2.1K New Ideas
- 593 The Flea Market
- 7.8K Software
- 6.2K SmartSDR for Windows
- 168 SmartSDR for Maestro and M models
- 396 SmartSDR for Mac
- 260 SmartSDR for iOS
- 246 SmartSDR CAT
- 179 DAX
- 369 SmartSDR API
- 9.1K Radios and Accessories
- 15 Aurora
- 159 FLEX-8000 Signature Series
- 7.1K FLEX-6000 Signature Series
- 909 Maestro
- 51 FlexControl
- 854 FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
- 873 Genius Products
- 446 Power Genius XL Amplifier
- 312 Tuner Genius XL
- 115 Antenna Genius
- 278 Shack Infrastructure
- 196 Networking
- 438 Remote Operation (SmartLink)
- 135 Contesting
- 722 Peripherals & Station Integration
- 136 Amateur Radio Interests
- 942 Third-Party Software