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Hardware revision to Flex 6500

Paul M
Paul M Member ✭✭
I have been looking at the used 6500's that have been on the market lately and would like to know if there has been a significant hardware revision since it was first shipped.  Most of the units I have seen are early 2014 to  late 2014.  Is there a reason to buy a newer unit or is the hardware the same as being shipped today?

Answers

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭
    edited May 2020
    Not an expert by any stretch, but my understanding is that the actual hardware has remained the same -- only the firmware has changed significantly :-)

  • k3Tim
    k3Tim Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Adding to Donald's comments that the h/w seems to be close to the early release. In the official response to similar question:

    https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/bit-the-bullet-and-purchased-a-used-6500-a-2013-mod...

    Tim said there are "no required updates" to the h/w. My interpretation is the firmware/software runs "the same or substantially the same" on the complete 6500 line. In the s/w release notes there have been no exceptions as to h/w vintage.

    A slightly different twist, the h/w is fixed without an upgrade path:
    https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/hardware_upgrade_capability_for_6000_series


    Not unexpected, as the firmware IS the update.  After using a 6500 for a year now it seems the h/w problems are nonexistent and it's up to the s/w and firmware for new features or bug fixes. 
     
    HNY  

    Tim  -  k3Tim/6


  • Gary
    Gary Member
    edited June 2020

    There was a hardware change I believe mid 2014 ... something called the PIN or something like that. It required the unit be returned. The unit I bought recently was made in early 2014 (week 11) but didn't ship to the first owner until August and it had the PIN mod done before it shipped.

     

  • Al_NN4ZZ
    Al_NN4ZZ Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2017
    Hi Gary,
    If you are referring to the PEN update, it only applied to 6700s and then only some of them.  I have the details on my web page:

    http://www.nn4zz.com/FLEX6700.htm

    Regards, Al / NN4ZZ  
    al (at) nn4zz (dot) com
    SSDR / DAX / CAT/ 6700 -  V 1.10.8
    Win10



  • Marc Lalonde
    Marc Lalonde Member ✭✭
    edited January 2017
    as far i knot PEN update on 6700  was adding 2 tantalum capacitor on PCB
  • Ken - NM9P
    Ken - NM9P Member ✭✭✭
    edited January 2017
    There was a small update on some early 6300's that dealt with Audio grounding/balance issues at the 8-pin foster mike connector. There was a small hardware update on the 6700 to provide additional cooling and performance for future high processing applications. There were some early changes to some early-run Maestro's. Those are the only hardware updates I remember for the past four years. I don't recall any changes done on the 6500, which is what I own. The only hardware problems I have had with it were self-inflicted... lightning damage because I foolishly left the antenna connected on the wrong day!

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