I just downloaded and printed the PGXL Quick Start Guide AND the Owner's Manual. The Guide is 23 pages and the Manual is 27 pages. One of the biggest things I noticed when reading both manuals is that the PGXL software runs OUTSIDE the Flex Software. When using the amp, it has to be turned on in standby. The radio software has to be opened, then the PGXL software is opened and it finds the radio and the PGXL!
Neither manuals show a ground lug! Both manuals show a picture of the back of the PGXL AND identify every component.
The RF power bar graph red-lines after 1 KW. That's interesting!
For people using the Flex Radio and the PGXL, it will take 10 minutes to get everything up and running!
Every time the PGXL is turned-on , the fans go to max speed for a period of time to "blow-out the internal dust"!
That's got to be rough on the fan motors.
The manual refers to the input AC power as 110 or 220 Volts. The industry standard today is 120 and 240 Volts.
One of the pictures in the manuals shows the input voltage at 239 Volts. That surely exceeds their 220 Volts as stated.
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Posted 1 year ago
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" Automatic Power Control
Automatic power control is a system to reduce output power once it exceeds a preset threshold. The default factory threshold is set to 1800W. When peak power goes above 1800W APC will activate. The APC label will appear and power reading will turn red. Reduce drive power to have a total output power less then 1800W in order to deactivate the system. APC system was designed to prevent damage to the amplifier. "
Unless of course the SWR detected by the APC circuit is high enough to start throttling back the power sooner.
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we have to describe APC in manual a bit more clear, that's true. Chapter 5.1. Power derating overview has to be completely changed. Will do it in next few days.
Automatic power control is a system to reduce output power once it exceeds a preset threshold (Overdrive). The default factory threshold is set to 1800W ( Will be changed to higher value in next firmware version) . Reduceing drive power to have a total output power less then 1800W will deactivate the system.
It will reduce Vdd, or change some Bias parameters, but your amplifier will keep running with 1800W.
One of main goals in designing PG XL was to keep amplifier running in case of overdrive, higher SWR or temperature, with less power, until it reboot in normal state.
Protections are active only in case of dangerous conditions.
I hope it is more clear now, and thanks to Alpha team for helping us in reviewing draft manual.
73
Ranko
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73.
Steve gw0gei / gw9j
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
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Few words about PG XL's output power. We set APC to 1800W as initial threshold level in first batch. APC is really unique solution built in PG XL, and it will reduce output power in case of overdrive, without switching amplifier in Stby. It was the main point.
We will set APC on 2000W, or even more on some bands after we finish all hard testing and measuring. It will be one of future firmware updates.
Our App is used to create connection with radio, Flex or any other, or to change settings. App is not mandatory for amp's functionality.
Integration with Flex should be done already. Tim/Gerald, am I right?
We are looking forward for your comments and feed back, and will do our the best to integrate most of it.
73
Ranko
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Gerald - K5SDR, Employee
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Gerald
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
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We are still actively investigating the lingering issues where the radio firmware stops running and hopefully, we'll get feedback that will allow us to address the root cause of these additional crashes.
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Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
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Can any of the alpha testers confirm which its? The main difference is either vertical flat blades (C13/C14) or horizontal flat blades (C19/C20).
Justin
KL2D

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AC power connector is C-13, for 20A of current. C20 was on Beta units and it left on rendering by mistake. We will change it.
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I would say, at least for myself, this is strictly enthusiasm for the new amp and in no way should be taken as criticism.
Thanks for all the hard work going into this new product!
73
Justin
KL2D
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73
Ranko
Steve K9ZW, Elmer
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The download is “Version 0” rather than a production release.
As for capabilities and levels of output where safeguards are enabled the present “Version 0” release descriptively is open to interpretation. If certainly doesn’t reflect the pessimistic interpretation that output has been throttled back some 10-25% from the promoted target.
Wondering if use with a Flex-6000 will have a number of configuration options that coordinate in different ways? And if a roll-out if all options would be ready?
Thinking we may see interface options using:
- 4o3a Windows Native Software in suite with other 4o3a software/hardware
- Hardware Band Control alone
- USB Hardware Band Control, again alone
- SmartSDR based integrated Control
- DDUtil based middleware-Control
- And perhaps others?
Looking really cool from “Version-0” documentation nonetheless!
Will be personally very interested in how the various parts all come together, especially as alternatives are thin on the ground and/or offer their own special issues to work around.
I’m also very interested in how the various 4o3a products end up working with each other. And what the antenna coupler/tuner looks like!
73
Steve
K9ZW
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The documentation has a number of errors of this sort. We're working to fix them up right now.
I have questions open to them right now about the power supply. I "think" it is a large switching supply that will accept anything from 120 to 240 volts, 50 or 60 Hz, but that is only my guess. I'm waiting to hear something definite on this.
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Anyway, I guess we will all find out shortly. ;-)
Justin
KL2D
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Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
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The Manuals for the 6600M Series are available on the WEB Site. Someone in Flex does not have a PDF of the Present Day Manual? Can this be posted as part of the PowerGenius Product Page, like the 6600M?
Richard Griest - N4RWG (WB4VMH)
Still waiting for Delivery Call...... ;)
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
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Tom
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
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Tom, SP7WT
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Stby state is actually OFF. Only one smal 24V power supply remain, mother board with LAN port and display. Main power supply is switched off. Amplifier can be in Stby mode endless period of time.
Hope it helps.
73
Ranko
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" One of the biggest things I noticed when reading both manuals is that the PGXL software runs OUTSIDE the Flex Software. When using the amp, it has to be turned on in standby. The radio software has to be opened, then the PGXL software is opened and it finds the radio and the PGXL! "
I assume the amp can be run standalone with radios other than the Flex, By standalone I mean without a computer running. Is there no frequency counter band switching like in Elecraft?
Thanks,
Keith - AC9S
Ria - N2RJ, Elmer
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I do know that there is also manual filter switching possible using pin to pin so at a very primitive level you can have switching per band from any radio that can close a circuit for each band position.
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The amp needs to know the band the radio is transmitting on. When run by a FLEX, that information comes through the LAN connection along with the PTT signal. As the transmitter changes bands, the amp follows along. The amp is (or will be) fully integrated with SmartSDR and fully automatic.
When operated by other radio models, the amp still needs band information. It can be provided by a CAT connection from the radio to the amp, by a CI-V connection from some Icom radios to the amp, by a conventional 4 bit BCD connection from the radio to the amp and by a pin per band connection. Any of these will do. PTT signaling is provided by a conventional PTT connection (RCA) from the radio to the amp.
The amp firmware, the configuration tool and SmartSDR are works in progress. I don't know if the amp hardware has the ability to count the incoming signal and set the band, or if that feature could or will be implemented in the firmware. It's still a very new product.
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We will have manual band switching in one of coming firmware versions.
73
Ranko
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Ranko
Bill -VA3WTB
4O3A Signature
We will have some bar graphs change in new firmware version, after we set up final APC threshold
4O3A Signature
Ground lug exist, but is missing from rear panel. Will fix it. Thanks.
73
Ranko