The last we heard was weeks ago stating they are still in testing,
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
Posted 2 years ago
Steve K9ZW, Elmer
- 1595 Posts
- 781 Reply Likes
I have a PGXL in my shack and it is doing well.
Of course as an add-on-Alpha I’m not going to go into specifics on the development and only FRS knows when the PGXL general release will be.
The volume of efforts being put into the PGXL is impressive.
I’m impressed to the point of decision making whether to keep my Alpha-9500s as spares or not. Thinking I should buy one extra PGXL instead.
As for whether deposit holders stay or buy something else, that is a discussion that as long time community members we’ve hashed over enough. In this case dropping a secured place also drops the that person from the included antenna tuner/coupler being included in the price.
I’ve had outstanding signal reports on the PGXL and Flex-6600M combo. I’m thinking others will be happy campers too!
73
Steve
K9ZW
- 1143 Posts
- 245 Reply Likes
That and I am more a 600 watt type of guy.
But very cool unit. There is always going to be less interest in something like this as there is less market.
I think once the 6400/6600 pipeline start filling up we can get back to normal talk and whining. Right now everything is overshadowed by the radio talk.
- 544 Posts
- 133 Reply Likes
Burch
K4QXX
- 146 Posts
- 52 Reply Likes
It's understandable why FRS doesn't project release dates. On one hand they don't want to push the release date out so far that the majority of perspective buyers and pre-order folks go elsewhere, but also they don't want to project a date too soon, miss it, and create disappointment.
I'm on the pre-order list, and have no problem waiting until the bugs are worked out, although it would be nice to get some insight on its testing progress via the Flex Insider more often.
- 851 Posts
- 181 Reply Likes
I've ran Flex radio equipment since 2008 and 4 Radio's a Maestro and 1 Amp in my operating locations.
73's
Bret
WX7Y
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
And before you say anything about the built in filters- the built in filters are insufficient to run a SO2R station as they are RX filters, not TX. In order to run 1500W SO2R station you need external high power BPFs.
- 694 Posts
- 154 Reply Likes
73 Chris
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
- 694 Posts
- 154 Reply Likes
LPF developed by Bob 5B4AGN and still over 100 PA's in USA in use !
Dream further :-)
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
Also, if you were to join the Yahoo group you will see there is a lot of remaining work before it becomes a solid product.
Most hams won’t buy one just to dissect it and see how well it is designed.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
- 976 Posts
- 274 Reply Likes
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
- 976 Posts
- 274 Reply Likes
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
Now, If Flex were to introduce a smaller amp of lets say 800w to 1000w at a much lower price, that would suit my needs much better.
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
- 976 Posts
- 274 Reply Likes
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
Note that I am deliberately calling it Ranko’s amp. It is engineered by Ranko and marketed by FRS. The much touted integration with SSDR is a buy product of the amp’s design to monitor UDP traffic for band changes. This feature is there to support integration with N1MM, WriteLog, etc. FRS is very smart to build on that feature and promote the amp.
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
So your understanding on this is very misleading.
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
In plain English it is called envelope tracking. It is commonly used by commercial transmitters and the cellular infrastructure. Guess what Ranko does for a living...commercial communications gear!
The most difficult challenge for this amp is cooling. Assuming it is indeed capable of doing full power with no time limit you need serious cooling, and not just cooling of the LDMOS.
So Bill, I highly recommend you take the time to learn about SS amps and pay less attention to FRS marketing.
- 334 Posts
- 74 Reply Likes
- 4051 Posts
- 979 Reply Likes
- 92 Posts
- 32 Reply Likes
I know that Flex is more eager to get the amp to me than I am to have it, if that is possible. I want Flex to make sure that it is done right.
My antenna work is taking more time than I thought so I can be patient. Rains in Mobile, AL have been torrential recently and antenna work has slowed as a result - after recovering from the flu that took 4 weeks! So, I can be patient about the PG XL. I am a good deal more impatient with the speed of my antenna work.
Brad
KE4XJ
Chris Tate - N6WM, Elmer
- 976 Posts
- 274 Reply Likes
- 146 Posts
- 52 Reply Likes
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
- 3790 Posts
- 1640 Reply Likes
@KF4JR
Please give him a break..
His need to hide his name and call may be due to the rumor that he does not own a Flex product and his wish to post controversial (and perhaps totally incorrect) opinions on many subjects on which he purports to be an expert
- 4 Posts
- 1 Reply Like
Tom
N8FDY
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
- 3790 Posts
- 1640 Reply Likes
By contrast Ria N2RJ runs a full 1500W on FT8 with a PGXL.
Not many dB (1.3dB). But for some of us every dB helps work the really weak ones.
Bottom line. Likely enough of an improvement in heat handling Characteristics in the PGXL to justify upgrading for various digital modes
- 556 Posts
- 100 Reply Likes
- 8 Posts
- 2 Reply Likes
- 481 Posts
- 84 Reply Likes
KY6LA - Howard, Elmer
- 3790 Posts
- 1640 Reply Likes
The low power myth is a carry over from PSK31 which is greatly affected by IMD
FT8 is a WEAK signal mode NOT necessarily a low power mode.
You definitely need to up the power to work weak ones down below -20
Bottom Line. Use the power you need to make the Q. Too much power brings little benefit but too little power means no Q
- 1143 Posts
- 245 Reply Likes
It is NOT a lower power mode. It may work low power but so does 5 watt SSB
- 92 Posts
- 32 Reply Likes
I will not disparage other products, for two reasons: There are some pretty good products out there and I realize that what I like is not for everyone.
But for me, Flex is the winner hands down. I realize that I am putting a lot of faith in Flex to produce a great product in the PG XL. But i think that this trust is more than justified by their past history. Life is too short to troll other forums (fora?), in order to dish out negative comments. I will just enjoy my PG XL when it gets here after being done right. Until then, I will use my Ameritron AL-82. I am happy to wait for a top notch amplifier.
Brad
KE4XJ