I guess I should reply to comments by several:
When I investigated the Flex-5000 when it first came out, there was no U/V transverter available and no duplex Rx function. I contacted them regarding that and also about their second Rx regarding another project (eme) which does not concern satellite users. After consideration over a couple years I decided on the Elecraft K3/10. I still had my FT-847 and FT-817 at that point.
Apparently,Flex subsequently added duplex operation and came out with V/U transverter for the 5000. So maybe you can find a used one if building a satellite station.
Now addressing Rick's assertion that one can save money buying a Flex 6000 series radio coupled with Rx downconverter and buying another VHF/UHF capable radio as transmitter.
I checked the prices on new Flex: 6300 ... $2399 6500 ... $4099 6700 ... $7199
Not sure where you find VHF or UHF Rx converters these days. price ...? One of the used IC251or 271 (451 or 471) could be used but you would need two to cover both 144 and 432 Or buy a used IC910, FT-847, or TS2000 (but then you do not need the Flex).
A couple FT-817 with amplifiers would be cheaper.
Compare with Elecraft: K3s/10 ... $2099 K3s/100 ... $2649 KX3 ... $899 2M transverter for KX3 ...$199
DEMI transverters: L144-28 ... $479 L432-28 ... $499
Cheapest Elecraft combo: KX3-2M = $1099 KX3+L432-48 = $1398 total ... $2497
or my proposed sat station: KX3-2M = $1099 KX3s/10+L144-28 = $2598 total ... $3697
both dual Elecraft sat combos are less than a Flex6500.
Of course if you also want mode VU then you need a modest power 2m linear. I have RF Concepts 2-30 linear which produces 30w for 2w input. Granted they are rare to find these days but you can substitute the Mirage equivalent.
Of course if Flex6700 will have full duplex with second Rx all you need is VHF/UHF amplifiers.
I'll leave the comparing to the reader.
In my case I have already voted with my dollars: K3/10 (bought in 2010) KX3-2M (bought in 2012) L144-28HP (50w) L222-28 L432-28 (with Apol synth) 1296-28H2 (with A32 synth) 3400-144 10368-144 [no you don't want to total that] ;-)
Currently, I mostly do eme: 144: 4x M2 2mXP20 yagis + 8877 PA 1296: 4.9m dish + W6PQL 150w PA soon: 3400: 4.9m dish + 50w Toshiba PA 50: 6-elem yagi + 1000w Harris PA
73, Ed - KL7UW still have all my AO-40 antennas and mw gear.
------------------ Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Flex radio for satellites
In answer to your questions, yes the Flex 5000A could be fully equipped with 2 rcvrs and the V/U module, however they discontinued it with the release of their 6000 series radio. For satellites I've used the FT736f, Ts2000 and ft847 and none compare to the ease of operation and rx quality of the Flex5000A, which is why I'm holding on to mine.
But you could do what I'm now doing which is to use another radio capable of V/U transmission on all modes as your uplink radio and use a 6000 series radio with inexpensive down converters for rx. I then built a USB relay controlled box that drives antenna switching relays. I found this to be much cheaper than the other alternative which is to buy DEMI transverters or possibly Elecraft. And you also end up with another really useful radio as a backup for HF and other purposes at less cost than the 2 DEMI transverters. I've used this arrangement before (minus the automated relay switching ) I got my tricked out Flex5000. At that time I used the TS2000 as uplink with a Flex 5000A for downlink wth converters and it worked great! Stay tuned for exciting articles by Ron Parsons, W5RKN, and Dave W0DHB in the AMSAT Journal about all this. What I'm doing is a spin off of their ideas and working with them.
73 Rick, W2JAZ
73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa@gmail.com