There is one US made radio on the market today that will meet >>>ALL<<< the desires & requirements discussed in this thread -- and it is made by an AMSAT member (K5SDR)! It was on view at last fall's AMSAT Symposium. I say "ALL" contingent on the release of one module RSN (Real! Soon! Now!).
I'm talking about the software-defined Flex 5000 (see http://www.flex-radio.com/). When the new V/U module is released (by Dayton), the F5K can be used at the 100W level on 160-6M, and 60W on V=2M & U=70cm. It will operate Full-Duplex in any combination of V/U (+10 meters). Greg, K5GJ described the new V/U module fully at the AMSAT Symposium. Flex has offered significant door prizes (like half of a base 5K) at all the recent AMSAT & TAPR meetings (I won a prize that I converted to a V/U upgrade for my personal F5K; I eagerly expect it in the next month or so).
For some more info, this is clipped from the Flex advertising describing the new V/U module:
The FLEX-5000 V/U module is a fully integrated all-mode, all-band (144-148/430-450 MHz) full-duplex VHF/UHF module that adds both 2m and 70 cm capabilities to the already outstanding FLEX-5000 family of software defined radios. All of the FLEX-5000 V/U module's oscillators are locked to the 500 MHz master oscillator in the FLEX-5000, which in turn is locked to the internal 0.5ppm reference or it may be connected to an external 10 MHz reference for even greater frequency stability.
If want additional HF capability, you can add a second receiver and/or automatic antenna tuner. You can tie the entire radio to a GPS or Rubidium frequency reference for accuracy/stability at levels better than a part per billion.
For any of the microwave bands (23 cm and up), either the V or U channel can serve as the IF for a transverter. For the wider bandwidth modes discussed for the "HR-956-Pro", the F5K is capable of supporting anything up to a few hundred kHz. For these SDRs, new software support shows up daily, contributed (free) by a significant cadre of amateurs. If a modem for some different mode, is needed, IOS (It's Only Software! ).
And the price for a fully decked out is less than half of that forecast for the "fictional HR-956-Pro" (even including a suitable PC).
SUPPORT THE US MANUFACTURERS! THEY ARE A RARE BREED!
73, Tom
That's right, Tom--the same thought occurred to me as the list was growing: "Hey, that sounds like the Flex-5000 with uhf/vhf modules!"
By my early calculations (but poor memory!) it's approaching $4000-5000, depending on the options added. It's a signficant radio, and it has a signficant price tag to match. Most of us (me in that group) wish it was more like $2-3k...but it's understandable why it's not in that range.
It may stay on my dream list for a while...
73,
Mark N8MH
On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 4:55 PM, Tom Clark, K3IO [email protected] wrote:
There is one US made radio on the market today that will meet >>>ALL<<< the desires & requirements discussed in this thread -- and it is made by an AMSAT member (K5SDR)! It was on view at last fall's AMSAT Symposium. I say "ALL" contingent on the release of one module RSN (Real! Soon! Now!).
I'm talking about the software-defined Flex 5000 (see http://www.flex-radio.com/). When the new V/U module is released (by Dayton), the F5K can be used at the 100W level on 160-6M, and 60W on V=2M & U=70cm. It will operate Full-Duplex in any combination of V/U (+10 meters). Greg, K5GJ described the new V/U module fully at the AMSAT Symposium. Flex has offered significant door prizes (like half of a base 5K) at all the recent AMSAT & TAPR meetings (I won a prize that I converted to a V/U upgrade for my personal F5K; I eagerly expect it in the next month or so).
For some more info, this is clipped from the Flex advertising describing the new V/U module:
The FLEX-5000 V/U module is a fully integrated all-mode, all-band (144-148/430-450 MHz) full-duplex VHF/UHF module that adds both 2m and 70 cm capabilities to the already outstanding FLEX-5000 family of software defined radios. All of the FLEX-5000 V/U module's oscillators are locked to the 500 MHz master oscillator in the FLEX-5000, which in turn is locked to the internal 0.5ppm reference or it may be connected to an external 10 MHz reference for even greater frequency stability.
If want additional HF capability, you can add a second receiver and/or automatic antenna tuner. You can tie the entire radio to a GPS or Rubidium frequency reference for accuracy/stability at levels better than a part per billion.
For any of the microwave bands (23 cm and up), either the V or U channel can serve as the IF for a transverter. For the wider bandwidth modes discussed for the "HR-956-Pro", the F5K is capable of supporting anything up to a few hundred kHz. For these SDRs, new software support shows up daily, contributed (free) by a significant cadre of amateurs. If a modem for some different mode, is needed, IOS (It's Only Software! ).
And the price for a fully decked out is less than half of that forecast for the "fictional HR-956-Pro" (even including a suitable PC).
SUPPORT THE US MANUFACTURERS! THEY ARE A RARE BREED!
73, Tom
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
When I retired 4 years ago, I had a long list of things to do, get, or build on my ham radio To Do list. After looking at the Flex 5K, I realized that well over half of them would be rendered moot by it. Since virtually none of my operating is on HF, I have been waiting (and waiting, and waiting,) for the V/U module to be ready. While waiting, I have gathered a few tools to go with it, including a GPS disciplined reference oscillator, so I will never need to wonder about what frequency I am really on. It looks as if that time is almost here, and I will be able to retire my venerable FT-847. Who knows, I may even start working HF again. And it will feel good to buy American again. The last purely US Rig I had was from Hallicrafters.
Alan WA4SCA
At 01:39 PM 3/1/2010, Alan P. Biddle wrote:
When I retired 4 years ago, I had a long list of things to do, get, or build on my ham radio To Do list. After looking at the Flex 5K, I realized that well over half of them would be rendered moot by it. Since virtually none of my operating is on HF, I have been waiting (and waiting, and waiting,) for the V/U module to be ready. While waiting, I have gathered a few tools to go with it, including a GPS disciplined reference oscillator, so I will never need to wonder about what frequency I am really on. It looks as if that time is almost here, and I will be able to retire my venerable FT-847. Who knows, I may even start working HF again. And it will feel good to buy American again. The last purely US Rig I had was from Hallicrafters.
Alan WA4SCA ______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Nice if you can afford it. My advice is do not wait until retirement to buy that dream radio. Living on social security and medicare does not provide for new toys! I am stuck with having to convince my wife to let me spend $3K of my 401K for ham radio...haven't worked up the courage, yet. We decided to withdraw $8K to payoff her new Toyota Sienna van so we are not having to come up with $600 car payments each month for another couple years.
I have figured out that interest on my 401K will just be enough to pay my income tax on my social security...wow!
What is my dream radio? Elecraft-K3 (dual-Rx) with new DEMI 2m & 70cm xvtrs. I can't even think about a F5K (dual-Rx). I do have an SDR-IQ, FT-847, and FT817. Figured that selling the FT-847 would (maybe) pay for the new xvtrs.
Reality...I probably will have to quit ham radio when the FT-847 dies :-(
73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] ======================================
Dear Tom:
Thank you very much for reminding us of the Flex product line. They have progressed a long way since the last time I looked into SDR. I will review the specifications of the Flex-5000 very closely. It does appear to be clearly the next generation of competition grade/satellite transceiver WF1F Miles
--- On Mon, 3/1/10, Tom Clark, K3IO [email protected] wrote:
From: Tom Clark, K3IO [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig To: "AMSAT BB" [email protected] Date: Monday, March 1, 2010, 4:55 PM There is one US made radio on the market today that will meet >>>ALL<<< the desires & requirements discussed in this thread -- and it is made by an AMSAT member (K5SDR)! It was on view at last fall's AMSAT Symposium. I say "ALL" contingent on the release of one module RSN (Real! Soon! Now!).
I'm talking about the software-defined Flex 5000 (see http://www.flex-radio.com/). When the new V/U module is released (by Dayton), the F5K can be used at the 100W level on 160-6M, and 60W on V=2M & U=70cm. It will operate Full-Duplex in any combination of V/U (+10 meters). Greg, K5GJ described the new V/U module fully at the AMSAT Symposium. Flex has offered significant door prizes (like half of a base 5K) at all the recent AMSAT & TAPR meetings (I won a prize that I converted to a V/U upgrade for my personal F5K; I eagerly expect it in the next month or so).
For some more info, this is clipped from the Flex advertising describing the new V/U module:
The FLEX-5000 V/U module is a fully integrated
all-mode, all-band
(144-148/430-450 MHz) full-duplex VHF/UHF module that
adds both 2m and
70 cm capabilities to the already outstanding
FLEX-5000 family of
software defined radios. All of the FLEX-5000
V/U module's
oscillators are locked to the 500 MHz master
oscillator in the
FLEX-5000, which in turn is locked to the internal
0.5ppm reference or
it may be connected to an external 10 MHz reference
for even greater
frequency stability.
If want additional HF capability, you can add a second receiver and/or automatic antenna tuner. You can tie the entire radio to a GPS or Rubidium frequency reference for accuracy/stability at levels better than a part per billion.
For any of the microwave bands (23 cm and up), either the V or U channel can serve as the IF for a transverter. For the wider bandwidth modes discussed for the "HR-956-Pro", the F5K is capable of supporting anything up to a few hundred kHz. For these SDRs, new software support shows up daily, contributed (free) by a significant cadre of amateurs. If a modem for some different mode, is needed, IOS (It's Only Software! ).
And the price for a fully decked out is less than half of that forecast for the "fictional HR-956-Pro" (even including a suitable PC).
SUPPORT THE US MANUFACTURERS! THEY ARE A RARE BREED!
73, Tom
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (5)
-
Alan P. Biddle -
Edward Cole -
Mark L. Hammond -
MM -
Tom Clark, K3IO